Hello, I’m calling for Dr. Preston Cornthwaite. Yes, my friend Steve referred me. I wanted to make an appointment. I’m sorry, can you say that again? Oh, he’s fully booked and you’re not accepting new patients at this time? Well, it’s been wonderful talking to you and I hope you have a nice day. I’m going to hang up now and not seek medical guidance for another decade.
What did you say? You actually have some availability with another doctor in the office. What is this doctor’s name exactly? Sure, that sounds wonderful, but it probably makes sense for me to look up this Dr. Gramble, read some reviews, and get back to you on that. I don’t want to rush into anything when it comes to the healthcare I’ve routinely avoided.
No, really, I don’t think there is any harm in taking a little bit of time to do my own research. Honestly, the lump isn’t even that big. If I wear a turtleneck, I’d say it looks way more like a golf ball than a tennis ball. It took at least five years to get to this size. How bad could another month or six be?
So now you’re insisting that I come in? I mean, when we first spoke a few moments ago, you said you aren’t even taking any new patients. Oh, Dr. Cornthwaite is retiring? And you’re saying my friend Steve actually sees Dr. Gramble now? And loves him? No, no, I don’t need you to read glowing ZocDoc reviews over the phone. I guess this guy sounds alright. Um, one second.
Oh! You know, it just occurred to me. I don’t even know if you accept my insurance. Are you sure this isn’t out of network? You know how expensive that can be. Well, yes, I do use Blue Cross Blue Shield. But how do you know you accept my plan? Oh, you accept all plans.
So how about this? I’ve got your number. I’m going to give this a little think and ponder it a bit. When I’m ready, maybe I’ll give you a call back with my insurance number and we can book a time then. It’s been a pleasure. Have a lovely rest of your year!
In 2012, after several decades of ska-punking, the Reel Big Fish honed in on their signature “happy music/angry lyrics” combo. It’s literally right there in the album title. This record isn’t bad if you’re already a fan but it feels like a paint-by-numbers RBF album that any ska band could have written.
Life Sucks…Let’s Dance! is the follow-up to Candy Coated Fury. Over the six years in between these albums, the Fish continued to double down on their signature songwriting style and cranked out some more sad and dancy songs for the kids, except this time the record sounds a bit more inspired. Still mostly recommended for those already fans of the band.
This album is the sound of freedom. Specifically, the freedom that comes from being dropped by a major label. Finally, the Fish could put out any songs they wanted! And what they put out was… well, fine. There are some solid tracks on here but nothing you can’t get from some of RBF’s past (and better) albums. Hell, some of those songs are actually on this record as the band re-recorded some from “Everything Sucks,” which is a big reason this album is ranked above the previous two.
Reel Big Fish is known for their covers. This album contains all the skank-i-fied versions of a bunch of catchy songs you know and love. And some you’re even probably sick of! Like “Brown Eyed Girl.” Seriously, did we really need another cover of that one?
For most of the previous albums on this list, Aaron Barrett’s angry and bitter lyrics target life in general. His scathing words on this record are a little more pointed. At this time in the band’s career, ska was mostly considered a joke in the music industry and on music forums, and this album certainly retorts that sentiment head-on. Fire this one up and pick a fight with a friend over petty jealousy. It’s the perfect soundtrack for that.
Going all the way back to 1995, this pre-Sell Out record sounds exactly like you’d expect a local ska band to sound in the 90s. Its recording is a little rough and the performances focus more on heart than technique, yet the songwriting clearly shows a promising band on the rise. You can find a lot of these songs re-recorded on future albums but this is a solid and unique listen from start to finish.
After exploding in popularity for 3 months in 1996, 3rd wave ska was mostly seen as a goofy 90s fad. By the early 2000s, many ska bands were vocal about their record labels rejecting any songs that contained upstrokes or too many horn parts, leading to many ska albums of this time being classified as “rock with horns” by fans. Cheer Up is Reel Big Fish’s “rock with horns” album and it’s fantastic. RBF wrote what could have been the saddest 80s hair metal album if Aaron Barrett was born just a few years earlier.
This is Reel Big Fish’s most well-known album. And for good reason: it has a moderately successful single on it which, in perfect RBF irony, is a song about selling out. “Turn the Radio Off” is the album that proliferated the sound most people still think of today when they hear the word “ska.” You can love them or hate them for that, but it’s true.
After the massive success of Turn the Radio Off, Reel Big Fish released their magnum opus, colloquially referred to by fans as “White Trash.” WDTRSH picks up where RBF left off by reinventing ska and adding a massive amount of influence from the guitar-heavy bands Aaron Barrett grew up listening to. The lyrics on the album come across as extremely personal and vulnerable. It’s like Weezer’s Pinkerton except without all the… unpleasantness.
