5 comments about Five Iron Frenzy 2: Electric Boogaloo.

1. Although I am not a Christian, I am still able to enjoy FIF's music, which is incredibly unique. On this album they have left their straight ska sound behind, and have gone down a more neo-New Wave path, a la Fountains of Wayne with horns.
   
   In response to one reviewer who called "The Day We Killed" the equivalent of "musical Spam": you missed the entire point of the song! The vocals utilized in this song are screams because of the deep anguish the band feels for what the United States has done and continues to do to Native Americans; they are the only sort of vocals which fit this song. Crazy Horse was a Dakota chief killed by the U.S. Army, and in the song is utilized also as a metaphor for the various Native American people's. The song is certainly not about "American Indians" named Crazy Horse, and no, he didn't get beat up at school, but was murdered by the U.S. Army, as were hundreds of thousands of Native Americans. This is actually one of the best FIF songs, in my opinion.



2. Five Iron never fails to deliver. It took me awhile to get into it, because I was used to hearing some of the songs on their live cds.
   
   But, that said:
   
   There are really powerful songs on this cd, along with some goofy ones. FIF's unique style is as pleasing as always. I couldn't give it 5 stars because there's no hidden tracks -- come on, that's half the fun, getting extras! Though if you look at it from a different angle, no hidden tracks mean that you can put the songs onto a playlist without minutes of empty space.
   
   Over all, FIF gets my applause.



3. If you like Five Iron Frenzy, or ska music, or Rock music, you cannot dislike this CD! This is quite possibly FIF's hardest hitting, most powerful CD to date. Though, I cannot say it is better than the others, they have all captivated me in a way no other ban has come close to doing. This band is, in my opinion, the best our gerenation has yet seen! Buy it, you won't be disappointed.



4. I am the proud owner of three FIF cds (Newest album, End is Near, Boogaloo) and this one dominates them all. Listeners beware, though: these songs will get stuck in your head like bubble gum in your hair. They will be running through you brain all day so loud that people sitting next to you will probably hear them too.
   Pre-ex-girlfriend is possibly one of the best and funniest songs I have ever heard. The blasting brass (and saxophone) will have you jumping around in your room so much you'll probably be decapitated by the ceiling fan. If you're having one of those days where everything goes wrong (your dog dies, you lose your job, a madman abducts your children, you're shot three times in the abdomen), listen to song number 8, Plan B. The rhythms are quite cheerful. Track 11, Car, will, if you are listening to it in your car, probably cause you to plummet over a cliff because excessive head banging will impair your driving.
   In this day and age when people will buy an album for one good song while all the others sound like the musical equivalent of Spam, you can rest assured that on this cd there are only to bad songs. Case 1: The Day We Killed. The dragging, ear-splitting sounds coupled with lyrics that are about American Indians named "Crazy Horse" (I bet he got beat up by all the other kids at school) make this song easily skippable. Case 2: Eulogy. This song lacks compelling beat. It is deeply poetic and, as a result, hard to decipher. Plus, the tempo is as slow as a one-legged race-horse. But please, do not let this defer you.
   Whether or not you are considering buying Electric Boogaloo, you should purchase it. CDs like this do not come out every day. Just be sure not to listen to it in the car.



5. An Atlanta band called Loudflower released an album in 1997 entitled "Happy Now?" Their label, Gray Dot Records (Third Day), hoped to cash in on the ska-core craze by signing a band with a knack for writing emotive rock and roll backed by a horn section. No ska rhythms, no rockabilly, no new wave comparisons. Just straight-ahead rock in the Americana realm with some horns in the background, just enough to emphasize melody and structure.
   
   Five Iron Frenzy has never been one to follow a trend. If, as a serious musician, you didn't read any reviews and delayed in purcahsing "Electric Boogaloo" because you thought it might be as annoying as some of the tracks on "All the Hype that Money Can Buy", join the club. If you also feel stupid for having waited so long to buy it, your feelings of self-deprication are understandable. FIF pushed through with a blistering rock album that emotes without being overly emotive, ponders without being self-important, and satisfies the harder rock yearnings of its base of fans.
   
   I'm not going to give a blow-by-blow of each song. Suffice it to say that this is one of the stronger, tighter records of FIF's career, second only to their magnum opus "The End is Near". The band understands that for one to rock and still sound viable, one must rock steady if they are to rock at all. The dual-guitar techniques of playing alternate lead riffs opposite the other is still in place here, although the arrangements are somewhat more intricate. The horn arrangements threaten to knock the wind out of you, but don't become annoying or overpowering. Unfortunately, unlike Loudflower's knack for making the horn arrangements part of the structure of each song, FIF's horns seem to be more along the lines of countermelodies, filling space left by sustained vocals and spacious chord progressions.
   
   Since everything here is pretty much full volume, there's not really much room for the band to move around. It's all in your face, hypoglycemic, ADHD-injected music, and it may be best to take it in small bites rather than swallowing everything whole. Add to the that first four songs sound a little tiresome if you listen to them back to back, as vocalist Reese Roper's vocals are set within the same high range for a significant amount of time. While effective in the songs themselves, combining all of them together can grate on the unassuming ear. Probably the biggest reason why I'm rating this 4 stars instead of 5.
   
   Otherwise, a major kick-butt album. Buy it now before Christ returns and it's too late.

5 comments about Our Live Album Is Better Than Your Live Album.

1. I saw RBF live at a Warped Tour back in the mid 90s and fell in love with them, life as opposed to on CD. I always wanted something to listen to in my car (they did the House of Blues DVD) and they just never seemed to put one out. So, when their record company screwed them over, they released this CD which is probably the best piece of music I own. Of course, what makes this great is the energy. You can tell that some bands play concerts out of obligation. I think these guys would rather do concerts than anything else. Nothing beats the comedy in between the songs. Classic album from the best band in the world.



2. I saw this band and absolutely loved them! This album is perfect live, and you get three for the price of one! If you are unfamiliar with the band, however, be aware it is not family friendly...just awesome...



3. No matter how long you've been listening to RBF, this album is sure to please. With awesome recordings and live antics, it appeals to any kind of listener
   
   For older fans, it showcases their best work, with fresh recordings and pleasurable stylized versions of songs. These unique performances give a variety to those who already own the original CDs, and make the purchase worth it.
   
   For new listeners, it invites you to see the breadth of their work. And, like a live show, it builds as it goes on, so listeners are encouraged to listen through to the end. This compelling nature of each track leading to another gives their music a great, fresh feel.
   
   For the low cost of this album, and the immense length of it (over 3.5 hours), including a DVD with an entire show, make this a great deal all around. I can't think of another live album I've enjoyed so much.



4. Best RBF album yet. Hilarious and great music. A must for any RBF fan or any human actually.



5. Fans of Reel big fish and fans of ska and the like, rejoice. Finally Reel big fish released a live album. Giving people the chance to experience the magic of RBF live. Although it still doesn't beat going to their show, it gives you a nice look of what they have to offer. Especially (The many versions of) S.R. gives me the feeling of standing in front of a stage where they go and have fun with music.
   
   A must have for fans of Reel big fish and a recommendation for everyone who loves ska or just music in particular.

5 comments about Ska-Core, The Devil & More.

1. great album returns to the bosstones earlier days Dickies grissly voice shines on this album.



2. I'll start off with this- This EP is what introduced me to hardcore, it is a crossover, and if you like ska or hardcore, you need to check this one out. You have 3 Bosstones originals(2 are live versions of older songs) 3 Hardcore covers, and one Wailers cover, that is definitely one of my favorite versions of "Simmer Down".
   
   The first track ,"Someday I Suppose," shows the band transition from their earlier work into the era that produced the album Lets Face It and its lack luster follow ups. This one appears also on the album Don't Know How to Party. Its a straight forward track and is pretty solid. Don't get any ideas of what the next 3 songs are like from this song though, because the boys are about to visit a whole other place once we get to track 2.
   
   The first cover is a rendition of Minor Threat's song "Think Again," and the band does a good job putting their own twist on the song while keeping true to the original. Lights Out is a little harder to rate as a cover as its the most obscure out of the four covers. For some reason it feels more like a regular Bosstone's song to me. I've yet to hear the original version as performed by Lights Out, but it should be noted that it is the strongest of the four covers, and appears on the Bosstone's live album as the closing song of the '97 Hometown Throwdown. The cover of "Police Beat" by Boston's legendary S.S.Decontrol is sadly the weakest track on the whole album. I think its probably the most down tempo song that the Bosstones ever released. It also has almost no mark of the bosstone's take on the song, sounding more like what an SSD tribute band would put out. It is interesting to note that Bosstone's vocalist Dickey Barret's first band Impact Unit used to open for SSD in the 80's.
   
   The band breaks from the hardcore sound to deliver a ska tune from the Wailers' early days at Studio 1. I have to say I think Dickey improvised a lot of the lyrics, as they don't quite match up with the original, but this does give some originality to the tune. I personally prefer this version of the song over any other I have heard, as ska covers of older ska songs are often pretty bland.
   
   The last song it that live medley. It contains what is the 3rd renaming of the Bosstone's anthem "Drunks and Children," this time named Drugs and Kittens, and continues into another early fan favorite "I'll Drink to That." This is, by far, the gem on this EP, capturing the sound the band is known for, and giving a tiny slice of what one their legendary live shows were like. There is a hidden track of "Howwhywuz, Howwhyam" at the end of the 11 minutes or so of silence recorded at the same show as the other two.
   
   I generally do not recommend EP's as a starting point or introduction to a band's catalogue, but this EP is affordable and give a listener a full taste of the Bosstones' sound and give insight to the band's roots in Hardcore as well as traditional Ska of the 1960's. This is probably one of the best crossover releases I've ever come across as well. At the price you can get this CD for, you might as well take a chance on it, even if it doesn't seem to be your cup of tea.



3. This is one of my favorite Bosstones cds. Songs like Someday I Suppose and Simmer Down are what I listen to the Bosstones for. I was underwhelmed with the amount of tracks on the cd, but I did pick it up for 1.49 at a used Cd shop. I didn't think that it was quite as good as Lets Face It, (my favorite album by them) but it was a great CD and was worth more than $1.49, and the amazon price of 5.99. If you like the Bosstones, or just Ska in general, this is a good CD to buy.



4. Simply put, if you like other Bosstones stuff, you'll definitely like this album. Someday I suppose is a fun tune to start it off, and Think Again, Lights Out, and Police Beat, none of them very long, are harder rockin' songs.

   Simmer Down, a cover of a Bob Marley tune, is more relaxed as its title implies. It's a nice change of pace for the usually very-intense Bosstones.

   The last two songs, Drugs and Kittens and I'll Drink to That, were recorded live at a concert in Boston, on December 2, 1992. It has some banter with the crowd at the beginning and end, and if you wait a long time (almost 25 minutes) after it ends, a hidden track will start playing. The hidden track is a moderately-paced song about getting older - I see why it's bonus, since it doesn't really fit in with the other songs on this EP.

   Overall, a great little EP - don't pay too much for it, and you will definitely not be disappointed.




5. A good example of ska core. This EP shows the excellent range of the Bosstones with songs like "Someday I Suppose" and "Think Again," an excellent cover. One of my favorite songs on the EP; the Bosstones add a nice horn section into this hard-core song. The live songs at the end are an excellent addition. Watch out for the hidden song "HowWhyWuz,WhoWhyAm." It's a different sound than LFI, but any Bosstones fan should really like this excellent EP. The other covers are "Police Beat, Simmer Down" and "Lights Out"

   PS. "Drugs and Kittens" is another version of "Drunks and Children"

5 comments about Honey I'm Homely.

1. I love this CD. It is probably my favorite to play in the car. If you like Ska you will love it. Even if you don't listen to ska but like up beat music you will more likely than not like it. I have had this CD for more than 10 years and I never get tired of it.



2. There were a ton of ska/punk acts in the mid 90s that never really stood out from the bunch, or provided many memorable records. "Honey I'm Homely" is probably one of the best ska records ever recorded.
   
   Everyone in the band belts out tightly constructed power-pop-ska, that backs the vocals beautifully. Vocals come first on this amazing record, combining the captivating vocals of Elise Rogers and Karina Denike. These two singers harmonize so beautifully, weaving in and out of the rhythm, rocking out extremely addictive choruses.
   
   It's hard to pick a favorite, since the album works so well as a whole. Some of the standout tracks would include "Lost Again," "All Mine," "Elvis & Me," and "Last Laugh". Probably my favorite track here would be "The Truth About Me". It has the most addictive chorus on the album: hey - I love to hear myself talk, I'm my own favorite audience, 'cause I'm the funniest person I know, if you were me I'm sure you'd agree. All the lyrics presented here will make you smile from the pure wittiness of them.
   
   If you are tired of ska/punk bands that all sound the same. Pick up "Honey I'm Homely"; it's a brilliantly refreshing record.



3. Ok, I've gotta be honest. When I first heard DHC, I HATED them. A friend of mine had been raving about them, and being curious, I downloaded a few songs. Of course I was expecting something entirely different from a "ska band." I was going to delete the files, but never got around to it, and so they stayed on my playlist. I heard them a few times amidst my punk and ska, and one day caught myself grooving with it and singing along. DHC has since become one of my all time favorite bands. I LOVE this CD. Give them a try, for sure. If you're expecting the usual ska or ska-punk, don't. DHC isn't it. But they've got a unique sound that works so well for them, along with great lyrics that just fit so perfectly. With "Lost Again" (one of my faves, and a big reason for purchasing this CD) to start it off, and one great song after another, you can't go wrong.



4. I BARELY GOT INTO DHC JUST BY LISTENING TO "LOST AGAIN" TRACK ONLINE AND I WENT TO BUY THE "HONEY IM HOMELY" CD AND THIS WHOLE CD IS WORTH THE MONEY. USUALLY U BUY A CD THAT HAS ONE OR TWO GOOD SONGS AND THE REST IS A DRAG- BUT NOT THIS CD. IT'S REALLY WORTH IT, SO IF U'RE DECIDING WHICH ALBUM TO GET, I SUGGEST THIS ONE.



5. The moment you hear the two flawless voice of Elyse and Karina in "Lost again" you get the sense that you made a smart choice by purchasing this Cd. DHC has let the horn section go in this Cd but they still know how to get their fans skank'n!! With songs like "Whiskey and Gin" and "Mr. blue" you will find yourself tapp'n the beats and rock'n out. This is a little more on the punk side but still has those happy ska moments.

5 comments about Question the Answers.

1. I found this album some years ago in a used music bin. I only had one album by them at the time. I decided to pick this one up. I will say that i liked it. It has some fun ska tunes on it. "Kinder Words", "Sad silence", "hell of a hat", "pictures to prove it", "365 days", "toxic toast", "bronzing the garbage", and "jump through the hoops" are all rather enjoyable. The bosstones give some good tunes on this album, but not their best effort.



2. This album broke many mainstream listeners to the MMB in 1994. Unfortunately, these younger listners must not of heard the real MMB albums prior, which are much more fun, energetic, and skacore. This album contains overproduced, sappy, depressing songs made for commerical audiences leaving behind the better days of the MMB. All the elements of a band selling out are here: a hit single, a slow ballad (ska style), and a cleaned up polished look for MTV. All of the TANG MMB albums are worth buying with More Noise being my favorite. I can't imagine what type of person would actual enjoy listening to tracks on this album like "pictures to prove it" or "jump thru the hoops" or what the band was thinking when they recorded these slow and uninspiring songs. THis album led many hardcore fans to leave the band as live shows lost thier energy and posers began touting this album as great. What a sham. The best song on this album "dogs and chaplains" is a third time remake of a classic first appearing on Devils Night Out on TANG.



3. This CD was amazing.It is probably the Bosstones best(besides Let's Face It).

   Kinder Words-The opening song and I wouldn't pick any other song on the CD for the opener.With its incredible horn part and great guitar, it's truly an amzing song.

   Sad Silence-Good song,I especially liked the ending.

   Hell of a Hat-GREAT horn part!Its awesome how they can start soft and gradually explode into horns and screaming in this song.

   Pictures to Prove It-This song is ok. Not as good as some other songs on the CD, but still a great addition to the album.

   We Should Talk-Awesome song. Great proof that hard rock and horns can still be mixed together and sound great.

   A Dollar and A Dream-This song is good, but its overall softness kind of breaks the mood of the rest of the CD.Still pretty good though.

   Stand Off-Another great song.The trombone intro is THE COOLEST!!

   365 Days-Awesome song that displays Dicky's amazing vocal talents and still has a great horn part.

   Toxic Toast-If there were a list of the top 3 snogs on this CD, this song would be on it.Amazing piano and trombone solos.MMB CLASSIC!!!

   Bronzing the Garbage-Great song with good vocals and trumpets.

   Dogs and Chapains-Incredible song-fast paced and energetic.

   Jump Through the Hoops-What better way to end the CD that with an awesome song like this.You'll be whistling this tune forever. It may be the last, but certainly not the least.

   Overall, a great CD and I highly recommend it to any punk or ska fan, as it clearly excells in both areas.




4. I've bought only a handful of 'Tones albums. I bought Let's Face It and was only slightly impressed. I bought Pay Attention and was much more pleased. After hearing people say how terrible their old music was, I decided to see for myself. Question the Answers blew me away! I don't know what they were talking about when they said this was aweful.

   It begins with an incredible riff in Kinder Words, one of the most catchy songs on the album. Sad Silence follows, and is a bit lighter, but the song changes tone so many times that it's hard to keep track. Next is Hell of a Hat, a favorite amongst internet fans. The song has excellent lyrics and a catchy sub-chorus. Picture to Prove It is next and is a song I usually skip, but is still a quality MMB song. We Should Talk is a psychotic piece about the lost art of communication, and is one of their most fast pased songs. Dollar and a Dream is another various toned song with a really cool casino intro. My personal favorite, Stand Off, is great not only because of the superb lyrics but for the even more superb guitars complete with short stutters weaving in and out of the chorus. Another fast song, 365 Days, is one where Dicky keeps yelling "Three Hundred and Sixty-Five" than moves on before he finishes. It's confusing, but an excellent singing technique. Another excellent song, Toxic Toast, has several saloon piano parts that add an extra bit of greatness to an already great song. Bronzing the Garbage is a moshing favorite and also a very catchy song. Dogs and Chaplains is like a mixture of every good element of the album into a conclusive piece. Jump Through the Hoops is like the P.S. and is a surprisingly cool finish to the album.

   Although in the future, the Bosstones calm down their metal-tinged guitars in favor of the horns, this album commemerates their final metal-ska album before transferring into punk-ska territory. The stressed horns pounding out in unison with some creative guitar riffs touched with a precise rhythm section and topped off with Dicky's well thought-out lyrics, is what makes this album so great. Any fan of metal, punk or ska will definately love this album, but it won't appeal to the sappy media-friendly diehards out there. "Sharpest motherf---er in the joint, all other motherf---ers stop and point"




5. The Bosstones are by far my favorite band, and this CD is by far my favorite. Not only did it get me started with Ska, but it completely changed me. I recommend this CD to anyone. Especially anyone who just wants to hear the Bosstones, or anyone new to Ska.

5 comments about Keasbey Nights, Vol. 2.

1. This album is leaps and bounds above the original (by Catch 22). It contains everything you could ever hope for from a truly talented 3rd wave ska band! There are several wonderful solos that really show off the musicianship of the band's members and the album as a whole just really comes alive. There's a quality and depth to the album that is rare, especially in this genre of music.
   
   This is quite possibly my favorite ska-punk album ever, and certainly my favorite band!
   
   Enjoy!



2. If you love the big band sound with all sorts of instruments with a ska feel than you will love this.



3. When I first heard the original Keasbey Nights, it instantly became my favorite cd. I'm still listening to it today. When I first heard about this new take on it I was a little worried. I thought that Streetlight Manifesto couldn't compete with the original and they would just lose the "awesomeness" of the original, boy was I wrong. The horn solos are much better, most of the lyrical differences add quite a lot to the songs. However Streetlight does lose some of the energy that the original had. While I still like the first Keasbey Nights better, this is still an awesome cd that you should get as soon as you can.



4. I guess the album was ok but to me the sound was a little bit too high school band but overall is was good



5. Even if it was just a remake of an older Catch 22 album, Streetlight Manifesto did a great job with their second release, Keasbey Nights.
   I really dont have much to say, but it's a great album.

5 comments about Astro Lounge.

1. No Matter who you are, or what you like, or where your from, everyone likes at least one song off of this album. At least one. Smash Mouth may have toured with Nsync, and they may have "Sold Out" After their Punk Roots (which werent really all that punk to begin with) but you cannot deny that they're classic. Maybe not epic, legendary, but this Album in the LEAST is Classic.
   
   Their Greatest hit of all time thats in almost every family movie "All Star". Can you try NOT to sing along with it? Just try, I dare you.
   
   Theyre are few bands with Smash Mouth's modern style, and those with it, cannot do it as well or remain as popular as Smash Mouth. The Ska, Reggea, Modern Punk (see Third Eye Blind, Eve6) are strong, very strong. Enough Pop Sensibilities to be popular. And I think they had, like 13 singles off this album? haha. Seriously, this entire CD is all over the Movies. Anyway. I can listen to this ENTIRE Album, and Sing along with EVERY song, and be moved by every word.
   
   Steve Harwell may not be crying over the microphone or screaming into oblivion, but his words (most likely written by the bands lead songwriter and guitarist Greg Camp) emote more than the fakers can even imagine. You know when he's sad, happy, upset, confused, disgruntled, or high. It's wonderful to be able to sense that in Pop Music.
   
   If you dont like any songs on this album, I'd gladly shoot you in the face. Because you're a liar. This Album is Great.



2. Like many people of my generation, I spent countless hours of my adolescent years listening to my "Astro Lounge" CD through a boombox or Discman headphones. And while many of us who loved this album so dearly in 1999 have "grown up," I still hold this album in very high esteem. Even looking back, "Astro Lounge" is a piece of pure pop genius. The album is full of perfectly constructed pop songs, and often evoking the fun sounds of an earlier musical era. Steve Harwell's often ironic lyrics can come off as a little corny at times, yet remain good-natured even when speaking of hardships and depression. But before all else, "Astro Lounge" is pure fun, and the party theme maintains throughout for the most part. They take their influences from a lot of places, and it makes for an entertaining ride. The space-age electronica of "Who's There" has little in common with the reggae-ska of "Road Man," the pumping hard rock of "Defeat You," or the hip hop of "Home." Smash Mouth is fun in the purest musical form, but the songwriting is clever, catchy, and at times ingenious. Even looking back, I highly recommend "Astro Lounge" to all.
   
   The album begins with "Who's There," an electronic-pop ode to aliens, just for fun. "Diggin' Your Scene" is a bullhorn-delivered song with a driving beat, a very memorable tune. "I Just Wanna See" is slow and laidback, I like this song too. On "Waste," Harwell takes a depressed look at life from someone with nothing going on, it's the album's most somber moment. This gives way to the classic single "All Star," one of the most unforgettable songs of the nineties. From the ironic lines to the hook that everybody knows, this song was awesome and still is. "Satellite" exudes a little Latin influence, but also comes off as nostalgic in an effective, seductive style. "Radio" is a humorous straight-rock song, a highlight, and "Stoned" is a cleverly produced stoner's anthem anchored by a repetitive organ line. This song doesn't promote drug use so much as talk of its overall effects, and the music fits the song really well. The second single "Then the Morning Comes" is another beautifully constructed pop rock song with funny lyricism and great songwriting and production, with the classic Smash Mouth sound. "Road Man" is the band's infamous foray into reggae territory, personally I love this song. "Fallen Horses" is a slower song that picks up towards the end, and "Defeat You" is one of the most unlikely highlights, a hard rocker that displays some great guitar playing. "Come On Come On" is my absolute favorite here, an extremely catchy, organ-heavy pop anthem. The aforementioned "Home" borders on hip hop territory, but the irony of the lyrics has Smash Mouth's signature stamp. A cover of the well-known "Can't Get Enough of You Baby" closes the tracklist.
   
   While it certainly won't be remembered as one of the best rock albums of the 90s, "Astro Lounge" was a well constructed, consistent pop album that spawned multiple hits and created pure entertainment for thousands. Even eight years later, it remains as fun a listen as it did in 1999, and I suggest a purchase to any fans of the singles.



3. I used to listen to this CD alot back when I was in the fourth and fifth grades. I still listen to this CD once in a while, but I don't listen to this one as much as I used to. Favorite songs include: Then the morning comes, I'm still digging your scene, All Star, who's there, as well as others. I didn't have very many favorites with this CD. When I do listen to this, I sometimes find myself singing along with some of my old favorites.



4. Smash Mouth has made a great living kicking out a stream of radio friendly pop hits for the better part of 10 years. I've never really been a huge fan of mainstream or radio friendly music. I don't have a good reason, I'm usually drawn to lesser known artist or types of music that don't get huge airplay.
   
   Now we come to Smash Mouth's "Astro Lounge," with their retro rock, peppered with surf and pop overtones. There were times in 1999 or 2000 when I thought the local pop radio station only had three tunes: Santana's "Smooth," Lenny Kravits "Fly Away," and Smash Mouth's "All Star." So needless to say, I grew really sick of the song. It's not Smash Mouth's fault some radio stations seemed to have lost a few shipments of hit singles that summer. Actually, the overplaying "All Star" made me take a closer look at some of the other tracks on the disc.
   
   The true gems on this record are the lesser known more mellow tracks like "Waste," "I Just Wanna See," and "Fallen Horses." I really love the opening guitar riff in "Defeat You."
   
   I had the opportunity to see Smash Mouth Live a few years back, and they play just like their "feel good, life of the party" reputation. They never seem too take themselves too seriously, and honestly looked like they where enjoying themselves.
   
   Still, once Smash Mouth makes its eventual fade from popular music, they should be able to carve out a loyal fan base that they can entertain for years to come.



5. This is the ulltimate Smashmouth cd! There's quite a few hits on it. Of course if you dont like Smashmouth......... Well then you wont buy it and you wouldnt be on this site. Anyway, the booklet inside the cover is really cool. I has a silver woman in a bikini, with like orange hair. Pretty freaky stuff. Anyway if you like Smashmouth get this FREAKING cd!
   
   
   Review by Michael Peters. Thanks for reading!

1 comments about Ska Is Dead.

1. I've always been a fan of ska ever since the explosion in the mid 90's. Ever since then, it has been said that ska is dead and what this comp tries to do is prove that it's not. Well, does it work? Very well, actually. Just look at the tracklisting of the bands. It covers old bands to new bands and lite ska and heavy ska. It's actually a very good mix and keeps the compilation interesting from beginning to finish. Most of the songs on this cd is amazing. I preferably love the first 4 tracks but there are very few, if not any, bad tracks. This cd will definetly get you skankin' and it contains alot of unreleased tracks and rare tracks from many bands. The reason why this compilation is 4 and a half stars and not 5 is because of this. The music on this cd is defintely 5 stars but the thing that I wasn't happy about is that there are about 2 or 3 tracks on it that really aren't ska at all. There is one where they use ska chords very faintly in the verse but the song overall sounds like it belongs on a punk compilation and not a Ska Is Dead compilation. Also there are some noticable sloppy recordings but it's still very listenable and the songs are great anyway. And one more thing is that this cd is missing some other important ska bands such as The Mighty Mighty Bosstones and Save Ferris but hopefully they'll include the ones they forgot in the second Ska Is Dead compilation. So this cd is ALMOST perfect. Definetly buy this if your a fan of ska or even just want to get into it because it's a perfect introduction because it has a large variety of ska music. Best ska compilation in years!

2 comments about 2008 Warped Tour Compilation.

1. I have been buying the Warped Tour Compilations since 2002, and this years compilation is yet another that I am happy to add to my collection... But, the only regret I have about buying this 2-Disk set is that certain songs are edited when in the past songs have not been. I don't know if this is pressure passed down from record executives who only agree to put the albums without parental advisories if they are edited, or not... if that is the case I would rather have them put the compilations out with the P.A.S's, while also offering edited copies as well. Growing up in a household where the only CD's I could own as a child/teenager were the ones that were edited I agree that parents reserve the right to keep their children from listening to lyrics they find unacceptable. I understand why some stores offer edited copies as well as unedited copies for this reason. But I personally believe (for persons such as myself at age 22) that the option to purchase the albums in an unedited format would be much more enjoyable. Other than this minor inconvenience, I love enjoy this compilation as much as any other I have bought in the past.



2. Better songs. Better bands. I have been waiting for it to come out for weeks. I knew that the Warped Tour was right aroudn the corner which is awesome. Anyway, here are the good songs by the good bands. I only had a problem with about 2 or 3 songs. Not bad out of 50 songs
   SONGS I LIKE
   1. New Wave- Against Me!
   2. The Antidote- Story of the Year
   3. The Lightning Storm- Flogging Molly
   4. The Truth- Relient K
   5. Girlfriend- Say Anything
   6. Fell In Love Without You- Motion City Soundtrack
   7. Pressure Zone- Beat Union
   8. St. Andrews- Bedouin Soundclash
   9. Jamie All Over- Mayday Parade
   10. Plenty Strong and Plenty Wrong- Mylene and the Sons of Disaster
   11. Charge Into the Sun- The Briggs
   12. Thelma and Louise- Horrorpops
   13. Wake the Sun- The Matches
   14. Algo Que Decir- Allison
   15. Get Out- The Color Fred
   16. The Same (Doesn't Feel the Same)- Zox
   17. Back Up- The Lordz
   18. Stay Pretty- Farewell
   19. Profit- The Fabulous Rudies
   20. Rite of Spring- Angels and Airwaves
   21. Dear Maria, Count Me In- All Time Low
   22. Same Blood- The Academy Is...
   23. Prostitution Is...- Cobra Starship
   24. Moment- Aiden
   25. Wooderson- The Gaslight Anthem
   26. Shoot Down the Stars- Gym Class Heroes
   27. Pages- There For Tomorrow
   28. Where Were You- Every Avenue
   29. Suspect- Black President
   30. Mean Fist- Street Dogs
   31. Faster Bullet- Aggrolites
   32. Gravedigging- The Classic Crime
   33. Bada Bing Wit a Pipe- Four Year Strong
   34. The Way We Talk- The Maine
   35. Carpe Diem- Authority Zero
   36. Baby's Comin Home Today- Joe Coffee
   37. Luxury- The Randies
   MORE PUNK BUT STILL AMAZING COMP I WOULD RECOMMEND THE 2002 Version if you are more into punk like me.

5 comments about Why Do They Rock So Hard?.

1. 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.



2. Hey if you're a fan of ska music, hell, if you're a fan of music at ALL be sure to listen to Why Do They Rock So Hard. This album is filled with the genius of Reel Big Fish's wacky lyrics that they are so well known for, along with their original and fun sound the band carries. If you're looking for the usual stuff that is being played on the radio these days, you won't find it in Why Do They Rock So Hard? The whole production is something impressive that you'll be listening to for years to come.
   
   This is possibly the best album that Reel Big Fish has released, in my personal opinion. If you're trying to find out if this band fits your musical tastes, then this album is definitely the ice breaker. There aren't a lot of bands out there that have the unique ability to keep the audience's attention throughout a whole CD, making every song another great track that everyone can agree on. The band works very hard and keeps the fans in mind, which is one of the main components to their success.
   
   Overall, if you're looking for something different that really stands out, buy a copy of Why Do They Rock So Hard? You definitely won't be disappointed with your decision.



3. 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!!



4. I was a hard rocker only listening to the heaviest stuff. Then, I heard this CD, now like all i listen to is ska. This is the best CD ever made!
   
   Somebody Hates Me 10/10: An awesome opener, this song got my attention right away.
   Brand New Song 10/10: A great happy ska song with pretty good lyrics.
   She's Famous Now 9/10: Another great ska song but the lyrics aren't the best.
   You Don't Know 10/10: An awesome song, not up-beat tho. I've wanted to say some of this stuff to some people.
   The Set Up (You Need This) 10/10: Another sweet ska song. Great harmonizing, great horns, great everything.
   Thank You For Not Moshing 9/10: Pretty good, I'm not to big on the Jamaican guy singing and stuff in the verse.
   I'm Cool 10/10: Sweet and a great change. This is the best out of the 3 versions of I'm Cool.
   I Want Your Girlfriend To Be My Girlfriend Too 10/10: My favorite on the CD, great guitar, great horns, great lyrics, great everything. I've wanted to say this to some people.
   Everything Is Cool 10/10: This is a very weird song. It's kinda ska-metal, but its a change and a great song.
   Song #3 7/10: My least favorite on this CD, I don't really like the Jamaican guy singing.
   Scott's A Dork 10/10: Pretty much just a sweet song.
   Big Star 7/10: Too slow and it seems sorta self-centered kinda with the lyrics.
   The Kids Don't Like It 10/10: This is a sweet song with a very good sound.
   Down In Flames 10/10: My second favorite on the CD. It has great horns and guitar and lyrics, they all go together perfect.
   We Care 9/10: Great song and I like how they thank you for listening, but it didn't catch my attention that much.
   Victory Over Peter Bones 10/10: So relaxing.
   
   This is one of the best CDs I've ever bought, and now you gotta go BUY IT!



5. In My Opinion this cd is better than "Turn The Radio Off"
   but only slightly, their both pretty equal but both different
   Some of the songs here are slower
   and 1 or 2 even border on reggae (sp?)
   I think there is 1 filler song and thats it
   My favorite songs are Brand New Song, and Song #3
   OH and some of these lyrics are uber Funnay