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Reel Big Fish
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Our Live Album Is Better Than Your Live Album
CD Baby/Rock Ridge Music
Release: 8/01/2006
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Rated:
Review by:
Devon Carver
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In the interest of full disclosure I feel obligated to start this
review by saying I had little prior knowledge of Reel Big Fish. I
knew they were a Ska band...and that's pretty much it. After
listening to their live album, charmingly titled Our Live
Album is Better than your Live Album, I'm somewhat
better acquainted with the band. First things first, they have a
very good brass section, prominent on each and every song.
They also have quite the sense of humor that they showcase
frequently in their live shows. Those two things provide a
strength to this record that allow it to keep its head above
water.
If you are looking for one hell of a collection of Reel Big Fish
music, look no further. The album contains no less than 55
tracks spread across two CDs and one DVD. While some tracks
don't quite carry the energy as well as others, it is mostly a
high-energy record that keeps up the Ska goodness throughout.
There is also a smattering of well placed, if occasionally odd,
cover songs all of which have a distinct Reel Big Fish touch. My
two favorites are "Talkin' Bout a Revolution" and "Take on Me"
both different, and yet both sound damned nice. Be warned
however, the sheer length of this album will test your Ska
stamina. Casual fans take note - this might be more than you
can handle. It is quality third-wave Ska though.
The general sound quality on the record is superb, although I'm
slightly concerned by a liner note which notes additional
recording done in a studio, not the best move on a live album.
As a whole, the record seems to capture the fun and the music
that Reel Big Fish bring to the stage, without sacrificing
quality.
I do have a gripe with the DVD, which I believe was shot by an
autistic monkey. Well, perhaps it isn't that bad, but it isn't the
best-shot live DVD and the angles can get a bit frustrating. I
suppose that may be part of the point, but I don't care - it's still
annoying.
I would highly recommend this album to a Ska fan, especially a
fan of Reel Big Fish. If you are just a Ska dabbler, like myself,
you might want to steer clear because there is a lot here. It is
good enough though and shows that third wave Ska, seemingly
eliminated from the national music scene, still has breath left. |
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