Band: Reel Big Fish (RBF)
Album: Turn the Radio Off
Lineup: Aaron-Guitar, Vocals
Scott-Trumpet, Vocals, Guitar
Matt-Bass
Dan-Trombone, Backing Vocals
Grant-Trombone, Backing Vocals
Tavis-Trumpet, Backing Vocals
Andrew-Drums
Let me start off by saying that Reel Big Fish, (RBF for laziness) are one of the most popular and infuential ska bands of the third wave and their first album is a total classic. If you like ska and don't have this album, go and get it now.
Tracks:
Sellout
RBF starts out with one of the most recognizable intros to anyska song or any song in the 1998-9 era. Very catchy song about quitting your day job and signing to a major label and the possible hazards of selling out by playing what the company wants the listeners want to hear. 5/5
Trendy
This song is about the strive of the general public to be cool, in this case "trendy" and the songs subject hate of people not as trendy as him and his quest to prove to others how trendy he really is. Matt really shines on this song with his lines consisting of slaps, pops and walking runs. Guest spots of sax from Efrin Santana of Hepcat. 4/5
Join the Club
About 30 seconds into this song a heavy reggae feel is established, and Aaron sings about being in a band for the girls and the futility of being in a band because all of what he wants to achieve has already been done.
the chorus and second verse transition to a faster punk feel, and adfter a sax solo, they go back into the reggae and then to into the bridge into the punk feel again. 4/5
She's Got a Girlfreind Now
Monique Powell from Save Ferris add vocals to this song about a guy's ex becoming a lesbian and the guys futile attempts to win her back. Lyrics are especially funny in the breakdown / Well I never thought it'd end like this/ Just because I got no tits/ I'll shave my legs/ I'll wear a bra/ Even cut my penis off for you/(Awww, that's so sweet)/ 5/5
Snoop Dogg, Baby
Reggae/ska feel on this one, the focus is on a relationship that has gone sour, and then transitions with the horns, guitar and bass to a rock/punk feel about not wanting fame. this transition is very well done and the guitar licks are very good. Sax solo in the reggae feel again and ends. 4/5
Beer
A fan favcorite, as well as a big song it itself, Beer is about a guy now wanting to see a girl and drinks to escape. General instrumental work is very good, everything falls nicely nito place. Another song where Matt shines, not only in the verse and chorus, but at the outro with his fill/cadenza. 5/5
241
An instrumental, save for the shouts of 241! Good writing and arranging, but IMO a skipper. 3/5
Everything Sucks
Another big song and a fan favorite. Aaron sings about failing at life and complains about a local ska band that everyone loves. Like Sellout, I'm 90% sure you've heard this song in some form. Very bouncy and catchy, an instant favorite. 5/5
S.R.
Mellow song about the breakup of a band and the singer's lament about them not getting back together. IMO the live version is better, they play it a bunch of times, each in a diferent style of music, ska, speed punk, southern rock/blues, 70's rock/disco, metal. 3/5, 5/5 live
Skatanic
I laugh when I think of this song. A stalker pursueing his girl tries to get closer to her. Think ska + metal. It has a feel like the devil's version of jazz. Great breakdown/bridge, speeding up and ramping up in difficulty with the speed up. 5/5
All I Want is More
A large departure from Skatanic, RBF goers back too thier more traditional catchy/bouncy ska feel, an almost innocent intro. The song is about a guy leaving a girl because she didn't give him everythnig he wasnted. The verse goes into a more faster punk feel, very well written.
5/5
Nothin'
ALmost the opposite of All I Want is More, Nothin' talks about the singer failing at life again, and then choosing apathy with this outro/bridge, /I don't ****ing care!/I don't ****ing care anymore!/ Nice addition with the other horn players as backing vocalists. Note: the backing vocals for the rest of the album are done by Scott, and its mostly just harmonizing with Aaron. 5/5 for the bridge, being awesome to bump in your car.
Say "Ten"
A silly song about anti-veganism, sone in a reggae style, transitioning to a punk feel. /Save a plant!/Eat a cow!/I want meat, I want it now!/
Very funny, major theme of RBF, silly, then funny, then silly. 5/5
I'll Never Be
The ballad on the album, but starts with a ska feel and a sax solo. Aaron laments about never attaining fame and fortune. the chorus is the point where it gets ballad...y. 3/5
Alternative, Baby
One of my favorites on the album, it switches perspectives from a kid at a show, to a band member trying to get a girl in the audience. High energy, very very good to dance/skank to. 5/5
Overall
Awesome album, one of the epitomes of third wave ska. If you don't have it, you know what to do; Pick it up pick it up pick it up!
5/5
