Truth And Soul

Funky

I was surprised to see Fishbone's name among those included on this list. I owned "The Reality of My Surroundings" and "Give A Monkey A Brain And He'll Swear He's The Center Of The Universe" and saw these guys live a couple of times, but that was the extent of my explorations into the band and I don't own either of those CDs anymore. Let's do this. Damn, these guys are woefully underappreciated. This album deserves a 4-star rating based on the bass playing alone. I had to look up John Norwood Fisher's name because I should know it. He's badass. But it's the whole band. The blend of styles, the musicianship — these guys are on fire. It's at least a 3.5, but I think I'm going with a 3 because I like the songs better on "The Reality Of My Surroundings" (I listened to most of that right after this was done). It may be a matter of familiarity, though it's been a long time since listening to that album. These songs were a little more of a springboard for Fishbone's antics, and I definitely enjoyed it. I'll be listening to more from their catalog just to explore some more.

These guys fall under the "I appreciate what they're doing but they're not my jam" category. I had their first album back when it came out and I dug it OK. The sound on this one reminded me a lot of 80s-era Zappa but without the memorable hooks. They're killer musicians, and I like how they can seemingly play anything under the sun. There's a lot going on, some of which is interesting. "Freddy's Dead" was cool but nothing else stuck with me. I'm going straight down the middle with a 3.

Another band I always thought I should know. I can tell this is good musicianship and a couple songs caught my attention. However, I actually listened to this album 2X and it kept fading into the background. Just did not move me.

Saw them live when I was 23 in open air festival Rotterdam and remembered the energy they had when playing live. And associated them with the Cross Over music of around 1990, say Urban Dance Squad's Mental Floss for the Globe and e.g. Love Rears Its Ugly Head by Living Colour . So started listening with high anticipation, but was disappointed a bit. But was somewhat disappointed, found this album bit too cheesy for me, 3 stars.

Haha it's so inconsistent you never know what genre the next song will be. But as a skahead, I approve. It's 80s so they incorporate excessive influences from glam metal. Nothing like the blend of rock and funk bands like RHCP were about to concoct, but more like the funk rock of Prince, especially with "Bonin in the Boneyard." Some of the songs just don't work at all, the worst being the short "Deep Inside." The high energy, wild lyrics, and inconsistency make them sound goofy, but like in a more positive way than the abomination of Ugly Kid Joe. It tends to be bright, busy, and catchy. Favorite: Ma and Pa, Pouring Rain, Bonin in the Boneyard, Slow Bus Movin

Seems disjointed and the album really lacks a good flow. It was fun to listen to but I like other Fishbone better.

Joyful, energetic, funky and soulful. Rocks surprisingly hard at times. Tonally it's a little all over the map, but this is still a pretty fun listen. Fave Songs: Ma and Pa, One Day, Pouring Rain, Freddie's Dead, Question of Life, Ghetto Soundwave

I have never listened to Fishbone before. This album was a fun listen. The singer had a lot of energy and put that energy in each song. That being said the flow was very disjointed. There’s ska, punk, heavy metal, funk… but Fishbone was entirely able to balance those flavors as an overall flow. The album is a collage of the life of the band and it is a fun ride.

It's like if Huey Lewis and the News were a ska band. Mostly upbeat songs and overall just a fun album to listen too. Not a big ska fan but I enjoyed most of it.

Well this starts out with a truly appalling cover version of Curtis Mayfield's classic "Freddie's dead", which took about forty seconds for me to truly hate. However, we've now moved in to a more enjoyable ska-ish feel. Is this the link between two step and California aka? Pouring Rain is dismal. It has the ska horns, some of the basslines - slowed to a dirge. Terrible. Overall - this album has some great ska on it. Anything that isn't ska is bunk. And that Mayfield cover makes me want to cry.

Nothing bad, but nothing stood out either.

Opening track is a banger but a bit up and down after that.

Decent ska album, but didn't stand out much to me.

Not into it. Remake of Freddie's Dead not near as good as the original.

Really didn't expect to like this. Pleasantly surprised.

Mixture of good and bad.

Alright

Alright...

Felt well produced. Pleasing voice and instrumentals. That said, this just did not reach out and grab me. No specific reason, just meh. Solid C

Really enjoyed some of the songs on this album

Lot's going on here. There's a fusion of a bunch of different styles on this like funk, soul, maybe some rock and reggae. Generally, these are styles that encourage loose, free form playing. However, this is a tight album with boatloads of discipline and measurement in this music. Boatloads of discipline is good, but boatloads of weed is better. And that's what it'll take to get these guys to relax a little. Actually, listening to this makes me need a boatload of weed to relax a little. In any case, it's evident these guys like playing music together and have put in a lot of time. The sound, even if it were less constrained, isn't my jam, but some people (like government employees and tax collectors) might enjoy this album's strict recipe for creating music.

Surprised to see a ska album here. Haven't heard of it before but I enjoyed it.

I can tell this album was very influential but it's aged poorly and sounds cheesy today

Great band, but this album is too chaotic and unpredictable. There’s no cohesion throughout it’s just like a spastic ADHD foray through styles and tones. Love the song Ma and Pa, reminds me of my pal Peattie and the mix CDs she used to make for me.

This is one of those albums I'm glad I listened to once just for how weird it is, but I don't know that I need to ever listen to it again. It's not bad by any means, but it doesn't have any consistency in theme or genre, so it's hard to think "I'm in the mood for this genre or that genre, so I'm going to listen to Truth And Soul".

3.5/5 for this record, a lot to like but I just can not take that ska shit seriously for some reason, the first leg if this album sounds like something that would be featured on the show LazyTown. The whole album has some variety though and the second half is more funk and protest songs so I would say overall this was a very good album and I would be inclined to give it another listen sometime in the future, closer to 4/5 but I can't justify that with a couple of the tracks sounding too much like the 90's if that makes sense. Great cover of Freddie's Dead though!

NOW THAT'S WHAT I CALL MUSIC - 1988 edition Jack of all trades, master of none.

El primer disc amb cara i ulls de la banda, abans dels dos dobles que els garantirien una posició destacada entre les bandes alternatives dels 90. Aquí ja es dona la barreja de funk, metal y r&b marca de la casa, més extrema que la d'altres bandes com Peppers, FNM o Urban Dance Squad... Grans temes com 'Ma and Pa' o 'Change' es barregen amb altres que destaquen més per la seva voluntarietat que pel seu punch

I remember seeing a video of them playing live years ago, crazy kinetic energy, I bet they would be super fun live. Ma and Pa is a really fun song and the best one on the album. But their adoption of so many styles in one album makes it less cohesive and somewhat gimmicky eg the Van Halen like cover of Freddie’s Dead and the EWF-esque Boning in the Boneyard.

King's X, Faith No More, RHCP, and ska. Definitely intriguing. I can take it or leave it.

This album is a strange amalgamation of so many different music styles but it keep it interesting song to song!

I enjoyed the variety in songs. Fun to listen to

First song in and not what I was expecting - I thought they were a Ska band haha Ma and Pa - the only song I knew already and it's great. Questions of Life - this pretty funky Mighty Long Way - great song, kinda gospelly rock, very funky One Day - I really like this too, great rythm and the guitar solo is nice. Subliminal Facism - unsure, might love it might dislike it haha Slow Bus Movin' - pretty cool, like a funky convoy song Change - God this is a shit song. I get why it's in the album and why it's at the end but it's just a pretty awful, generic sounding song. So torn on this album, some absolutely great tracks but equally as many that I didn't enjoy. I think 3.5 stars but I'll put 4 because the good songs are really good and I wouldn't mind giving this album another listen through in the future.

I enjoyed this ska entry in the list. That pains me to say, because the chops and energy on many of the songs were excellent. Fishbone is a band I already feel like I want to like. But as an LP, this one is all over the place.

Siiiiiiiiick

Gott ska. Skemmtileg áhlustun.

There is a lot going on here. So many different styles all kind of on top of each other. And they're busy styles with a lot of instruments. Dirty guitar tones are kind of a cheesy 80's high gain sound that sounds somehow both too clean but also too gain-y (not sure how to describe, but it's not my favorite sound). Production is very 80's. It's all very over the top and chaotic. I feel like I want to like this because of the punk/funk elements and the kind of out of the box aspect of it. This is definitely not your typical top 40 music - definitely feels creative and fun... but it's a bit too much for me and it didn't really click with me. It's probably actually a 2 for me but I liked their vibe and the sort of throw it all at the wall attitude, even if it didn't really work most of the time for me so 3 it is.

A little Fishbone goes a long way. Not a fan of their frenetic, over-the-top stuff. Prefer their slower pieces.

A fun energetic ska sound. 0RS

Started off a good soul/reggae vibe but soon caused ear blindness by sounding the same, tooooo long noise on every track.

I remember this one. Some of it’s okay.

At times in this album, I'd be enjoying this band's creativity and managing to make some real music out of the chaos, such as with "Freddie's Dead" and "One Day". Then at other times this album just seemed set on grating my patience, like with "Deep Inside" and "Bonin' in the Boneyard". Overall I think I'm glad I listened to this, which is worth something.

I didn't dislike this album but I didn't really enjoy it. I do not think I need to listen to it again. I was familiar with zero of the songs.

Of course "Freddie's Dead" is a great cover. This rest over this album is fine, but I like The Reality of My Surroundings a whole lot better. Wrong album pick.

mix of ska, metal, punk, and funk.... the blend reminds me of Skankin Pickle a bit. I can see why this was such an influential band. Solid album.

Pretty cool blend of early ska, metal, and alternative funk. Not sure I’ll come back but it was a fun listen.

FREDDIE'S DED. You know how much I love ska.....It was kinda fun, I guess? I mean, c'mon, Bonin' in the Boneyard?? Genius.

ma and pa, pouring rain, ghetto soundwave

very generic 80's rock - probably won't go back.

Another new one to me. It's an eclectic mix of rock, soul, ska, and funk. Pretty fun. Maybe I'm just not in the mood, but it's not doing a huge amount for me, and feels like a plasticky mish-mash of things (which probably isn't fair to it). Recommended for fans of Sublime though, for sure. It might improve on future listens, but 3/5 for now.

bonin in the boneyard. contender for best named track we've come across yet. the ska bits are good too. the rest of it is well confusing.

Kelpo levy. Välillä vähän all over the place, mutta kitarointeja ja bassokuvioita ihan mielellään kuunteli ja tietty torvien töräyttelyä. Erityisesti Ma and Pa ska lämmitti (timomanterismi intended). Tämän lisäksi poimin albumikahluun soittolistalle Bonin' in the Boneyard, Subliminal Fascism ja Slow Bus Movin'. Lopun Changes oli miellyttävä akustisen kitaran tahdittama slovari rauhoittamaan muun levyn funkskahtavaa tunnelmaa.

I don't really know what this, it's all the '80s in one album. I think it would take a good few listens for me to decide whether I actually like it or not.

My interest in this album lasted about 3 songs and then it didn’t really do anything for me. Toss up between a 2 and a 3.

Puhallinsoittimista plussaa ja ihan kivat kitarat monessa biisissä, mutta tosiaan vähän ruuhkaa nuottiviivastolla ajoittain. Jotenkin ei sitten kuitenkaan kovin mieleenpainuvaa settiä. Kolmonen ihan vaan torvien ansiosta.

Levyn kansikuvan perusteella pelkäsin toista Shamenia, mutta tämähän olikin rokkia! Aikamoinen vastakohta juuri aiemmin kuuntelemaani Virgin Suicides -levyyn. Ei kuitenkaan nouse omille soittolistoille. Ei oikein tuo funk-viba lämmitä, vaikka ska-maista reipasta torvien töräyttelyä kuuluikin siellä täällä.

Bags of musical talent and good energy. I like all of the musical influences and all the genres that they've mixed together but at times it feels like mixture doesn't quite work and it'sa bit disjointed as an album. Maybe a case of less is more. Enjoyed it and could imagine they'd be wicked live, but not an album I'd be desperate to revisit. 6/10

Was looking forward to this based on the 'funk-rock, ska' description of the band, but it never really go me going. It felt like it started fairly well but fell away. 2.5 round up.

More melodic than anticipated. A more polished effort from a band known for being frenzied.

Pierwszy raz slysze hamerykanska ske, po pierwszym tracku myslalem, ze to bedzie jakis klasyczny rockers, a tu taka niespodzianka juz na kolejnym kawalku, typowo skaowe brzmienie jamajskiej biesiady, a im dalej tym dziwniej, bo dochodza jeszcze funkowe ciagaty, wiec jest to dosc orginalny miks, czegos takiego nie slyszalem w slojej sluchaczowej karierze, ale najblizej bym do czerwonych goracych papryczek czili i ich krwawego cukrowego seksowego magika rownal ten album, jesli chodzi o vibe, na plejke leci ghetto soundwave bonin in the boneyard

Interesting mix - re-listen

Funky.

Je ne sais pas quoi en penser. C’estbon mais j’ai l’impression d’avoir ecoute 4 ou 5 artistes. C’est rock parfois, funk, blues, folk? Je n’ai pas eu detounes memorables. 3.25

Call me Lloyd Dobbler cause we're about to get some truth and soul up in here. Funky, Punky and Ska tinged this is groovy as all get out.

There's some cool sounds here. Lord knows I love a good ska album. This was, overall, kind of flat unfortunately. I don't feel that the hard rock elements melded well with the other sounds on the album.

passt schon - 3

Not my style of music but I actually listened and I can see why some would consider it great

Very nice

Pretty interesting

Interesting album bridging from the Grateful Dead into ska, punk, & other 90s jam bands. Not something I'll seek out again, though.

The Urge did it better.

very punk rock. nice riffs and vocals.

Really nice variety!! Have not heard that from a single band over a career let alone and album.

Socially conscious ska funk-rock is better on paper than in practice, at least in this case. Best track: Change

rad

Had never heard of them before. A few catchy tunes but not enough to go back.

This is incredibly silly. I think the biggest offense of all is the production. Everyone was getting done dirty in 1987/1988. The chorus...jfc. The guitar tone is absolutely atrocious and then combined with like ska-organ. What was this band trying to accomplish? Like ska with hair metal guitar? It's okay for me not to get it but the person recording and mixing needs to know and they clearly didn't. Bad Brains Banned in DC better be on this list, if not I would replace this one with that.

I prefer the trippy vibes of dub or the classic sounds of Toots and the Maytals.

Not bad, sometimes felt like rock more than alternative. Ok.

just not for me, too many genres. I don't get it. Not a ballknower or a Skaknower anymore :(

Potpourri of sounds

Very 80s

Really can't be bothered with this.

I bet they great live. Throughout I was thinking “music is hard” they have all the tools, giving it 100% and it’s a pretty mediocre outcome.

They are clearly talented, but I struggled to get through this one. The mix of styles detracts rather than adds, for me. I like all the genres they are pulling from, but I don’t like the way they come together. I’m glad this exists and influenced a lot of artists that I love, but it’s just not to my taste after multiple plays through. I can’t imagine ever listening to this again, but I’ll round up for the musicianship and creativity.

Annoying

altern. Rock, Pop, Funk, 1988 -> 2

2,5

On paper I should be a fan of this. Ska, hard rock, funk. All things I like. I like the instrumentation. I cannot stand this guys vocals at all. 2/5

2/5

Rather indifferent to the album. Best song, "Change" worst song, "Freddie's Dead" and some of the album just put me to sleep.

# Album Name: Truth And Soul # Artist: Fishbone # Rating: 2/5 # Comments: Absolutely unforgettable. # Top Tunes: # Would I listen to it again? No

Not a fan

Mid.

I could see this being great if you like ska which I really don’t.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

Not something I was into, felt unpolished in a not great way

This was not that strong.

2 its not too bad

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.

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.

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.

As much as I wanted to like it, I didn't

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.

I didn't enjoy this much, it was too hard and not my thing.

Nothing that really stood out as being great music.

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.

picks: ma and pa, pouring rain

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

It sounds good and catchy, but just not something I would put on

Not the worst, but not a very good listen. 2.5 but it doesn’t make it to 3.

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.

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.

2,5 -

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

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…

Not my thing at all...well mixed but...it's poorly done Ska.

bit random and all over the place, enjoyed some more than others

Really icked me. Not a fan at all. I like Ska in some environments but not whatever this is.

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 ...

i hate ska

me and pa yı dinleyecek kadar enerjik degilim

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...

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 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

mid repetitiv

Not bad bu I dditn add any

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

powerfull

did nothing for me

I understand why some people like it but it wasnt really for me.

Jack of all trades and master of none. Reading some comments I figure high schooler me would have enjoyed the eclectic mix and energy but I was listening to the Specials if I wanted Ska, Bob Burning Spear Raggamuffin for Reggae, funk was all Parliament, etc.

there's a lot going on. I don't think I'm cool enough for ska, and I'm a sax player. Or I was a sax player, when I was cooler. 2 stars

Het klinkt een beetje alsof ze zich niet op één stijl wilden toeleggen om zo maximaal commercieel succes te kunnen oogsten. Vies laagje 80s erover, een wat commercieel geluid en een mix van stijlen. Normaal vind ik wel eens te bewonderen als een band verschillende geluiden laat horen, maar in dit geval voelt het wat viezig. Ik denk dat mijn lichte afkeer voor de jaren 80 sound dit nog wat benadrukt. Het is me iets teveel een vervelende mix van dingen die ik niet heel gaaf vind. En toch kan ik het prima uitzitten omdat het ook weer allemaal niet zo heel spannend in elkaar zit. 2,5 ster. Ik maak er 2 van omdat ik toch een beetje een zure hater ben.

Jesus, this genre blending is absolutely whack. And don't get me wrong, I love myself some absolutely absurd genre combos, there's something so cool about a song having so many different styles all at the same time that feels like it should work, except that I think this one takes that too far. This feels like it shouldn't work, and it also just straight up doesn't work. I think part of the problem is that it tries way too hard to fully commit to every genre it's trying all at the same time, the best way to approach trying to pull off this style is to use small elements of various genres and put them together, but this feels like a full on ska album at the same time that it's a full on funk album and a full on punk album. Which if it just took a few small features of each of those genres and blended them together, it really could have been something quite interesting. But because it tries to use each genre completely, it's just a complete mess.

No, this was no good. It was like the band did not know what they wanted the album to be and all the choices they made were the wrong ones. From the first song on there was no flow which was just exasperated by not good songs. Give it a miss.

I almost bailed at one point. Not my thing at all. Is this a stupid album trying to be serious or a serious album being stupid?

Not sure how this made this list - there are way more talented ska bands out there. Like a good wedding band.

Somehow this manages to be cheesy 80s (at times) and ska (like mighty mighty mighty bosstones). Not into this. Super skippable.

If Talking Heads played weddings. Start high, stay high!

You would think as a massive fan of Ska I would be a bit more interested in Fishbone than I actually am, seeing how they arguably paved the way for Third-Wave Ska to become mainstream in the early 90s. While there are some moments I enjoyed on Truth and Soul, the majority of it was either ignorable or gave me the major ick. Starting out with a pretty soulless cover of Freddie's Dead didn't make my first impression very good, so it took me a while to recover and get into the record at all. Outside of the context of the record Ma and Pa is a perfectly fine song; it's easily understandable why it was the biggest hit, though far from the best on the record. Bonin' in the Boneyard and Ghetto Soundwave were the two tracks that I would say actively held my attention for their duration. With how early this record is I can't dock them too many points for the brass sounding like plastic; very few Ska bands then or since have learned how to properly record their trumpets. I can dock them points however for an incredibly discordant sound that makes me unsure of what exactly their aim was with this record. The harmonies sound ugly, and the questionable lead vocal choices on most tracks do not compliment that nicely whatsoever. Regardless, I'd be lying if I said that I wasn't into what they had going on Ghetto Soundwave or a few other tracks on the record; some kudos where they are deserved.

Nope. Not a fan. Very boring. Glad it’s over

Exhausting.

Kinda just became background noise after the first couple songs.

Not my type of music but at least I can now say I listened to a Fishbone record

Never heard of them before. A bunch of genres but I don't like most of them.

Not sure when I’d listen to this

-another album which has left me with a feeling of confusion and uncertainty as to what the vision was supposed to be -i’m all for experimentation but i guess it’s a little hard for me to enjoy. rap punk ska dub whatever. too consistently?? sorry -Favorites: Ma and Pa, Pouring Rain, Ghetto Soundwave

This was meh

Böyle şeyleri çok dinlediğim için galiba aşırı iyi değilse beğenmiyorum…

⭐⭐ Inte min stil alls. Produktionen känns väldigt daterad och stökig. Rock men inslag av funk, soul och till och med baktakt. Tydligt skickliga musiker men känns som man vill imponera och visa allt man kan men det blir bara ofokuserat. Gissr att dessa har varit förebildee för senare New metalband. Det här är inte något jag kommer lyssna på igen.

I just could not get this one to click. Probably a 3 but I've been handing out too many stars lately.

😐

No

1,9 - Unglaublich stressig. Am Anfang gibt es noch ein paar gute Songs, aber danach musste ich doch ab und zu skippen. Highlights: Ma and Pa, Pouring Rain

OK.

Manche Songs gefallen besser, andere weniger. Insgesamt zu kunterbunt

I know and like Fishbone - this album just didn;'tt hit tho

Definitely music that would be in a 80s or 90s rom com or cheesy comedy.

Ehhhh i found this to be a little generic and boring, but maybe it was good for the time. 1.5 but i cant do decimals

Not my type

A bit chaotic in parts but good craic

Sucked

Mostly ass.

Part punk, ska, metal. Some social commentary. An interesting one time listen.

Ugh. For as much talent as Fishbone has, and for as many styles as they seem to tie together, they can’t write a song that I want to listen to. 2/5

eh it was okay i wasn’t hooked in the first few songs and got bored

Några funky låtar svänger ändå en aning. Men jag har svårt för när musiker försöker vara lite crazy. Och funk metal-inslagen är gräsliga. Svag tvåa.

Väljer att dela mina anteckningar istället för en sammanhållen text. Spretar antagligen lika mycket som dagens album. Freddies dead, bra låtval för cover. Dock riktigt dåligt utfört. Ibland bra groove Vill bland in allt för många ingredienser. Prince syntar som låter funk, ett plus. Bonin in the boneyard svänger fint. Metall riffen kunde vi varit utan. Får soppan att smaka surt. Deep inside, usel Svag tvåa

Metal funk y mil géneros más, en la línea de los injustamente olvidados Colour Party. Abrir con Freddie's Dead de Curtis Mayfield es toda una declaración de principios. Llevarla a su terreno, otra. Ma and Pa, mete Ska. No son Mano Negra ni los Fabulosos Cadillacs o Café Tacuba, pero tampoco está mal. Tampoco son los RHCP pues carecen de su sentido de la diversión y carsima. Question of Life sí que suena a patchanka, pero no termina de convencer. El cambio entre Pouring Inside y Deep Inside es enorme, mucho mejor la segunda. Bonin´ in the boneyard también es de lo mejor del lote junto con la country Slow Bus Movin' (Howard Beach Party). Siguen mezclando estilos, fusión que se llamaba entonces hasta que finalizan con ese rayo resplandecientemente acústico que es Change y podría cantar George Michael. Influyentes y pioneros, pero otros lo hicieron mejor y tuvieron más éxito.

It's ok, nothing more

1.5

Not heard this. Know the band name but couldnt tell you a song. Opened up the album and plaed first somg - oh right, this band. I probaly ahould have explored this band more. Tight, bit of funk and soul, guitar heavy, bit punk like, seems like the kind of thing i’d like. But second song in and there is something crowded and hurried about the songs that turns me off - song 2 is the yakity sax of tight funk/soul/reggae. Were they on goey or coke? Track 4 must be the come down. Slower. Not too bad. Then back at in track 5. If you played me track 5 and said this was a Motley crew type band, I’d believe you. If you played me track 6 and said this was a Huey Lewis and the News type band. I’d believe you. I think that’s my issue. They seem to be trying to cram too much in. Must listen to their later albums. Track 7 a bit better in that it commits to a funk style so feels a bit more coherent. But the relentless upbeat party band feel lacks a bit of texture. Good musicians (guitar style a bit widdly widdly for my liking but good player) but i dont know, i dont like it like i should. There’s little coherence -here’s track 9, it’s our punk style - so that doesnt raise it to an all time great album for me. It seems like an album looking to broaden their audience or show off how versatile they are. Track 10 is their version of country, but again the production is in your face - percussion goes to 11 and stays there. Now track 12 feels like their sound and style. Groovy, upbeat, nice use of harmonies, some whacka whacka funk rhythm guitar. For the 80s it is ahead of its time i guess (and i know where Warren and Funkadelic ripped off the idea from, but them ska/reggae and punk mixed were a thing since the clash ot any rude boy nfluwnced British punk band). Fast forward and you get pop punk (mosyly pop) bands like no doubt took it up and were very popular (still didnt work for me though). So why do i like living colour and not this? Bet id like them if i saw them live.

Rather aptly this is the musical equivalent of Rachel Reeves (AKA Rachel from Accounts) 2025 Labour budget delivered today. The media are calling it a smorgasbord of tax increases just like the abundance of difference genres on this album. So it is as welcome as the extra taxes I will have to pay over the next few years. 2/5 26/11/25

Very interesting! I'm not super into this, but I appreciate the artistry.

This album was insanely annoying to me. The funk rock element mixed with the singers voice made it hard to enjoy any song o this album.

Funky beats, and the vocals go and ruin it.

Whiplash from the multitude of genres

Not a huge fan of ska. 4/10

It was a solid 2.5, but as you know, no half points available.

Not for me

Never heard of them. Bit of a mixture to say the least. All over the place. Can’t think why they’re on this list.

I feel that on paper i should like this, but when i listened i really did NOT like that much 2.5/5

Not sure what this is about, hard to categorise Indy but no real charm or flavour.

I've never listened to this album (51). The kind of music that gets more irritating as time goes by, especially due to the bone-dry drum mixing.

*1988. *Sounds like Guns N Roses and Metallica. But also there's like a soul or R&B component. *It was fun and cool at times, but forgettable and all over the place. RATING - 5.5/10

2/5

I hated this

Outdated and a tad boring

I don’t need to hear this one again

Noisy.

a very eclectic album, and although i think the songs are not too bad, the production here is pretty horrid. it's so clean and wet, i kind of hate it. although, you know, maybe because their name is fishbone, it should be wet. who knows. but the production really soured me on what i felt was otherwise a pretty middling album.

Out of the gates sets a pretty bad impression with their cover of Freddie's Dead, which on the version I listened to was just an auditory mess. The rest of the album is kind of chaotic in a different way - with all manner of genres thrown into the mix. Some of it works well, but some of it feels pretty generic (80s pop-rock track Mighty Long Way feels especially formulaic). Overall I just found it difficult to get on with this - none of the styles it plays with are my favourite to begin with, so even with the band being pretty adept at some of them, it just wasn't likely to win me over.

Respect. Not my thing

Hitti ekki í mark

Allt í lagi sem bakgrunnshljóð en er samt ekkert spes. En sumt allt í lagi.

Feels like they’d be a great bar/live band. Album is a bit all over the place, though. Modern ska never sits well with me, either.

Kinds fun and a little funky but the vocals push it over into corny territory (2.5/5)

I felt nothing

Not for me

This one is tough, young me seems to be screaming at me, “We love Sublime, we love Ska, this is a 5 dude!” Yea, there was a time I’d love this but that time is way fucking gone. I did add Bonin’ in the Boneyard to my Hallowy playlist though bc that song is both hilarious and kinda awesome so I thank the generator for serving this up just before October. Otherwise this was annoying. 2 stars

Cringingly dire, even if partially redeemed by some progressive politics.

This all felt a bit shallow and glossy. Could be some good stuff in here but it feels cleaned up and overproduced.

j'ai rien ressenti mais c'était assez entraînant

Ska

I skan't listen to this anymore!

The musicians might be the only one having fun with that record. Not bad, but really no standout here.

How and why the fuck does this album have the metal tag? It's just boring funk.

This was like getting slapped in the face by a wet glove.

Album was a total mess, with the lowlight being “Bonin’ In the Boneyard”

premda ima dosta fora momenata, načelno mi nije bilo ugodno za slušat :/ omot riblja čorba za siromašne

another one I’ve never heard of … didn’t do much for me

Sounds like 80s Chili Peppers.

A mix of hair band, ska, and a breath of Soul? It was enjoyable enough, but nothing really resonated with me.

ma and pa is a fun song, but otherwise, it's too chaotic and lacks any form of symmetry. Lots of different styles of music which was entertaining at best

No

Really not my speed, 2 might be generous.

I found this far more eclectic than some of the reviews give it credit for. Not really my jam though. 2.5/5

Nothing super memorable

Something strange here goes. Even partially listenable

This album was kind of all over the place. I think I liked it? At times I didn't. I'm still not sure. But there were definitely a couple of songs that stood out.

Listened in the truck via YouTube music. Enjoyed the sons that were less ska influenced. Didn’t seem worth being on this list.

Hope this is one & done for this exercise.

Lo siento como rock muy básico. Nada más que eso. Suena a un The Clash wannabe.

very uplifting but not my preferred genre; however, I liked Pouring Rain

Didn't really dig this. It has little bits where it hits, but I'm not into the dub/ska stuff at all. 2/5

I think that musically this record is a 3, but I really didn't like the composition and the decisions they made when choosing where to go with the songs. The musicianship is there, they can perform really well and at specific moments, the rock/fusion works superb, but then they make a left turn and the song turns into a weird, mediocre version of what it could've been. I took a star away because of the missed potential, they can sing well, the basslines are funky, the brass sections are good. But, the songs end up being too weird, kinda dorky and cartoonish. "Subliminal Fascism" is the prime example for this, there's moments where the aggression and composition match the lyrics and the vibe, but others feel so disconnected, like the organ playing a line more fitting for the circus than a criticism of fascism. Their cover of "Freddie's Dead" is good, "Ma and Pa" and "Pouring Rain" were pretty good too. There's so much missed potential here I'm mostly annoyed they didn't deliver a better record when it sounds like clearly they could've.

Weird ska music lol

Jamiroquai Ska Actual guitarists

This was very stylistically confusing. Some songs sounds like 70s rock ballad, others are ska.. I couldn't really get into it..

It's ska alright

Fishbone is nothing if not eclectic. They’re really talented and their music is wide-ranging, and hyper-energetic borrowing from multiple genres. But that becomes a problem for this album — it’s so sprawling & trying so hard to be edgy, that it’s hard to tell what the point is. Why are all these songs on the same album? In some cases, the band seems to be trying to be weird— it’s like fingernails on a chalkboard. There’s a lot of talent here, and even more ideas — too bad they didn’t have a producer who could focus all that energy. As an album, this is a 2

Disappointing with the shitty 80s producion

Fairly generic sound. Sublime found the edge, while these guys hunted that MTV movie soundtrack sound. Bonin in the Boneyard? Yawn.

Meh.

I like a lot of music that is analogous to this. But i did not like this. It sounded weak and thin.

Not a ska guy I'm afraid, why would you do that to Freddie's Dead. They went off with Ma and Pa + Pouring Rain though I'll give them that.

A very 80s mix - snare-heavy, with date-specific keyboard sound - of songs that lean towards herky-jerky, many of which are rather agitated. Not a relaxing listen

favourite: "Ma and Pa"

Sometimes it's hard to say why I don't like something but this really doesn't appeal to me. And it should, it's not like I dislike punkish ska and rock. It just seems all a little goofy for me. Like, too much of the goofy side of the 80s. I also like funk, but not cheesy 80s funk. Slow Bus Moving is kind of cool with the Clint Eastwood style. The last track, Change is pretty good as well. 2/5

While some of these songs are a mix of reggae and rock, most of them are either one or the other. Idk, I'd much rather listen to a full reggae record from them, the reggae songs were good

forgettable

Meh. Just didn't move me. Not awful for what it is but it's one of those listens I will forget about by bedtime.

Kind of interesting at times, but ultimately falls flat.

Not a bad listen, not memorable either

• 2/5 • props for trying out the ska/funk/punk/prog approach- let’s call it a failure and move on . . .

I think I agree with their politics but I can't agree with their music

I don't ride enough skateboards to be into this. Can see why people might like it. Way better than the chillis

Onnistuivat juksaamaan ekalla biisillä (heviä). Mielenkiintoni pysyi yllä melkein koko kuuntelunsession ajan (musa on enimmäkseen ska:ta), mutta jokunen koukku tarvittaisiin soppaan mukaan.

Favorite songs: Bonin' In The Boneyard, Ma and Pa, Mighty Long Way Least favorite songs: Deep Inside, Slow Bus Movin' (Howard Beach Party) 2/5

Me sorprendió y me generó intriga sobre cómo será el resto de la obra de Fishbone. Sin embargo, la versión original del primer me pareció mucho mejor que el cover que hizo Fishbone.

Blame it on being. Monday when I listen to this, but just not doing itfo me - too hi octane. It may be good, IDK. Bailed on it early

2.5/5

Meh not really my jam

Too much of disparate elements that I hoped to enjoy.

Fishbone - Truth and Soul As someone who likes both ska and funk, I also like onions and ice cream, but they don't go great together. I like some parts of it and I don't think its bad, but if someone came in and I was listened to this, I'd be more embarrassed than if someone came in and I was watching Debbie Does Dallas. Maybe 2/5

I just wasn't the biggest fan. I was excited hoping it would be soul music (it wasn't)

There were def a couple fun songs on it! Otherwise, wasn't really my cup of tea.

Not really my thing.

Too metal for my taste.

This is an interesting and eclectic album. Lots of different things going on, loads of different influences, some strong musicianship. It nonetheless sound pretty dated and the songs don't have much appeal to me. Some good moments, especially where the bass is leading, but otherwise not for me.

They just sound like a mess to me...too much going on and anxiety inducing,.

A bit too all over the place for me. 2.5/5

It’s just not for me.

нууууу, не мой жанр, не зашло...

This is something that could only be described as muzak. It's something that would get played over a montage scene of people trying on clothes in a dressing room, having their friend shake their head, try another ensemble on and then the friend gives them a thumbs up. I am genuinely puzzled why this is in here. Best Tracks: Deep Inside; Mighty Long Way; Bonin' in the Boneyard

It's like they couldn't decide whether they wanted to be Led Zeppelin or They Might Be Giants, so they failed at both. Sucks.

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.

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 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.

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.

Fishbone should be removed before serving.

petition for slap bass to be outlawed by UN treaty

Not for me, will probably not be revisiting this one.

Meh! Uninspired songs that sound cliched and ultimately boring. 2 stars

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.

that was a weird journey

Felt more like a cover band or AI generated list of tracks rather than the sound of an artist putting together an album.

wow

kind of annoying

2.5