Turn the Radio Off

by

Reel Big Fish

Edit

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.