Reviews (page 5 of 8)
Kinda fun, but got old towards the end.
Good album. Great mix of styles.
I'd never heard of Fishbone before. An odd one, this - I can't quite put my finger on it, but I think it will repay some further plays.
I'm not saying this was bad, but it didn't do it for me at all. Stylistically couldn't seem to decide where it was.
3 - Why is it so all over the place? It’s mostly good too?! Just so random, it literally has no genre
Interesting listen from the late 80s, but nothing quite catches my fancy.
Just loads of nonsense... But I couldn't help but feel an amount of charisma from the singer. I feel like I'd like him as a person. So juicy, but shite
I wish I had a fishbones wedged in both ear canals during that listen. The fusion of styles simply doesn't sound good. The songs are lousy and the singer is unremarkable. Shame on you curators. A pox on all your houses!
Good 3
good hype
Probably more of a 4.5 but no half star ratings :(
I get why this is an album on this list, but I just didn’t find joy in it. So much genre changing and bending, everything was surprising but not always enjoyable. Not for me.
WAT? 2 ska albums, op 3 dagen? Wat de fuck hahaha Nou, gaan we weer hoor. Vorige ska album was echt prima. Jammer, Ma and Pa is echt een lekker ska funky nummertje, maar er staat ook ontzettend veel rock en hardrock op dit album en dat trek ik toch echt een STUK minder. Het album is echt zwaar schizofreen en gaat álle kanten op, van een hardrock plaat, naar een funky jazzy nummer. Ik vind de zanger trouwens wel best prettig, fijne afwisseling na die draak van New Order. De muziek van Fishbone is instrumentaal wel echt ijzersterk met leuke melodiën. De zang is prettig, maar soms ook heel vreemd en qua genre zijn ze niet erg vast. Dat zorgt er wel voor dat het album lekker wegluistert, maar ik zou je nu niet kunnen zeggen wat het typische Fishbone geluid is. Misschien is het gewoon 'Ja'? FAVO: Ma and Pa, Bonin in the boneyard, One Day, Slow Bus movin
This was a fun album that had notes ska, punk, as well as straight up rock. I don't understand the relatively low rating because it was overall an enjoyable album.
I saw them open for Funkadelic last year, and didn’t care for the music. I was hoping that maybe an album recorded nearly 40 years ago would capture them in their prime. But apparently their age is not the problem: I just don’t dig their ska, reggae funk, hard rock punk thing. Points for the last song and their ability.
This is #day189 of my #1001albumsyoumusthearbeforeyoudie challenge, and... to be honest, I had this album playing in the background while working, so I didn’t really dive into it. It had a funky feel, and the rhythm section was tight, reminding me of Faith No More and RHCP from around the same time. But for some reason, the record didn’t grab me or inspire a second listen. I’m giving it a 2 out of 5. Looking forward to #day190.
Black ska/punk/rock. Wild! Fun!
This album was all over the place for me, some great tracks and some questionable ones. I always give some extra love for bands that aren't afraid to experiment with different sounds, and they really did that, but it didn't hit on all the songs for me. Great effort, another album close to full marks, but not quite there.
Never heard of these guys before, but that was some serious fun. It just sounds like they are having a great time and it is infectious.
How have I never heard this before? This is like finding the missing link between the 80's and 90's. There are throwback sounds to the earlier 80's but just as often there are sounds that wouldn't come to prominence until the 90's. An album that was simultaneously behind and ahead of its time. As someone that hates ska I enjoyed this a lot more than anticipated.
REALLY like this album. Something different, perhaps? Reminds me of sublime, ska y'know. Don't listen too much to what is being said but like how it sounds.
Freddies Dead misses the mark for me. Curtis Mayfield has stolen my heart. A lot of the album feels kind of promising but then doesn't really deliver. Fave: Subliminal Fascism
Got off to a bit of a rocky start with this one - just heard the original "Freddie's Dead" through this project a week ago, and it's smoooove as hell. Fishbone's version is..... not smoove. 😆 Sounds pretty chaotic, in fact! And then we move into some ska numbers. 😟 Once we get a few more tracks in, though, it becomes clear they're experimenting with a whole bunch of genres, glam, punk, cabaret, funk metal, throw it all at the wall! I started to click with the overall vibe. Positively enjoying myself by the time the album closes! Fave tracks - "I Like To Hide Behind My Glasses" - singer was channeling Bobcat Goldthwait on that one! 😆 "Bonin' in the Boneyard" is great fun. "Subliminal Fascism" is probably my top pick. Makes me pine for the days when the fascism was below the surface...
Fun album. Some really upbeat songs and great use of horns throughout. Doesn’t always hit, but overall a good album. 3.5/5 Probably will listen again
really covered the whole range from reggae to punk with ska sprinkled in between
This was a solid album that blends funk rock, ska, and reggae. While this style isn’t necessarily my go-to, I still found it enjoyable for what it was. The energy and musicianship stood out, and overall, I’d rate it as slightly better than average.
Quite enjoyed this one, lots of fun.
An eclectic mix: ska, metal, rock, funk - it's all here, and pretty good too. Played it through fully half a dozen times and enjoyed it thoroughly. The final track 'Change' is the best and is very much in the style of George Michael.
Unfortunately, this is funk rock to forget. You’d think a punchy and energetic album like this would be fun throughout, but in reality it’s likely to leave you checking the tracklisting to see how long’s left before you can write a passive-aggressive review. There’s some great messaging here on paper, but its execution seems more like a box-ticking exercise than anything to move the masses. Perhaps by the late 80s the ship had sailed on this sort of stuff. I wasn’t around, so I don’t know. It’s what I’m getting from this sole example, though. It’s a 40-minute conglomerate of similar-sounding not-quite heavy enough funk rock, until the ending of Change, a weird semi-ballad that seems to say; ‘just in case you didn’t get our very basic messaging, here’s something to hammer it in.’
Fishbone should be removed before serving.
petition for slap bass to be outlawed by UN treaty
Not my vibe. bad. Cannot imagine listening and thinking, yes this is good.
I don’t want to be mean … but I keep coming back to the thought of “it’s like a drunk driver careening down a packed party street destroying every genre it touches.
Rocky, Ska, La rock sound that tells me A LOT about the lives these ‘rock-stars’ lived. Maybe it was in a transitional period for rock as a whole, but they certainly made the most of the attention and money; I’m assuming. Not terrible, but not great either - enjoyed it more than I thought I would.
Z wszystkich dotychczasowych najbardziej nijaka. Weszła jednym uchem, wyszła drugim. Nie przeszkadzała mi, ale też nie byłabym w stanie zanucić, ale fragmentu. Takie typowe ska, jak dla mnie, nic wyjątkowego. Dla mnie ten zespół nie ma tożsamości. 5/10
Eh. Ok, I guess.
good shit, good mixture of genres, interesting and fun
New to me, but pretty fun. Upbeat mix of styles moving in and out of punk, ska, funk, reggae, and even rock with a touch of metal.
Funky rock with some really nice production. I enjoyed the social commentary of it as well.
From the creators of Shakey Ground, one of my favourite pieces for a big band. These guys are funky as heck, approaching the likes of Blood Sweat & Tears and Tower of Power. I like how the music isn't taken seriously at all (in terms of mood), yet is loyal to song structure and the various hooks introduced in each song. The singing is great: emotive, soulful, goofy, laid-back, and everything in between. The bass and drums are fairly strong, and the horns are some of the tightest I've heard from this era. And that brass has some pretty steep competition. Looking at the number of Spotify listens, I'm surprised this band doesn't have orders of magnitude more listens. Their sound is pretty darn commercial. (See Bonin' In the Boneyard, Ma and Pa, and (frankly) most of the album's tracks as examples.) I will admit though, there's a lot going on. It's difficult to keep up if you're actively yet tiredly listening in, hoping to catch everything. And some of the musical elements and genres don't mesh together. The hard-rock feel in Freddie's Dead and Deep Inside (among others), particularly with the almost thrash metal-esque guitars, doesn't work well for the band. It's a shame, because the vocal hook in Mighty Long Way creates the blueprint for an otherwise excellent track – but it's marred by some very insistent electric guitars and organs that confuse rather than excite the listener. 4/5 Key tracks: Ma and Pa, Bonin' in the Boneyard, Ghetto Soundwave
Not for me, will probably not be revisiting this one.
It's something to look back at Fishbone and see how they influenced the third wave ska movement in the 90s. Their second record "Truth And Soul" is a solid entry in their catalog for a band that did well in being socially conscious.
Good rock music. Traditional and classical ones. Not that distinctive or innovative. 2.5-3/5
Quite amazing. They got their unique style, it’s funky and alive! 4.3
Meh! Uninspired songs that sound cliched and ultimately boring. 2 stars
Banger! Something for everyone who wants to move to the music.
p588. 1988. 1 star. Average American band with no tunes, cover versions and an annoying sound. Fuck no. Why is this on the list?
Wild album, an absolute hodgepodge of genres slammed together that result in a pretty diverse album where none of the songs are repetative or derivative. It's really funky, at times heavy, and there are plenty of rockin solos and horns. I really enjoyed this throughout, some some of my favorites being Ma and Pa, Mighty Long Way, and Slow Movin' Bus. The ska sounds are very faniliar, and this is clearly influential to the next 15 years of ska wannabes.
A lot going on here. I think I need some uppers to get on board. It kinda sounds like a kid that's trying to get your attention while you're trying to have a conversation on the phone. The song Mighty Long Way really hit home though
It is fine but I don't find it all that engaging or special.
Heyrðu, misskemmtilegt en oftar en ekki gott stuð og hresst. Og fjölbreytt, það er nú alltaf plús.
that was a weird journey
Good alternative/rock. Great instrument sounds.
Felt more like a cover band or AI generated list of tracks rather than the sound of an artist putting together an album.
Ska began in Jamaica. There is absolutely no denying that. But I think the perception of the genre has been altered quite a bit over time. And now it’s more associated in popular media with bands like Sublime. I won’t claim to be some self-proclaimed fan of ska. In fact, I wouldn’t even call myself an active enjoyer of the music. I don’t think I’ve rated any ska-adjacent record particularly high. But that seemingly ends today. Fishbone isn’t exactly the most popular band. But it makes sense that a group of musicians who probably fall in line closer with what ska originally was than more popular groups would sound better in most ways. Ska has managed to evolve and persist in almost every decade since its inception in the 50s. And it seems that as it got further into the 80s and 90s, it became more influenced by punk. There is just something incredibly fun about these songs and the way they play them. Plus I like how they infuse so much funk and even bits of metal into their sound. It kinda reminds me of Mr. Bungle. And even they were influenced by third wave and ska punk music, especially on their debut. Or even the skank beat, which was a popular rhythmic trope in this genre. Now, most people are familiar with it because of its connection to crossover thrash and being the “Slayer beat”. The connections that can be made between ska, punk, and metal are actually surprisingly numerous. It helps that such a fun album has really great performances all over it. Plus ska has much of its identity rooted in politics and counter-culture, which this album seemingly doesn’t abandon. This wasn’t the absolute greatest thing I’ve ever heard, but it was far more enjoyable than I ever expected it to be.
This is like proto pearl jam mixed with all the weird trends of the 80’s 3/5
A bit cheesy but quite fun at the same time
A sonic palette cleanser following the excess of black leather jacket clad, white, heterosexual, male angst of Guns N' Roses "Appetite for Destruction," Fishbone's "Truth and Soul" is a funky, politically astute merger of ska and metal that sounds as fresh and relevant today as when it was released in 1988. The album begins with a hardcore cover of Curtis Mayfield's "Freddie's Dead" proving that urban African-American communities were still suffering from the same system of exploitation, poverty, addiction and racially motivated political indifference and hostility; although Reaganomics and the CIA introducing crack cocaine to the inner city reflects a level of white supremacist corruption that even Youngblood Priest would find shocking. "Ma and Pa" sounds like an update of "Shame and Scandal (In The Family)" except it comments on a bitter divorce that destroys the child used as a pawn during a custody battle. "Subliminal Fascism," "Slow Bus Movin' (Howard Beach Party)" and "Ghetto Soundwave" all still sound fresh and, sadly, relevant. Although these days in America Fascism has become less subliminal and more mainstream, it just got re-branded as MAGA. The fight for racial equality is still a very slow mode of public transportation driving on deteriorating infrastructure while the billionaires find ways to eschew pay taxes. Ghetto Soundwave could have been describing Amadou Diallo in 2000 or George Floyd. "Change" ends the album with a spiritual and political optimism.
Probably a 6
What a fun listen! Seems like a band that knows not to take themselves too seriously, while still knowing the importance of high quality musicianship. Knowing nothing about this band apart from this album, I can tell they put on one hell of a live show.
Absolutely not
I wanna seek out more like this
wow
kind of annoying
3/5
2.5
it was going so well, until they pull a wildcard seemingly out of nowhere and it just doesn’t sit right with my constitution. i do fw ghetto soundwave and change though. those were pretty good.
Really interesting. Such a wide range of genres: funk, rock, ska, blues, you name it. Musicianship was top notch, from the groovy bass lines to the syncopated beats to the blistering guitar solos. And the lyrics tackle some pretty deep issues despite the music sounding so upbeat and lively.
An interesting mishmash of sounds and genres going on here. One Day was my choice track, something about the funky bass/electric and the bi-dom-bom-bom-bom's tickled my fancy. I liked it for its variety and would potentially check out more of their discography.
No on kyllä melkoinen sekoitus vähän kaikkea. Ska ja funk rokkia, välillä aika metalliakin. Parhaat: Ghetto Soundwave, One Day
I don't know what to make of this. Ska, Funk, and Hard Rock are all in the same place—neither fish nor flesh (pun intended). One might call this versatile, but there is nothing common, nothing to identify that this is all by the same band.
I enjoy this. I’ve been getting a lot of albums that I enjoy but don’t necessarily love lately. But yeah I don’t have much to say on this clearly
Pretty fun, flew by. Horns! 🎺 🎷
i'm finding it difficult to explain how much i hate this. this album isn't an important step on the way to anything, it was a distraction in the wrong direction. we kept making good music despite everything fishbone has ever done. every single track on here made me so mad it was amusing, and that was the only reason i made it through it
honestly? was so relieved this wasn't a christmas album i was ready to rate it five stars out the gate. kinda picked up for me in the second half but i can't really imagine returning to this. 2.5
My relationship with ska is similar to my relationship with jazz, in that there are a lot of different types of ska and jazz and I like a single small subset of it but I don't really know how to describe it or find more of it. This was not really the ska I like
On paper it seemed like an almost perfect album for me - a mix of funk, rock, metal and a bit of ska just for a good measure. In reality, the album didn't do any of those things well enough, none of the songs were really interesting. Quite boring record, shame I couldn't have liked it more.
This album was probably my favorite listen so far. I might be A LITTLE biased because Fishbone was friends with the Red Hot Chili Peppers, and I freakin’ LOVE them, but honestly, this band stands on their own. Truth and Soul cycles through funk, ska, and hard rock before finally ending on the acoustic guitar-driven track “Change,” the only real ballad on the album. Some of my favorite musical moments include the “funky ass bass” on “Bonin’ in the Boneyard” and the moody chord progression on “One Day.” Lyrically, the songs cover topics like fascism, racism, and poverty, which still feels VERY RELEVANT nearly 40 years later. I felt that Fishbone tackled these rather dark subjects tactfully and thoughtfully. All in all, this was a delight to listen to! My standout track is probably “Mighty Long Way,” but truthfully, this album is solid start to finish.
A little dated in production but this album hits so hard. Ska, rock and funk. This album was years ahead of the scene.
1. dead - 1 2. pa - 1 3. life - 1 4. rain - 2 5. inzide - 1 6. uuay - 1 7. boneyard - 0 8. day - 0 9. zubliminal - 0 10. buz - 0 11. ghetto - 1 12. change - 1
yea pretty good man
4 out of 5. I might have been sleeping on this band for all these years.
I quite enjoyed this. However I don't see how this is labelled as metal, at most I would say there are forays into hard rock. So many artists in the 90s emulated this sound, really groundbreaking
Not bad!
They put the fun in FUNky.
Meh, not as bad as it felt like it was going to be, and the variety was definitely a plus. But overall didn't inspire me.
Bizarre album. Never heard of Fishbone. Quite a mix of styles. The Ska ones are okay and have decent energy - the rock ones sound very 80's and are pretty shit . A low 2. Will not listen again.
Decent album 3/5
Pretty good - funk/ska/rock 4/5
Every ProtoPunk/SkaPop/Fusion band of the 90s wished that they could be Fishbone. They effortlessly weave together Jazz, Funk, Rock, Blues, and Pop. Their influence, and especially this album, on the scene is undeniable.
I just couldn’t get into it.
Странный ска, фанк-метал или что это вообще такое. Довольно интересно, и это довольно *крутая* музыка, но совсем не моя. Лучшая песня - One Day.
I love Fishbone and I hate Fishbone. Their originality for merging ska and punk into the modern sound has done wonder for music. The problem becomes that they can also be blamed for what became pop Punk in the 90s. Truth and Soul is a good Sophomore album, but not my favorite of theirs, but to see them on the list is pleasant. 3/5
These guys are clearly good at what they do, but I'm just not into it.
Fishbone is a band you want to like or that you feel you ought to like, but when you listen to them again after a break of several years, and listen deeply, you can't shake that realization you had decades ago that they are just good but not great. Maybe too you might be kind of amazed at how big they got. It's enough to make you doubt yourself... But trust those ears and that taste my friend! No matter how important they were to the scene or how fun they were live, if there's very little outside of a couple of moments to hold your interest in listening to this record then let that truth and soul be known.
Well that was a mixed bag of genres and not in a good way.
Quite a myriad of approaches from ska based to rocky horror picturesque - might need another listen
I wouldn't call this album exceptional but it feels like the combination of a bunch of styles I already like. A bit of nlue-eyed soul, a heavy dose of punk rock and ska, all dressed up in a late 80s funk/alt rock sheen. It's consistently enjoyable and doesn't let up in the songwriting department, which more than makes up for the lack of masterpieces in the tracklist. Unfortunately due to my new star distribution I have to give this 3 stars but it's a very strong 3.5. 7/10
This was ok. 2.5 rounded down to 2
This was pretty decent. Knocked down from 3.5 to 3 because their version of Freddie’s Dead didn’t swing like the original did.
I knew the band but had never listened to this album. I really liked it. I considered five stars but I think it’s more like a four. A few songs I really loved, like “mighty long way,” “bonin in the backyard,” and “change.”
Weird album. Some ska/funk which is decent. The rest is heavy metal shite
Interesting but not for me
Day 73 - Dec 2nd, 2024 Live laugh love ska <3 5/5
Yea, this was dope
Funk Rock! Wow. I am impressed. Standouts (5/5): Freddy's Dead, Change, Ma & Pa, Pouring Rain, One Day, I Like to Hide Behind My Glasses Others (4/5): Question of Life, Subliminal Fascism, Mighty Long Way, Deep Inside Rating: 4.5
Listen, I've been playing a lot of Pro Skater and reminiscing about 3rd wave ska and the '90s this week (we had an accidental Reel Big Fish Thanksgiving last year when we lost the phone that was connected to the Bluetooth speaker) - Anyway this album was great and it hit me at exactly the right moment this December.
Enjoyed it more than anticipated
Honestly a delightful discovery. Absolutely bonin’.
It’s suffering from an identity crisis, is it shit or crap?
Love it - total crossover done right :) brilliant
There a very vague recognition in the back of my head somewhere for the band name Fishbone. After listening, this makes sense as most of my teen years were spent listening to the various waves of ska music. It was very surprising to see that this was released in the 80s. It reminded me quite a lot of Sublime, which is as high a compliment you can really get within this genre. Truth and Soul truly feels ahead of its time, albeit within the niche that is ska.
I was going to say, ‘it’s not you, it’s me’. But the last song highlights Truth and Soul’s narrational … ‘incoherence’ is a bit strong. That said, stylistically this album is all over the place, the Jack who never got round to mastering anything.
not essential, nor one of the best 1,001 albums, but one I would probably never have heard otherwise, so I'm glad it was on the list. Sounds like a band with many more albums under their belt.
Hell yeah??
Their cover of Freddie's Dead is a travesty. This is like a novelty band and it's an essential album? The fire alarm sound over mouth noises is making a bad cover worse. More ska. Something about this reminds me of The Birthday Party. Bonin' In the Boneyard is like a cross of Prince and James Brown and is the best song on the album, very funky. The more funk based tracks are better. Why are there so many socially conscious ska bands?
Truly so versatile and in a way that every type of song they do is still very much a Fishbone song first and foremost, whether it be ska, soul cover, hard funk or circus freakout. Only reason it’s not a perfect rating is because I was not into a couple of the genre excursions personally but still respect them like mad for attempting.
Very good indeed on first ever listen. Did this band ever cross the pond?
I think I like the individual parts of this album - ska, punk, metal - but it really hasn't aged well. Not a fan.
I don’t know what that was - but I had fun with it
sounds like they're competent musicians, but i'm not very interested in the result.
Funk Rock has such high potential but it’s almost always diluted with the most generic and passive songwriting ever
Good album. Enjoyed it. Fusion of numerous genres.
I faintly remember Fishbone from back in the day, maybe from the very brief moment when I was into ska. But I didn't recall a single track from this album or any other. It's OK as fairly happy-sounding music (even while dishing out social commentary).
Not particularly my thing, but with it mix of ska, funk and metal, I could see how it would be someone else's.
Even as someone who liked the watered down version of ska fronted by Gwen Stefani, I couldn't really get into this - but for maybe the rock version of Freddie's Dead. Nice to get an unexpected take on some Curtis Mayfield.
2.5
Some cool playing but not really my thing. 2.5/5
I used to go see a band simmilar to this in Memphis in the early 90s called Freeworld. They were a lot of fun to see live. But their studio albums felt sterile and left much to be desired. I kinda feel Fishbone would be the same for me. But unlike Freeworld were it brings out incredible memories of the old 616... I just feel the sterility. (5.3) ★★½
Not a big fan of this style, and even if this is not bad, it is not interesting and sounds sterile. 2.5 stars
Decent but not great album that was probably somewhat influential at the time but feels pretty dated now. I do think it's fun at times, but nowhere near essential enough to be on this list. 3 stars.
3.5
Very vibrant blast of funk metal as well as reggae, ska and even early skater punk. And it is kinda cool except that it is just really cheesy and dated and more often than not the songs are super lame and annoying. It’s almost like Faith No More joining forces with Was (Not Was) and coming up with more songs like Walk The Dinosaur except not as good. There could also be snatches of Cult Of Personality if it was by Living Off-Colour. The cover of Freddie’s Dead at the start is a complete bungle. There are occasionally okayish party jams throughout but Bonin’ In The Boneyard is not one of them. 2.5 stars
Putting 3.5 for RYM site but 3 for here. Lacks passion though it’s well played and performed. Does have cool moments. Freddie’s Dead is cool.
I bet I would've been way more into this when I was in high school and was discovering the Red Hot Chili Peppers. For now, it's a little bit exhausting and forgettable.
Some good songs, just not too keen on the clown-ahh music
This was really fun. For the first half a 4 but the latter a little lower. So a strong 3
Truth and Soul Never heard of Fishbone before and on the basis of this I am unlikely to want to hear of them again. It’s not entirely terrible, although it definitely has more than enough very low points, like the cover of Freddie’s Dead, the irritating Ma and Pa and the dreadfully unsexy Bonin’ in the Backyard, but it doesn’t really have much to raise it above a middling sense of pointlessness. Pouring Rain is a fine enough lower tempo song, Slow Bus Movin’ is relatively interesting and atmospheric, and Ghetto Soundwave’s use of the Low Rider horn riff isn’t awful, even if the song itself is pretty Level-42. Skilled musicians making a funked up hybrid of Hair Metal, RHCP and Ska isn’t, I’ve found out, a sound I’m particularly fond of, and the whole thing has a pervasive sense of forced exuberance that makes me feel a little sad. I’m not going to go 1, as that feels too harsh on something that clearly isn’t actually objectionable, so a 2 it is. It exists, I listened to it, and I don’t have to again 🐟🐟 Playlist submission: Slow Bus Movin’
Doesn't get me half as excited as it was intended to. It's also all over the place, and not in a good way
I'm a huge Fishbone fan. This album is probably their best as an overall work although their other albums have great tunes on it. This one covers the entire range of music that Fishbone embodies. Funk, Ska, Punk, Rock. They are extremely talented musicians and it shows in all of the songs on here. Top listens: Bonin' In The Boneyard Question of Life One Day Ma and Pa Freddie's Dead (great cover)
Fantastic
Eclectic, happy music. Identity seems to be an issue but I'd rather that than everything sounding the same. After all, variety is the spice of life, a cliche perhaps, but nonetheless true.
If you don’t take this seriously, which I didn’t, then you could say that this album is a lot of fun
I remember this bank funk rock kinda in the chilli, faith no more kinda vibe era. Yeah was ok. An interesting nite in musical history.
Eclectic fun, but if you try to cover too many bases there's inevitably gonna be some tracks that let the album down. Great in places, and quite fun overall.
(phone rings) - Good morning, Fishbone, my name is Clarice how can I help you today? - Yeah, hi, umm, I'd like a band. - OK great. Fishbone is a band so we can definitely help you there. What kind of band are you looking to make an album today? - Umm, well I was looking for music that's, like, got instruments played by people or, ah, do you, do you... What do people usually... ? - That's great, let me take a look for you sir. Our most popular offers are The Prince, The Hair Guitar and Generic Australian. We also do Jamaican folk dub with electronic cover versions. - Oh good, yes I'd like that please. - Fantastic, which one shall I put you down for, sir? - All of them. - All of? Right, let's see if there's an option for all. - Do they, do they play loud. - If loud is a problem we can certainly personalised that for you sir. - No, no, loud is good. Can there be occasional screaming? - Screaming. Of course. - But one acoustic guitar love song in the middle. - And maybe not the Jamaican dub thing. - Ah, certainly, unselecting the Electro dub with remixes. And how will you be paying today? - With dad's; I mean, umm, with my credit card. - How old are you sir?
The 80s called... they want their clichés back!
I kinda wanted to hate this after the opening. "Freddie's Dead" is just a classic that should lay in the hands of Curtis Mayfield and not be covered. But then the rest of the album really grew on me. Nothing I would listen to too often but nice enough.
Trying to figure out why people don't like Fishbone as much as they SHOULD. Maybe black guys doing heavy rock makes people uncomfortable. (Maybe not, just wondering aloud). Stay in your rap, your R&B, but that's it. But man these guys can do some cool cool shit. Maybe a little unfocused for some, but not for me. Appeals in the same sort of way as the Beastie Boys, music for the short attention span generation! Fishbone is a "taste" issue for most people I think. It's hard to put my finger on why I like it. I generally go for high-energy stuff that's well executed and has something to say. For that reason I gravitate toward the more energetic genres like punk, hard rock, funk, and metal. (wanted to use a different word here, but gravitate is correct by this definition: 'To be attracted by or as if by an irresistible force.') Fishbone comfortably made their home in all of these. And I'm the one guy who also likes ska, not gonna apologize. (Why does ska take so much shit? Maybe the genre was irreparably tainted by the 27,863 (give or take) bad 90's SoCal SkaPunk bands that thought music is mainly a comedy routine they could do to pass the time in college before going on to work in their Father's Law Firm? The mostly stupid hats? Motherfuckers made it so we can't wear a fedora seriously anymore. The cultural (in)appropriation? Now that I break it down there is KIND OF A LOT of problems aren't there? Of course very few of them involve the music directly, but whatever. I love all the Reggae branches - ska, dub, dancehall... https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reggae_genres). Fishbone lives in exactly that high energy place where the genre matters less than the content. But some people get inappropriately angry when a band starts with a soul song then does a punk song, then a funk song. And I understand, you want don't want to make trouble with your brain. I have a friend who refuse to listen to anything except "hard rock," his idea of variety is mixing in some U2 (FIRST 3 ALBUMS ONLY) with his Chevelle. I'm not criticizing his taste, I'm thinking of this as an example of the Fishbone hater who just can't break out of their own self-inflicted handcuffing to explore something (dare I say it?) different. Same person that HATES country music - I used to be that person, so I know from where I speak. On the other hand, who cares? I love it, my wife doesn't have to, and we can all still hang out together.
Fresh beats. Kept me entertained
Very eclectic and varied sound here. Ska, reggae, elements of nu-metal, punk, soul, etc. This album somehow feels ahead of it's time but also steeped in late 80's cheese. No doubt this was a seminal album for a lot of acts I listen to, but I fear this album is more interesting to discuss than listen to. Still glad I got to hear it!
If this whole list had been compiled in 1990, then I'd say sure, throw this one on there. But as it stands, this is incredibly dated and honestly not a whole lot of fun. I'm not the biggest fan of proto-ska covers and samples of Curtis Mayfield and Prince. All that said, I'll bet this band put on a great live show.
Truthfully—maybe not so soulfully—just a silly grab bag of styles and influences that’s as groovy as it is goofy.
Liked it better than I thought it would. Reminded me of thps music.
Das Album aus dem Jahr 1988 kombiniert verschiedene Musikstile miteinander verbindet. Die Band kombiniert Elemente aus Funk, Ska, Punk und Rock, was zu einem einzigartigen und energiegeladenen Sound führt. Es Album beginnt mit einer kraftvollen Coverversion von Curtis Mayfields “Freddie’s Dead”, die durch verzerrte Gitarren und schwere Drums eine ganz neue Dimension erhält. Songs wie “Ma And Pa” und “Question Of Life” zeigen die Vielseitigkeit der Band, indem sie von Ska-Rhythmen zu funkigen Grooves wechseln1. Obwohl die musikalische Vielfalt beeindruckend ist, fehlt dem Album manchmal die Kohärenz. Einige Tracks wirken etwas überladen und es fehlt an klaren Höhepunkten, die das Album wirklich herausragend machen würden. Dennoch ist es ein solides Album, das die Experimentierfreude und das Talent von Fishbone unter Beweis stellt.
Mad album but I respect the variety
Genre fusions done right. Truly a bit of everything mixed in here. Each track was so different. Sometimes funky, sometimes heavy. I really enjoyed that. Glad I've discovered yet another new band. Highlights: Freddie's Dead Ma and Pa Mighty Long Way Slow Bus Movin'
Un peu trop éclectique à mon goût, entre ska, hard rock, punk... Ça allait un peu dans tous les sens.
No
What I love about Fishbone is the special kind of intensity of their performances and choice of melodic lines, whether they're used for vocals, the brass section, the baselines... And this typical intensity is what unites the mind-bogglingly vast array of styles used here - hard rock, funk, soul, metal, ska, reggae, bluegrass, pop, folk - in other words that nascent crossover thing which confused so many professional "critics" at the time. Those narrow-minded guys only saw the stylistic switch's and not the talent that made it work on all cylinders, as it would on *The Reality Of My Surroundings* To me, there's only one dud in the record, "Mighty Long Way", where an extra amount of hard FM cheese makes it impossible to listen to today. But the rest still sounds damn good today. "Bonin' In The Boneyard" has an incredible energy (and funk bassline). And Side 2 is even better than side 1, thanks to a few stellar cuts that allow the LP to build up like a motherf*cker from the first, harmonically rich yet also understated guitar tones of "One Day", calling for revolution in a fun and tongue-in-cheek manner, the organ-laden, Bad Brains indebted "Subliminal Fascism" (sadly prophetic), up to the wonderful and even gracious "Change". Needless to say, the topical lyrics are the cream of the cake. In 1988, Fishbone were bright, talented creative, young men, thoughtful but also FUN. So they got to be on this list somehow. 4.5/5 for the purposes of this list of essential albums, rounded up to 5 9.5/10 grade for more general purposes (5 + 4.5). Number of albums left to review: 40 Number of albums from the list I find relevant enough to be mandatory listens: 414 (including this one) Albums from the list I *might* include in mine later on: 242 Albums from the list I won't include in mine: 306
So much going on here it’s a complete bombardment of the sense. Extraordinary!
Weird and unenjoyable.
Ok. Very diverse though.
This album had a lot of interesting musical styles, I'd listen to it again and would give it a 3.5.
Slightly odd mix that I would describe as “pop, funk, trumpet chaos” Had its moments.
I really did not like this album. I'd probably give it 1.5 stars, but I'll give it 2 instead of 1, because the band at least has integrity and was trying to do something unique. I just personally don't like anything that came out of their attempts. I don't like funk rock or funk punk, and if I want something like this, I'll go Bad Brains every single time.
A wonderful surprise.
Funky funky funky! Good fun, great playing, solid lyrics. Enjoyed it a bunch.
This grew on me! A lot of it was not my thing but I appreciated the variety in songs. It seems like they did a lot of different things well, like I could never tell which genre they were "supposed" to be.
I got the funk but not the punk.
I know that Fishbone is ska/reggae music, but I've never listened to them before. I think I remember hearing or reading that they influenced Sublime (ugh) quite a bit, so I think that gives me a good idea of what to expect on this album. Let's get to it! I enjoyed this album a lot more than I thought I would. I expected this album to be a straightforward ska album, and while ska and reggae are the foundations that this album was built on, the overall sound didn't really fit neatly into any box, and in my opinion, the album is better for it. I was really hooked when this album kicked off with a cover of “Freddie’s Dead” from Super Fly. The hard rock guitars really reminded me of Living Color, and they created a sound that went well with the lyrical themes of the song. “Ma and Pa” was a bit more in line with what I expected from this album, with a sound more rooted in ska and reggae. The lyrics were great, I loved the fun beat and the keyboard riff in the chorus. “Question of Life” was really good too, and I loved its fun and funky sound. I was really hooked from these first three tracks, but “Pouring Rain” knocked the album off its rhythm in my opinion. It’s not a bad song, but its slower tempo felt pretty jarring after the first three songs. “Deep Inside” returned the album back to the sound that was established earlier in the album, and kicked off another run of fun and upbeat songs. From “One Day” to the end of the album, the songwriting took a more serious tone, as the album covered topics of racial violence and struggles of urban life. I’ve seen Do The Right Thing before, but I was completely unfamiliar with the attack on Michael Griffith until I listened to “Slow Bus Movin’.” I thought these songs did a great job of addressing these social issues, and the band’s upbeat sound brought a ‘you-attract-more-flies-with-honey’ approach to discussing these issues, and I think their method worked really well. This album was a pleasant surprise for me, and I thought the overall sound was really unique, and gave the band a great avenue for bringing social and political issues of the late eighties to life.
Nope
My dad LOVES Fishbone, he was a teenager during their heyday, after all, but I do find this metallic infused ska to be very hit or miss, personally. When it goes hard it works really well, and even the late 80s-like production can't touch this album's powerful moments. However, I think a lot of it still carries those cheesier moments that plague ska-revival into something perfectly of its time. I'll admit that this is ahead of most of those 90s acts that made up the Pro Skater soundtrack, but its pretty rare that the funkier, more upbeat moments make me feel much of anything. It's the guitar heavy One Day or the odd Ma and Pa that feel a lot more unique, and therefore, quality. The rest of the album is fun enough, it just doesn't have that lasting impact, and even lacks most of the truly great songs Fishbone is known for, such as Sunless Saturday.
Back in 1987, I saw the Beastie Boys at Kalamazoo's Wing Stadium and these guys were the opener. I don't remember much standing out except the horn section, which was very unique at the time and the singer working his walking cane like a champ. I wish I had taken the time to appreciate these guys a little more because I thought this was a very good album. Solid energy with a wide range of sounds and songs. Think this guy has very nice voice with good range. Not sure what I appreciated the most, the R&B sounding Pouring Rain and Changes or the funkadelic tunes like Deep Inside and Bonin in the Boneyard. Lets' call it a draw and just say I really enjoyed most of what I heard off this album. Luke mentioned he was going to see in concert and I have to believe it will be a fun, energetic show. Enjoy the concert! I wish the younger me would have paid a little more attention back in 87. Had a good time with this one. Can't say I'll become a huge fan, but I can now say with certainty, I have seen Fishbone live and they are a good band. I'm going with a 3.5 and will actually round up this time. 3.5
3 Ska is such a goofy genre - the first thing I thought of was this Hard Times article: https://thehardtimes.net/culture/trumpet-player-stuck-traffic-turns-shitty-ska-band-okay-punk-band/ Linking because it’s funny, no disrespect meant, but I do honestly have a bit of a hard time taking ska seriously at times. Don’t get me wrong, put one song on for me, I’m jamming, but put a full album on for me, I’m going to start questioning what I’m doing with my life. As a big fan of punk, something about the genre has always felt like some sort of weird cousin, the kind you’ll give a big hug to at reunions and around the holidays but will ignore their texts when they ask what you’re up to or if you have ten bucks. Anyway, I’m getting the vibe that the reason this album is significant is because this is the moment ska became goofy. If not for this, I probably would have pointed to a group like Reel Big Fish, Mustard Plug, or Might Mighty Bosstones as being responsible for that - that’s the impression that I get (so sorry). However, these guys actually beat those groups by quite a few years. Granted, ska had already been around for decades in the form of reggae, rock bands like The Specials, and even existed concurrently in a more punk format with groups like Sublime and Operation Ivy (which I kind of prefer, frankly), but these guys in particular seemed to have brought the horns and energy that would go on to influence our suited friends of the late 90s - though also with a good dose of 80s cheese mixed in for good measure. So, is that a good thing? I don’t know, I have mixed feelings. Like a lot of other ska, I find this album to be both fun and over the top. I really have a hard time saying how much I liked this, and honestly, I feel like my enjoyment could be very hit or miss depending on the time or place. My biggest complaint with this album is that it just doesn’t seem to have any one great or catchy or even really memorable song that stands out. Once again, it’s a fun energy, but I also kind of feel like I was just blasted in the face by horns for 40 minutes. That all to say, unbeknownst to me until writing this very review, I’m apparently seeing these guys this very weekend at the NOFX final concert series in LA, so I’m fully prepared to eat crow about everything I said here and become a newly converted Fishbone fan!
Genre seems to change with each track which keeps you on your toes. Didn't really find it a gripping album but was fine.
I learned about Fishbone about 30 min before I got this album through the generator. I was pleasantly surprised to hear that this was more than a Ska album. Lyrically strong, musically impressive. Favorite song: Deep Inside Least favorite: Ma and Pa Knew before? No
This was kind of interesting. I always appreciate genre fusions. However, this was a little forgettable to me and I didn't really get into it, but I appreciated it being a different take on 90s hard rock.
I have never heard this album, or any album by Fishbone before, but I remember When they broke nationally, and I particularly recall an incendiary performance they put on the Arsenio Hall Show (if I remember Correctly, it was a very vamped up performance of the Rolling Stones’ “Shattered”). It was a wild frenzy of a performance, truly one of a kind. While Truth and Soul does showcase the band’s speed, precision, and overall exuberance, the recorded atmosphere felt controlled and governed as compared to their live performance. It’s a solid and ambitious album that blends styles with total confidence. But with their live act as my point of reference, I couldn't Help but to be slightly let down. Solid three stars.
Funsies
good album 4 i would say
I’ve never heard of this band or any of their music, so this was a wild ride. Opening with a quasi-metal rendition of a Curtis Mayfield song was a shock and then actually a lot of fun! Getting hit with Ska was also a surprise lol. Overall, the album was a fun listen, I couldn’t help think of the Chrono Trigger soundtrack every time I heard the keyboard ripping it. Lots of sounds that reminded me of playing my SNES. Average track: 🎶🤩 🕺🎺🎸 Lyrical content: 😔😈🤬💀 Standout track: One Day
First time listening to Fishbone. Each song was a surprise. Need to check out some of their other stuff.
This is probably too high a rating but I enjoy ska music.
I like it okay. I should check it out a few more times before having any definitive opinions
It was a rough day and I just couldn't get into it. However, I think this could be a drastic understatement and should revisit this album another time.
I know there was an audience for this in the 90s. I don't feel it's aged particularly well. Was never really my sound even back then when I would have listened to it.
A pretty wild ride and a lot of fun! I was a bit confused at first as I couldn't really work out what this was. It feels like it's going to be quite hard rock, but then it has some ska elements, even quite soulful vocals, while getting very political and deep in a lot of places. I had to play it through multiple times and felt like it revealed itself the more time I gave it. I'd never heard of Fishbone but this is definitely a worthwhile discovery and one I'm not sure I ever would've made otherwise.
Apparently, I don't like ska
I do love ska, but I'm a little confused as to why this is here.
HOW HAVE I NEVER HEARD OF THIS BAND BEFORE??!! What happened to society to let Fishbone go unnoticed? This is amazing! I love this album! The sound is so unique and wildly varied and insane and I love it! The blend of ska, funk, and even metal influences is just awesome. The singing is nice too. The writing on here is just as varied as the sound. You'll have a song like "Subliminal Fascism" with a Dead Kennedys level of obvious political messaging that come two songs after "Bonin' in the Boneyard" which is exactly what it sounds like. The cover of Curtis Mayfield's "Freddie's Dead" at the beginning might be one of the best song covers I've ever heard. But why is this band on the list? As I said, Fishbone is far from the most well-known band ever, and my feelings on how good this album is are entirely subjective. Well, as it turns out, Fishbone is actually pretty influential in the underground, and has garnered a pretty strong cult following over the years. They've even influenced a number of very well-known artists and bands like the Red Hot Chili Peppers, No Doubt, Ice-T, and Primus. There's an argument to be made that if there's a thing that can be considered the "most important" of something, then the thing that influenced that first thing is actually more important. Many people consider Sgt. Pepper's to be the most important album of all time, but since Sgt. Pepper's was strongly influenced by Pet Sounds, does that make Pet Sounds the real most important album? I guess what I'm trying to say is that sometimes the greatest things in life are also the most underappreciated. I'm also trying to say that Fishbone is really good and should've been way more popular than they were. Light 5/5.
ok
SKA. I LOVE SKA. Seriously, at the moment I'm writing this, I can't think of another genre that makes me as happy as ska does. I'm such an unironic fan of the stuff—so why have I never heard Fishbone before today? I'unno. I suppose it's just a case where I already have albums lodged away as "my ska albums" (LET'S FACE IT by The Mighty Mighty Bosstones and TURN THE RADIO OFF by Reel Big Fish), and given how much else I listen to as it is, I just don't have the want or time to find more. But dammit, I'm a fool. This Fishbone album, sonically, is everything I want from ska. It's damn near perfect—or maybe it just is, flat out. And, frankly, I should be giving Fishbone the respect they deserve, given how hard those previous bands I mentioned knocked their style. So, here I present it now: thank you, Fishbone. Not just for paving the way for stuff like "Sell Out", but for being the first among those mentioned here to make kickass music. (Seriously, though. You shoulda seen the smile on my face and felt the happiness in my heart. Gawd**DAMN**, I love ska!)
Just an absolutely great selection of funk, ska, and rock tracks with a message in a couple of them. Easy 5 in my book.
It’s a highly recommended 4.5 that I'll bump up to a 5. I’ve always had a slightly softer spot for ska, for whatever reason. I think something about the instrumentation just clicks really well with me, even if the songs are usually kinda hokey and goofy and never that serious. This, however, is… kind of a serious ska album. There’s some real depth to some of the songs here in terms of their lyricism, and I really respect the attempt to try and make a socially conscious album with this soundscape, especially for 1988, well before ska hit the mainstream like a truck in the mid-90s. When it works, it works REALLY well, and when it doesn’t work… it just kind of exists in a way where you can tell they needed a LITTLE more time to refine it. There’s really not a bad track here – I enjoyed all 41 minutes of this, but for as much as I respect their vision, it’s just not executed as well as I’d like all the way through. With that said, it’s executed really damn well for its time, and definitely set the tone for other bands to come in and really refine it based on their efforts here. I need to take a deeper dive to see if anyone stepped up to that plate. Regardless of any of that, I thought this was still really, really good. There’s a lot of energy throughout this, and it’s just a damn fun listen for the most part. I think it’s just good enough to give it a 5 – again, a few tracks just don’t work as well, but sometimes it’s really apparent when they were padding for time, or if they sort of couldn’t figure out a proper ending for a song or two. However, I don't really care. It might be a 2 if you really hate trumpets, but it’s almost certainly no less than a 4 in my eyes. I’m definitely pleased with a 5 – I just enjoyed the hell out of it, and I’m very glad to discover this.
this was just scraping around at my brain in the background. could i write poetry to this? n
Can't go more than 30 seconds without either a corny lyric or a corny vocal delivery or a corny synth. The good parts are great, but overall I can't get into it.
First time with this one. It was a fun listen. The band draws on many influances and puts them together into a solid rock album. I will listen to this again.
other than a spirited rendition of Curtis Mayfield's Freddie's Dead, I found this to be fairly bland and dull 'rock ordinaire'.
New to me; possibly didn't do very well in the UK? Anyway, it's not bad. They were all quite young guys at this point, by the sounds of it, so there's no point being unduly harsh; it's perfectly proficient, and the ska influences were good to hear (there weren't enough of those moments; a lot of it was more like the J Geils Band, or maybe David Lee Roth-lite.) Overall, it was very mainstream - not sure it's very noteworthy, tbh, although they must have been entertaining live. Perhaps they still are. To finish on a positive, I really like the singer's voice, and the trumpety and funky bits were enjoyable.
Thought they sounded like Sublime. Realised they came first. Don’t particularly enjoy either.
No real standout tracks but interesting lyrically and musically. Variety of styles made it a little jilting.
some cool bass lines i guess. i can see how this would sound really good to someone who’d never heard any other music before in their life.
horrible. some fine political messaging but it doesn't matter because i can't listen to that
wow. this is just bonkers crazy. I've not heard anything quite like this or anything from this band before. It's not something I'd put into my music listening rotation, but it was fun to listen to all the way through. Each track I was saying "what the hell?" This is a strong 4 I think for how fun, crazy and unpredictable it was. Change was really good
Crazy mix of Ska, Punk, Metal, and Funk. At times, I was reminded of Living Colour. 4 stars
Eh. I didn't manage to connect with this at all.
I actually liked this! I thought it was funky and eclectic. There are a lot of ideas on this album and not all of them work, but I appreciate the attempt. Overall this was an enjoyable listen.
This right here is why this project is worth it. Just when I was starting to get very fatigued by album after album that doesn’t interest me, this comes along. Right up my alley, and not only had I never listened to it, I had never even heard of it. The variety is astounding. How do they meld so many genres into one and stick the landing? Instant favorite.
Hits a handful of genres, and is all over the place lol. Not for me but I get why some have ranked it highly
You can definitely hear this band were in the same music scene as early Red Hot Chilli Peppers. They also remind me of Faith No More. I liked the songs that were more funky (Bonin' In The Boneyard, One Day), but I wasn't so much into the rest of the album.
Een soort ska on steroids, best leuk in elkaar gestoken, al zijn er ook stukjes dat ze er met de pet naar gooien. Niet te hard de vraag stellen wat we hier eigenlijk mee moeten.
Wat is dit eigenlijk? Het ademt wat punk. Maar is vaak tegelijk catchy. Zo'n nummer als Ma and Pa heeft bijvoorbeeld een aardig Ska-element. Het zijn toch stromingen die in mijn hoofd wat tegenpolen waren. Misschien is 'ongedwongen' het overkoepelende woord. En eigenlijk vind ik die combinaties best prettig. Ze weten zelfs wat jaren '80 klanken aangenaam te brengen door ze bij een heel andere basis te gebruiken. Zo heeft Freddie's Dead een paar elementen van Michael Jackson. Het album kon ik makkelijk 2 maal achter elkaar luisteren. Wellicht is het ook een mindset. Ik associeerde het snel met punk. En dan verwacht en accepteer ik wat meer tekortkomingen.
De eerste twee nummers ken ik zowaar, die komen waarschijnlijk nog met enige regelmaat voorbij op K!NK. Freddie's Dead is wel een fijn nummer. Doet me denken aan Living Colour. Het wisselt wat af tussen funky (glam)metal, blije ska en zelfs een soort van 80s balladachtig iets. De funky metal is vet, daar kan ik best een 4 voor geven. Maar die ska hoeft van mij niet. Het schijnt dat ze hierna meer de metal kant op zijn gegaan, dus wie weet moet ik nog even andere albums checken. Want af en toe groovet het zeker wel lekker. Als ze nu de beste nummers bundelen en alle reut weglaten, dan had het nog wat kunnen worden. Maar nu is het eigenlijk vrij logisch dat deze band verder in de vergetelheid is geraakt. En daar hoort een 3 bij.
Levy sisältää jos jonkinlaista biisi eli voisiko sanoa "epätasainen". Soundi kuitenkin viihdyttävä ja pari kolme kertaa jaksoi helposti kuunnella.
Hauska ja ilosen rallatteleva. Piristi päivää, helposti kolmonen
Love it.
very sticky album
2 - Did not vibe with this. Felt like it was strangely clean but not in a good way
The Freddie's Dead cover doesn't try to do much but does its job. Bonin' in the Boneyard is silly, but in a kinda good way. Sounded a lot like a Prince song or even a Bootsy song. I liked this album more than I thought I would based on the concept. Fave Tracks: Freddie's Dead, Bonin' in the Boneyard, One Day, Ghetto Soundwave 3.7/5
It's on a song by song basis for me. Some I liked, others did nothing.
Shrugworthy. 2.5/5
Don’t love it…in fact don’t really like it all that much. It has a couple of good songs, but overall, not sure it belongs on the list in my opinion.
I enjoyed some of the songs and it was interesting and something different.
### **In-Depth Review of Fishbone’s Album *Truth and Soul* (1988)** Fishbone’s 1988 album *Truth and Soul* stands as a pivotal work in the band’s discography, showcasing their unique blend of ska, punk, funk, and rock, while also presenting sharp social commentary. Released during a time of significant political and cultural upheaval in America, *Truth and Soul* captures the band at their most focused, both lyrically and musically. #### **1. Overview of the Album** *Truth and Soul* was released on September 13, 1988, and is Fishbone's second full-length studio album. The band, composed of members Angelo Moore (vocals, saxophone), Walter Kibby (trumpet, vocals), Chris Dowd (keyboards, vocals), Kendall Jones (guitar), Norwood Fisher (bass), and Phillip Fisher (drums), brought together diverse musical influences that had been evolving since their formation in the late 1970s. This album marks a departure from the more lighthearted tone of their earlier work, embracing a more mature and politically conscious approach. #### **2. Musical Composition and Production** **Musicality:** *Truth and Soul* is an eclectic mix of genres, where Fishbone seamlessly blends ska, punk rock, funk, and metal. This fusion is evident in tracks like “Freddie’s Dead,” a cover of Curtis Mayfield’s 1972 hit, which Fishbone reinterprets with a heavier, more aggressive sound that still retains the original’s funky groove. The album’s musicianship is top-notch, with each member contributing to a rich, layered sound. Kendall Jones’ guitar work stands out, shifting effortlessly between punk aggression and funk smoothness. Norwood Fisher’s bass lines are prominent and complex, driving the rhythm section along with Phillip Fisher’s tight drumming. Angelo Moore’s versatile vocal delivery, combined with his saxophone contributions, adds another dimension to the album’s sound. **Production:** Produced by David Kahne, *Truth and Soul* benefits from a polished yet dynamic production style that enhances the band’s energy. Kahne, who had previously worked with the band on their debut album, understands Fishbone’s eclectic sound and ensures that each element is well-balanced. The album’s production manages to capture the raw intensity of Fishbone’s live performances, while also allowing the more subtle musical elements to shine. Kahne's production approach allows the album to sound crisp and clean without losing the band's inherent edginess. The horns are bright and punchy, the guitars are sharp, and the rhythm section is well-defined. However, some critics might argue that the production slightly sands down the rough edges that made Fishbone’s earlier recordings so endearing. #### **3. Lyrical Content and Themes** **Lyrical Themes:** The lyrics of *Truth and Soul* are a significant departure from the more humorous and carefree content of their previous work, such as their 1985 self-titled debut. On this album, Fishbone dives deep into themes of social justice, racial identity, and personal struggle, reflecting the turbulent socio-political environment of the late 1980s. - **“Freddie’s Dead”**: The choice to cover this Curtis Mayfield song is itself a statement. The lyrics, addressing the plight of urban America, resonate deeply with Fishbone's own experiences and the struggles of their community. It speaks to systemic issues and the disenfranchisement of the poor. - **“Ma and Pa”**: This track explores the impact of divorce on a family, with lyrics that are both poignant and reflective of broader societal changes. It combines personal narrative with social commentary, a balance that Fishbone handles adeptly. - **“Subliminal Fascism”**: A politically charged track that addresses the hidden forms of control and manipulation in society. The lyrics are direct and confrontational, urging listeners to recognize and resist these influences. - **“Ghetto Soundwave”**: This song addresses the violence and despair prevalent in inner-city life, painting a vivid picture of the challenges faced by marginalized communities. The lyrics are both descriptive and critical, offering no easy solutions but demanding attention to these issues. - **“Change”**: Closing the album, this song is both a call to action and a reflection on the need for personal and societal transformation. The lyrics are optimistic yet realistic, acknowledging the difficulties of change while encouraging perseverance. **Social Commentary:** Fishbone’s lyrics on *Truth and Soul* reflect their lived experiences as African Americans navigating a predominantly white music industry and a society rife with racial tension. The album’s themes of disenfranchisement, systemic oppression, and the struggle for identity and justice resonate with the broader cultural movements of the time, such as the rise of hip-hop and the growing visibility of issues like police brutality and economic inequality. #### **4. Influence and Legacy** *Truth and Soul* is widely regarded as a landmark album, not just for Fishbone but for the broader musical landscape. It helped pave the way for other genre-defying acts in the late 1980s and early 1990s, such as Red Hot Chili Peppers, Living Colour, and Jane’s Addiction. The album’s bold fusion of styles and its willingness to tackle difficult subjects made it a precursor to the alternative rock explosion of the 1990s. **Influence on Music:** Fishbone’s ability to blend genres with such fluidity influenced a wide array of artists across genres. Bands that followed in the alternative rock and funk metal scenes often cited Fishbone as a major influence, not just musically but also in terms of their attitude and willingness to address serious topics through their music. **Cultural Impact:** Beyond its musical influence, *Truth and Soul* has also been recognized for its cultural significance. The album’s exploration of race, identity, and systemic injustice contributed to the broader discourse of the time. It offered a voice to the experiences and frustrations of many African Americans, at a time when these issues were becoming increasingly prominent in popular culture. **Commercial Performance:** Despite its critical acclaim and cultural significance, *Truth and Soul* was not a commercial blockbuster. However, it solidified Fishbone’s reputation as one of the most innovative and socially conscious bands of their era. Over time, the album has gained a cult following and is often cited as a high point in the band’s career. #### **5. Pros and Cons** **Pros:** - **Musical Diversity**: The album’s fusion of ska, punk, funk, and rock is executed with precision and creativity, showcasing Fishbone’s musical versatility. - **Lyrical Depth**: The album’s socially conscious lyrics are both thought-provoking and relevant, addressing issues that remain pertinent today. - **Strong Production**: David Kahne’s production captures the band’s raw energy while maintaining clarity and balance across the different musical elements. - **Cultural Relevance**: *Truth and Soul* resonates with the socio-political climate of the late 1980s and continues to be relevant in discussions about race, identity, and social justice. **Cons:** - **Lack of Mainstream Appeal**: The album’s genre-defying sound and heavy lyrical themes may have limited its commercial success and accessibility to a broader audience. - **Polished Production**: While the production is generally strong, some fans might miss the rougher, more unpolished sound of Fishbone’s earlier work, feeling that some of the band’s rawness was lost in the process. - **Inconsistency**: Although the album is cohesive, some tracks might not resonate as strongly as others, leading to occasional dips in energy or engagement. #### **6. Conclusion** *Truth and Soul* remains a seminal album in Fishbone’s discography, encapsulating the band’s musical innovation and their commitment to addressing complex social issues. Its fusion of styles, sharp lyrical content, and dynamic production make it a standout work in the landscape of late 1980s music. While it may not have achieved massive commercial success, its influence is undeniable, both in terms of its impact on other artists and its contribution to the cultural and political discourse of the time. The album’s strengths lie in its ability to blend diverse musical genres with insightful and powerful lyrics, offering a listening experience that is both intellectually stimulating and sonically adventurous. However, its genre-defying nature and politically charged content may have also been barriers to mainstream success. Overall, *Truth and Soul* is a powerful statement of Fishbone’s artistic vision and a testament to their enduring influence on the music world. It is an album that challenges, provokes, and entertains, making it a significant and lasting contribution to the history of alternative music.
They way this album mixes so many genres together while keeping a consistent whole is genuinely impressive. There’s rock, ska, punk, funk, soul and reggae all working together, but it also has a lingering sense of the 80’s about it. I don’t think there’s any real dips in form across the whole album. It’s really accomplished.
Another artist I never heard of and wasn't sure what to expect, but I love the ska/funk vibes.
Never did anything for me
35 years later and they're still basically nothing that sounds like fishbone.
Great 80s rock
question of life pouring rain change
3.5 rounded down it’s fun! not rlly clicking for me tho… highlights: question of life, subliminal fascism (aug 6 2024)
Neutral
Subliminal Fascism
Some good pieces but Not too many Songs. Too short.
I wasn't in the mood for 3rd wave ska when I listened to this, so the best I could muster was 3 stars.
I had no idea what to expect here. First track I thought "this sounds like a mashup of Curtis Mayfield and GNR," then realised it was a Curtis cover. Not a bad album - hint of ska mixed with rock, which probably needs a second listen
I really thought I was going to like this but was very disappointed. It did not land for me. I’ll give it at two just for moments. 2
I like the genre shifting and louder moments but sometimes it left me in a bit of a funk. Favourite track: Freddie's Dead.
What I always wished Bad Brains had started sounding more like rather than going the metal route. This album is fun, thought-provoking and catchy as hell. The Chili Peppers wish they sounded like this!
This was a singles only listen for me. One Day is a non-song and the fact it was released as a single amazes me. TAS is a truly unfortunate exploration of genres. Fun music genres are drained of life by the production choices very much of its time. The heavy guitars are totally misguided and really subtract from the tracks they are featured on. 0.6
Honestly, this is embarrassing. I can't imagine being the type of person who likes this, let alone makes it. It's not fun or funny, it's just cringe.
A pretty good and interesting funk/ska album. Wouldn't listen again, but it is innovative. 3/5
This was breath of refreshing after weeks of sad boy music and British weirdness. The musicians are super talented and the singer is great. The lyrics are mostly odd 😂 Bonin' In The Boneyard is by far the best track. The bass got slapped around hard on that one and the wildness of that song earned it an extra star. It's a nice, fun albeit weird record.
The ska elements and some of the more 80s stylings of this make it a hard listen.
V 90s funk rock
I know they're highly esteemed, even with those I normally trust. But I don't know, this seemed to just amplify the annoying parts of Faith No More without the coolness of Mike Patton.
Legendary album with a legendary cover of Freddie's Dead. The musicianship is excellent. John Norwood Fisher's bass playing is inspirational. "FUNKY BASS!" One of my all-time favourites. Liked songs added: - Freddie's Dead - Ma And Pa - Question Of Life - Mighty Long Way - Bonin' In The Boneyard - One Day - Subliminal Fascism - Slow Bus Moving (Howard Beach Party) - Ghetto Soundwave - Change
Horns good. Music variety good. But I don't feel a connection with any of the songs.
One of the best albums ever!!
It was ok
This was good. It was a mix of genres I tend to dislike (i.e. ska, roots/reggae) but this was quality and I really enjoyed it. Fave Track: Ma and Pa Rating: 4
Weird and hard to categorize. Some ska here for sure with the horns but other genres too, mostly high energy stuff. I don't particularly care for a lot of this, but One Day has very cool riffs and a stop start rhythm to it. Subliminal Fascism is interesting too.
3.75
Hell yeah. It should be a surprise to nobody that black ska is way better
Fishbone’s mix of Funk, Ska and Soul brings me back to being a ska kid in the late 90s. I used to rock my Fishbone shirt and skank around to the beat. This album is a great mashup of their influences and their unique sound. Every 3rd wave ska band tried to sound like Fishbone. That being said it’s an up and down record for me. 3 stars.
It was sort of fun but this wasn't my jam. I got bored with it and impatient for it to move along. It's not something I'd ever revisit. 2.5/5
I actually first heard this album in 1988 and it has followed me around since then. An album like this gives this 1001 list credibility, it is an album not everyone has heard but really should. To fully appreciate it, put yourself in the musical landscape of 1988 and consider what a tour de force this was. This is a band in the zone and doing something unique. Other 5 star reviews can describe the musical accomplishment better than I can, so at this point I turn it over to them….
Interesting. Good find. Enjoyed it
Funny mix of styles. Not compareable with newer albums.
Album 468 of 1001 Fishbone - Truth And Soul Rating : 4 / 5 I really liked this. Wasn't familiar with the band, at all. Described as a ska band, this hits on metal, funk & reggae. I dig this. Give a listen, if you aren't familiar.
bem mais ou menos
Didn't love this first run through, not that much better this time.
I wanted good ska.
I enjoyed this a LOT more than I thought I would. Very accomplished version of this sort of thing and better than many copies of it.
Pretty ok funk/ska record. Not doing much for me but I don’t hate it
Nice bit of ska, would be excellent live
makes me wanna do a 360 jump shot from three. pourin rain and change are stinky shit tho. fuck those tracks
cut half away
While listening, I was tormented by two sides: that this is a bad album and that there is something special in it that only a small number of people will like, but I felt it only for a few seconds, 3/5
Descompromissado de um jeito bom, em que não se existia uma pressão em se fazer o melhor álbum do mundo, de se prender a regras ou de manter uma coesão entre as músicas. É um álbum naturalmente divertido e descontraído. Uma mistureba de gêneros, ritmos e instrumentos, sempre apontando para um clima alto astral.
Not for me
this album shocked me, it was full of interesting songs that were really enjoyable, the intro had such a great energy that got me in a good mindset for the rest of the album, ma and pa was a great catchy tune too and many other songs kept the standards high, great record and happy to have come across it.
The only thing I could think of while listening to this album is "this sounds so 80s". There wasn't anything special or standout about this album.
Maybe 2.5. Probably wouldn't listen again.
It’s cool to hear the shift from new wave influences to what became the norm for 3rd wave ska.
I can't believe I was gonna give this a 2/5. Really goes to show that the setting in which you listen to something is crazy important. This may be the closest to a 5 we've had so far? Alas, it is absolutely still a 4.
not much to say, it was funky and agreeable.
Quite annoying "Jazz-Rock"
Funky bass! This was a fun listen.
2.4/5. listened 2x catchup on 6/25/24
Fishbone album to which I had not listened for many years. Always thought it was an OK album, especially like the ska-ish songs.
This record is all over the place, with lots of different styles. Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn"t.
This album was so much fun! But maybe not one for my regular rotation.
Pretty cool. I lived the first three songs and then started to lose interest. I think j I may actually listen to these guys again so I’ll rate them a 3.
Halfway in ….. really good record. Made me think of Kings X …. Check out the album Dogman, you’d like it I think. It’s like funky ska rock metal groove dance music. Pretty cool. I forgot how much I always liked them. I owned “Give a monkey a brain”- great album. So far this one is just as good as I remember that to be. Not sure how to rate but I’ll give it an incomplete 3 1/2 out of 5 so far.
Hadn't heard this before. Some solid work going on, loved some of the bass playing but didn't really get into the songs. Not bad, just not me.
Maso
Decent. Interesting.
best song is the first track, which is a cover. cool sound, songwriting is lacking
Sometimes maybe good. Sometimes maybe shit.
No
a cool white boy reggae/soul/heavy rock album. But its also totally a ska record? Bonin' In The Boneyard was a good track.
I guess I appreciate the energy but I found it mostly irritating.
happily enjoyable
Je cherche encore le metal ...
I liked it. Gave a 2nd listen and it will go in my playlist of stuff for driving to the fest Mondegreen this summer!
I liked this a lot. 4.5
I can't say I love it but it's too groovy to ignore. Loads of fun and very unique blends for the 80s. Favorite was One Day
This one is just fun. I think I preferred the funk and ska adjacent tracks to those more metal songs. I never quite knew what was going to come next here. Favorites were Ma And Pa, Question Of Life, Bonin’ In The Boneyard, and Ghetto Soundwave