Customer Reviews

Why Do They Rock So Hard

5 star:		(22)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

This is a good disc, and I can see why they're popular, but it's not what I think of when I think of ska. It's not so much ska-punk, as it is ska-pop. It has alot more in common with "No Doubt" and "Smash Mouth", than it does with the older hardcore ska bands. At best it reminds me of "The Mighty Mighty Bosstones" or "Fishbone". But I do want to say it's good, and catchy, just a bit happier than what I was hoping for. Maybe I'm getting old.

The question: Why Do They Rock So Hard?
The Answer: Because they are one of the greatest ska bands to ever walk the face of the earth

...And yes this album does rock, it seems as if the band is moving away from their straight ska sound ala Turn the Radio Off. Don't get me wrong this is still a ska album, it's just not like Turn the Radio Off, but RBF can do no wrong in my opinion, this is their weakest album and it still gets 5 stars in my book. The album opens with one of the strongest songs they've ever written, Somebody Hates Me, great horns, awesome guitar playing. Brand New Song follows, this is another one of the best songs they've ever done, and the best part about it is they lyrics. It's kinda become their trademark, putting really angry sometimes depressing lyrics to extremely happy ska music, and Brand New Song is an example of that. She's Famous Now is my personal favorite Reel Big Fish song, everything about it is great. There are some songs on the album that are filler and drag it out a bit, such as Song 3, You Don't Know, and Victory Over Peter Bones, but they're not necessarily bad songs, just not as good as the rest of the album. The single from the album, The Set Up is another strong point. One of the best things about this album is the emergence of Scott's background vocals, they were on Turn the Radio Off also, but they became more dominant on WDTRSH and the compliment Aaron's voice very well. Thank You for Not Moshing is another one of the best songs they've ever done, and the best part is when they play it live and everyone starts moshing, when the song is written against it. I Want Your Girlfriend to Be My Girlfriend Too is a great midtempo song with hilarious lyrics. While the first half of the album is definately the best, theres three songs burried at the end that are often overlooked, but happen to be some of the best material from the band: Scott's A Dork, Down in Flames, and The Kids Don't Like It. They are classic Reel Big Fish and it's a shame that they got buried at the end of the album. Like I said in the beginning even though this in my opinion is their weakest album, it still deserves 5 stars, it's that good, everyone should definately own it.

I mean, this is a GOOD ska band, underline just the good band part. There's sarcasm, noise, humor, angst, and great doses of shouting profanity; it's really good stuff. No one can sing "f**k you" and sound as completely harmless, sincere, funny, and likeable as Aaron Barnett and those five guys. And "why do they rock so hard" is the perfect album to accent your old Fish stack or start a new relationship with them. This is good collection of their work, early to later, and all their stuff has been polished up and studio-ized, which personally, I think is a good thing. The collection is concise and actually has a theme. They tell it to their exes, their fans, their accusers that [track] #1 "Somebody Hates Me" but #4 "You don't know" (so f**k you) but #9 "Everything is Cool" because #12 they're a "Big Star" and even if #13 "The Kids Don't Like it" they still say #15 "We Care" about the angry fans who say they sold out. This is their life story compiled into one enjoyable album that can be heard again and again, as you skank along. I mean, their music is pretty self-concious which is why its so likeable. Again, I stress, Barnett has a great voice for the job, it just reeks of sincere, irreverent sarcasm for all, to all.

The album is harmless, honest!, and likeable and stylin proof that a really talented, skilled group can sing about anything, say anything, be funny, and still make it sound legitimate. They roll with the up and down times when their happy music becomes popular, then recedes behind harder edged sounds to become less popular; but they're always around and new people meet their music everyday (probably should thank still commercially viable bands like No Doubt, 311, or Sublime even who open the doors to these old bands who once were,are, great...). The bottom line is, this is an album that examples what talented kids can do when they make fun (but credible) music in a genre that sometimes comes off reproduced. I would highly recommend purchasing this album and adding to your collection or diversifying your music collection and discovering this band.

Alright people, ill be brief. this is possibly the BEST cd i have EVER bought. no question every song is an instant classic, with deep, meaningful (or meaningless) lyrics, all blended together with elements of ska, punk, rock, etc. BUY THIS CD!!! you won't regret this! it just might be the best decision in tour life (beside the decision to marry a woman...or not......)
GO ON!!!! BUY IT!!!

this compares to the likes of Less than jake's hello rockview as something i will honestly never get bored of. i heard reel big fish at reading and by the end i was singing along like everyone else so i went to buy their cds, everything (...), which in comparison (...), and turn off the radio is good but not as good as this. it is as good here as they are live and every single song has memorable bits and there's always more to discover, the more i listen to it the more i like it. what's more ive persuaded 3 people to buy it without hearing the band at all and they've loved it too.

this is worth every penny and a valuable part of a punk/ ska collection. lets face it, everone needs some obscure favourites to mark them out as a true skapunk fan!

Many catchy-classic songs on here. I say classic, in that they are classic Reel Big Fish, not big-picture "classic". This is a must-have for a Reel Big Fish fan.

First off, Reel Big Fish is a punk ska band. Ska music in general has guitar structure that is usually quick, clean and palm muted for a quick cut of sound. Ska also features trumpets, trombones or other brass instrumentation. That being said reel big fish is a very catchy and fast paced band that features very catchy pop punk songs with ska influences throughout.

This CD in particular is poppier than some other Reel Big Fish material however it is still catchy as can be. A downside to this CD is that some of the things that are intended to be funny can come across as somewhat lame and over produced.

The first half of the CD is probably the best and most catchy with songs like "Somebody Hates Me" (10/10) "She's Famous Now" (10/10) "The Set Up" (10/10) "I Want Your Girlfriend To Be My Girlfriend Too" (10/10)and "Thank You For Not Moshing." (9/10)

The other first songs are not necessarily bad but songs like "I'm Cool" (6/10) is not only on this disk but also on two other Reel Big Fish albums and this version is one of the better but overall the song seems overplayed. "You Don't Know" is a slower number which features some good brass riffs throughout but isn't super great to hear repeated several times. (7/10). I think the worst song is track two "Brand New Song" which has some of the stupidest lyrics ever. Example "Oh not you again, it gets worse everytime and one plus two again, wont work I can't divide it well let it go, I don't care, I love you and you're not there. A Brand new song just for you Im not sorry about the things I do. The song must be even recognized by the band as being bad becuase Aaron, the singer, sings the final lines of the song which are "sorry about this mess (refering to the song itself).

The second half of the disk I don't really feel comes on as strong as the first half. Songs like "Song 3" which features a reagae (sorry if spelling is incorrect) like structure with even some vinyl scratching and a cool bassline (9/10) and "The Kids Don't Like It" (10/10) keep the second half afloat but the other songs are just kind of boring and stupid.

I love Reel Big Fish as a band because they are fun and catchy. However the last few songs are just pretty stupid. Songs like "We Care" (2/10) and the musical "Victory Over Peter Bones" in comapirison to earlier tracks is just a horrible way to end the album. Adding a musical at the end of a catchy fun disk makes you just want eject the CD and listen to the other songs again from the beginning. "Down in Flames" (5/10) is a little too long for the songs own good and can become very repetive.

Overall if you like some good, catchy punk rock music with brass, some pop, and childlike humor this CD will not dissapoint. However, this CD is weaker than Reel Big Fish's Turn The Radio off and features some songs that I feel do not add anything to the value of the CD. Also, the flow of the album is kind of lacking becuase the band chose to have the best songs for the first hlf and some mediocre ones at the end. Overall it is a good CD with some fun catchy songs and some that are not as fun and catchy as they could be. Enjoy, I hope this review helps.

The second album of the greatest ska band ever. If you have the first album, then you must get this one. All the songs are great third wave ska examples, and just proves Reel Big Fish is the greatest band in the world on top of being the greatest ska band ever. Every song has amazing music, and every song has a great story in it. A must buy album for third wave ska fans everywhere.

This is one of my favorite CD's of all time. This is the one I stick in the stereo when I'm tired of everything. I could listen to this front-to-back a dozen times and rock out to it on every trip.
That said, if you like ska, you can't do without this album. It takes a classic ska band and blends a hip pop/rock sense with their self-deprecating lyrics, slick guitar riffs, infectious drumming and honey-sweet horns. My favorite songs include "Down in Flames", "We Care" and "The Setup (You Need This)." It also includes the classic...tear that is "Everything Is Cool." Trust me, if you like songs about the ... things in life set to music that'll make you dance in spite of it, you will NOT regret buying this one.

This is an unbelievable album and is worth nothing less than 5 stars.

best tracks: The set up, Down in flames, We care.