Reel Big Fish

Reel Big Fish: Live! In Concert! DVDLive! In Concert! DVD (2009)
Rock Ridge Music

Reviewer Rating: 1.5

Contributed by: William_DavidWilliam_David
(others by this writer | submit your own)
Published on July 24th 2009There 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 promise.

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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Fine Print: The following comments are owned by whoever posted them. We are not respon sible for them in any way. Seriously.

WillRBF94 (January 19, 2011)

"so..... here it is, this song's called tequila!!............. JUUUST kidding this songs called BEER!!"

*melts everyone's face with greatest introduction to the greatest song ever*

paulrulzdood (July 27, 2009)

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.

hayman (July 27, 2009)

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?

literamaniac (July 26, 2009)

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)

bongsmcj (July 25, 2009)

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

telegraphrocks (July 24, 2009)

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...

Hey_Asshole (July 24, 2009)

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

InThe_Evening (July 24, 2009)

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

fattony (July 24, 2009)

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.

Cos (July 24, 2009)

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

slimpunk (July 24, 2009)

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?

inagreendase (July 24, 2009)

8500!

niveK82 (July 24, 2009)

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.

Tom_Deschlonge (July 24, 2009)

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

eazyd2 (July 24, 2009)

I second the third comment

i_rock_hard (July 24, 2009)

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

mikexdude (July 24, 2009)

I second the first comment.

Tom_Deschlonge (July 24, 2009)

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