Customer Reviews

Were Not Happy Til You're Not Happy

5 star:		(37)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(7)
2 star:		(6)
1 star:		(9)

 

 

so i feel an obligation to give the long-time rbf fans out there a warning. after reading all the positive reviews about this cd i went out and bought it. i've been a die-hard fan for the past 9 years or however long, and they've gotten me thru a lot over the years.

i'm sad to say that this cd just feels a little hurried, bitter, and not as musically-sound as their others. it's not very well done and it just seems like a huge step down from cheer up and why do they rock so hard. if i would have randomly heard one of the songs on the radio, i'm not even sure i would be able to tell it's actually rbf. the vocal style has changed and they're not as good as they were. I hesitate to compare, but the cd quality reminds me of that horrible "everything sucks" cd that came out at the same time as "why do they rock so hard".

I'm not saying don't go out and buy it, because all true reel big fish cds should continue to support them. I'll keep buying everything they put out. I've been a musician my whole life and played in college on scholarship, and to all the musicians out there, do not get your hopes up on this cd.

The covers are good. Buy the cd and give it a chance, but let's all hope they give us another cd sometime soon that sounds like they're not heading in this direction. The worst part of my year this year was getting my hopes up at a new RBF cd and then buying this and realizing that I'll probably never listen to it again.

Reel Big Fish's fifth studio album is mostly good, and even features some further "Cheer Up"-type tweaks to their sound and forays into different genres - - here they even give disco a shot - - but has a couple of tracks that are utterly uneccessary and hard to enjoy.
Overall, from track one, "The Fire," through track 13, "Say Goodbye," (the last track is pretty much a joke song, but an enjoyable one) most songs on this album stick to a few central ideas -- that Reel Big Fish frontman Aaron Barrett is tired of being in his band, that he feels they are a failure, and that he sees no real benefit to making music -- and express them through hooky, upbeat ska/rock/pop. That's why it's so confusing that track 2 is a song called "Drinkin'" that has to be the worst song Reel Big Fish has ever recorded. It sounds like a bunch of seventh graders wrote it using a "how to start a ska band" manual. Aaron's singing in it is grating, the lyrics are infuriatingly stupid ("If I go out drinking/then I can stop thinking"), and the horn line is about three notes. The nifty lead guitar riff at the beginning can't save this one. Also not needed on the album, but much better as stand-alone listening experiences, are two covers: Social Distortion's "Story of My Life," which would make a great b-side but sounds out of place here, and Tracy Chapman's "Revolution," which is enjoyable on one hand but utterly disrespectful to the heartfelt original on the other.
Fortunately, the rest of this album picks up where Reel Big Fish left off. "The Fire" is a ska song that should keep fans who found the last album less dancable happy, yet it still features two guitar tracks and a crunchy main guitar riff under the horn line that keeps up the "WDTRSH" and "Cheer Up" rock vibe going. "Don't Start A Band," while it could use a little more instrumental variety, is a fun little rocking mini-epic featuring dueling vocals by Aaron and backup singer Scott and explaining why every kid in his garage trying to start a ska band should just "give up now."
Track four, "A-W-E-S-O-M-E", may be the highlight of the album. It's only Reel Big Fish's second happy song. Apparently about the singer's new wife, it puts the phrases "You're everything I want in a girl" and "You're filled with hate" in the same thought, and does so over music that sounds like Huey Lewis and the News on speed. Wonderful!
Other great moments: the cover of Morrisey's "We Hate it When Our Friends Become Successful," where unlike the other covers, RBF seems to "get it" even more than the original; "The Joke's On Me," a catchy new-wave song with a synthesizer that declares "life's a joke and the joke's on me"; "Last Show," a disco-punk -- yes, disco-punk -- song that joyfully imagines the end of Reel Big Fish while perhaps also bashing a former member; and "Say Goodbye," which sounds like it could be on second album TTRO, except for the slightly 80s-sounding guitars.
11/14 tracks on this CD are exceptional, and it is a nice touch that keyboards (organ or synth) are used on every track. This band has always put depressing lyrics over peppy music, but there is something about this effort that sounds even more bitter and truly ready to give up. If they decide not to release another album, this is not a bad way to go out.

great cd. some may argue that rbf's style changed in their cd cheer up and after hearing this cd i'm glad that they have switched back to their original style. this cd is much faster and still has their original humor with song like we hate it when our friends become successful. very solid ska cd. and as for the hidden track... some people may say that its horrible but i found it to be funny. the hidden track its proof that rbf is back to just messing around and having fun writing songs. they dont care if the hidden track will suck or not... its just all in the fun.

if you like their old cds get this one too.

I've been an RBF fan for going on 5 years now. I've purchased everyone of these cd's. I've seen them live twice. And of the four cd's, this is perhaps my favorite one. Why? It uses dark humor, and it's exceptionally well played. I don't understand why people say it doesn't sound like Aaron, because he sounds the same to me.

(5 stars best ... 1 the worst)

The Fire - **** I thought this song was an excellent choice to start it off. Tne middle part took a star away from it, just kind of felt thrown in. I loved the fast paced ending.

Drinkin' - *** Awesome guitar riff is in this song, the chorus seems more suited to a live show though. One where the entire crowd can sing and skank along. The horn line was a tad weak as well.

Don't Start A Band - ***** One of my favorite songs on this cd. It's funny, and it captures the overall theme of the cd well. Awesome song top to bottom.

A-W-E-S-O-M-E - **** a song with that happy humor that RBF is acustomed to using. I think that one was about Aaron's new wife...but I'm not 100% sure.

We Hate It When Our Friends Become Succesul - **** I would have given this song 5 stars if the laughing in the middle of the song wasn't there. Kind of felt like they just tried to fill some space.

Turn The Radio Off - **** I liked the song, and the middle of the song was just killer. I loved the drum solo right before the kicker back into the chorus. Chorus gets a bit repetive though, but seems like a good live song.

Talkin' Bout A Revolution - ***** I loved this song. I heard it before the cd officially came out, and really liked it. Cool reggae beat to it, and it gave them a genre they really hadn't hit yet.

The Bad Guy - *** Perhaps my least favorite song on the cd. Just wasn't digging it.

Story Of MY Life - ***** Really loved this cover. RBF just seems to have a way of covering songs very well.

The Joke's On Me - *** Neat intro, but just nothing I really liked. Didn't feel the song too much. This and the last are the two weak points on the cd. Reminded me too much of Cheer Up! and i wasn't the biggest fan of that cd.

One Hit Wonderful - ***** Maybe my favorite song. It's a fun song, and it just eptimises RBF. The ability to poke fun at themselves is just fantastic. If anyone didn't catch on with the intro of Sellout....well your missing out.

Last Show - ***** A great disco type of a feel to a ska song. Hadn't seen it done...but Suburban Legends did do something somewhat simular. I thought this was one of the strongest songs.

Say Goodbye - **** Another song i really really enjoyed. They closed out their CD wonderfully.

I'm not going to rate track 14 and their hidden track. They really aren't "songs", but what i don't understand is how everyone is knocking their "dark" humor. RBF has a central theme through every album they put out. TTRO was all about starting a band(ex. Sellout, Join the club, Everything Sucks), WDTRSH is all about being rockstars (She's famous, Big Star, I'm Cool, The Kids Don't Like It), and Cheer Up...well i never understood where that one went. But WNHTYNH is all about how being in a band sucks. It's a progression in their cds.

I really enjoyed the cd. It's funny, and it reminds me of their older cd's. I didn't really like Cheer Up that much. This cd, for me at least, lived up to most of the lofty expectaions I had. Many people will disagree, but i liked this one a lot. And wait in anticipation of the next one.

Being quite an avid fan of Reel Big Fish, I rushed out to get this album on the day of its release to this world. I'll start my "review" by discussing the artwork of the said album. The picture on the front cover is lacking liveliness (intentionally), it is a somewhat dim image of some instruments which have been lit ablaze in a pile on the ground, I have found the artwork from this album to be reminescent of that from "FIF2:Electric Boogaloo". Apparently after all these years of oppression Aaron Barrett decided it was time to lash out at the music industry, he accomplishes this goal wholly with his sardonic wit. "Don't start a band" explains why you are better off doing nothing than exerting all of your effort into something that will frustrate you to no end. One of the standout songs is the cover of Morrisey's "We hate it when our friends become successful." Another good one is "Turn the radio off" which urges listners to think for themselves and not be fed whats popular. The reggae version of Social Distortion's "Story of my life" makes me want to just relax and think about all the days that have gone by. "One hit wonderful" is a song about the extreme popularity they attained back when "Sell out" was hitting the charts. Reel big Fish may not have had any other songs that were quite as successful commercially, however they are anything but a one hit wonder in my mind. In their 14th year as a band they are still one of the most prevalent forces within ska music. My Favorite song on the cd is "Say goodbye", I find it to be very catchy and I think that it conveys a feeling most of us can relate to in one way or another. From what I have read some listners disliked this album because they thought that it was "too negative", "really makes you believe that they hate what they do", I have also seen complaints of the production being too dark...Aaron produced this cd himself and I am sure that is just the effect he was going for. Anyone who thinks this cd is "too negative" obviously just doesnt quite understand the humor that is held within. Even with all the cynicism pointed at themselves, the industry and just about anyone else you can think of Barrett says ""This is not the end of our band. Even though the album's about the end, this is just the beginning." I would strongly recommend this cd to anyone who enjoyed RBF's past efforts. If you haven't heard of RBF before I would suggest getting "Turn the radio off" and "Why do they rock so hard" first as Barrett says it is kind of like a trilogy...TTRO is a new band struggling to make it, WDTRSH is a band that has made it and is hated for it and now WNHTYNH which is where the band finally just says ok.....this sucks, we quit.

RBF comes back after three years or so of touring and releases a rock-solid, infectious, bitter, pissy, angry album. There are usually two or three pissed off songs on an RBF album, "We're Not Happy 'til You're Not Happy" has about eight.

'THE FIRE' 4/5- This song starts in a funky, half time beat and is moderately entertaining, then kicks into a full skank and is awesome. Chorus is especially fun.

'Drinkin'' 5/5- A companion of sorts to the song 'Beer' this song has a fun little riff at the beginning and equal amounts of rock and ska throughout.

'Don't Start A Band' 5/5- I wanted to give them all a hug after this song. It amazes me how RBF can take the most depressing lyrics and set them to the happiest music.

'A-W-E-S-O-M-E' 4/5- I laughed my ass off at the beginning of this song. The song itself is ok. The chorus is the best.

'We Hate it When Our Friends Become Successful' 5/5- A Morrissey cover that fits the band quite well lyrically, and I like RBF's version better

'Turn the Radio Off' 5/5- Very angry, very good. The bridge is the best part.

'Talkin' 'Bout a Revolution' 4/5- awesome reggae version of a Tracy Chapman song. It shouldn't have been the first single, but it kicks ass.

'The Bad Guy' 3/5- My least favorite song on the album. It is saved by the brass section in the bridge.

'Story of My Life' 5/5- RBF has made a Social Distortion song sound almost cute, and has gotten away with it quite well.

'The Joke's On Me' 4/5- Starts out kind of new-wavey, is quite sad throughout, and the "never were any good old days" part is downright depressing.

'One Hit Wonderful' 5/5- incredible 3/4 time examination of the success of 'sell out'. the mandolin in the bridge is fun. after the song finishes, you can hear a high school marching band playing an arrangement of 'sell out'.

'The Last Show' 5/5- Makes it sound like RBF is breaking up, but they're not. The lyrics could be seen as Aaron talking to Scott, but i don't know.

'Say Goodbye' 4/5- End of a relationship song. At least it says "feels so good to say goodbye". almost not sad.

'Your Guts (I Hate Em)' 10/5- My Favorite song on the album. SO damn funny.

Good God people! A band comes out with a new sound and everybody starts hating. Does anybody know what the term diverse is? Its what good bands have in this world. Reel Big Fish was and always will be awesome, no matter their sound they always keep on getting better and better, So you pansies go listen to your same crap on the radio...end.

I can see why a lot of people are unhappy with this cd, it sounds very different from other RBF cds. But with killer tracks like Talkin Bout a Revolution and Your Guts it really can be considered an amazing album. If you are a truely hardcore RBF fan you might be dissappointed at first but after listening to it a few times you will quickly grow to like the changes. Many people talk about sound quality issues on this album, my advice to them is to buy a new sterio because the album sounded fine to me (Although in some songs the music can be a little too loud and it drowns out the singing). One thing to point out is that this is a very "slowed down" RBF album, not the usual fast tempo that they usually go at. For example, Talkin' Bout a Revolution was slow but contained an amazing reggae beat to it. But the album stays good from start to finish, starting with a great opener, The Fire, and ending with the short but sweet, Your Guts (I hate Em'). The bottom line, great cd to listen to if you love a good mix of Ska, Rock, and Reggae. It seems very different from previous RBF albums but this change was for the best.

I'm as big a RBF fan as anybody, I've been to 10+ shows, got all their albums, hell my band even played on stage with them in Milwaukee, but I must say this album is thoroughly disappointing. I just picked it up this morning and I've listened through twice, on my third as I type this.

First off, what is up with the cover/insert art? I'm assuming Jive/Mojo spearheaded that.

Secondly, the lyrics are really trite (let's see how many times we can repeat a 3 word phrase throughout the song) and it doesn't even really sound like Aaron singing, maybe he's just changed a little bit. Whatever's it is I'm not crazy about it.

I've played this on 3 different soundsystems (none of which are shabby) and this recording/mixing/mastering just sounds sub-par. Ultimately I feel it lacks the tenacity/energy I'm so accustomed to. But I'm not gonna give up, I'll keep listening, maybe it will grow on me.

At first, I had the same problem with this album that I did with "Cheer Up!," and that's that the change in sound from the previous albums took me a couple listens to get used to, since I was expecting more of the same, like between "Turn the Radio Off!" and "Why Do They Rock So Hard?". The actual change isn't too far a departure from what you'd hear on "Cheer Up!," so if you enjoy that album then you will enjoy this one, too. At first I wasn't too keen on CU!, but it soon became my favorite album by RBF. In fact, this album may have a similar fate, as I've been listening to the whole WNHTYNH CD pretty much nonstop since I got it two days ago.

A song that stands out to me and that I particularly like is "A-W-E-S-O-M-E", which is awesome. As can be expected from RBF, it is a very fun song -both lyrically and musically- and I can't help but get a grin on my face when I hear it. Of couse, like RBF's previous albums, for every song that expresses any sort of happiness, there are 13 other, incredibly, incredibly bitter songs. All of the original songs on the album contain the typical RBF style that I love: lyrics that walk the line between "very witty" and "very goofy," and the Morrissey cover, "We hate it when our friends become successful," fits right in.

The other covers, Tracy Chapman's "Talkin' Bout a Revolution" and Social Distortion's "Story of My Life," are also enjoyable, however "Story" sticks out stylistically from the rest of the album like a sore thumb.

As an aside, I think that I should mention that is album is a concept album in the same vein as TtRO and WDTRSH. While the first is about being on the bottom of the music business, and the second about being on the top, this album is about being sick of it all. Also like those two albums, not every song on the CD is a part of the theme, but most of them are.

The only problems I have with this album are these:
-The unusually large number of covers. While 3 isn't really that many, I'm used to 0. But don't get me wrong; I don't have a problem with covers in themselves. In fact RBF's versions of "Kiss Me Deadly" and "Give it to Me" are probably my favorite covers. The covers on WNHTYNH are also good-sounding covers; I just prefer to get more original material with my purchases.

-The stuff after the last song. "Your Guts (I Hate 'Em)" is a fantastic song, and as has been the case since TtRO, there is another song "hidden" after the titled song finishes. This time, though, it is a long period of cacophony with a very short little ditty sandwiched some time after the middle of the noise. This noise isn't like the beautifully orchestrated madness of "Everything is Cool" or the untitled track after "Victory Over Peter Bones" on WDTRSH, but is pretty much 100% actual noise. I can't imagine myself learning to like it, but it is good for annoying people.

So, just to not end on the negatives, I'll say again that while the sound is different from the "old" Reel Big Fish, this is a very nice album overall and has everything that I look for in an album by them.