Review Summary: Reviewing every Smash Mouth studio album starting with their first and best album next to Astro Lounge, Fush Yu Mang!
Hello, and welcome to my first review of anything. I will start my long list of reviews by taking a look at every Smash Mouth studio album in their discography. Now me personally I like them as a band and not as the "Shrek Band" or the "All Star Band". They have several songs that are way better than All Star so that is all I'm going to say about that. Now as most of us know Smash Mouth formed in 1994 by lead vocalist Steve Harwell in San Jose, California. The band started off as mostly a ska-punk band in their 1994-1998 era. They first came out with a two song demo album which featured the track "Nervous in the Alley". This eventually lead to their underrated debut album "Fush Yu Mang". "Fush Yu Mang" was the only album that did not contain the boring pop rock sound that is associated with the band to date. At least after the "Astro Lounge" album. So without further ado here is my review of a very great album by Smash Mouth. I will review each album track by track and I will rate each track 1 out of 10 and explain why I like or don't really like the song so enjoy!
All Tracks Written By Greg Camp except Why Can't We Be Friends
1. Flo- 8/10
The album starts off with an amazing opening song! Flo has a great intro that turns into a ska-punk anthem with a beat that can be compared to Sublime, one the bands that started the ska-punk movement. Great guitar by Greg and Bass by Paul that is possibly even better than the guitar on this track. The song has interesting lyrics about how a bisexual woman gets confused with her ex-boyfriend because he bears a striking resemblance to her current girlfriend. This ends up causing the woman "Florence" to almost belittle her current girlfriend. Still what a great way to open the album.
2. Beer Goggles- 5/10
Not to much to say about this one. I listen this one occasionally. Its just an average song about Steve getting drunk and wanting to find a girlfriend even if he doesn't actually love her. Other than that I like some of the falsetto vocals. A nice song to listen to if you feel like Steve does in this song.
3. Walkin' on the Sun- 9/10
This song helped Smash Mouth become well known with the "mainstreamers". I love how keyboards are finally able to show up. This song has a really soft intro with various percussion instruments which can heard throughout the song. I believe the song takes place during the 1992 Los Angeles Riots. The song talks about how twenty five years ago, which would been 1967, when everyone had the hippie ideals which eventually went up in flames. Maybe this is where the 60s sound of this song comes from. Anyway he is comparing these flames to the fires that are occurring during the riots. This song also tells you to not follow what is trendy and hip otherwise it could lead to a bad situation. This song can have several different meanings which is what I like most about the song.
4. Let's Rock- 7/10
I remember this song surprising me when I first heard it. This song starts off pretty soft with Steve thinking about all of the things he going through and how it worries him about what his life will become. After that the song goes into a complete frenzy of guitars, drums, and everything. In this section Steve is basically saying that he is leaving all of his thoughts in the back of his mind, essentially saying "f*** it let's rock". Also the ending reminds of a possibly better intro of Hit the Lights by Metallica. Need I say more?
5. Heave-Ho- 10/10
My personal favorite song in the album. This song has everything from building up into fast tempos to Steve Harwell even attempting screaming vocals. The story of this song has probably happened to some people at least. A neighbor is complaining about a member of the being too loud. This ends up in him trying to get his neighbor evicted but, "the landlord doesn't care." Heave-Ho shows the heavier side of the band which ends up making it stand out over all the others. Although every time I listen to Steve's screaming vocals I burst out laughing.
6. The Fonz- 9/10
One of the few dark songs in Smash Mouth's repertoire, this song shows Greg Camp's ability to turn a song into something much more. This song is about Steve trying to impress people but he is always beaten to the top by "The Fonz". This eventually leads him to commit suicide and still nobody cares even when the Fonz eventually commits suicide too. Great distorted guitars. I wish Greg Camp eventually rejoins the band.
7. Pet Names- 8/10
There isn't a lot to say about this song. A funny song talking about former "Pet Names" that Steve's former girlfriend used to call him such as jellybean, hairy bear, pumpkin face, and bubble butt. It seems that she broke up with him because he is a "Mister Deranged Psychopathic Pornographic stinking drunk failing fast lying a** worthless punk."
8. Padrino- 7/10
Greg's guitar intro has to be the best part of this song. The intro sounds like this song is about the mafia, oh wait it is. This song talks about someone who has an ordinary life and he knows that crime doesn't pay. He somehow gets caught in a criminal situation so now he has to hide his face and take on a new identity as "Padrino." This song also includes references everywhere such as talking about Al Pacino and other gang related movies
9. Nervous in the Valley- 8/10
This is the song that started it all for Smash Mouth. I would like this song to be turned into a book. This song is about a fifteen year old girl who runs away from home. She becomes a prostitute and ends up having a child that she never wanted. All because of this man named "Gonzo". This starts off a never ending bad life for this poor girl who ends up with no happiness in life. No wonder this song made someone notice the band.
10. Disconnect the Dots-7/10
After a long line of sad songs we finally get an uplifting song. It is a song simply about a man who broke up with his girlfriend so his friend is helping him cheer up. This song has a really nice almost 50s music vibe of the classic rock n roll era. This song can possibly get you out of a depressing situation if you can't over a break up.
11. Push- 8/10
This song almost seems like a tribute to the 70s punk rock movement not just with the guitars but with the lyrics too. Push is about a man who is having a lot problems and nobody understands him. I don't know why but I love the bass guitar on this more than any of the others.
12. Why Can't We Be Friends- 9/10
This song is a cover of the song of the name by the band War also known for their song Low Rider. I love how the band is able to incorporate a fast tempo in a song that is known for being a slow song. They are going so fast that they apparently have to repeat some of lyrics three to four times. The ending gets pretty annoying when they keep repeating Why Can't We Be Friends over and over for at least two minutes. I believe they sing that line at least sixty four times total. Lets see how many friends that gets you. Anyways I really love the song just cut off some of the ending and maybe you'll survive to eighty years old.
Producer-Eric Valentine
Official Members
Steve Harwell-Lead Vocals
Greg Camp-Guitar, Backing Vocals
Paul de Lisle-Bass Guitar, Backing Vocals
Kevin Coleman-Drums
Michael Klooster- Keyboards, Programming, Backing Vocals
Additional Personell
Eric Valentine-Percussion
Les Harris-Saxophone
John Gibson-Trumpet
John Gove-Trombone
So I will end this review by saying to just listen to this album in full. It is truly an amazing album which makes me wonder what would have happened to Smash Mouth if they kept this ska-punk sound. Anyway I'll see you guys next time with the album that is almost as good but not quite as good as "Fush Yu Mang" album. "Astro Lounge"!
