Search - Reel Big Fish :: Why Do They Rock So Hard

Awe-inspiring

Robert Piquette | Edmonton, Canada | 02/03/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Wow, what more can I say than Wow.



Why do they Rock so Hard is the followup to the commercially explosive Turn the Radio Off and it does not disappoint. Well, that's a lie. It seems to disappoint a few traditional ska fans who never really liked RBF to begin with. Others dislike it because it has a little bit less Ska than its predecessor (but not much). As far as Ska records are concerned, it is indeed inferior to Reel Big Fish's major label debut. However, as an overall music album it offers a much tighter balance of style and a much more impressive display of musicianship. Frontman Aaron Barrett has perfected his glam-rock style guitar work into a powerful and somewhat complex pop-punk arrangement. Bassist Matt Wong steps the funk up to the next level and Scott Klopfenstein shows off why him and Aaron are one of the best vocal duos on the Ska scene. The horn section doesn't falter either. Retaining the legendary lineup from Turn the Radio Off (which would leave before finishing Cheer Up!), Dan Regan leads Tavis and Grant through tight horn lines and beautifully crafted solos, especially on the remake of the demo In the Pit (now called Thank You for Not Moshing). This album is the second in what the band considers its trilogy and gives the message "Now that we're popular, how come everyone hates us?" Lyrically, that seems to be the overall theme, such as in Down in Flames or the album highlight Somebody Hates Me.



The band remakes several cuts from their self-released debut Everything Sucks, inlcuding a slowed-down I'm Cool, a beefed up I Want Your Girlfriend to be my Girlfriend and a glossied version of the faux-ballad Big Star. Other highlights of the album include The Set-Up, Brand New Song and the fidgety Kid's Don't Like It. Plus the band tosses in a wonderful collaberation with New York ska icon Coolie Ranx as Song #3.



Downsides? Sure there are some. There is a pointlessly long and boring jam after the last track which drags the album on a bit longer than it should and that in itself may warrant a star off if you get annoyed by that. There are what some have dubbed "filler" on the album (16 tracks usually means filler-ahead) such as Scott's a Dork, She's Famous or You Don't Know. Although others would say (including myself) that these cuts are equally amazing.



Recommended for fans of glam-rock, the 80's, punk/ska, pop-punk or just really happy music. Not at all recommended for those who hate the third wave, the Reel Big Fish, Ska or any combination of the three. Not the album to start your RBF collection with, though; Turn the Radio Off is a much better intro to the catalogue.



5 BIG BIG stars!!"