Reviews (page 2 of 8)
O fak. Vidm, da sm se dons zbudila v enem od krogov pekla ("Freddie's Dead"). Ughhhhhhhh, it got worse ("Ma and Pa"). K da se band ne more odločit kater žanr muske hočjo bl sfukat ("Migthy Long Way"). Zvenijo k band, k ne obstaja, k se pojav v nekem made for TV filmu. O, thank the nonexisting god, konc je. Zj grem pa loh poslušat neki dobrga, koj k mi nehajo ušesa krvavet.
That feeling when you strike gold on this list <3 after the first 10 seconds I was hook, and it didn't disappoint.
Rather indifferent to the album. Best song, "Change" worst song, "Freddie's Dead" and some of the album just put me to sleep.
A nice variety of musical styles here.
Bellissimo album misto tra ska, funk, rock. Mi ricordano molto i Mr Bungle. Sicuramente è il contrario.
# Album Name: Truth And Soul # Artist: Fishbone # Rating: 2/5 # Comments: Absolutely unforgettable. # Top Tunes: # Would I listen to it again? No
This is music that moves you. Solid vocals, good writing. Well developed style. I enjoyed this album very much. It puts Fishbone on my list of bands to watch.
Okay album - may listen again
Sviđa mi se ovo pravo, kao da je neki hibrid svega što volim i malo jedno drugo poništava jer volim razbacane stvari ali mi je opet pravo leglo, ima potencijala da se dosta vraćam.
It's funk, it's ska, it's rock, it's punk, all at once. And it all melds beautifully, without being gimmicky in any way. A band I've heard of, but never sat down and listened to before. And now they'll be going on at least a couple of my playlists. Favorites after listening were "Freddie's Dead," "Ma and Pa," and "Change."
High 3
Funk rock really works. Mixed a bit of metal and ska in there as well. Would be a fun live band I would suspect.
That was a wild ride. All over the place, but pretty good nonetheless. Even the Ska bits were respectable. I'd prefer a bit more focus of style from an album, though.
Crazy mix of rock, glam, reggae, ska, disco, funk... everything, really ! For some reason I totally missed them in the 90s ; but from what I understand, they pioneered fusion music and influenced a ton of later bands, including some of my favorite ones. Some songs haven't aged well and just sound like 80s feel-good music. Not as cheesy as some other acts, and clearly more creative, but still - the guitar solos and upbeat lyrics sometimes feel a bit dated. However, the crazy energy and the cheeky humour grew on me, and there's a couple of real gems here, like the insane "I Like To Hide Behind My Glasses" or the quirky "Bonin' In The Boneyard". Not a perfect album, but a nice surprise, and better than I expected at first. I'll try to give it another shot in a few days, and might even bump it to a 4*. 6/10
1988… Fishbone were absolute lunatics live, and one of the bands that pushed me towards more eclectic stuff like FNM when I was still worshipping thrash at the end of the 80s. It hasn’t aged that well, the production screams 80s, and I’d love it even more with a rawer, more garage sound. Still, Fishbone remains totally my thing, and I’m all in.
3.5 - pretty good
Not a fan
3/5
OK, starts strong but becomes a bit M'eh
Una cumbre indiscutible del rock alternativo y la fusión que ha envejecido bien como un manifiesto de audacia e hibridación sónica. En el plano de diseño formal, la producción logra un entretejido que da claridad a una mezcla compleja y caótica por naturaleza, permitiendo que las secciones de metales, las guitarras distorsionadas y los ritmos acelerados respiren con notable nitidez. La entrega del sexteto despliega una fuerza y calidez que transmiten autenticidad pura, respaldada por un virtuosismo instrumental donde destaca la línea de bajo magistral de Norwood Fisher en la frenética "Bonin' in the Boneyard". Piezas de una agudeza lírica desarmante como la crítica familiar de "Ma and Pa" y esa obra maestra del reggae que es "Ghetto Soundwave" dan forma a un documento conmovedor, crudo y real que funciona como un sutil llamado a la conciencia sobre las fracturas sociales y la supervivencia urbana. Un trabajo cuya cadencia y constante sensación de paz y fluidez en sus pasajes rítmicos lo vuelven sumamente versátil para múltiples usos, siendo un motor fantástico para acompañar el ejercicio, la conducción o energizar el trabajo creativo.
so weird! so good?
Surprisingly good. There were a few shit tracks, but there was more good than bad overall. There were plenty of different styles, influences, genres etc - call it what you will.
Wasn't bad but wasn't that great, another background sound listen but its just old classic rock. 6.9/10
Fun sound
Mid.
Gutes und mittelmäßiges dabei. Average insgesamt
i can’t stand this. not sure why, i like similar albums/artists. but this feels like there’s nothing interesting to say - simply annoying
Good fun
I could see this being great if you like ska which I really don’t.
Not a real fish; just a turd that won’t flush.
Low 4
Oh man, Dave Matthews Band is gonna be on this list isn’t it 😟
What if Ska were a little bit…….. Proggy?? Listen it’s not the worst thing I’ve ever heard.
Cool but missing a certain je ne sais quoi
An interesting mix. May be something here for nearly everyone.
Pretty entertaining album There’s some really good stuff here and about half the album is really good songs but then the songs that aren’t as good aren’t as good and are super mid I really like the overall sound though and the singer is really good Favorites: ghetto soundwave, one day, ma and pa, Freddie’s dead, bonin in the boneyard 3.5/5
Es gibt keinen Grund für mich, das zu hören!
What a ride. Things about other albums that don’t work for me (genre grab-bag, ska horns, enunciated vocals, etc.) are working for me here. There’s real momentum and it puts a smile on my face. I’m skeptical when albums open with a cover, but their rendition of “Freddie’s Dead” was genuinely surprising and enjoyable. Angelo Moore can apparently sing anything he wants; he’s equally convincing on the punk track “Deep Inside” as he is on the Hayes cover. The mix of sounds and genres can result in an uneven listening experience, I suppose, but this band is so obviously talented and the production is so tight that it turns into something impressive. I’m a little surprised at how much fun I had here.
Seems a bit gimmicky for this list, but then again this list seems like 2/3 gimmicks
There’s something about ska that I don’t like. I should like it, based upon my other musical preferences, and in my youth I enjoyed it a lot. However, now I found it comical sounding, like the soundtrack to a cartoon or something. I find it disappointing that I can no longer enjoy it, but I want to want to enjoy it. Anyway, this is your standard 80s ska, you’ll like it if you’re into that kinda thing.
Fun album, fresh for its time. Not at all surprising to learn that they were an influence on Red Hot chili peppers.
It’s super diverse genre-wise, great stuff
Really cool rock/reggae/funk album it really tingles your eardrums and its sassy and strong at the same time. No skip straight heat. Fav song: Ghetto Soundwave
Nah. Greasy, American shit. There's some evidence that they can play their instruments and there's a little bit of spirit, but this is b-league music.
This was a decent album, never knew about these guys but not terrible
I liked this a surprising amount, maybe because it was a bit of fun after the rest of the days slog. Some silly ska.
That was fun Sometimes it felt like children's music, but those songs towards the end were fire
A real variety of styles and genres. It was really fun and interesting to listen to this. And, before I knew it, I had a really nice time :-)
It's funky. I remember really like a Fishbone song in the 90s and always meant to get back to them. It wasn't on this album. Still, I should explore it more one day.
Alternative rock, ska, funk, soul, and punk built from punchy horns, energetic guitars, elastic basslines, and passionate vocals feels like attending a party where every room hosts a different celebration at the same time—chaotic, vibrant, and usually entertaining, though occasionally too eager to show everything it can do at once. The album's stylistic fearlessness keeps it exciting, while its socially conscious lyrics give the exuberance a sense of purpose.
Hey, what’s your favourite musical genre? Blues, right? Definitely funk or soul? No wait, heavy metal for sure! Or maybe ska-punk? I dunno, they’re all good genres, Brent. This album manages to combine just about everything without feeling forced or overblown and the end result is a whole lot of fun, opening with a Curtis Mayfield cover before jumping into bouncy ska, hard rock and more. The lyrics have a nice range, from the cheeky humour of Bonin’ in the Boneyard, to a proper on the nose political broadside on Subliminal Fascism that wouldn’t be out of place on a Dead Kennedy’s album, assuming that they played ska at a sweaty 90 miles an hour with a mad calliope fairground organ in the background. What larks!
Similar vibes with Living Colour, Faith No More et al. I like the hybrid of reggae, funk and metal in theory but not a fan of the sound of the 80s production. These are talented musicians!
My only exposure to this band was 120 Minutes playing them and getting annoyed that they're not playing something better. But this album was OK. I like how all-over-the-place stylistically it is while still retaining a recognizable identity. Some styles work better for them than others though.
I feel like Fishbone should've been huge. Alas, they are the vanguard for the ska movement that would come about a decade after this album. A marriage of punk sensibility, funky basslines and grooves, and metal vocals, this album shows them at their best, with themes of divorce, race relations, anti-authoritarianism, and war.
What the heck was that? Send it back where it came from quick. Did I just hear a band that were speaking up for the big social problems like fascism and ghettos on one hand, then the next minute they are singing about boning in the boneyard? Putting the world to rights was in safe hands with these goons. And a real mess of instruments and styles too. Nothing here for me. Next?….
I have vague memories of my Heavy Metal loving workmates playing this to me in the late 80's, trying to convince me just how diverse and experimental the Metal genre can be. Me, a late teen at the time was not so easily swayed by their argument. Teenagers see things in black and white, no shades of grey like a mature adult has. I cant remember what my verdict was at the time, but I'm pretty sure it was uncompimentary. They were about My Bloody Valentine and Spacemen 3, so it was bound to be something tit for tat. Fast forward more years than I care to think about and it gets a play on my terms. What did I think? Its not offensive in any way, less Metal and much more funk, you can see how Metal infused bands like Faith No More came about not long after. I cant say I will be playing it again, as I don't listen to Metal or funk. There may well have been a message in the lyrics but I didnt give enough of a fuck to bother to find out what it was.
Man, this slapped. Such a great mix of soul, punk and ska. "Boanin' In The Boneyard" sounds like Mario Kart and I mean that as a compliment.
I had this one on cassette when I was in college but hadn't listened to it much since. Not sure why because it's even better than I remember. These guys took soul, ska, hard rock, even acoustic balladry, and mixed it into this aural feast. Not one bad song on the album and, lyrically, it's outstanding as well, kicking off with the great cover of Curtis Mayfield's "Freddy's Dead" and getting into pretty heavy subject matter while keeping the music joyful and hopeful. It's a party of an album and one of the better albums of the late 80's of any genre. Highly recommend the one that came after this as well, "The Reality of My Surroundings."
Wow. First time listen for me, and had never even heard of the band. What a diverse and fun record. Sounding like Stevie Wonder, The Specials, The Clash and more hardcore punk acts rolled into one. Just clearly very talented guys and there's not a song here I didnt enjoy.
Love this band. Their “In Your Face” album was a favorite, so I don’t remember how I missed this one. Good stuff.
Going to give 4.5 because I'm sure I'd feel that way after living with it for longer. I really enjoyed listening to this album. I've never heard them before even though I do like some funk rock and and a band with brass or horns - I'm just not that into ska which they've been labelled as. 1. "Freddies Dead": great cover version of the classic, high energy, great intro. 5/5 2. "Ma and Pa": loved the music more than the vocals/lyrics. 2/5 Of course this and any other tacks I do not like on first impression could change after many replays. I'm just limited to 2 listens max, so mainly first impressions. 3. "Question of Life"; sunshine and happiness. 4/5 4. "Pouring Rain"; One of my fav new songs. I like it more than 3 because sunshine and happiness is short lived. 5. "Deep Inside"; Fun song but so thin. Shows a different face of the band, this is the one that reminds me of Mike Patton the most 2.5/5 6. "Mighty Long Way"; don't like it, I suppose the guitar playing is the point but it reminds me of many 70s bands (can't remember which) 2/5 7. "Bonin' in the Boneyard"; bring out the bass and horns. Groovy track 5/5 8. "One Day" ; one of my faves. Stands on it's own of course but to describe it I have to say living colour meet FNM, 5/5 9. "Subliminal Fascism" Wow, more people need to hear this. 5/5 10. "Slow Bus Movin' (Howard Beach Party)" Interesting blues punk protest song, haven't heard anything like this since the 2000s. I could compare it to them but little point, this song has real teeth about racial violence. 5/5 11. "Ghetto Soundwave" Another top track, maybe my fave? 5/5 12. "Change": First of all 5/5, hidden gem for me. It's the late 80s, every rock act needed a ballad on the album for some reason. For once I'm glad, I'll remember this one. Overall reminded me a lot of say Living colour with horns, or an eclectic mix like you'd get with Faith no More. The best tracks are the hard rocking guitar riffs with horns because that's unique then and still is now, and something no one does anymore sadly. I started off with track 2 having doubts about the vocals and lyrics but in the end I was blown away. Some tracks sounded a little thin but because I'm using YT I don't know if it's the original mix or the YT uploader fault. When it was good it was very very good.
First time I listen to Fishbone. This is cool music, a nice artifact of its time - it's rocky, it's funky, it's most definitely good black music, I can feel it. But it didn't really resonate with me too much, it must be the lyrics or the "happy go-lightly" attitude, I am not able to put my finger on it. But it's good music nonetheless - not the most stellar production value, though, considering that some music from the same era has better equalization and overall quality. The amount of different instruments and styles here is INSANE, so I can't give it anything less than a 4.
Por momentos está bueno, por momentos mucho ruido
A perfectly fine ska band. But just reminds me how mad I am that Dimery didn’t bother to put Phish on the list. What a snob he is. I mean Phish is selling out massive venues this summer and you can see Fishbone at, no kidding, a public park in Staten Island.
This album was kind of all over the place- it takes a lot of big swings that sometimes connect but often don't. At it's core, fishbone is a ska band with funk and proto-grunge elements. There were a few songs I liked, but their overall sound was disconnected and I wasn't sure what they were trying to accomplish as a complete album. Overall- not bad- good at parts but mostly forgettable. 2.5/5
Surprisingly this was good fun for the most part, thought it fizzled out a bit towards the end but enjoyed overall
Not something I was into, felt unpolished in a not great way
3.7
Pretty good
This was not that strong.
2 its not too bad
2 out of 12 ain't bad. Well, yes it is ... This started out good, then went off the rails. Came back on with 'pouring rain', then that was it. A lot of reviews say this is great. Mine says - not so much.
6 - kinda weird rock/ska/alternative but not bad
Fishbone's second studio album Truth and Soul is a funk-ska-reggae-punk Bouillabaisse. The 90s "ska revival" and Sublime owe a lot to this. As such, the horn section shines on this album, particularly on "Question of Life" and "Pouring Rain". "Ghetto Soundwave" features particularly crisp drumming. The sound takes a bit of a turn with the mellow acoustic guitar and soulful singing of "Change". Sometimes the band gets a bit more "out there". "Mighty Long Way" is really catchy, but it kinda sounds like an 80s sitcom theme; while "Bonin' in the Boneyard" sounds like 80s Chili Peppers (especially the bass). "Subliminal Facism" and "Slow Movin' Bus" are odd primarily spoken word pieces. Although all of the songs on the album don't always work, the obvious love that these guys have for their music gives it an offbeat charm. Highlights: Highlights: "Question of Life", "Pouring Rain", "Ghetto Soundwave", "Change"
Day918 - fun album but i feel like they’re to blame for the crappy ska that came after
Nice reggae/ska influenced rock
Listenable. Variety of sounds but none of the tracks did a lot for me.
This belongs here. The trailblazer of '90's ska. Good funky fun. The masterful blend of genres shows the tremendous talent of this band. And let's never forget that it's good f7n.
Unique... Does as it aims to
Wow! That was quite a ride. Not sure what I expected but it wasn’t that. There’s something for everyone on here with rock, funk, soul, reggae and a bit of disco. Schizophrenic but very entertaining. 4
Okay this unexpectedly slapped
A funny genre bending album. Punk, funk, ska, pop rock, all kind of rolled in there. Pleasant enough, but kind of ends up corny in the end.
Pretty fun 3.5 goin up
This has got all the stuff that I usually like (Funk, ska, metal, crazy bass lines, not taking itself too seriously) so I’m very confused why I’m struggling with it. its all the right ingredients but the oven temperature just a bit… hot? Have listened on lots of different devices but finding it hard to hear the layers and therefore can’t find a way in. Hmm… Maybe I got out of the wrong side of the bed and I should try again another day.
High variance. When it is in a ska/funk register (Ma and Pa, Bonin’ In The Boneyard) it rips. When it is in a more generic rock/metal lane (Freddie’s Dead) it is pretty bad.
I wasn't super impressed.
Boring as hell
Love the style and sounds like it would be super fun in concert
Very tight. Kinda funky grungey. Love Curtis Mayfield but don't love the interpretation. I guess this would be second wave ska. As it goes on I don't really like it at all. Some Prince in here on Bonin'. Subliminal Fascism is pretty good.
Changes was pretty catchy. Lots of variety and talent on display, but not feeling like listening again soon
This album has all the attributes to make it a good fit for me but I came away feeling a little disappointed. Having said that it still has its moments
Not even remotely what I expected, but a pleasant surprise! Some really cool tunes on here. A bit of cheese too, but I mostly liked this.
I did enjoy this mix of metal, funk and even reggae sometimes. its weird but there are some nice stuff in there. 3.5
Just not something I enjoy. Funk and metal need to stay apart.
High energy low quality ska&funk rock with good bass parts and some bright horns, but annoying songs and grating vocals. The jammy instrumentals passages where they just ride a reggae groove for a minute hit hard - dark, heavy, deep - but then it's back to the whiney vocals.
I have never heard of this band before and it didn’t bode well for me that they started with Freddie’s Dead, normally your first song on an album is the strongest so having a cover here worried me. But, wow the rest of the album was as good as the opening track. A mix of rock reggae, funk. Deep lyrics, wonderful voice, lovely melodies. This album was able to invigorate me in the middle of sweltering heat, so good.
The album offers a wide range of genres, including punk, ska, reggae, soul, funk, and blues. There’s even some heavy metal thrown in. Why all of that on a single record? I have no idea. It’s not my thing at all.
Very nichely nostalgic
chaeryeong don't listen this is ska!!!! i had a lot of fun with this album, it bounced back and forth between prince and faith no more and overall was just a silly little listen
ummmmmm love the black panthers shout out? but this is just not for me..... lol...
Rate: 8.5/10.
🎧This is bad music
I do like this album, I like it's funk, and it does feel like the band is genuinely talented. I like the urgency and political tie-ins. Not exactly my favorite kind of music, but I respect the genre fusing
Kasari heviäähän tämä. Ihan tuttua meininkiä Kieku vokaalit ja rockin sekä heviin säveliä
this is so funnnnn!!!!!
Great album. 4.4.
Personal enjoyment: 4/5 Relevance to this list: 5/5
its like all rock subgenre is in one album. so weird yet fun
Bonin' in the Boneyard stood out. I liked the music, but some was bland. 3/5
most songs nor for me
I’m glad my husband encouraged me to give this one a second chance. On first listen I didn’t appreciate it, but I was just waking up. I found the funk in it a few hours later. However, the ballad at the very end feels like a total cop out radio grab. Come on guys, really? Was 3.5 stars until that last song dragged it down.
Awful, just awful. I think it's some of the worst music I have ever heard.
Fun stuff - some reggae, some ska, some heavy riffs.
Well bejesus. Not sure what the fuck this was. Not for me, and I’m not sure it’s ever something I’ll even think about ever again. I’m sure there’s some merit in there, I just can’t see it.
Decent funk rock, some bangers here for sure but it's a little repetitive
Na, viel Soul habe ich da ja nicht gehört! Aber trotzdem ganz gut.
bem mais divertido do que eu achei que fosse ser a sonoridade não é muito pro meu bico, mas é daora
ska nao eh mto minha pira nao, mas a sonoridade eh bem maneirinha mesmo. nao parece as bandas de ska medíocres que os anos 90 trouxeram. essa tem uma qualidade bem única, sei lá. eh massa!
Really good album! It's mostly Ska Punk and it's really good! It has this unique sound to it that not a lot of other Ska Punk bands have. It incorporates slap bass in their song Bonin' In The Boneyard that was really cool. Great album!
Yeah, just give me Sublime. Although I do like the horns.
As much as I wanted to like it, I didn't
Insane mash up of multiple genres. Soul, ska, reggae, rock. They do it all.
Ska! 3/5
I really disliked this It doesn’t have any coherence so comes across as a mess. I didn’t mind some of the songs, but as an album it’s a mess.
Honestly, I'm not liking the weird mashup of ska, metal (?), and Huey Louis and the News style 80's rock. Just none of this is working for me.
Funk metal fuck
This is a fun SKA album. It's a bit all over the place and has a a bit of everything but I enjoyed it and wouldn't mind hearing it again. I wouldn't actively reach for it though
I didn't enjoy this much, it was too hard and not my thing.
Truth and Soul has the honour of being the only Ska album not to annoy the shit out of me. Some fun 80s sounds that remind me of nostalgic "radical era" 90s kids movies and shows. Don't think I would re-listen, but I did enjoy it.
Its pretty cool and out there. But theres alot going on. Funk, ska, fusion, jazz and even some punk. In '88 I would have hated this. Now I just think its kinda progressive but what came after is more impactful.
Some energy and some interesting songs. But overall nothing special.
Fun mix of ska, funk and punk
Funky but nothing too special to my ears
Nothing that really stood out as being great music.
4/5
Hey, Freddie’s Dead! A Curtis Mayfield track. Curtis did it better but that’s cool. I’m thinking a little less rock In Living Color with these guys. They have a style that seems to dip its toes in all sorts of genres but they just can’t seem to find one that fits this guys voice. Freddie’s Dead came the closest I think. Funk, rock, reggae, slow jam. It’s all there it just sort of is flat.
I've got a soft spot for ska. Ska, rock, punk etc. band was a very enjoyable ride. Funky beats. Everyone's having fun with some serious topics discussed amongst the fun. Great beats. Can see some of the bands I listened to 10+ years later having been influenced by these guys. I looked it up and The Mighty Mighty Bosstones who definitely have a somewhat similar vibe only formed 4 years later than Fishbone (1983 v 1979) but the Bosstones ended up having their biggest most commercial hit in 1997. Not sure if they are on the list
picks: ma and pa, pouring rain
trash
Fine but not something I'll ever be in the mood for.
Two wonderful things about the circle of life.
Not my thing. Although slow but movin and ghetto sound wave were good. Bonus points for Bonin'' in the Boneyard's song name
- This album is a very fun vibe, just not sure if its my vibe
This is a classic album that blends a lot of different types of black music under the guise of hard rock. It is very inventive in parts and dated in others. But ingenious genre-bending has my eternal respect.
Loved it will listen more
Gleich, langweilig kein Lied hat wiedererkennungs Merkmal
did not listened, sorry to this album
What a weird genre mash-up! You got the prestige status You've got the majority mass Plus you've got a blender by general motors And a tonka toy dump truck up your ass - lol
This one caught me by surprise - not my usual jam but I appreciated the energy, humour, anger and politics! Fave track: Slow Bus Movin'
It sounds good and catchy, but just not something I would put on
love a good genre fusion, the soul elements are what keep this album interesting
Weird.
Funky Faith no More
This entire record is such a wild, ahead-of-its-time blend of metal, funk, and ska that feels like it laid the groundwork for the 90s alt rock scene. "Freddie's Dead" is a pretty cool cover to kick things off. "Ma and Pa" is just an incredibly catchy ska tune that gets stuck in your head instantly. The bass line on "Bonin' in the Boneyard" is absolutely sick. John Norwood Fisher is a monster on the bass, and he really drives that whole track. "One Day" actually reminded me of Primus at times, with that slap-heavy bass, and that guitar solo was great.The insane speed in parts of "Subliminal Fascism" totally gave off Megadeth vibes. It is just a fantastic, high-energy punk track. This was a fun one! Favorite track: “Bonin’ in the Boneyard”
Ganz cool, funky und teilweise auch irgendwie lustig. Favs: Freddies Dead, Ma and Pa, Bonin in the Boneyard
It's a good album, "Question of Life" was my favorite one.
Not the worst, but not a very good listen. 2.5 but it doesn’t make it to 3.
es la banda y es el album que podemos ver el cambio de los que seria la segunda ola del ska que fusionó el ska con el punk británico a la tercera ola donde el sonido se volvería popular en estados unidos y se mezclaría con el hardcore, el metal y otros géneros que sonaran a principios de los 90s
I knew nothing about this band. The album is pretty good in an energetic 1980s rock-soul way.
Interesting mix of rock/ska/funk. Fun listen.
Don't normally like ska but this was a fun one
Classic
Around 30% of this album is spiritually Steely Dan and the other 70% is nothing like Steely Dan. Interesting experience but not incredibly remarkable as an album.
Fine.
Awesome
A fun, upbeat mix of styles and genres. Worth a listen, but nothing really stood out for me.
Going in I didn't know what I was getting into and thought I was going to have to listen to some post grunge butt rock, but then the second track came on and I realized this was some sort of ska thing? What a bizarre album. I respect how unabashedly weird it is but it can be either extremely fun or extremely annoying. You have to be in a very specific mood to enjoy this album, which is how I feel about ska punk in general. Speaking of, some of these songs have the biggest gap between their sound and their lyrics I've ever heard. I appreciate the social commentary songs but I just can't take them seriously next to tracks like Bonin' in the Boneyard. The tonal whiplash is intense. Overall, some fun songs on here, some surprising depth, some goofy musical choices. I might enjoy this more on a relisten.
a mix i wasnt expecting but sure as hell liked it
A lot of fun, though rather uneven. Tracks 2 and 3 stood out the most to me. The second half dragged a bit. I appreciate the humor, social commentary, energy, and mishmash of styles!
I have no idea what to make this of the band. It sounds like a compilation at times, but always surprised me. It's almost like Sly Stone tried to make a rock / ska record in the 1980s. Very interesting. Highlights: "Mighty Long Way" and "One Day"
Surprisingly good - great energy
Would I listen again: maybe? This album was so random. I liked some bit of it for sure. what is the genre?
This album is known for its eclectic mix of genres in the reviews. Perhaps more than anything, this intrigues me as I want an interesting album to listen to. It sounds like your standard ska-rock album, but it preceded the most popular entries in that genre. Some songs are more metallic in nature, like the "Freddie's Dead" cover. Others, such as "Dead Inside" are more punkish. Either way, this album covers a very wide variety of styles through a sound that is unmistakably one band. Lyrics aren't the best, but that's forgivable when the underlying songs keep you hooked and guessing like this does. This album is ultimately a hidden gem of the 1980s that would prove hugely influential on the 1990s ska-rock movement.
Es muy raro este album, parece como si estuvieran metidas muchas bandas de generos diferentes. Alguna que otra cancion no estuvo mal pero el resto no iban.
Fishbone made it onto a lot of my mix tapes in around ‘90-‘94. Almost represented in some way shape or form on every mixtape I produced! Then they dropped to an approximately zero-recurrence since then. So listening to this album was very nice and sentimental. And these songs still bop hard.
Definitely not something to be taken too seriously & I admired the general energy. However the stank of god awful bands that were influenced by this hangs heavy.
I don't understand what this is or why I like it
INCREDIBLY AWFUL. Almost impressive how bad this is.
im gonna be real, I did not pay attention to a word of this. it's fine overall tho
Fishbone? En esta lista? Sorprendido me hallo
Perfect? No. But a lot of fun with an impressive diversity of style. Glad I listened to it, although I probably wouldn't listen again.
2,5 -
As someone much more familiar with 3rd wave white boy ska, it was really interesting to hear some of the roots of that sound. Bonin' in the Boneyard!
At least it's not Robbie Williams
This album was a average at best example of rock, there was nothing that stood out to me or made me want to listen to more
FISHBOOOOOOOOOONNNNNE!!!!!!!! 5
I liked ma and pa song
I really hate that plink-y Casio keyboard. Totally distracting (for me) from the rest of the music. Some great parts/bits but nothing ever really coalesced into great songs…
I am a big Fishbone and this is one of my favorite albums from them!
Didn’t seem particularly consequential but I also didn’t really have a bad time at any point, except that I kept thinking, "I wonder if that 'Sell Out' song is on this album? That is a pretty good song." But then I learned that there are two ska bands with the word "fish" in their name and "Sell Out" is by the other one. Stay safe out there kids.
too many genres
I recognize the name/cover from the record shop in Falkirk, i must have confused it with Fish or Marillion or something because I was not expecting safe tame ska. Too slow and low, to an almost frustrating degree.… … Right, I’ll leave the above as I learn all too deep into this 1000+ album list not to make sweeping statements about an album without fully listening to it in full. Overall, they remind me of a band wedding band who take requests and say…don’t know that one but here’s one of our own that’s vaguely that genre and proceed to thoroughly undersrwelm. The slow stuff was too slow/too low. The faster stuff wasn’t spiky enough And I can imagine the anthems stuff going down like a lead balloon ‘Come on guys gets the lighters out and sing along’ *silence*
random songs with very different feel none of which were overly enjoyful
Not my thing at all...well mixed but...it's poorly done Ska.
It's like an album assembled entirely from the annoying parts of albums I actually like.
Just joyful listening. Not overly polished or life changing, but incredibly fun. A variety of styles mean it isn't the greatest album but that didn't detract too much from my listening, just don't take it too seriously.
Oh. I see. Just when I thought I was on my way out of this project they bring me back in. Now look, is this one of my favorite albums? It is not. Am I giving it a 5 out of reflexive surprise at seeing a ska album on here? Absolutely. Does this album still rule? Yes, yes it does.
Good ska punk album Rating:3.5/5GEMV (06.05.2026)
bit random and all over the place, enjoyed some more than others
So many bones.
not as good as Joni Mitchell’s Blue
Really icked me. Not a fan at all. I like Ska in some environments but not whatever this is.
I needed two listens through to get this one, but I got there.
I appreciate the effort and what they are trying to do, but it's just a mess. However, I thought I would hate it much more ... the Curtis Mayfield cover is actually quite interesting. As for the rest, well ...
this is a strange band. i like it.
Album has held up remarkably well.
I went to junior high with Angelo—so I gets an extra star for that reason. The social commentary is good but the music is disjointed as an album and the individual songs don’t stand out sufficiently to lift it up.
Never heard of them, pretty good
7/10 Third wave ska emerged around the late 80’s and Fishbone are credited as being at the vanguard of that movement. While this album is not entirely ska focused, you can definitely hear that 90s ska-punk sound in various places across the album, which is an interesting piece of musical history, if nothing else. The album as a whole is kind of hard to sum up, because it is incredibly scattergun in its approach, dipping into ska, punk, soul, funk, rock and metal styles in various blends all across the album. It’s pretty clear that these guys are having a massive amount of fun making this record, and that infectious ‘try-anything’ vibe really comes across well in the recording. They’re also great players, with some excellent musicianship scattered throughout, and a consistently tight and groovy approach to rhythm. While the approach to smash together as many different influences as possible is a cool one, it does mean that the album suffers a little in terms of coherence, with some of the stylistic jumps feeling a little jarring and making the thread of it a little hard to hold on to in places. Because of that, this is not the most consistent of albums and it doesn’t help the production either, with jumps between clean, sharp tracks and heavy, dirty ones making this feel a bit like a playlist covering a band’s evolution over a decade, rather than at one specific point in time. All that being said, when this hits, boy does it hit. From the 90s ska-punk special of Ma and Pa, via the slow soul groove of Pouring Rain to the incredible slap bass of Monin’ In The Boneyard, there is an awful lot to love and admire about this record and, despite that slightly strange stylistic inconsistency, this is definitely one that’s worth revisiting. Freddie's Dead - A Curtis Mayfield cover to kick us off. It’s got an early Chili Peppers/Faith No More sound to it. The riffs sound great and it’s got a cool swagger to it, with an engaging groove. Some of the synth sounds are a little dated, but work quite well with the vibe. Pretty decent. Ma And Pa - Wow, straight into some proper ska-punk stuff now, which is quite the switch up. This is really cool and definitely sounds like it massively influenced the ska-punk wave of the 90s. There are some great hooks and riffs in there and it’s got solid pace and feel. The key sounds are a tad weak, but the vibe is excellent and the vocal delivery is brilliant. So much attitude, while maintaining great tonal control. Lovely stuff. Question Of Life - This runs more coherently on with a slightly slower ska groove. The layering of parts is cool and the rhythm gets passed around nicely. It’s not quite as hooky and engaging as the last track, but there are still some great performances across the board and the shifting rhythms give it good depth. Pouring Rain - More of a slow soul/funk groove now. This is cool actually and the vocalist is very good. The feel of the rhythm is top quality and the blend of sharp horns and guitar against the lazy roll of the bass and smooth vocals is a nice effect. The different sections allow this to stay pretty fresh throughout and the bass in particular is really tasty. Deep Inside - This leans back towards the heavier side of things now and sounds like the kind of thing Mike Patton might have worked on on one of his various projects. It’s pacy, dirty and has some great riffs. Nice little track. Mighty Long Way - This album really sounds like they’re having a great deal of fun. This has more solid grooves and is an enjoyable vibe. It leans a little more towards a hard rock sound, and there’s some top notch, if a tiny bit clichéd, guitar work in there. This is all about that fun, party vibe though, and they bring that across really well, even if it’s not the hookiest of numbers. Bonin' In The Boneyard - Woah, that bass! It takes a little bit to get going, but this is another great party tune, with more of a funk focus than the rock one of the last track. The lead to backing vocal interplay is engaging, there are some cool hooks and riffs, as well as plenty of breakdown sections for the players to have fun, particularly the bassist. Take a bow, John Norwood Fisher. Great fun. One Day - Another cool bass line and a solid funk rock groove. This has more than a touch of stuff like Mr Bungle or Primus about it and is a tasty blend of a pop-funk vocal in the chorus and something a lot more grotty and groovy through the verses. There are some great riffs in here too and the general tone of the production is excellent, feeling meaty and groovy in equal measure. Great guitar solo too. Fantastic song. Subliminal Fascism - Again, this could easily be a Mr Bungle track. It’s heavy, pacy and tonally quite weird, but still completely coherent, which to me is a pretty perfect mix. Great playing, great vibe, great energy. Slow Bus Movin' (Howard Beach Party) - The persistent, driving groove to this is great. It’s again quite stylistically different from what’s come before, but by this point, that’s par for the course. It’s definitely got a silly, Primus side to it, but there’s something quite heavy to the vibe too that I can’t quite put my finger on. Good though. Ghetto Soundwave - This feels like it could be a tiny bit quicker, but the groove is still good. Great bass playing again. This leans back towards a poppy, ska vibe but with a heavier tone. It’s a slightly odd blend that I’m enjoying but feels a tiny bit lacking in complete coherence. It just feels a tad messy and disorganised, despite the solid playing and rhythmic focus. Change - This album has been a bit stylistically all over the places, but this is a very odd ending even by that standard. A reverb soaked pop-rock ballad that lacks the rhythmic front-footedness of the rest of the album. Some shit synth strings round off the weirdness and while the guitar and vocal performances are decent, this is a very, very strange inclusion.
This album from the first note sounds like 5 different songs. I am immediately into it. I really liked this album. Lot of interesting styles and lyrics about serious topics.
Wow! Didn't knew that funk could be that varied, catchy and fun. I enjoyed the most record.
i hate ska
Good.
Genre defining!
I like the groovin’, and can somebody tell me why the average is lower than 3?
Took me a bit to get into this one but I enjoyed it well enough once I did. Top Track - Bonin’ In The Boneyard
Old school rap. Still rap. Pass.
6/10
me and pa yı dinleyecek kadar enerjik degilim
Would not buy
Totally unexpected sounds on this album - I thought the Freddy's Dead cover was totally bonkers on first listen but I've fallen in love with it. Lot of tonal & musical variety on this. Need to listen to this a lot more.
Heard of these guys but had not had the chance to listen. They sound like they probably started third wave ska, of which I’m a huge fan
Pretty nice funk album. A bit hectic and unfocused in some higher tempo songs with very distorted electric guitars that I didn't feel belonged, but not that bad overall. Really liked 'Ma and Pa', which seems to be their most popular song. I have a feeling Red Hot Chili Peppers have taken some visual inspiration from this band when it comes to clothing and appearance.
Yesterday we had a The Specials album, so I feel like I’ve already had my fill of ska music. Anyway, this started off with some very funky metal. The track felt almost like progressive metal with all the syncopation. Like a mix between Yes and Van Halen. Then “Ma and Pa” came on, which was a genuine, full-blooded ska track. Completely different from the first track. This pattern continued, with each new song feeling very different from the previous, even finishing with an acoustic ballad in “Change.” I’m quite impressed with the breadth of this album. Sadly, none of the music really resonated with me; I’m not a big fan of ska or funk metal. I recognize that they are clearly talented, so I’m going to give it a weak 3.
Some good old funky shit. Loved that there was some sprinklage of rock thrown in too, really made it more enjoyable for me in the end. Favourite tracks: Freddie's Dead, Ma and Pa, Pouring Rain, Subliminal Fascism 4/5
meh, pouring rain was ok. i also listened to their them bones cover lol
This is close to being something I'd like, but alas...
This is a real eclectic mix of funk, rock and ska and maybe even reggae. At times, it’s good and interesting but others I’m less sure, perhaps a bit whacky. Maybe it’s one to appreciate over time, as is often the case but not sure when I’d be back.
Not great. Maybe just passable
This is pretty bad. I found it difficult to find anything much likeable about it. Certainly it pales in comparison with Two Tone. Frankly it even compares poorly to the ska punk of the 90s like Reel Big Fish or Less Than Jake and they're hardly 5 star bands.
It was alright three stars don't have many strong opinions on it.
Oh great, American funk rock. At least the first track is Curtis Mayfield, even if it's a pointless derivative cover that makes you long for the original. I'm apprehensive about getting to their own material... My one hope is that it may be akin to Frank Zappa which is the most hopeful I can be in terms of influence / sound on here. Track 2... Jeezus what the fuck? Sounds like some kids at school pissing around, with lyrics to suit a 15 year old. Right best get busy and just suffer what might be the most perfect horror to beset my ears in this project (sweats). Being fair Pouring Rain is much better, cutting bank on the wank rock to actually let a song breathe and the singer to actually emote. There's some actually good production on this track. And then Deep Inside hits in all it's Guns n Roses to be horror making me want to wash out my ears, it's some of the most repulsive shit I've heard, the guy is just cramming in all the words with zero musicality. But thank god it's short. If only I could say the same for the rest of this horror show. I'm on a day off today, but I'm doing some work from home just so this can sink into the background more and be more tolerable. Jeez subliminal fascism just hit, please finish soon... it does, phew! I'm sure these guys are an important on the 90s funk rock scene, but that was one of the most foul smelling aberrations to behold music so there's no honour there!
3.75!
When people talk about how over the top U2 or Hootie and the Blowfish are as bands, I never quite understood it. But as soon as I turned on Fishbone's Truth and Soul I immediately started to understand what those people must be talking about because this project is a bit much for myself. I am all for some over the top music, I mean come on I basically was raised on Hard Rock thanks to my dad, but this project just feel very corny in a lot of ways I can't stand. It also doesn't help this is a Ska Rock record and that genre as a whole can very much run itself thin with my tastebuds. This project has the energy of a hyped up camp counselor but doesn't have nearly enough charisma to keep me wanting to get to the next track. If anything this project felt like a burden to hear as I was adamantly waiting for this project to be over. I am sorry to all the Fishbone fans out there but this was cheesy as fuck and not in a "funny haha" enjoyable way but more in a "what the fuck was the author thinking here?" kind of way.
This was all over the place but tons of fun at times. First track sounded very typical 80s hair band. There were moments that sounded early funky chili peppers. And the HORNS throughout. Didn’t always work but are always welcome.
I really liked this and considering some of the other music I like I was surprised I'd never even heard of this band. Would definitely give this another spin.
Hell is wrong with ya?
I really like the style and sound... but there are no hits. which is too bad because it really got something, but I can't remember any song.
Cool, funky album.
Pretty good, may listen again
I wasn't expecting listening to ska when I woke up today but I'm not complaining one bit. While not a genre I listen to a lot its one I always get happy when it comes on. This album was a fun listen with highs and lows in how good the songs are, but even the songs I didn't like as much are still fun enough that I get happy while listening because of the ska sound. I might have to listen to more ska today is the biggest take from this album to me.
Solid, pretty cool 4/5
no los había escuchado. No están mal para ser de los 80. Bastante variados y divertidos.
Die MUsik ist Intressaant, sehr gut gemacht, kennde die band nicht
Combining metal with Chicago style horns worked out really well. This was a fun listen
It starts off well enough (a Curtis Mayfield cover being a cheat code) but hunks of it are dismal - a mish-mash of genres and influences that ultimately does none of them justice.
Coll bass. Not my thing tho
2.5
i like dem
mid
Awful
Fun and funky. I enjoyed this, but not sure it belongs on the list.
A laid-back funky ska-punk vibe that makes you feel like you're in for a good time. The instrumentation is on point, and the vocals are soulful without being overbearing. It's just... it's a solid album that I enjoyed listening to, but it didn't blow my mind or make me want to press repeat immediately after it ended. Spins: 1 Playlist Additions - Freddie's Dead - Ma and Pa - Bonin' In the Boneyard
7 / 10 - Ska / Punk / Funk - funky ska, gute Laune, politische Texte - Extrem divers, jedoch dadurch etwas "all over the place" und nicht so kohärent Favs: - Ma And Pa - Bonin' In The Boneyard
Nostalgic fun from that week of the 90's that I listened to them.
3.5
Underrated band good when playing rock better when playing ska. They were lost in translation on their era and never got the recognition they deserve. First song is really good and then the transition to ska for the second is flawless.
Len Houmous has boned in a boneyard. He’s boned everywhere 3.9 7/12 Bonin In The Boneyard
Another band I have heard of but not heard. They have a lot of range.
Rock en scha kan leuk zijn maar hier gaat dat helemaal mis ik vind deze album en niet leuk
Not my thing
Ma and Pa
Why the completely unnecessary cover of Freddy's Dead? that really annoyed me. I do like a band with a horn section though.
3.5
Jesus Christ. This was the most surprised I had been with an opening track. I expected this to be some kind of smooth, soul thing. I got hit with glam/metal guitar noise. It was great. We sort of got to the smooth soul later. With the ska. The punk. And the country/western? And lots of GnR stylings. Subliminal Fascism sounded like some kind of theme tune. This couldn't sound anymore American but for once that works. By no means did all of this work and did I enjoy it all. But the sheer range and ambition in styles and my surprise gives this an easy 4. Would love to give it a 5 but not all of it worked.
I really enjoyed the rock stuff here, but the ska/reggae tracks felt out of place. There were some good lyrical bits and the guitar sounds were very fun and 80s. Although I felt some.of the pinched harmonic/tapping solos felt a little out of place from the more angular riffs in the rest of the song. A good enjoyable album with some interesting musical choices. I'd happily give some of their other stuff a listen, but I won't be searching it out.
mid repetitiv
Favorite Track: Ma and Pa
This shit bumps, man.
my dad could like this(thin chance but he likes the ska music,maybe not this type though)
Not bad bu I dditn add any
not for me
2.93
It's a fun album. Love the Ska influence.
I love ska, but this is even a lot for me, but I gotta respect it. I appreciate the subject matter that takes th genre much more seriously than a lot of ska that came after them.
It was funky, I had some fun but nothing special tbh
This was okay. Pretty fast and all over the place. But still felt a bit long to me for some reason, even though the runtime is just normal.
I can barely think of an album more deserving to be on this list! Bands, of course, but for a singular album - through and through, this album has it all. Utterly unique, has something to say, and stands like a giant above its 80s peers. It’s energetic. It’s eclectic, diverse, and lyrically rich. There’s Anger, Lament, Empathy, and Humor. It SOUNDS great. It’s arresting. The opening song links the lament of the 70s soulful original to the anger and urgency of Now. “Ma and Pa” is a perfectly executed story of divorce, from the vantage point of furious, lost kids, complete with broken bottles to match the brokenness of every member of the family. Songs like “One Day” and “Subliminal Fascism” could have been recorded THIS MORNING and have equal resonance — in fact, they would seem understated. (“Subliminal”?) For those who down rated this one… love ya, but don’t know why you are even here. You didn’t listen, or didn’t hear. I’d listen again if I were you, unless you want to find those other albums from 1988 that were more on point. (Good luck!)
Right away this album leaps out at you as one on the most impactful mashups of strong rock and roll, funk, reggae, etc. Most of the time these mashups dabble, but Fishbone really blends styles and genre well without sacrificing too much of one for the other. All while writing honest, confrontational, and socially conscious lyrics. I don't know much about the band beyond this album, but they have delivered a solid and demanding album that jams and rings out in your head after listening.
It sort of felt like someone put a frat boy's ipod on shuffle. This album was here there and everywhere. Everything was different and there was no real connecting piece other than it was upbeat. I can see how this band has had a revolving door of members, its less a band and a vibe of music.
This was a fun party. Lots of great instrumentation and funky ska-ness. I wanted to love it more than I did, something about it wasn’t totally drawing me in, but it was all good vibes. A couple more listens would probably take it up a notch. Glad to discover these guys!
My initial thought was that this was going to be a lot heavier from the first song, but it ended up being a lot funkier and chill, and I did not mind it at all. Nothing really stood as a notable song, but it was an ok listen. 3 stars
one of my fave oldies
Track three is the first one I like here. First two wasn't great. 4 is a nice reggae song. Nice textures. 5 bad 6 forgettable. 7, unfortunately, is even more forgettable. And longer. 8 has nice guitar, not much else. I'm sad for not liking this one, because the intentions are clearly good. But, as I usually dislike this kind of not focused projects, I don't like this one aswell. Change, as the last song, has nothing to do with the rest of the album, I have to admit it's a lovely little song. A flat 2, sorry.
Below expectations
#891. Kinda goofy, but alright. 3/5: acceptable
I don't even know how to describe this, ska meets Van Halen? I think it is a good album (so I can see why the people who love it are so into it), it's just not for me. ETA: okay, the back half of the album appeals to me a lot more than the first half. Upping my rating by a star from the original 2.5 I was going to give it.
Jeah! Nyt oli kova lätty! Kasarin kuuloista joo mutta ei haittaa. En hoi sanoa ennen kuulleeni mutta hyvä että nyt tutustuin. Innoittanut esim NOFXää…? Todella hyvä meininki ja taitavaa tekemistä! 5/5
Super solid. Listen again.
Good album, solid songs. 6.1/10
powerfull
Pretty good, even thouhg I'm not a big reggae fan
i didn't know what to expect listening to this because i'm not a big ska fan, but this was so fun! so different and genre-spanning and a great addition to the list.
fishbone is so dope. i was thrilled to see this pop up. ma and pa is a stone-cold classic, bonin' in the boneyard is a ton of fun, and the rest of these range from good to great. the cheesy 80s production on some of these ska/punk/reggae/funk/soul/whatever tracks is really just the icing on the cake. it just works. five fuckin stars. favorites: tracks 1-3, 6-9 (nice), and 11-12
oooh I could get behind this based on the wiki description. Don't know if I'm familiar with this group at all. LOL that Super Fly movie looks awesome. dammmmn some funky bass in Bonin' In the Boneyard song. That one is cool.
Heavy metal instrumental is very misleading to open this album which transforms to soul and funk for remainder. Very clear and Wide vocal range. Soft and slow to hi octane from one song to the next. Saves the best for last for a change. Could I sit through a live performance? I think so.
did nothing for me
I like their sound and blending of styles. But for my money, I prefer the vocals and horn section of the Rustic Overtones when it comes to funk/punk/ska rock. Just the same, will round up from 3.5*.
Very funky large-group sound, with plenty of energy, activism, and horns! All the right beats; Sly for the late 80’s.
I understand why some people like it but it wasnt really for me.