Music Review: Reel Big Fish - Our Live Album Is Better Than Your Live Album

Turn the CD player up and keep it loud because The Reel Big Fish's new album, Our Live Album is Better than your Live Album, will keep your energy going all night long! When it comes to live albums I am normally weary. After all, in the majority of live elements, voices and songs sound different. However, Reel Big Fish did not let me down. In fact, it was hands down one of the best live albums I have heard in quite some time.

The band is completely in sync on this one and you immediately learn how well they work together. Of course, this CD was a labor of love for the Reel Big Fish. This CD marks the first CD release since their removal on the roster at Jive Records. This is the first time in ten years that Reel Big Fish have been able to call themselves independent artists.

While you might expect a band to show disappointment about losing their label the Reel Big Fish couldn’t be happier. Of course, thinking rationally no talented ska band needs to be saddled with contracts alongside Britney Spears and the Backstreet Boys. Think of Our Live Album is better than Your Live Album as a celebration because it’s obvious they were having a party when they made it.

In true ska fashion all of the songs have excellent and upbeat instrumentals. You will hear a mix of trumpets, guitars, bass, drums, and more. The lead singer, Aaron Barrett rarely misses a beat. He is both comical during those moments of live downtime and right on the mark when singing. It is clear that Aaron truly brings the band together though the other band mates Matt Wong, Scott Klopfenstein, and John Christianson definitely do their part. Wong for instance, handles Lead Bass and the falsetto part of the vocals. Anyone who is used to hearing the Fish live or not, knows how important those falsetto parts really are.

Every song in this two-disc set was recorded in January 2006 while the Fish were on the Deep Freeze tour. The discs include 30 songs, including most of the best songs the band ever made. You could easily picture this CD set as the greatest hits of RBF in a live disc. You will be able to enjoy previously unreleased songs such as “So Much for Rock-n-Roll” and a cover of The Cure's “Boys Don't Cry“. As for fan favorites, nearly everything is represented here from “She's has a Girlfriend Now” to “Sell Out“.

Article Author: Dominick Evans

Dominick Evans was born in the great metropolis of Toledo, Ohio. From a young age, he excelled in the arts and trained as a professional singer and actor for over thirteen years. He attended Wright State University and Bowling Green State University …

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