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There is nothing overtly bad about Reel Big Fish’s latest DVD release, Live! In Concert!, except it is the third live DVD and/or CD to be released by the band in the last seven years, and seems phoned-in and wholly unnecessary at this point.

To be fair, the DVD offers fans exactly what it promises: one full 20-song live set taped Jan. 4, 2009 in Anaheim, Calif., at the beginning of the Fame, Fortune and Fornication Tour. And virtually nothing else. An extra chapter offers some “backstage shenanigans,” but it is akin to a guy carrying a camera around a family reunion. Everyone is just hanging out; they don’t seem to want to be filmed; and the viewer gets nothing interesting out of any of the subjects. But maybe the subjects find it fun to watch themselves on camera later.

The set list is roughly half new, compared to the last release, Our Live Album Is Better Than Your Live Album, working in songs from the band’s mediocre Monkeys for Nothin’ and the Chimps for Free full-length and the lackluster Fame, Fortune and Fornication covers effort. Unfortunately, that means better songs were booted to make space. And the last effort already did “live” so much better with two packed CDs and a more extensive DVD.

While Reel Big Fish can be an incredibly fun band to see live, the similarities of the band’s recent releases make it evident that what they do can be best described as a schtick, and even the band seems to be growing tired of the schtick, as there is nothing special to be found in this particular performance. Even the camera crew seems bored. Thankfully, the editing is well done, opting for sustained shots rather than the spastic music video cuts of many live shows, but none of the angles or camera movements are particularly exciting. It feels like a live show any amateur filmmaker could have shot without much effort.

Unfortunately, that sums up the entire release -- not much effort. A show was taped. A show was edited. It was pressed and put in a box with boring artwork and no extra material. It is hard not to feel like this is the epitome of a cash-in targeted at die-hard fans and another way to prolong writing a new album. Live! In Concert! is redundant and not worth anyone’s cash, longtime fan or not.



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Reel Big Fish - Fame, Fortune and FornicationBomb the Music Industry! - ScramblesBig D and the Kids Table - Fluent in Stroll



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    Posted by paulrulzdood on 2009-07-27 16:42:46
    My Score:

    as much as I love RBF, one of my 20 favorite bands ever and a live show i always look forward too...i wont' be getting this, and i think the review is spot-on (even though I haven't seen it).

    I too see this as nothing more than a cash in. they put it out themselves, so they can reap all the profits. that's my guess. i don't see why this was even necessary when they put out a live album/DVD combo (which is awesome) like 3 years ago. now another DVD, with pretty much the same setlist other than some crappy covers and some of the duds from their worst album (Monkeys)? seems pointless. plus they had already put out a live DVD in freakin' 2002 or whatever.

    this is just unneccesary, liek their covers album from earlier this year. put otu some new material RBF. enough of these filler releases.

    Posted by hayman on 2009-07-27 03:51:15
    My Score:

    I used to listen to these guys in High School. Were a good live band but I don't thnk I've heard a song since "Beer" that was any good at all. Do they really have 3 live albums?

    Posted by literamaniac on 2009-07-26 03:08:56

    I saw them on this tour, they played a similar setlist, though I think the show that I was at was better, with the sole exception of this show having had "S.R.", and let's face it, if I want "S.R." on DVD, I can just get the "The Show Must Go Off" DVD. After all, that one has "Alternative, Baby". Yeah, the set list for this tour was mediocre. They didn't even play "Party Down" (best song off the Monkeys album)

    Posted by bongsmcj on 2009-07-25 09:43:58

    nailed it.. this band was good for like half a second 10-12 years ago but their live show is just unbearable.. maybe if i was 13 and mildly retarded i would appreciate what they do

    Posted by telegraphrocks on 2009-07-24 20:43:01
    My Score:

    Reel Big Fish albums are great to listen to once, and then be thrown onto the shelf forever.
    Hell, even recent Goldfinger efforts have gotten at least two spins before being forever-shelved...

    Posted by Hey_Asshole on 2009-07-24 19:10:47

    Reel Big Fish is a fucking great band live.
    i just can not make myself give a shit about their records

    Posted by InThe_Evening on 2009-07-24 17:58:35

    Cos I was thinking the same thing. Ah man that first comment was good

    Posted by fattony on 2009-07-24 15:59:15

    These guys used to be my favorite band, but the past few years it's been hard to maintain interest. I actually didn't know this was coming out until like 2 weeks ago, and it sounds like it's not even worth getting.

    Posted by Cos on 2009-07-24 15:36:44

    Funny... I clicked on this review to see if thegimper wrote it. Guess not...

    Posted by slimpunk on 2009-07-24 14:38:01

    I was at that show, and it was nothing special compared to their past performances.

    It's funny, as I type this, there's an ad for RBF playing at the exact same venue in about 2 weeks.

    Time to change things up guys?

    Posted by inagreendase on 2009-07-24 14:13:18

    8500!

    Posted by niveK82 on 2009-07-24 13:47:46

    i_rock_hard"
    wow..... if your gonna review a band, you should probably LIKE them first you fucking faggot goon."

    I'm no a writer[sic] but I think every review should be objective.

    He does like RBF, just doesnt find a need for a third no frills live dvd.

    Posted by Tom_Deschlonge on 2009-07-24 13:15:44
    My Score:

    I've only heard one RBF song. a cover of take on me. I don't think i need to say anything else.

    Posted by eazyd2 on 2009-07-24 13:12:38

    I second the third comment

    Posted by i_rock_hard on 2009-07-24 12:46:50

    wow..... if your gonna review a band, you should probably LIKE them first you fucking faggot goon.

    Posted by mikexdude on 2009-07-24 12:35:42

    I second the first comment.

    Posted by Tom_Deschlonge on 2009-07-24 11:54:52
    My Score:

    HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHa.....Reel Big Fish....HAHAHAHAHasahahahAHAHAHAHa.....Ska....

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