Turn the Radio Off

Reel Big Fish | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (August 13, 1996)
• Original Release Date: August 8, 1996
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Umvd Labels
• ASIN: B000005AYA
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (206 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #123,858 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Sell Out

2. Trendy

3. Join the Club

4. She Has a Girlfriend Now

5. Snoop Dog, Baby

6. Beer

7. 241

8. Everything Sucks

9. S. R.

10. Skatanic

11. All I Want Is More

12. Nothin'

13. Say "Ten"

14. I'll Never Be

15. Alternative, Baby

16. Off

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

29 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Everybody's Doing The Fish!, January 8, 2005

By 

Nicholas Alla Koholick "anonymousnick2001" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Turn the Radio Off (Audio CD)

There is an unsung beauty about ska music that no one can quite explain. Why is it that any normal person subjected to ska becomes a smiling fool without a care in the world? What is it about ska music that makes people so...happy? Bouncy guitar jangles? Upbeat horns? Silly lyrics? Major-key loud-soft dynamics? It hasn't been pinpointed or isolated, but whatever magic ska music contains has not been lost in the years since its inception at the hands of Jamaican groups in the 1950's. It has passed on from The Skatalites to The English Beat to The Mighty Mighty Bosstones...and if there's any album that we can use to exemplify the phrases "brimming with pure happiness and energy" or "skankadelic," Reel Big Fish's Turn the Radio Off is it. The magic of ska is hidden somewhere in this record, and not too subtly.

"Sell Out" begins the album with a bang of explosive horns and delivers a mixture of satirical lyrics and punchy punk guitar as a side dish to the usual ska guitar skank and upbeat horn melodies. The ride only begins there. The band makes it clear to all listeners at the onset: This music is not for the stone-hearted. If you cannot drop your inhibitions, throw up your arms, or sing along to the album's music loudly and off-key, you're either lacking the sense of humor and joy required to understand Reel Big Fish, or, you're simply missing a pulse. The proclamation of "Everybody's doing `The Fish!'" kicks off the second track, "Trendy," and the ska rollercoaster continues on its maniacal course of crazy (if sometimes profane) lyrics, fun horns, and incredible energy.

Songs aren't diverse in topic, usually dealing with some aspect of the band' life, formation, or whatever random idea lyricist/guitarist/vocalist Aaron Barrett wishes to express an opinion on, be it the post-breakup metamorphosis of his girlfriend's orientation ("She Has a Girlfriend Now" featuring Monique Powell of Save Ferris), absolutely nothing ("Snoop Dog, Baby") or his unique view of vegetarianism ("Say `Ten'"). He simply leaves all preconceptions at the door and goes for it. The band has a wonderful little instrumental titled "2:47" and a few musical experiments such as "S.R.," a chance for Barrett to try out a mock Jamaican accent, and "Skatanic," a mixture of Reel Big Fish's ska/punk blend with Middle Eastern melodies and death metal screams. The undeniable talent of the 7-piece band is never doubted due to the dexterity of styles and modes they all use. The guitar solos are excellently played, and the horns (two trumpets and two trombones) are bright and clear. The bass and drumming are intricate and provide a solid foundation, an expectation of ska music. All this might be difficult to determine from the ridiculously silly band member pictures in the booklet, but their talents are all made obvious in the playing.

Overall, Reel Big Fish's Turn the Radio Off is a masterpiece of music and an expression of musical ability-as well as unbridled silliness and creativity. It has been a true landmark of third wave ska, and its 1996 release hasn't left it sounding a day old. A perfect score. Also check out their 1998 album, Why Do They Rock So Hard? for even more fun with ska and punk. Another perfect ska album. If the first few spins of these ska albums, a glance at their booklets, and a brief skimming of their lyrics don't leave you laughing to your heart's content or cavorting around your room in a skanking frenzy, take two fingers and place them at the base of your wrist or on your neck. You shouldn't feel anything.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The no 1 ska/ska punk album in the world, ...ever., March 11, 2000

By 

Gareth Price (U.K) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Turn the Radio Off (Audio CD)

I got this album years ago now, and have listened to so, so many other ska, ska punk and punk bands over the years, none of whom have topped this timeless album.Less Than Jake are possibly the only other band to come anywhere near, although Reel Big Fish's 'Turn The Radio Off' is a far smoother and less punky sound than Less Than Jake. Every song on this album is a winner, so it's hard to pick out any highlights, because each song is a ska-classic in itself. The songs are infectiously catchy, but not really in an irratating pop song kind of way. You will find yourself constantly singing these bouncy,energetic songs, but will not wish them out of your head, because their so uplifting.This album has aged amazingly well over the years, and I have actually grown to like it more, and more as time goes by. Any fan of guitar based music will love this album, and any ska, or punk fan will have found their bible. I just wish they'd come over to the U.K sometime!

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great way to start a ska collection., December 1, 1999

By 

[e-mail] (Newton MA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Turn the Radio Off (Audio CD)

Reel BIg FIsh's Turn the Radio Off was the first real SKa CD I bought back in 96'. SInce then I've collected about 70 ska CD's. THis is still my favorites next to LTJ's Losing Streak. THere is some great song writing, great horns and great singing. THere is some of the best song writing I've ever heard on thisa CD even though none of it is really srious. Remember, the Beatles started out with the same type of songwriting and look where they ended up. If you're already a ska fan you either have this CD or have heard every song twice from a friend, but if you're not a ska fan this is the first ska album you should get, not to hardcore but still ska. (check out Less THan Jake too)