Monkeys For Nothin And The Chi [Explicit Lyrics]

Reel Big Fish couldn't have picked a better mission statement for new album "Monkeys for Nothin' and the Chimps for Free" than lead track "Party Down." In addition to boldly stating that "[Reel Big Fish] just came to party down," the hyperactive romp offers a smorgasbord of musical styles from disco to country to glam rock. Casual RBF fans may identify this diversity only with the band's practice of playing their many versions of "S.R." live, but it's really been a hallmark of their studio work since "Why Do They Rock So Hard."

This album's best moments continue in Reel Big Fish's tradition of mixing ska energy with other musical conventions and interesting arrangements, from "My Imaginary Friend" - which sounds like the theme song from a children's show about atheism - to "Please Don't Tell Her I Have A Girlfriend," where the band sounds like They Might Be Giants and Billy Joel teaming up to sing a sweet drinking sway about infidelity (from the cheater's point of view, of course). It's also hard not to crack a smile during the hair metal guitar solo on "Drunk Tonight" (And, if not during the solo, at least during the hilarious Twisted Sister breakdown). Album closer "Cannibal" is another standout, as Reel Big Fish unleashes their inner Oingo Boingo for about three-and-a-half minutes before launching into an epic heavy metal epilogue.

RBF has a strong contingent of fans who (for whatever reason) profess only to like the band's first two albums. These traditionalists will enjoy the more straightforward ska-punk of "Another F.U. Song," "Live Your Dream," and "The New Version of You," not to mention a cover of Phil Collins's "Another Day in Paradise," danceable tracks that hearken back to the band's roots in the 1990s ska explosion.

Though the mood on this CD is lighter than other RBF efforts, lead singer Aaron Barrett still exudes some of his trademark pessimism. Not only does he ponder life in a godless universe, but he also notes in "Will the Revolution Come?" that "each generation's mess is bigger than the one before them has made."

MFNATCFF also includes re-recordings of old songs reaching as far back as "Everything Sucks," and even a pre-"Everything Sucks" demo. "Hate You," "Call You," "I'm Her Man," and "'Til I Hit The Ground" all sound ten times better on this disc, aided largely by the addition of Scott Klopfestein's excellent backing vocals, which have been one of RBF's best features since "Turn the Radio Off." It doesn't hurt that they've been re-recorded on such a clean-sounding album, which is a refreshing change from "We're Not Happy...," a disc whose vocals could have been recorded in a port-a-potty using an iBook's onboard microphone. Highly recommended!

First off, I have been a RBF fan since my high school days (late 90s) and still love them -- so take this review for what its worth. Also I am not a music expert, just someone who appreciates ska & RBF.

RBF comes back with a really solid SKA cd that reminds me why I love these guys. Most of the songs are good with a few that I didn't care for (Cannibal, Party Down, & Everybody's Drunk).

The good ones are the traditional fun-loving, happy-go-lucky, ska/rock that RBF is known for. I'd put "Another F.U. Song", "My Imaginary Friend", & "Why do all Girls Think they're Fat" in this category. Really good songs; very happy, lots of horns, things that RBF do well.

In my opinion, RBFs' true talent can be heard in songs like "Slow Down", "Will the Revolution Come", "Way Back", & "Another Day in Paradise". They are just really great, what I would call, "traditional" ska songs with much less rock/punk influence (if that makes any sense). I always come back to RBF after every new release because of their ability to create excellent ska music. After hearing "A Little Doubt Goes a Long Way" on their previous release, I hoped this next album would sound more like that. In my opinion there wasn't enough "traditional ska" which is why it only got a 4 out of 5 stars.

So after all that, this is a really good cd & definitely worth your money. If you are a RBF fan, buy it. If you are new to ska/RBF - get Turn the Radio Off first. After you hear that one, you'll be hooked & end up buying this cd anyway...that is in addition to all their other ones (with the possible exception of Cheer Up).

If this was another ska band (or whatever style you want to call RBF's partying evolution) this would probably be a four or even five star album. But its not just any other band. I have really liked all of RBF's previous full length records, and their live CD is incredible too. But this... sounds like a retread to me.

Aaron Barrett and the rest of the Fish may be happier on their indie label, but their songwriting has never been duller. Oh look! another drinking song! Another song where they drop the F-bomb over and over in the chorus. Its going from a consistent formula to just checking things off the "album to-do" list.

While some people find "Party Down" and it's little style-riffs inventive, I'm sorry but it reeks of doing the same schtick over again. Other songs almost feel like a chore to get through. I'm happy that the band is off it's "big label" woes and back in a situation that they control and are happy with, but like another comment said, happiness is not helping this band creatively.

› Go to Amazon.com to see all 14 reviews  3.9 out of 5 stars