|
Review Navigator   FeaturesContestsReviews
| Reel Big FishWe're Not Happy 'Til You're Not Happy2005 Jive 
  Review by: KirbyPuckett See others by this writer ![[staff]](/images/icons/staffsticker.gif){kind=icon}
Official Website (link) Only registered users can post comments 
 
Published on April 5th 2005
Music trends come and go; for the most part, the major ska acts of the 1996 boom have vanished. Goldfinger’s latest release Disconnection Notice proves that they’re dead to me. Save Ferris, who? Lastly, the Mighty Mighty Bosstones are encompassed by a large question mark. That leaves Orange County’s mighty pop-punk-ska act Reel Big Fish as the last standing mecca from the era. Despite several lineup changes spanning their decade in existence, the band has prepared yet another quality upbeat record just in time for the summer season.
People who liked this also liked:           Please login or register to post comments. What are the benefits of having a Punknews.org account?
This CD was much better than Cheer up! Reel Big Fish is definately headed in a better direction. im starting to listen to this album again, and its great! I bought this and watched them live at Bristol Carling. It sounds so much fucking better at a gig. The songs seem bland on the cd. Speed them up and at some skankin, it seems alright then. Yeah this album rocks, stop being haters. I just bought the cd last night and I have listened to it only a couple times since then, but here are my views: WDTRSH? is my favorite album in the world-and I have quite an extensive collection. Although this disc cannot even compare with WDTRSH?, I still think it is a solid album. They manage to keep a good balance of funny and sentimental songs, and musically they keep both rock and ska aspects. I can see whay you guys mean about how they shouldn't cover Social D, but I think they managed to put their own spin on a great song. However, I wish there were way fewer covers on this album. Covers are pretty uncreative. For those of you asking why everyone hates Cheer Up!, it's because it supposedly has too much rock influence and not enough ska. This album does not hold my attention for as long as WDTRSH? does, but I think I'll still be listening to it for a while. Biggest disappointment of '05 for sure. Even 'Disconection Notice' (Goldfinger) was better. too bad they dont have a "wind section", its a brass section. Good CD that grows on you. It's the same of the old but did you really want anything other than Reel Big Fish. It's a band that I don't expect to change. They care too much about having a good time than to please the critics. Musically it is nothing different than "Why Do They Rock So Hard". It is good for fans who disliked "Cheer Up!". Personally Cheer Up was my favorite. To me it proved that Reel Big Fish was more of a straight-up rock band that had horns rather than a trendy ska band. Thanks for another one RBF. Since these guys can joke about themselves, I think they should make fun of the current trend. Their next video should have all band members dressed up in tight black t-shirts, tight ass fancy-vintage-looking girl jeans, and all with black wigs cut in the shape of Luke Skywalker's hair. Complete with girly dancing and funny posturing. It would have to be REALLY over the top though, because when I see bands really doing this and taking them serious, I can't tell half the time (cough*fromfirsttolast*cough) after 2 weeks i love it. No, it is not as good as their first two albums, but did you ever really expect them to top that? i mean really, those albums were defining albums of the 3rd wave late 90's ska explosion. this album is about as close is they will ever get to recapturing that sound and feel. Yeah, after a week or so of it..it's not as bad as I first said...but I still don't think it's up there with TTRO or WDTRSH? After two weeks with this album. The Fire, Last Show, and The Bad Guy. Have already made their way up the ranks to be some of my all time favorite RBF songs. I don't hate these and I wouldn't call myself a fan, but I give them credit for their social D cover. They pay the song respect while still making it their own. i like ska but im just afraid to admit it score is for cover art. geart badn, shit live. i'll but ethid though. when sobet. i've disliked this band for a long long time. much longer than j-lo but my hate is much more intense towards j-lo. Calling London is right. Ska is still great. If you think you've outgrown it or are too cool for it anymore, than you're lame. "I have a theory that the title may be directed to the label" yea cheer up was solid, but it lacked cohesion (especially the second half..its like instrumental salsa song, sublime cover, goofy hairmetal song, vocal only sinatra cover, song sung by scott....WTF?!) but the middle of cheer up had some solid songs...tracks 5-8 were all pretty good. but the album just lacked a direction and ska. this album has more of the classic rbf feel, the stripped down production is cool too. the covers are all good, but like i said, don't go there w/ social D. definately way better than goldfingers new album for sure. god that thing is shit. this cd is actually really good, if you like reel big fish. much more ska and like their old style than 'cheer up' although 3 covers is a bit excessive. and the social D one...you just shouldnt go there. no one should cover 'story of my life'. period. its like when some shitty local band covers op ivy 'soundsystem' and all you want to do is break their legs. not that bad but close. but yea the cd rules. Hmm...interesting. I liked all of their previous albums, but I think this one needs some time to grow on me. At least they tried something different though. By the way, why all of the Cheer Up! bashing? It's a great record. score is for the 1999 numetal cover art and text. i dont know tahoe.... as far as i can tell, it seems like this record label pretty much leaves them alone to do what they want...which is a pretty sweet deal, if anything, they would be pissed that the label doesnt promote the band on radio and stuff..i mean, as far as i can tell, but i dont listen to the radio too much I have a theory that the title may be directed to the label. RBF were on Mojo. Mojo gets sold. So now Their stuck on Jive with boy bands and pop shit. Now I don't know if they have a certain number of albums to make for Jive, but perhaps this is the "Hey! Fuck off, we're going to play what we want" "we're going to cover 3 songs, and make then better than the originals"ok....Story of my life..not better...but 2 out of 3 aint bad... To those complaining about Aaron's vocals and other such production problems -- it should be noted that Mr. Barrett himself produced the album. Reel Big Fish aren't happy until I am, and I'm not happy. and, you know, i find myself listening to ska a lot, again. i can't take the angst of new music. aaron may bitch in his lyrics, but the music is fun, and doesn't make me want to kill myself. god bless ska. yeah, this album is great. Roxk so hard is the best RBF album. I'm not so arrogant as to say that's not opinion, but if you think differently, you are probably wasting your time reading this review. The more I listen to it, the more I like it. I suspect that this will be the case for many people. Cheer Up was the same way, at first I was like "WTF?" but I ended up liking it alot....I'm still not sure what everybody has against it. Its a great album. "We know you don't like ska. Shut up." i have no say on this album...i haven't listened to it. but whoever said mustard plug and rbf are the same thing, you are CRAZY. To the guy way way below who asked how many covers are on here, it's three. "Talkin' 'Bout Revolution" by Tracy Chapman, "We Hate It..." by Morrissey, and "Story of My Life" by Social Distortion. ewwwww...reel big fish. mustard plug..is all the same to me. It seems like no one gave this record a shot. i haven't listened to all the songs yet, but this CD is damn good so far. far better than cheer up. I really like the toned down, even gritty, production too. Humbles the music in my opinion, which is good. It almost feels like i'm back in high school. The covers are great, and the originals sound fresh. It seems like they're experimenting a little wtih their songwriting, too. I'm happy with it. so far. it seems like you liked the cd, from what i can tell, but it only got a 5. kinda odd. Ok im the guy below me i just forgot something...the score down there is for the album and the score i put on this box is for the cover art and the album name i dunno but i have always liked Reel Big Fish work...also Save Ferris, Less than jake (gotta love Less than jake),and the bosstones. Im expecting this to be pretty good (despite the 5) and anyways i agree with a dude a couple of post below it will be one of those fun summer albums (like most of the fishes work if u ask me) and about the Aaron thing well i dont think he wants u to take it so seriously Step 1: Something is cool. This something gets respect. I was never really a big rbf to begin with. they were always a little too high on the cheese factor for me. At first I thought all of the "I hate major labels and the radio" stuff on the first few records was funny, but now I see it's part of a larger "I hate anyone who doesn't love my record." fuck this band I can still remember the joy of buying Turn the Radio Off back in high school as I blasted it in my 83 cougar. As a result, RBF has held a special place in my heart and I greatly anticipated this disc as the others. I did not enjoy Cheer Up at all, but I gave this disc a try (for old time's sake) and it is the greatest birthday gift I could ask for. Not their best cd, but it sure is fucking fun!! WELCOME BACK!!!! This album has some pretty fun songs, and is a lot more cohesive than Cheer Up. it seems like you liked the cd, from what i can tell, but it only got a 5. kinda odd. Yeah that's me from the 'Burgh, let's do it paul. score is for titties. love 'em. this score is for big fish and johnny depp and ska being way cooler than this new new wave 80's techno garbagio No Use For A Name 's new album, Keep Them Confused, comes out on June 18th. It will contain 13 dark, aggressive new songs (two of which were originally written in the Making Friends era). Prepare to be rocked. "This score is for Tim Burton, whether you like "Big Fish" or not. I think it's wonderful." Ok, someone help me out here. How many covers are on this cd? It seems like every song I like and think is original ends up being a cover. Originally I thought Revolution was the only cover and since then I have found 3 others. I really like the cd but it has way to many covers, so someone please tell me what songs are covers. This score is for Tim Burton, whether you like "Big Fish" or not. I think it's wonderful. "This score is for the movie "Big Fish"." (five stars) This score is for Reel Big Fish's decline since the late 90's. This score is for the movie "Big Fish". Ahem: "Goldfinger’s latest release Disconnection Notice proves that they’re dead to me" Turn the radio off was not their first album! "That leaves Orange County’s mighty pop-punk-ska act Reel Big Fish as the last standing mecca from the era." "That leaves Orange County’s mighty pop-punk-ska act Reel Big Fish as the last standing mecca from the era." Check out Aaron's take on the cd... Wheres the Hot Hot Heat review Kirby? "That leaves Orange County’s mighty pop-punk-ska act Reel Big Fish as the last standing mecca from the era" "This is by far the worst RBF record... i'd give it a 2...theyre starting to sound worse than the crappy 3rd wave ska bands who rip them off." title seems like a ripoff of a toxic narcotic song This is better than Cheer Up! Score's for the cover. Five Iron Frenzy did the same thing in FiF2:EB. The Bosstones do rule. And the new Avoid One Thing is surprisingly good. Jesse, the Bosstones rule. Take the indie rock stick outta your ass. "Throughout the entire fifteen tracks Aaron’s voice sounds as if his mic is a Campbell's Soup can, and it’s not mmm mmm good." Just going out on a limb here and saying that this band sucks elf cock. cheer up! was better than this one, so that is not saying much Bosstones rule. Dude, all those bands you mentioned in the intro suck. it should be noted that "we hate it..." is a morrissey cover. i will pretty much always enjoy rbf, even if only for the nostalgia factor. This band released their best two cds first and have gone downhill since then. This cd is good if you liked Cheer Up. If you're a Turn The Radio Off and Why Do They Rock So Hard? fan then don't bother with this cd. i enjoyed it... not as good as their older stuff, but still better than a lot (99.9%) of so called music that is out today on majors... while i was using my mental powers, i also added an 'e' between the 's' and the 'k' in basketball subract the period from the end of that last comment and add a question mark with your mind powers. I just watched basketball the other day and couldn't stop laughing every time RBF came on screen. What the fuck happended to Ska-punk? It's like the 80s hair metal of the 90s. It was huge and then it just sort of died out. And holy shit was it bad. I mean, I loved it at the time, but listening to some of those old cds I have of Less Than Jake, Reel Big Fish, Mustard Plug and the like and I just can't help but ask myself, "What the fuck were we all thinking." i like the font on the album cover...what does that remind me of? some horror movie or something? is it familiar to anyone else? I like this album. Sure, its not quite on the level with "Turn The Radio Off" but how many 5th albums are as good as a band's first album? The first time I listened to this album I wasnt entirely impressed, but after listening to it a couple more times it quickly grew on me. Basically, if you've ever been a fan of Reel Big Fish, you'll probably like this album, but if you arent entirely familiar with the band this is probably not the album to start with. This is by far the worst RBF record... i'd give it a 2...theyre starting to sound worse than the crappy 3rd wave ska bands who rip them off. So is it better than Cheer Up? That one left almost no impression on me. |
