Customer Reviews

Turn the Radio Off

5 star:		(169)
4 star:		(18)
3 star:		(8)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(8)

 

 

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.

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!

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)

With "Turn the Radio off," Reel Big Fish capture the essence of their band the best. Reel Big Fish know they have "sold out" and have fun mocking it and making a great single out of it("Sell It.") Other classics on this album include the drinking sing-along anthem("Beer") and the cynical("Everything ...") There are also just fun silly songs like "She Has A Girlfriend Now" and "Snoop Dog, Baby." "Turn The Radio Off" has a perfect combination of solid ska classics and silly stupid songs, to make this album have something for all moods and tastes. If you have one ska album in your collection, this would be one I would recommend.

... Reel Big Fish really are the top of their genre when listening to this album. ... you can tell that every member of RBF is extremely good. The vocal harmonies, the guitar and horn solos, and even just the basic melody are very well played. Every single song is awesome on this especially Sellout, Trendy, Join the Club... well every one!! These guys are funny as hell, and the sense of humor never goes away. If you like ska and humor, BUY THIS ALBUM. IT IS MY FAVORITE ALBUM EVER AND ALWAYS WILL BE!!

This album along with Let's Face It by the Bosstones are responsible for ushering in what would become the 3rd wave of ska music. While Reel Big Fish don't have any bad albums, Turn the Radio Off is definately the best, every song on it's great and the musicianship is stellar. The album opens with their breakout single and classic song Sellout. Classics on this album are also Trendy, Everything Sucks, and She Has A Girlfriend Now. The core band of Aaron Barrett on vocals and guitar, Matt Wong on bass, and Andrew Gonzalez on drums is very tight, especially on songs such as Skatanic, I'll Never Be, and Snoop Dog Baby. The horn section of Scott Klopfenstein and Tavis Werts on trumpet and Dan Regan and Grant Barry on trombone shine on songs like All I Want is More, Join the Club, and the instrumental 241. Other classics include Beer, S.R. (suburban rhythm), and alternative baby. All in all this is a classic album with no filler whatsoever, definately worth it to anyone who likes good music.

This is the first ska CD I ever bought. It changed my life, if I can say that about 45 minutes of music. Third Wave ska gets no better than Reel Big Fish's major label debut, Turn The Radio Off. RBF has always been about catchy melodies, upbeat horns, sweet basslines and humorous, if not ironic, lyrics. This album sets the pace for what we now know as punk-ska phenoms Reel Big Fish. Each song has pulled me in and forced me to listen to it time after time. This album is unrelentless with its unwillingness to get out of your head once you listen to it. RBF established itself on the mainstream charts with songs like "Everything Sucks" and their biggest hit to date, "Sell Out." Their impressive horn section shows itself off on the instrumental "241". Some may get laughs from the ironic lyrics on the aptly named "Trendy", "Join the Club", and "I'll Never Be". RBF pokes fun at themselves and at others in "SR". I recommend this album to anyone who, well, listens to music. It's simply the best the third wave has to offer!

This is a really good CD. It starts out with Sell Out, a huge blast, which would work at either end of the CD...they usually play it last at their shows. It continues into some great ska songs, my favorites being She Has a Girlfriend Now, Beer and Everything Sucks. The CD alternates between totally awesome and totally average...Sell Out and Trendy give it a killer opening, as Sell Out has some amazingly powerful horns, and Trendy is just hyper and funny. Join the Club is pretty good, She Has a Girlfriend Now is hysterical and catchy, and Snoop Dog Baby isn't anything special. I'll Never Be is another stand out, and it has a good strong chorus. All I Want is More is another good track, fun and catchy. If you're looking for a solid ska CD this is it...but Reel Big Fish's best work (in my opinion) is their 2nd album Why Do They Rock So Hard.

This CD embodies all things great in 3rd-wave ska. If it were possible to say that an album is flawless, it would be this album. The lyrics to the songs are not the normal "garden variety" lyrics embraced by many main-stream bands. The witty, slightly cynical lyrics are expressed to such high-energy music that listening to the songs becomes auditorily inebriating. Included among all the lyrical songs is 241, a fine instrumental number which is excellently composed.
The melodies, harmonies, instrumentals, and lyrics for the songs on this CD are so flawlessly dispatched that the listener finds him/(her)self coming back to listen for more of this wonderful ska-punk.

yea a few months ago my brother came home with this cd and wouldnt ever let me use it cuz it was new right..well then he brought new cds so i took it and i havent given it back since..i'm very sure that all of my friends are sick of hearing this cuz i always play it and i'm always singing some song off of here and when they ask and i tell RBF they all go ohh yea i should of known..well anyways..if you havent gotten this cd yet do it or even if you already have it go get it again..i think it is their best, lyrically, musicly, and every other word..my personal favorites on here are *Beer*, *SR*, and *Nothing*..i'm sure i'm not the only one out there who treasures this album so much but i definitly recommend it to any one in the whole universe..even if ska isn't your *Scene* i bet you'll at least like 1 song off of it..well thats all i can say you have to find the rest out on your own then..i also recommend you see them live..they are great and funny!!hasta mamalaka...