Album Review: Reel Big Fish – ‘Life Sucks…Let’s Dance!’

Ska-Punk originals Reel Big Fish return with the up tempo ‘Life Sucks…Let’s Dance!’. The album kicks off with the running on the spot cartoon-ish title track ‘Life Sucks’. The track itself has a thick 2-Tone spine but it still evokes memories of Benny Hill chasing a scantily clad pouting bimbo around a 1970’s English park. ‘Pissed Off’ skanks along with vitriolic verses, a rousing horn section and there is more than a touch of Roddy Radiation’s iconic guitar style in the solo. A rocking ‘I’m In Love Again’ is followed by the distinctly popular chart Punk feel of ‘Tongue Tied And Tipsy Too’. ‘Bleached Thang, Baby’ is straight out of the American Pie soundtrack before the slower Reggae tune ‘Bob Marley’s Toe’ is, well, just woeful. ‘I’d Rather Get It Wrong’, ‘I Should Know By Now’ and a meandering ‘Walters High Life’ complete another skank-slam RBF release. The brand of Ska-Punk that the Fish ply their trade in has always worked well in the live arena and although there are some genuine dancing around the living room moments, ‘Life Sucks…Let’s Dance’ just falls slightly short.

REEL BIG FISH

LIFE SUCKS…LET’S DANCE!

Rock Ridge Music

7/10