Reel Big Fish - Monkeys for Nothin' and the Chimps for Free

After More Than 15 Years of Conveying Negative Vibes, Warning Listeners About the Dangers of Being in a Band and Lamenting their Time in the Music Industry (Case in Point: The Band's Radio Hit, "Sell Out"), the Members of Southern California Ska-punk Stalwarts Reel Big Fish Want to Let the World Know of a Big Change: They're Finally Happy. The Self-produced Monkeys for Nothin' and the Chimps for Free is Reel Big Fish's First Independent Studio Album Since Leaving their Former Label and it Finds the Members of Reel Big Fish Doing Things their Way. In Fact, it features Material Done their Way, from Quite a Long Ways Back. Album Details

Excellent record

This album is the spiritual sequel to Reel Big Fish's 1997 record Turn The Radio Off.

There's a few that tracks aren't in the normal 3rd wave ska genre, but for the most part this is Reel Big Fish showing off their mastery of their own style.

"Slow Down" and "Please Don't Tell Her I Have A Girlfriend" are kind of weak, but are more than offset by "The New Version Of You" and "Cannibal."

Reel Big Fish fans will be very pleased with the re-recordings of "Call You," "Why Do All Girls Think They're Fat," and especially "I'm Her Man." This one even has a re-recording of "'Til I Hit The Ground," which is just Reel Big Fish telling you that they love you.

Certainly recommended. September 16, 2008

in the context of what RBF is good at, this isn't their best

If this was another ska band (or whatever style you want to call RBF's partying evolution) this would probably be a four or even five star album. But its not just any other band. I have really liked all of RBF's previous full length records, and their live CD is incredible too. But this... sounds like a retread to me.

Aaron Barrett and the rest of the Fish may be happier on their indie label, but their songwriting has never been duller. Oh look! another drinking song! Another song where they drop the F-bomb over and over in the chorus. Its going from a consistent formula to just checking things off the "album to-do" list.

While some people find "Party Down" and it's little style-riffs inventive, I'm sorry but it reeks of doing the same schtick over again. Other songs almost feel like a chore to get through. I'm happy that the band is off it's "big label" woes and back in a situation that they control and are happy with, but like another comment said, happiness is not helping this band creatively.

March 11, 2008

what happened to RBF?

I hadn't bought an RBF album in a few years and decided to order this since I absolutely loved "Why Do They Rock So Hard," "Keep Your Receipt," and "Turn the Radio Off." I don't know what happened but every song on this album is garbage. They basically repeat the song title over and over for lyrics and the musicianship is positively uninspiring. I listened once all the way through and will NEVER listen again. Terrible album, they really phoned this one in. February 25, 2008

Stick with it, it's worth it

After the first listen through, it felt like the whole album was rushed. However, after the second time, i realized how great this album is. Songs are put together brilliantly and even though some lyrics seem a little thin, there are plenty of other songs on here to make any RBF fan happy. There's 2 bonus songs when you get through iTunes though. Cannibal (dance remix) and Bang! The Mouse Explodes. The first one is ok, but Bang! really gets me fired up. Excellent release for their first album since leaving the major record labels. November 21, 2007

Not Even Comparable

I have been a fan of Reel Big Fish for a long time. I love every single song they've ever written...before this album came out. I'm going to advise everyone not to listen to this CD, simply because it degrades the value of all the other A-W-E-S-O-M-E songs this band has made. I was disappointed. Their transition to happiness really ruined their style. The brass doesn't seem as real: the guitar is weak, and the lyrics suck. I advise you to think twice before buying this album- spend the money on any of their older cd's. I love(ed) this band, and I wish this CD could have been better, but it just doesn't live up to a single one of my expectations. It's a pathetic attempt by a band that was once amazing. October 10, 2007

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