Reviews (9)

4.5 rounded up
Solid disc for any Beat fan, but I would have liked to see the instrumental version of Rotating Heads (from Ferris Bueller's Day Off) thrown on this disc for good measure. In my opinion, one of EB's better songs. Plus it would have spared people from having to buy that soundtrack to get it.

Can't be Beat
In the second coming of ska (c. 1979-1983) the English Beat ruled supreme. The Beat used ska as a foundation on which they used R&B, punk, rock, dub and Afro-beat as material to build three superb albums and a handfull of singles. This collection does a marvelous job of distilling their all too short career highlghts into one disk. Dancable to the extreme, thought-provoking at several levels, and thoroughly enjoyable, this is an excellent addition to any CD collection.

Beat fans you DO need this !
Prior reviews of this collection have missed an important detail. The Stand Down Margaret (track 15) included here IS NOT the Whine & Grine / Stand Down Margaret from the Beat's first album "I Just Can't Stop". It is the rare dub version that I believe was only previously availble in the U.S. as a 12" 45rpm import.

I remeber hearing this on the radio (small community access station) in the early eighties and have searched for it ever since. It KICKS ! Oh and BTW, with their blending of many musical styles and Saxa, the Beat always ruled. Although a very good ska band, Madness wasn't even in the same league !

This is "Beat"
I often rummage through the racks at my favorite record stores or online looking for the 80's bands that I loved. What a suprise to come across this collection. Back in the day the Beat were probably second to Madness as far as new wave ska bands go but I have to say time has probably been kinder to the Beat as these songs sound a lot less dated then some of the Madness efforts. You're gonna love this one. Classic reggae/ska cuts like "Twist and Crawl" and "Mirror in the Bathroom", Pop gems "Save it for Later" and "Best Friend", the funky, smooth, soulful "Too Nice To Talk To" and sophisticated ska influenced soul cuts "Sole Salvation" and "I Confess" and so much more this "Beat" goes on and on and on!

Still The Best Ska Band Ever!
This has just about every track you will ever need by The English Beat.

Starting with the classic "Mirror in the Bathroom" all the way through the later years with "Save it for Later" and "I Confess". The thing I particularly liked about this "best of" was it had many ofthe tracks off of "I Just Can't Stop It", the first American realease in I think about 1982. There's "Hands Off She's Mine", "Twist and Crawl" and the ultra-skankin "Rankin' Full Stop".

You will still need to get "Special Beat Service" for some other incredible tracks, but start with this and SKANK AWAY! ... Read more

Reviews (51)

Quite Good
RBF comes back after three years or so of touring and releases a rock-solid, infectious, bitter, pissy, angry album.There are usually two or three pissed off songs on an RBF album, "We're Not Happy 'til You're Not Happy" has about eight.

'THE FIRE' 4/5- This song starts in a funky, half time beat and is moderately entertaining, then kicks into a full skank and is awesome.Chorus is especially fun.

'Drinkin'' 5/5- A companion of sorts to the song 'Beer' this song has a fun little riff at the beginning and equal amounts of rock and ska throughout.

'Don't Start A Band' 5/5- I wanted to give them all a hug after this song.It amazes me how RBF can take the most depressing lyrics and set them to the happiest music.

'A-W-E-S-O-M-E' 4/5- I laughed my ass off at the beginning of this song.The song itself is ok.The chorus is the best.

'We Hate it When Our Friends Become Successful' 5/5- A Morrissey cover that fits the band quite well lyrically, and I like RBF's version better

'Turn the Radio Off' 5/5- Very angry, very good.The bridge is the best part.

'Talkin' 'Bout a Revolution' 4/5- awesome reggae version of a Tracy Chapman song.It shouldn't have been the first single, but it kicks ass.

'The Bad Guy' 3/5- My least favorite song on the album.It is saved by the brass section in the bridge.

'Story of My Life' 5/5- RBF has made a Social Distortion song sound almost cute, and has gotten away with it quite well.

'The Joke's On Me' 4/5- Starts out kind of new-wavey, is quite sad throughout, and the "never were any good old days" part is downright depressing.

'One Hit Wonderful' 5/5- incredible 3/4 time examination of the success of 'sell out'.the mandolin in the bridge is fun. after the song finishes, you can hear a high school marching band playing an arrangement of 'sell out'.

'The Last Show' 5/5- Makes it sound like RBF is breaking up, but they're not.The lyrics could be seen as Aaron talking to Scott, but i don't know.

'Say Goodbye' 4/5- End of a relationship song.At least it says "feels so good to say goodbye".almost not sad.

'Your Guts (I Hate Em)'10/5- My Favorite song on the album.SO damn funny.

Well, I'm Happy
This cd is honestly, one of my most favorite CDs that I own. They kept the same RBF sound, but somewhat matured a little bit. This is by far better than Cheer Up (mainly because the songs on Cheer Up bring back bad memories), and is my favorite RBF album. With Turn the Radio off in second.

My favorite tracks on this cd are: "Don't start a band", "A-W-E-S-O-M-E", and "Last Show."

Buy this album if you love RBF and want a good CD!

A bit more poppy than the others, but still my RBF
Reel Big Fish seems to be getting more and more pop oriented (melody and tone) as time goes on.Not that this is a negative thing, per se, but it's a step in an unexpected direction.

The opening track starts with a song that reminds me very much of my first listen to "Cheer Up".The song progresses from a lone guitar into a big buildup into more distorted guitar, then the repeating choruses into the big ending.It seems most of the tracks follow this format, though there is some variation.Looking back at "Turn the Radio Off" and "Why Do They Rock So Hard?", I miss the chill groovy tracks that dominated those albums.Most of the songs have a "hit on every beat" feel during choruses.I'm not sure how to describe it, but it feels sort of punk.

They make fun of themselves a bit with "One Hit Wonderful" and throw in their signature hypocricy with "Don't Start a Band".Theme-wise, the album is fairly negative but only lyrically.RBF has a unique talent; they can make the most lyrically negative song into a happy-go-lucky "make me want to skank" smile-fest.Still, I miss the good old days of "Beer" and "Alternative Baby".Maybe they just need more horn melodies, less distorted lead guitar.

All in all, this is about the best I can hope from from this awesome band.I was not disappointed at all, and I can see the songs growing on me.Keep churning it out guys, I look forward to what's ahead.

It was time for this band to grow musically!
While still full of the tongue in cheek, often curt but undoubtedly negative lyrics RBF have become known for, this CD returns the band to its ska roots and mixes in some new production style.The end result is incredible.Every album this band records seems to reflect their state of mind in the industry at any given time.In particular Turn The Radio Off and Why Do They Rock So Hard?This album is no exception. Turn The Radio Off told the story of a small time band that wanted to make it so bad it hurt.Why Do They Rock So Hard dealt with the inevitable backlash from some fans when the band "sold out," though they did nothing of the sort.We're Not Happy Til You're Not Happy has its own theme too, but this is a VERY angry, bitter album.It deals with the competitive and backstabbing industry every signed band finds itself in.That state of the band where the music becomes it's own stress, when playing feels like a job. If you can't deal with that anger, however, I'm not so sure you ever really listened to the lyrics of other Reel Big Fish albums, much less been in a band of your own.One of the reasons I like RBF so much is I empathize with a great number of their songs,.. they capture the experience of being in a band so perfectly, particularly the negative aspects which hardly any other group seems to acknowledge (most bands just want to tell you how much they rock).This album is a welcome addition to my record collection.Easily the best CD I've bought so far this year.

RBF Is back Baby!!!
This CD is so good!I've loved Reel Big Fish since I was a littler kid than I am now.That's like ten years or something, and really, this CD is absolutely amazing.I don't know what all you people lambasting this CD are thinking.Obviously somebody ripped the fun out of your ear drums because you suck if you think CD is not a 5 star worthy purchase!

This CD is awesome."Drinkin" is easily one of the top RBF songs ever.So is "Don't Start A Band,""Say Goodbye," "Your Guts (I Hate 'em)" and, well, basically every song on this CD.This is classic rocking awesome funny rad Reel Big Fish and everyone should buy this CD.It's so much better than Cheer Up, which was still a 5 star CD.So maybe, this is really like a 6 or 7 star CD (on a five star scale) because this CD is just so freakin' sweet.Basically this CD rocks harder than when unicorn's have their horns stuck in the rock that was holding excalibur until King Arthur pulled excalibur out.That's how hard this CD rocks!!!

This CD will not stop rocking until King Arthur comes back and rides that unicorn straight into Heaven to the tunes of "Your Guts (I hate 'em)" which will be playing when everyone who dissed this momentous CD is tossed into firey brimstone for their lack of faith, which I find disturbing. ... Read more

Album Description

What do Ryan Adams, Trey Anastasio, Jeff Beck, Ken Boothe, Marcia Griffiths, Eric Clapton, Bootsy Collins, The Roots, Ben Harper, Terry Hall, The Skatalites, Willie Nelson, No Doubt, Bonnie Raitt, Keith Richards, Shaggy, Rahzel, U-Roy, Bunny Wailer and Rachael Yamagata have in common?

The all-star guests on "true love" range from legends Like Keith Richards, Eric Clapton, and Bonnie Raitt to younger stars including No Doubt, The Roots, and Trey Anastasio. The caliber of these collaborators reveals the impact that Toots has had on several generations of rockers and rappers, while appearances from reggae icons Bunny Wailer and Marcia Griffiths show the respect granted to the man who might be the music’s greatest living vocalist. At the heart of it all is that voice - drenched in soul, rooted in gospel, and still breathtakingly powerful after almost four decades in the spotlight. ... Read more

Reviews (18)

Reggae Jammin'
The greatest voice of all reggae acts (sorry, Bob Marley fans) returns to the limelight with remade versions of his greatest hits alongside an all-star cast.

The good news is that most of the big stars don't get in the way (No Doubt, Trey Anastasio, Eric Clapton). In fact, you have to listen fairly closely to dig Gwen Stefani or Anastasio out of the mix, they're treated basically as background singers.

There are some duets, notably with Bonnie Raitt (on the title tune), original Wailer Bunny Wailer ("Take A Trip") and Willie Nelson on the Nelson-penned "Still Is Still Moving To Me." Unfortunately, Toots also lets Keith Richard sing along on "Careless Ethiopians" and that song isn't quite as successful as the others. And "Funky Kingston," with guest shots from Bootsy Collins and Roots, doesn't have the sweaty intensity as the original, but it's a fun groove anyway.

Guest stars aside, the entire CD rocks with a tuneful, tropical bounce. And surfing on top of it all is the remarkable voice of Toots Hibbert, (I'll say it again) the best singer in all of reggae. This is a great companion for your springtime/summer barbecue and an indispensable soundtrack for drivin' tru da Babylon.

So Excellent It's Embarrassing--Wonderful.
So Excellent It's Embarrassing--Wonderful.

Dusk

A Hoot With Toots
Toots and the Maytals are one of the seminal reggae bands. They appeared on the soundtrack to 'The Harder They Come', perhaps the most important vehicle for the acceptance of reggae music and, in fact, helped coin the term with their 1968 Jamaican dance hit 'Do the Reggay' (not to be confused with the 1965 international dance hit 'Do the Freddie' which helped coin the term 'geek') In a bid to re-establish an audience, Toots and the Maytals have, in the fine tradition of Carlos Santana, resorted to employing (mostly) famous guest stars on virtually every track. Although this may not be quite the commercial success of that multiplatinum Santana disc, which also had the good fortune of having the planets align during its historic sales run, it is easily as good and should, by all rights, provide a shot in the arm to Toots and the Maytals' career. With the exception of the opening track, written by and sung with Willie Nelson (a collaboration so odd and disconcerting that it wasn't until the 4th or 5th listen that we realized how good it was), all the
songs have been written by Frederick "Toots" Hibbert and virtually all of them have been recorded by him before. Nevertheless, each one sounds fresh and exhilarant as new and there is not a clinker among the 15 tracks. Most of the songs are bouncy and buoyant except for Toots' moving duet with newcomer Rachel Yamagata and which makes us wish there had been a few more ballads. The who's-who of guests, including Nelson, Bonnie Raitt, Eric Clapton, Ryan Adams, Shaggy, Jeff Beck, No Doubt, Trey Anastasio, Bootsy Collins, The Roots, Bunny Wailer, Ben Harper and Keith Richards, to name a few, sound like they are having a hoot with Toots. So do the other musicians, especially those marvelous horn players who get to toot with Toots (we have no shame). And well they should, as they get to perform with one of the truly great soul singers of our time. Toots' iconic voice brings to mind those of Otis Redding and David Ruffin (The Temptations). Toots is still here, though, and singing as well as ever on this sensational new
album.

Let's get it straigh - toots rules but not this redone work
Okay - I love Toots, he's a legend and he deserves to get respect, recognition and sales. This Cd has big name artists giving respect. But I'm trying to advise on the CD here, and must say that these redone versiobns are pale imitations of the wicked, grooving originals.

If you haven't heard the originals PLEASE GET THEM as then you will know what Toots sounds like in his prime. Bloody good. If you have the originals, get this and give toots a big up.

oh my
Best album I've heard in years. I'm always a little leery of guest musician albums -- like the recent Los Lobos that seemed so full of promise and was so disappointing and uneven -- but this Toots CD is so good I can't stand it. Just brilliant.

I have so many CDs where I really like a couple of songs and the rest is kind of a tossup, but this is one of those rare CDs where every single song is a gem. ... Read more

Album Description

UK 2002 remastered reissue of the British ska revivalist's1979 album. Includes ECD section containing 2 promotionalvideos 'Gangsters' & 'Too Much Too Young'. Produced byElvis Costello. ... Read more

Reviews (32)

A ska free-for-all
Even the absence of "Gangsters" can't deflate my joy in listening to this cd. (I can't say the same for the missing "Tears of a Clown" and "Ranking Full Stop" on the English Beat cd.)

I'll never forget when The Specials appeared on Saturday Night Live in 1981. They performed a searing, blistering "Gangsters" as they slam danced with the air around them. When they were through, the usually savvy New York audience was stunned. Dead silence. And I don't think it was because they were impressed: they just didn't know what they had just heard. But this Brooklyn boy was on his feet at home, jumping, and scrambling for pen and paper to remember this band's name so I could buy the album, which I did the next day.

I was in for more than I'd expected. Half this album's tunes are pure energy, the other half were more subtle reggae tunes. I thought The Specials were a tight, no-holds-barred, musically frenzied band. But there's something else: their songs carry incredibly intelligent, socially aware lyrics. Some songs are of the utmost seriousness. "It Doesn't Make It Alright" is a powerful indictment of racism. On the other hand, "Too Much Too Young" is a more witty, sarcastic look at teen pregnancy. There are strong messages in several songs, and this is an added plus. It is ska that is unafraid to approach any topic. It's fun, it's serious, it's damned good music.

Have you bought this cd yet?

An all time Classic
This is clearly the best Ska record ever made. Their debut album (the BBC had just aired The Specials John Peel Sessions, but it was not yet for sale. Also, their true debut was a 45rpm single of Gangsters whose B-side was titled The Selector and credited to The Selector, but in reality, The Selector was Jerry Dammers, John Bradbury, both from The Specials, and two of their roommates. I think it is the best song The Selector ever did).

If you listen to earlier versions of these songs available elsewhere, you can see how much they honed everything. The Specials had toured the U.K. supporting The Clash, and as a result you can hear more Clash-like-Grit on this album, and you can also see The Specials influence on Clash songs like Pressure Drop, very Ska.

I like everything about this album, every song. I still remember my high school English tutor in the 9th grade (I was really bad in school) who was more interested in shaping my musical tastes, and my sister, English was third on his list. He made me a tape of this album with the This Are Two Tone compilation on the second side. I listened to that tape for years, before they had tape-players that would flip the tape for you. I remember one time I accidentally hit "Record", so to this day I am surprised there is no gap at the beginning of "Concrete Jungle".

Not too long ago, I was invited to several Specials shows. My friend had gone to school with Mark Addams (keyboards) in Coventry and whenever they'd come to San Francisco my friend rob would arrange to have us on the list. They have altered the band since 1980 (when this album came out), a few new members, but they still have Neville Staples(who looks even cooler today), Horace Panter, Roddy Radiation, and Lynval Golding. They preformed these songs in a dizzying frenzy. After each show we'd go backstage with them (once to the Green-Room of the legendary Fillmore Auditorium!) and one time on their tour bus somewhere in Santa Cruz. My friends wife was blind, so she had a seeing-eye-Doberman with her. We were on this crowded bus, with the band, this huge dog and scattered other people. They were playing some old sixties Ska on the bus stereo, and Lynval Golding (guitarist) danced with the seeing-eye-dog, and I cracked a corny joke, which I began to regret as I was saying it. I said to Mr. Golding, "Do The Dog!" (referring to their song by the same name) then my ears began to turn red. He thought it was the funniest thing he'd ever heard and slapped his leg as he laughed. He put his rude-boy hat on my head, which was pathetically loose, and laughed his way to the ice-chest and he fetched two beers and brought one to me as his laughter died down. The joke seemed rather obvious to me. He took his hat back as he gave me the beer. It was all very weird.

Anyway, this is the album to have. I have many Specials albums, and would choose this one over all the rest, or any other Ska band, there is No Doubt about that. If you have never heard this album but are considering it, then trust the instincts that brought you this far and get it, if you remember this album from your youth but haven't gotten around to getting it on CD I suggest you drop everything and get it, and get Led Zeppelin IV another time. This album has aged very well.

awesome just awesome i mean fantastic even
this cd was great it was one of the best things ive heard in my entire life it was awesome just awesome you know the rest i love you specials you changed my life you know jerry dammers is the man with the amazing lyrics it just blew me away there awsome

Rock steady and rock solid
This album is permanently seared into my brain. I listened to this album too many times to even estimate, having discovered it in High School (when it came out - yes, I'm getting old), spun it endlessly in College, and have never really stopped listening to it. Now and then it kind of fades to the back of the old collection, but sounds as strong as ever every time I resurrect it from the stack. This is one of those albums that I've owned on vinyl, tape, CD and now resides in my Ipod. The infectious nature of this album is best related in a ridiculous story: We were on a business trip to make an advertising presentation for a client in Chicago about 5 years ago, My colleague and I both graduated college in the late 80's but we never really discussed music. While we were waiting to pitch our campaign outside the boardroom, we both noticed a framed 2-tone poster inside a nearby office. One by one we both ran through every song, every beat, every freestyle ranking from this album, each picking up seamlessly where the other would leave off. Sounds stupid, I know - but it's that kind of album. Just buy it - buy it now!

fantastic stuff
This is the best 2tone/ska album there is.Although the Specials introduced a raw,punky,English working class aspect to the ska sound, they retained much more of that original Jamican sound than any of the 3rd Wave American bands.The sounds of inner city England at the time were punk and reggae.The likes of Sex Pistols,The Clash along with reggae from the likes of Bob Marley and Dennis Brown were regularly in the top 5 in the UK charts.Unlike in the ghettoised projects in the United States,black and white working class kids in England shared the same housing estates and schools and so there were much greater opportunities for cultural hybrids.When punk appeared in 76 skinheads re emerged after disapearing from the scene for 5 years.The whole Specials idea was partly a calculated response by Jerry Dammers to remind the many skinheads who were flirting with nazism at the time that black cultural influences had been fundamental to the existence of the original skinhead movement.Anyhow it was a clever experiment that proved commercially succesful and this is an excellent album. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Reggae's golden age was as bright as the following years have been dim for the once glorious genre. Indeed, it's the work of the pioneers of the '60s and '70s that, more than ever, defines reggae decades after the heydays of Marley, Toots, and Tosh. This four-disc, chronologically arranged box set (in contrast with 2001's similarly expansive but more wide-ranging Reggae Box) maintains its focus on the first decade and a half of reggae and its antecedents, allowing the compilers to delve deeper into the great one-offs that played a vital role in shaping the classic sound. Yes, like countless reggae compilations before it, this Trojan set features "Israelites," "Pressure Drop," "Rivers of Babylon," "Trenchtown Rock," and "Marcus Garvey." In addition to those indisputable touchstones, however, This is Reggae Music generously and expertly plunges into a remarkable archive to highlight the less-celebrated likes of Bongo Man Byfield, the Uniques, and Ken Parker. Colin Escott's pithy but erudite history and track-by-track summary further flesh out this exemplary package. --Steven Stolder ... Read more

Reviews (21)

The More Mature of Their Albums
This cd is a definte departure from the earlier Beat cds. The earlier cds are more where the Fine Young Cannibals went back to, while this cd marks the beginning of General Public. The songs "Save it for Later" and "I Confess" are two of their best, but lack the wildness of the quintessential Beat style that Fine Young Cannibals recaptured. This, oddly, is the best Beat cd. Odd because it seems an accident in the face of the break-up of the band that followed its making. It has a refined Jazz feel with the marked Beat raggee sound forced on it, as opposed to the other albums which have it just the other way around. Out of all the albums that The Beat, The Fine Young Cannibals, or General Public made this, I think, will survive the test of time.

One of Beat's Best...
This c.d. is absolutley astounding ! From the first track to the last there is not a single flop or disappointment; Even the album cover conveys a sense of coolness and sophistication. I had only heard the name English Beat growing up but never ventured to listen to their music thinking it was another heavy-synth new romantic band by it's name alone. Now, I am glad I've heard them ! Their mixture of ska, reggae, pop, and a few other styles will surely capture any avid music collector's attention. Also, the vocals of the lead singer are very reminiscent of Colin Hay's from Men At Work (another '80s great group). Although the album originally was released in 1982 I can see or hear why it firmly stands up to the test of time !

One of my all time favorites
I loved this CD since college, when it was just vinyl. I'm listening to it today in my office, and it just really stands the test of time. The lyrics are so clever and the beats interesting. Really, how many times have we all "done too much of both types of w(h)ining"

Highly recommended! A great 80s classic.

Classic English Beat
The best songs are the poppy ones that you know already ("Save it for later", "I Confess") but the other tracks are pretty solid. Not as great as "Whap'pen" or the first album (name escapes me), but good none the less. If you only buy one English Beat album, buy one of the first two or the greatest hits album. If you're a fan and already have the others, buy this one to complete your set.

To Beat this, You better beat me first
If there is a better overall cd by the Beat i dont know what it is. This is actually one of the best cd's ever, by anyone save perchance Debbie Gibson or Tiffany (hardy har har). Thats not subjective opinion either thats objective fact. My grandpa agrees. On the real though this is the serious a$$kicker with great songs like Jeanette and the untouchable Save it for later. Please. Plus it feature toasting by Pato Banton - buy it just for that if for no oher reason. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Toots Hibbert is often compared to Otis Redding, and since Hibbert was greatly influenced by classic American R&B as well as the music of his own Baptist church, that comparison is certainly apt. But while he owes a debt to the intense, high-octane vocal approach of Redding, there is also a great deal of similarity between Toots and the great James Brown. In many ways and at roughly the same time, Hibbert did for Jamaican soul what Brown did for its American cousin--he made it funky and nasty! One listen to the chunky guitar riffs underneath and Hibbert's repetitive vocal chants on top of 1968's "Do the Reggay" and this much is clear: while the energy of ska remains, the deep groove has become supreme ruler. This awesome collection goes back to an early Prince Buster-produced single from 1964 and follows the Maytals--and with them, the history of Jamaican pop--from sweet-harmonizing, horn-driven ska to steadfast rock steady to archetypical roots reggae. And don't forget that Hibbert wrote 18 of these 19 jewels himself (there's one Redding cover here), showing himself to be highly effective with both topical tunes and cheerful rave-ups. --Marc Greilsamer ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Love this CD!
I couldn't wait to listen to the CD when I got home. I had to listen to it. Hearing the samples was enough to make me want to buy it. And listening to it completely had me dancing and shouting. This CD is a good investment if you are an avid collector and listener of reggae music. Artists such as Sister Nancy sample the baseline from him. Toots is great to listen and dance to.

Godfather of Reggae
Bob Marley may be the king but Toots was the originator. He was one of the first musicians to use the word Reggae to describe this popular Jamaican musical style. My only complaint with this compilation is that it omits the song, "Premature" from the LP, Reggae Got Soul. It's a great tune and one of his biggest international hits. Otherwise, this CD is a keeper.

Great Reggae.
This is real reggae music. Every track is jamming, and there are 19 tracks clocking in at 68 minutes on this album. I bought this because I loved "Monkey Man" off of a compilation CD. It took me three listens to the whole CD to like and appreciate all of the songs. I'm not a reggae fan, but I enjoy anything with harmony and/or melody. I play this CD anywhere, and anytime. I think "Never Get Weary" is my favorite track right now. My least favorite track is "Dreams to Remember" because I like Otis' more, but it's still kicking. Toots puts his all in his music. Give this CD a listen to see if you concur.

I know that other guy has that one album and thats it
because if you bought Toots - LIVE,

you'd realize what you're missing by sitting at home listening to that disc, instead of standing in the audience dancing until you are drenched in sweat, and have to drag yourself away from the music to buy another Red Stripe.

Toots makes great music... but there is nothing... NOTHING like seeing and hearing the guy in the flesh. He is a jamaican reggae version of James Brown... and he just makes you want to party and dance. Buy the live album (the white one with black writing... avoid the live in london double disc)... it captures a tiny bit of the energy he creates when he performs.

buy the studio discs at your own risk. He releases a lot of them with old material. The old guy has to make money you know? I Love im.

10/10 That's His Number!
Of course, mention reggae music to nearly every human on the planet and the first name out of their mouths is Bob Marley. But if there's gotta be a #2 slot, then let it go to Frederick "Toots" Hibbert. He's the very embodiment of the word "journeyman". Influenced as much by classic sixties soul as by the bluebeat of his native land, Toots scored a series of funky, soulful, genuinely skanking hits in Jamaica and overseas. Total fans looking for a detailed and loving anthology are directed to TIME TOUGH, a double CD retrospective released in 1997 that touched on all the right bases. Those looking for a more concentrated dosage can line up here without guilt. If you regularly play the heck out of your Bob Marley LEGEND disc, then you'll equally play the heck out of this one, too. All the coolest cuts are here: "Bam Bam" (which was sampled and covered by Chaka Demus & Pliers), "54-46 That's My Number", "Reggae Got Soul" (where Kingston, Jamaica meets up with Atlanta, Georgia!), "Funky Kingston" and his remarkable remake of Otis Redding's "Dreams To Remember" (which, you may recall, was used as the music bed for a series of Club Med TV spots). The ultimate marriage of roots, rock, reggae on a disc that'll quickly become a fave! "54-46" may have been his number, but 10/10 is the number you can assign this set! Recommended! ... Read more

Amazon.com

The major-label debut from ska punks Save Ferris isn't exactly a classic, but it is a lot of fun. There's no middle-ground reaction to their cover of "Come On Eileen"; everyone seems to either love it or hate it. If you're in the latter group, skip it and listen to "The World Is New," "Superspy," "Goodbye," and "Little Differences." Save Ferris are at their best when they're up-tempo, and fortunately there are plenty of up-tempo songs on this album, peppered with catchy hooks, the requisite horns, and Monique Powell's considerable voice (one of Save Ferris's major strengths). While not fantastic, It Means Everything is a promising album, with several moments that verge on brilliance. --Genevieve Williams ... Read more

Reviews (86)

WUHOO!
Review For album "It Means Everything" by Save Ferris.

I love this album because it has nothing but ska and swing in it. It's allot of fun to listen to, dance to or just chill to and I really recommend this for anyone who likes swing or Ska. Save Ferris is a fairly new band but they hit it off right away and I even saw them in concert and they were really good. The reason I bought this CD is because my older brother liked "Come On Eileen" so much. But after listening to the rest of the CD I "discovered" that all the other ones are really good too. Most of them are upbeat and fast but there are a few slow ones too. This is good because you can listen to it anytime you want. Other good songs are "S.P.A.M." and "It Means Everything". I really recommend this CD for anyone who has any sense of taste in music, good is an understatement.

Cool Cd; but not ska
People often mistake this blend of music for ska. A few songs have a few ska elements in them, but for the most part, this cd is indie/pop/swing. If you want ska (modern ska, not the real, old ska), listen to bands like the Toasters or the Aquabats. Save Ferris's big song on this cd is "Come on Eileen," but there are a couple other good ones, like "Nobody But Me" or "Under 21." They're sort of like Reel Big Fish, but more swing-like. If you're into that kind of music, this is worth the money. But, if you're a fan of real ska, you'll be disappointed.

Excellent CD
I love ska/punk music, but I think I enjoy the vocals on this CD more than anything else. The group's lead singer, Monique, is outstanding. She is quite possibly the best singer I've ever had the pleasure to hear. Her voice is very powerful and she has excellent range. The rest of the group compliments her work very well on this CD. My favorite tracks are Superspy, Come On Eileen, and Goodbye (my personal favorite). The only reason I give it 4 stars instead of 5 is because -- at least in my opinion -- it's not one of those CD's where EVERY track is a great song. Still, it's definitely a good buy.

Fun Lyrics and Fast Paced Songs With Punk Edge!!!
I bought this cd after listening to the "10 Things I Hate About You" soundtrack about 100 times. Save Ferris sang the song "I Know" and I absolutely loved it, so I bought this cd on a whim. I am definitely glad that I did! This cd is filled with fun, edgy songs, and infused with great lyrics and awesome brass sections that make you want to get up and dance. Some of my favorites on the cd include "Lies,"The world is new," and their fast and peppy remake of the classic "Come on Eileen." For anyone who loves ska and punk with a strong female lead singer, I definitely recommend this cd and Save Ferris!!!!!

Yummy-yummy-chewy-chewy
My father calls this my "yummy-yummy-chewy-chewy" music, but it's a good peppy workout CD, or a good "dance-around-in-your-underwear-singing-in-a-hairbrush" CD. Or is that just me? ... Read more

Reviews (7)

A good collection
This collection brings you what someone considered to be the best of the British Ska group Madness.
First off, every song on this CD is good, great even. The major draw back is, as if with every "best of" album, it's only worth buying if you're not a huge fan. If you are a fan than you should already own every Madness CD in which case there is no reason to buy this CD.
If you're new to Madness, or you just want their major US hits like Our House, It Must Be Love, House of Fun, and One Step Beyond than this will be great for you.
The other draw back to this album is that it features nothing from "Wonderful," which is a 'wonderful' album but never realesed here in the states.
All that said it's still a great album featuring many great songs.

A Bit of the Best, but not quite "Best of"
This really is a pretty decent dose of Madness, and it was good to see they picked a generous selection from the first two albums.

The only downer is: the first two Madness albums were fantastic, and, in my opinion, they lost much of their pizazz on future releases. It's hard to picture a Madness "Best of" without tunes like "Bed and Breakfast Man," "Middle of the Night," "You Said" and "E.R.N.I.E," especially when they include mediocre songs like "Michael Caine."

This is a good ---but not great--- Madness collection. But if you want an excellent selection of Madness tunes, search for their first album and "Absolutely."

Incomplete
Looks like a good collection EXCEPT where is "Bed and Breakfast Man"????!!! I hate it when domestic "Best-Of's" always leave out one or two of the most deserving songs.

Can't beat 'em!!
well, being an ex-skin (but still young at heart!!) you just cant beat them!!!...all their songs have relavancy, and still love listening to them all these years later (even converted my late father to their music....so they must have been good!!)

"Camden, London, England gives birth to Ska - Madness"
In the late '70s and early '80s - Ska-revival was in the group from Camden - "Madness" - humorous, rollicking, fun, quirky, whimsical and good-natured. This British phenomenon, influenced future bands and was fast becoming the countries most beloved groups.

Hip-O records, Pat Lawrence (producer), Dana Smart (compilation producer), Jim Phillips (mastering) and Ilene Weingard (art direction) have given the music enthusiast the ride of their life...entire album is awesome, outstanding and complete. Each selection of this 19-track compilation stands on its own infectious merit!

Total Time: 71:33 on 19 Tracks...Hip-O Records 699...(2000) ... Read more

Amazon.com

General Public's debut is arguably the ska supergroup's best work. Fresh out of the English Beat, Dave Wakeling recruited vocal partner Ranking Roger, as well as bassist Horace Panter (the Specials), keyboardist Mickey Billingham (Dexy's Midnight Runners), and veteran sax man Saxa for this set of shiny pop that is virtually all as infectious as the album's Top 40 hit, "Tenderness." Sure, the English Beat's best grooves found their way into the Fine Young Cannibals, but Wakeling and Roger's breathless vocals and undeniable hooks still shine on this undervalued album. --Bill Forman ... Read more

Reviews (14)

80's Music At It's Best
This CD sure takes me back to my high school days, when videos were creative and music was fun. "Tenderness" - I love that song. "Are You Leading Me On" is another hot one. Lyrically and musically fun.

too damn good not to have
I came of age in the eighties, and this is one of the albums I cut my teeth on. This is smart power pop on par with Elvis Costello and Joe Jackson, with ska inflections that will make your leg twitch. In fact, the toughest thing about listening to this album is figuring out whether to groove to the music or soak up the lyrics. I would give it five stars, but there are a few weaker tracks. But 'Never you done that','Tenderness', and 'Where's the line' make up for those. If you like ska, eighties music, or good, smart lyrics, I STRONGLY recommend "All The Rage".

Uff da!
I bought this, listened to it and now wish to sell it. It's not the quality of the English Beat that's for sure. You might like to have it as a novelty item.

Excelent
I Love this msic because it reminds my age between 14 and 17 years old in college

UNSATISFIED
I WOULDN'T KNOW I NEVER GOT MY CD AND ITS BEEN OVER TWO MONTHS ... Read more

Reviews (29)

The Best Ska Band Ever...
This is a really good CD. It starts out with Sell Out, a huge blast, which would work at either end of the CD...they usually play it last at their shows. It continues into some great ska songs, my favorites being She Has a Girlfriend Now, Beer and Everything Sucks. The CD alternates between totally awesome and totally average...Sell Out and Trendy give it a killer opening, as Sell Out has some amazingly powerful horns, and Trendy is just hyper and funny. Join the Club is pretty good, She Has a Girlfriend Now is hysterical and catchy, and Snoop Dog Baby isn't anything special. I'll Never Be is another stand out, and it has a good strong chorus. All I Want is More is another good track, fun and catchy. If you're looking for a solid ska CD this is it...but Reel Big Fish's best work (in my opinion) is their 2nd album Why Do They Rock So Hard.

turn the radio off, and put Turn the Radio Off in!
This is the first ska CD I ever bought. It changed my life, if I can say that about 45 minutes of music. Third Wave ska gets no better than Reel Big Fish's major label debut, Turn The Radio Off. RBF has always been about catchy melodies, upbeat horns, sweet basslines and humorous, if not ironic, lyrics. This album sets the pace for what we now know as punk-ska phenoms Reel Big Fish. Each song has pulled me in and forced me to listen to it time after time. This album is unrelentless with its unwillingness to get out of your head once you listen to it. RBF established itself on the mainstream charts with songs like "Everything Sucks" and their biggest hit to date, "Sell Out." Their impressive horn section shows itself off on the instrumental "241". Some may get laughs from the ironic lyrics on the aptly named "Trendy", "Join the Club", and "I'll Never Be". RBF pokes fun at themselves and at others in "SR". I recommend this album to anyone who, well, listens to music. It's simply the best the third wave has to offer!

This only get's a 4 for old school reasons
Old school reasons, that is why I like this. You might say "but Mic don't you hate pop music." I'd say shut up and yes I do but this has a small exception becuase I was listening to it and liking it back in that day. This is ska music, in a sort of way it's 3rd wave or whatever wave I forgot all the waves no it isn't better than the Specials but it has a place in my heart. Plus Snoop Doggy Dogg reminds me of a girl I used to know so for nostalgic reasons I give this a four, none other I'd probably hate it today, but I sure did love it yesterday.

Turn the Radio off...and put this cd in.
This was the first ska cd i've ever had in my possession. It is a great ska cd, with some good horn lines and great lyrics. My favorite tracks on this album are 'Beer', 'Trendy', and 'I'll Never Be.' I've had this cd so long and listened to it so much I'm kinda sick of it now. The only reason this didn't get the fifth star is because there are better sounding bands out there, like Catch 22 (Keasbey), Streetlight Manifesto, Planet Smashers. Still, this is worth your money. Don't hesitate to buy it.

not THAT bad
It's a solid album to put it simply. The music is catchy, and you can sing along to the simple lyrics. It's plain old 3rd wave pop-ska. You can't be angry at these guys because they're not old school enough or because you may think they sold out. These guys opened up the genre for 14 year olds just like blink-182 and Green Day did. Now, stop listening to mediocre stuff like this and pick up the real stuff.
As for the reviewer who said to pick up some "real ska" like Less than Jake, Streetlight Manifesto or Catch 22, don't. These bands are crappy generic pop-ska just like RBF. Put your Something Corporate cd's down and go pick up _real_ ska like: The Specials, Desmond Dekker, Madness, The Toasters, The Slackers, Bad Manners, Prince Buster, The Skatalites....

Or say screw it and go listen to some Bright Eyes. ^^ ... Read more

Album Description

Tomas Kalnoky, sole songwriter of CATCH 22’s cult classic "Keasbey Nights" formed STREETLIGHT MANIFESTO two years ago with original CATCH 22 members Josh Ansley and Jamie Egan. "Everything Goes Numb" is a natural progression of "Keasbey Nights" showcasing not only energetic horn parts and fabulous harmonizing vocals, but intelligent lyrics focusing on the angstridden lives of young adults.

The anticipation for new work from Tomas has snowballed over the last two years. Hungry fans will finally have the opportunity to hear the material that they have been waiting for. Kalnoky’s songwriting has had an incredibly significant impact on ska’s biggest sub genre, ska-punk. "Everything Goes Numb" will quickly become an underground classic and must have album for all fans of horn rock.

"Keasbey Nights" is also an important CD when examining the evolution of ska. Kalnoky’s songwriting was revolutionary in that he successfully combined the upbeat, reggae ska style with faster in-your-face punk. ... Read more

Reviews (41)

THE BEST
Streetlight Manifesto released this CD last December, formed from a couple guys from Catch 22 and others. Truly the "All-Star" ska band, they shine on "Everything Goes Numb" with incredible bass lines, mind blowin' horn arrangements, head-spinning speed and just their overall SICK TALENT. The vocals are extremely entertaining and their lyrics are very catchy. If you would like to get a feel for ska, BUY THIS CD. This is an amazing album from an amazing band. Even if you don't enjoy it at first (which would be pretty rare), keep listening to it and you will LOVE IT!! Streetlight is in my TOP 5 best modern bands w/ Incubus, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Dave Matthews Band and Reel Big Fish. THIS CD IS INCREDIBLE!!!!!!!!!!
BUY IT.
LISTEN TO IT.
LOVE IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
STREETLIGHT RULES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Awesome Cd...
Everything Goes Numb seems like a continuation of Keasbey Nights, which, for those of you who have not heard it, is THE BEST album ever released. I've been waiting for this cd to come out for over a year, ever since I heard the Bandits of the Acoustic Revolution, Tomas' side project. The cd progresses up and down, and is definitely some of the best ska I've ever heard. I can't wait to see this band live (hopefully soon), as the original Catch 22 lineup was always great to see live. Naturally, since this band is made up of half original Catch 22 and half One Cool Guy, they will put on a great live show. If you buy one cd this year, buy this one!

Awesome CD
This is an awesome cd from a really good group. Streetlight is like the Catch 22 from Keasby Nights only much better. There unique ska isn't boring like many ska bands today and each track on the Cd is different and new, no repetition. This cd is definately worth buying.

This is the greatest CD on earth. ever. period.
You will be blown away by Streetlight Manifesto. Having experience on their side adds to the success of this band. The level of talent and creativity in Everything Goes Numb is unlike anything I've ever heard. Sure I love lots of other ska bands, but here you won't find the usual boring, overused technique that makes so many others in the genre sound stale. They actually offer something new; Streetlight effectively mixes ska, punk, reggae, swing, and (clarinet?!?!) into an exciting record that is sure to be a classic. They have such a tight sound. I can't stop thinking about it, and am so excited to finally be seeing the band in person. Ska fans, esp. (old) Catch 22 fans, buy this now. It will make you dance.

One of my favorite cd's ever.
This is truly one of the best ska-punk cd's you'll ever hear. Ever since buying this cd it is one of my most played cd's and Streetlight Manifesto has become one of my favorite bands ever. Second only to The Aquabats and The Hippos. But this cd is truly amazing and anyone who claims to enjoy ska-punk sound of bands must but this album or perish. ... Read more

Reviews (95)

A Must-Have
Until a couple of weeks ago, I had never heard of Catch 22. The first time that I heard this CD was at about 1 in the morning at camp when a friend came in and wanted to listen to this cd. I quickly became hooked on the cd and bought it soon after returning home. This cd is a must-buy for all music fans. Even people who don't usually enjoy ska music, like myself, will quickly fall in love with Keasby Nights. For starters, the musicians are fantastic. Most of the songs have some kind of solo in them. Kristina She Don't Know I exist features a solo by almost every member of the band, and On & On & On (one of the best songs on the CD) has a minute-long playing of Canon in D. The vocals are also very good for a ska band. The lyrics, despite being hard to understand at times, are rather meaningful and sometimes even sad. As The Footsteps Die Out Forever is horribly depressing when one reads the lyrics, but if one just listens to the music it still sounds like an upbeat song. The best thing about this cd is probably how smoothly the band shifts between music genres. Walking Away features a jazzy style at first, then some fast-paced ska, then a swing-like feel, and finally a drum cadence. For a mainly ska band to do this is really amazing, especially because it sounds so good. Buy this cd by all means.

The Best Ska CD of All Time
There are a lot of landmark 3rd wave ska albums out there. Slapstick's "Lookit", Mu330's "Chumps on Parade", Reel Big Fish's "Turn the Radio Off", and Less Than Jake's "Losing Streak." This album, I feel, supercedes them all simply because it is almost as if it's the last great album of the 3rd Wave Ska era, and that era walked out with the biggest bang possible. The horn section is tight enough to rival the best studio RBF recordings, and their melody and tempo make it impossible to not hum along. The vocals are insanely fast and clever. The bass player is not only the best in the field that I've ever heard, but plays on a fretless bass, and uses it to his advantage. The drums are poppy at the right time, punk at the right time, and always get your feet tapping. The only instrument really lacking is the guitar. The distortion is muddled and you can rarely hear it when everything else is going on . . . but let's be honest: This is ska. The guitar doesn't have to matter if the band chooses to not let it.

Unfortuneatly, this incarnation of Catch 22 disbanded shortly after this album was made, and the new Catch 22, featuring only two or three original members, just couldn't cut it as well. This is one of those albums that you can be thankful it was made, but [mad] that nothing will ever see its equal again.

Classic Ska Album
I bought this CD after I had purchased the excellent album "Everything Goes Numb" by Streetlight Manifesto, since I heard that the lead singer had written all of "Keasbey Nights."
While I believe "Keasbey" doesn't quite reach the level of Streetlight, it is an excellent punk/ska/swing album. The horn parts are interesting and well-played, the lyrics are excellent, and the singer has an immediately identifiable voice. The bass guitar player also does an outstanding job. Songs like the title track are extremely catchy and will get stuck in your head for days. If you're a fan of a lot of different music styles, you'll appreciate the way they're combined so effortlessly in this album. For example, Pachelbel's Canon in D is quoted on "On and On and On," while other songs feature more of a gritty punk guitar sound. Altogether, this is an uptempo CD with excellent musicianship in all aspects that will not leave your CD player - or head - for weeks. Definitely pick this up along with Streetlight Manifesto's "Everything Goes Numb."

Best ska album.
This has to be my favorite ska album ever, every song is great and this is Catch 22 at its best.

the greatest cd.....ever
I orginaly got into this band after my best friend and his brother listened to nothing but them. AND THEY SHOULDN'T LISTEN TO ANYTHING ELSE!!! This is the greatest CD since DSOTM, hands down. Every song is awesome, and rules. I don't think there was every a moment where I skipped past a song because it was bad. The greatest song EVER is Giving Up, Giving In. And don't you say that "I don't listen to any good music or anything like that..." because I listen to all kinds of rock. My favorite band is Zeppelin. So just shut up. ... Read more

Reviews (42)

I Just Can't Stop Loving It
When The English Beat burst onto the musical two-tone scene with Ranking Full Stop and Tears of a Clown, everyone knew they were great. This album merely confirms it. Every song is a jam fest with toe-tapping magic and a crisp sound. Mirror in the Bathroom, Big Shot, Whine and Grind/Stand Down Margaret, and Best Friend are the "hits" as it were, but Two Swords, Hands Off...She's Mine, Twist and Crawl and Click Click make this album for me. The rhythm section for this band cannot be "beat" as they are fantastic. This is an excellent look at the two-tone influenced music of the early 1980s and what an excellent sound it was. Sadly, the English Beat could not sustain it after this album; but this is one pure, shining, fun moment in time. If you buy it, it will be one of your favorites. I was thrilled when they re-released it, and I thought of docking it a star because Tears of a Clown and Ranking Full Stop are not included, but one can suppose contract/royalties type of something or other has only allowed this version. You can find those songs on the Two-Tone Collection, A Checkered Past--which you should own anyway. Realistically, I Just Can't Stop It is still an excellent CD. Buy it for the kids today who think they know what SKA is. The English Beat puts all of the rest to shame.

Make no mistake
Make no mistake, the Beat was a great band and this release is a testament to that!

If you're looking for something to get you to snapping your fingers and tapping your toes, you've found it.

Not a bad track here!

unity
this was some mean unity music im like yaa you know how it goes you know im like yaa this awesome i mean awesome just awsome fantastic even it was the complete aposite of baah i mean it was yaa i mean the song rough rider is so awsome just awsome fantastic even every time i listen to it im blow away im just goin yaa

Can't Stop Playing It.
I can't be as generous as some reviewers who gave this cd the full five stars, even though it lacks "Ranking Full Stop" and "Tears of A Clown". But I can't condemn it entirely either. This is still a great collection of beautifully crafted tunes. I keep coming back to this cd and I never tire of it. I don't think it's for nostalgic reasons: I have other cd's for that. Plainly, these are gorgeous tunes, better than most that came out that year. Atmospheric, alternating between the energetic ("Mirror in the Bathroom", "Twist and Crawl") and the moody (Dave Wakeling doing a beautiful [and underrated] version of Andy Williams' "Can't Get Used to Losing You"), these songs remain as vital as they were twenty-odd years ago. And Saxa... not enough can be said about his ability to fit his horn into any arrangement.

I would argue that English Beat was NOT the best ska band ever, only because they didn't really limit themselves to it. Too much is going on in these melodies. And if you were lucky enough to see them live, their improvisations were extremely complex. This is not to imply that ska is "simple", but it is a singular, distinct sound. English Beat had way too many sounds.

Ah -hem.......
What box o' rocks left off two of the best songs on this album? I would not buy this just out of spite to show WEA what a group of fools we are NOT.

This was THE "ska" album of it's time! It rocked my college campus for months & months on end. I LOVED it, and still do! Timeless! But not when some do-do does a hatchet job on it.

BIG sigh... ... Read more

Amazon.com

Virtually an institution after a decade on the scene, Boston's finest ska band continues to deliver an extreme adrenaline rush on its fifth album, which was produced by Paul Kolderie and Sean Slade. The metal edge in the Bosstone's particular brand of skacore comes further to the forefront this time, while songs such as "Noise Brigade" and "Royal Oil" rank among the catchiest they've recorded. And Nate Albert continues to carve out a new role for the guitar in ska-influenced music. Jim Derogatis ... Read more

Reviews (86)

Decent mainstream third-wave ska, but I've outgrown it.
Most third-wave ska is basically pop-punk with horns. The Mighty Mighty Bosstones are no exception to this rule. Most everything about Let's Face It is slick, homogenized, and safe.

The one thing that redeems the Bosstones from the rest of the soundalike third-wave ska refuse (Reel Big Fish, Less Than Jake, etc.) is a respectable horn section. They actually integrate the brass pretty well with the music in most of the songs (ex. The Rascal King, the title track) rather than just treating them like an add-on. However, the latter half of the album is more guitar-driven, and their take on punk is rather pedestrian. If it weren't for Dickey Barrett's distinctive raspy voice, this would be any other third-wave ska outfit.

I'll admit, I used to dig this band. But it doesn't take long to get tired of them or their contemporaries. Operation Ivy is the exception, and that's because they were a punk band first and a ska band second, rather than some half-arsed combination of the two. Get Op Ivy's single-disc compilation Energy, and you can safely write off third-wave ska after that. For real ska, you're better off checking out English two-tone (second-wave) bands such as the Specials and English Beat, or looking even further back to '60s bands like the Skatalites.

The Bosstones Drive It Home!
As a lifelong Bosstones fan, I can say that this album is one of the strongest I have ever heard by them. While Question the Answers is a killer CD with unbelievably catchy songs and high-tempo ska-core that you have come to expect from them, Let's Face It is a dominant force on the ska-core circuit. You get the whole shabang with this one. From the mellow "Royal Oil" and "Another Drinkin' Song" to the upbeat classic ska-core sound of "1-2-8" to the publicly acclaimed "The Impression that I Get" then onto the poignant lyrics of "Numbered Days" and the fun jumpy "That Bug Bit Me", this album is unparalleled by any other that Dicky and the boys have put out to date. Nothing against their other albums, but go out and buy this essential ska-core album.

Very energetic and catchy.
I only found out recently that the bosstones sang "The Impression that I get" I immediently had to have this cd. This cd is energetic and upbeat and fun to dance around to. It's a grat distraction from doing other less fun things like homework. Aside from "The Impression that I get" my favorite song on this cd is probably "The rascal king" this song is fun and happy and has a chorus thats fun to sing along with. Definetly check out this cd; these songs will be stuck in your head for days (and thats a good thing).

Not bad...not my favorite CD...but still fun to listen to.
Give ska a chance you might like it.

What a train wreck from a band with skatential.
This offering from the mighty mighty bosstones demonstrates how bad a ska/punk band can sound having said that the ska elements in this cd are nothing short of perfect with the first half of the album producing 5 star quality however then the rock comes and it's very poor punk rock at that, one minute the rascal king and impression that i get are getting your feet tapping and are great two tone songs then you get that bug bit me and songs of a low calibur, lets face it is an album that you really cant get into and will probably only listen to very rarely (unless you're hardcore MMB fans) in this way i feel it's similar to their first release which was equally as bad as it suffered the same flaws which was bad rock as oppose to great ska. I heard somebody saying how the skatalites and the toasters stole ideas from the mighty mighty bosstones which could'nt be further from the truth as they started before the bosstones and with that point made i would say i would recommened any other bosstones release to this and their first offering. ... Read more

Reviews (32)

3.5 Stars...
I don't want to dissuade ANYONE from buying this album because this IS a GREAT band and they deserve some recognition. I'll just say: If you are already a fan, don't expect this album to have the sudden shift from mellow-reggae-beats to crazy-surf-metal that appears on other albums. If you're not already a fan: I think that if you are a Long Beach Dub All Stars fan who thought the song "Sunny Hours" was TOTALLY AWESOME, then you'll probably dig this album. If you're looking for more surf/punk/reggae though, go with the other Slightly Stoopid album "Longest Barrel Ride".

Favorite song on this album: Runnin' with a Gun

"Everything you need" holds true to its title
Not a bad cd, thisis the only slightly stoopid album i own and i like it qutie a bit. But i would never listen to its for its 'punk' music. The reggage and easy listening music is great to listen to and their rendition of "leaving on a jet plane" is great. a must buy for long beach dub all star and sublime fans...but be open mindined!!! peace

really good
i wasnt expecting anything when i bought this and LBDA but much to my suprise this better than right back by lbda and one of my favorite albums it is a very chilled out cd i really dont think it sound very much like sublime my favorite songs are collie man and runnin with a gun

Big Disappointment
This is a major departure from the sounds that brought Slightly Stoopid success earlier in their career. Rather than picking up where Sublime left off, as would have ensured them a legion of fans, SS embark towards a horribly wrong sound. Instead of the sweet surf-reggae they are capable of, SS instead opt mostly for sub-par white rap, with a drum machine and acoustic guitars. This album was DEFINITELY over-produced, obvious just by looking at their official website as their bio boasts that 2003 would be a breakout year, demonstrating their expectations to make it big. Disappointing for them--disappointing for the listener. The punk rock songs are among the only high points, along with "Sweet Honey" and a cover of John Denver's "Leavin' On a Jet Plane", but there are no mid-tempo reggae/ska songs like with previous albums...just a handful of good-excellent songs entrenched in garbage. Not a very good album, coming from a very talented band.

Absolutely great
Overproduced? Come on, it's right on. Slightly Stoopid has finally reached their full potential with Everything You Need. Can't say enough about this album, but for a band who was missing a drummer, this may be about as superb a recording as you can get. I don't actually like every single song on this album, but they are all slickly recorded. A true shot in the arm for the reggae/ska movement among surf bands. Slightly Stoopid has wrestled away control over the movement from all other bands with this album. Great party album, great relaxing album, great album overall. Hold on because these fellas have a lot more left in them. Everything You Need may indeed be the end of the beginning for Slightly Stoopid. The title track, Officer, Killing me Deep Inside, Mellow Mood, Sweet Honey, well, I could go on, but the point is this album is chock full of masterpieces. I hope the band gets its just due with this effort, they deserve it. ... Read more

Amazon.com

This Southern California band certainly has reason to be in good spirits lately. Its fidgety brand of ska-punk went kaput a few years ago, and while they watched several of their contemporaries rinse away, the members of Reel Big Fish inexplicably now find themselves on the same label as platinum pop stars Britney Spears and 'N Sync. Good for them. Cheer Up! is the kind of feisty, kinetic album that people stopped making years ago--"Ban the Tubetop" is pure Oingo Boingo frivolity, "What Are Friends For" revisits the tubular splendor of Fishbone, while "Good Thing" wouldn't sound entirely out of place on a vintage Elvis Costello disc. Not quite as knowingly hip as Sum 41, and clearly not as commercially savvy as No Doubt, Reel Big Fish occupy a precarious position, and they know it. The intro to "Where Have You Been?," the closest thing they have going to a Blink-182 song, features an answering-machine message left by a disgruntled record company employee begging for just one "modern rock" single. As if.--Aidin Vaziri ... Read more

Reviews (89)

RBF continues to grow
Since the first day I heard them on the internet and one morning waking up for work and hearing Sell Out being played on the radio, I have been a huge fan.

This album just blew me away. Yes, there is less of the ska influence and a move towards power pop, but power pop with horns. Unlike the feeling of some other reviewers, I don't feel they have lost their sense of humor at all. 'Rock and Roll is Bitchin'' is one of the funniest songs I've heard outside of 'This is Spinal Tap', 'Ban the Tubetop' and 'Dateless Loser' along with the majority of the rest of the tracks have a sense of humor that is is just as funny as the old stuff, but with a sense of maturity that is also evident in their musicianship, and who gives a [***]if they don't swear as much...that's already overdone and old...the shock value is gone and it's time to play the music.
The variety of styles blends seamlessly in this album and I hope it won't be another 4 years to hear something else from this talented band. 'Turn the Radio Off' is still one of my most played CD's and along with the rest of the RBF catalog, 'Cheer Up' is a more than welcome addition.

Forget what you THOUGHT you knew about Reel Big Fish...
well, not really. dont forget, but keep your mind open as you scramble to the record store to buy this fabulous album. no joke, this album really hits the mark. to me, if a record is good, it's songs will stick in your head, it will make you laugh at some point, and the musicians are actually talented, not just yelling or playing messy guitar.
this album delivers, point blank. the vocals, provided by a surprisingly talented Aaron Barrett, give the whole cd a polished and professional feel. his writing and vocal style (jazz to punk to classical to funk) constitutes opening an "aaron barrett vocal school" that all other ska band singers should enroll in. the horns, bass, guitars, drums and keyboard blend perfectly together, almost like one person is playing all of them on one mega-super musical instrument. it really is amazing!

personal favorites include:

Suckers- a hilarious romp of an "i hate love" song that is half a joke and half serious

What are friends for- intelligent lyrics, plus a beat that makes me wanna dance. and i hate to dance, people!

New york, new york- a great acapella version of the frank classic. singing, drums, and horns all done by the human mouth!

Dateless losers- someone finally wrote a song about my life! thanks guys.

Boss dj- a killer sublime cover done up reggae-style. its quite a good song, trust me. makes you jive in the car.

once more, buy this album and make good use of your money. this music can make you feel justified, happy, listless, and satisfied.

How can I "Cheer Up" when listening to this album.
It really suprises me when people say that this is the best album by RBF. Maybe this is my opinion, but i don't buy RBF CDs to get cheap sounding ska-pop, I buy RBF for the good ska, good lyrics. I don't really care for the cutesy, popish lyrics and this album is not one you can skank to, either. The guys in RBF are some of the most talented musicians out there, i just think that in this album they catered more to the mainstream pop instead of giving us old RBF fans something to skank to and enjoy like previous albums. I am hoping that the next album will be a return to a sound similar to their previous albums.

ALPHA-BETA-GAMMA IS REVEIWING "CHEER UP"
I AM SURE THERE IS A SONG THAT ATLEAST ONE PERSON LIKES.FROM THE JAZZY TRUMPETS TO THE PUNK,THERE IS SOMETHING EVERYBODY WOULD LOVE.THERE ARE SOME ALBUMS THAT HAVE ONE OR TWO GOOD SONGS ONLY.BUT THIS ONE IS INCREDIBLE.THERE ARE 16 SONGS ON THIS ALBUM AND THERE ARE ONLY TWO THAT I DONT LIKE.THE REST ARE AWESOME.BUY THIS.

Not their old stuff, but is that a bad thing?
First of all, I'd like to address all those people who think this album sucks. Obviously you haven't heard anything on this album because the sound quality is amazing. I say this as a musician, so I think my opinion is as valid as any other person's. The harmonies are perfect and the overall sound is tight, crisp, and clear. Not to mention the overall music talent that this amazing group possesses. To go from a so-called "true ska band" to an a-capella group is pretty damn amazing, if you ask me. So what if they sound like a pop/punk band? Their sound quality has, in my opinion, improved over the years. They've also been good at adapting to the constantly-changing music atmosphere. Some of the greatest bands/musicians of our time have been able to accomplish that. Shall I name a few? Let's see, now. Billy Joel, Aerosmith, Carlos Santana, Metallica (although much less well-received than some of the others I've mentioned), Bruce Springstein, and the list goes on. The fact that they have the ability to change their sound is testament to the kind of band that they are. Ska isn't anywhere near as popular as it was a few years ago, and RBF obviously needed to tweak their sound in order to stay afloat. And they've succeeded. Let's see what their next album brings. I'm a huge fan of Turn the Radio Off and Why Do They Rock So Hard, and frankly, I was happy to hear something new from them. Those people who think this album sucks simply want to hear the old stuff. But that music isn't popular anymore. Ska doesn't have a market like it used to. So don't punish a band for sounding good. If you have an appreciation for good music, then definitely get this album. ... Read more

Amazon.com

This successor to the band's promising It Means Everything debut album finds Save Ferris in a similar bind to that encountered by their Orange County brethren in No Doubt. Specifically: how to follow up on the success of a ska-pop breakthrough when the style itself has faded commercially. Modified is a more uneven collection than its predecessor, even though Monique Powell (a less-mannered vocalist than Gwen Stefani) shines on the reggae-tinged title track and the band deserves credit for stretching out its musical vocabulary on the trip-hoppy "One More Try." But, like many major-label sophomore outings, the album as a whole feels underinspired and overhurried. --Bill Forman ... Read more

Reviews (54)

Someone, PLEASE, Save Ferris!
Okay, so I have to admit, I love Save Ferris, and I probably only gave this album three stars because I felt sorry for Monique and the boys. 'It Means Everything' was an incredibly energetic and fun CD, a perfect blend of bouncy ska and sleek big band-type backgrounds on some songs. I gave 'Modified' a listen and couldn't get through it! What had happened to my wonderous band? Why did their record label try to turn them into another No Doubt? Don't get me wrong; No Doubt is great too, but they were something completely different than Save Ferris to start with. If you want something that sounds like No Doubt, buy their CDs. If you want something that sounds like what Save Ferris should be, with Monique Powell's enthusiastic vocals and songs that make you want to hop up and down with joy, buy 'It Means Everything' instead. Don't waste your time with this trying-to-make-one-girl-ska-singer-sound like another one business.

All-round Great
Although many compare this album to their debut (and ultimately find it disappointing), I think it has turned out to be an all-round better piece of work. Modified gives the listener a taste of different music, from Turn It Up's upbeat ska-pop to Let Me In's extremely touching style. All around, shows that the group can be versatile, and has the best of their songs.

The best
This is the ultimate everything CD. You can work out to it, dance to it, realate to it, sing along,(I could go on forever). Modified is energy, power,fun, great vocals, and music packed in one and you don't often find CDs like this. It starts off with a bang: 'Turn it up' which is exactly what songs on this CD have become to me. The songs are just pure fun and you'll never find another CD like this. Monique Powell's voice is just awesome...no one else can sing like her. She's got a strong, happy, and undescibably good voice. The bonus track is wonderful too. Just wait a minute or so after the CD ends... you'll be so glad you did. Use your head and get this CD! You'll be mad at yourself that you didn't buy this sooner, so get shoppin'!

Just Short of True Brilliance..
I wasn't really sure what to expect from Save Ferris. It was a band I only began listening to a few months ago and only a few random things here and there- B-sides such as "Support Your Local Ska Band," their works with Reel Big Fish, and their biggest hit, the "Come On Eileen" cover- so I was very excited to try an album without knowing what to expect.

For what it's worth, the band has a very distinctive style- not a distinctive SOUND but a distinctive way of approaching a song- instead of the No Doubt cookie-cutter factory-sealed-and-pressed radio-friendly ska-pop, Save Ferris definitely do their own thing. They produce an album that covers very human and common things- deteriorating friendships, loss of love, recovery from life's dark periods- and they cover those things in a fresh and fun approach, usually upbeat and almost never too sad.

The problem is that they strive for their difference. It's not a natural sound, it's forced. They wanted to be the creative ska band, true to their ska roots on their follow up.

They fell a bit short. I haven't heard all of the first album, but there are few horns heard throughout the course of the tracks. Isn't a horn section a requirement of all proper ska bands? Did I miss something? I have to admit they make their point and they prove their creativity with tracks like "Your Friend" and "Modified," but they just don't have what it takes in other songs.

It's a good album if you want to try something uplifting and different from the bland over-stated alternative rock of today. If you're looking for something that's going to shake up your outlook on life, though, this really isn't that thought-provoking or insightful. I was disappointed.

No Complaints; An Excellent Sophomore Follow-Up
Do you like No Doubt, Letters to Cleo, Reel Big Fish or even (slight stretch) the Barenaked Ladies? If so, there isn't a chance you won't just flip over Modified, or the band who owns it's rights. You will probably also run out and buy "It Means Everything" and note, idly, that the two albums are quite different, but not so much so that you dont recognize their core sound. Both albums are great, and truly if I had to pick my favorite of the two, I like Modified better, not because it's any better or because its more ska or whatnot; i believe it's a personal choice. Either album would be a good introduction to Save Ferris. ... Read more

Reviews (91)

This CD is simply AMAZING! One of the best ska CDs ever!
FIF are absolutely amazing and the CD is some of the best proof of that! My friend from Colorado (who actually knows them) pressured me to buy this CD 6 or 7 months ago and I was so impressed by its Christian message mixed with amazing music that I now own all their CDs. The only thing I've ever heard anyone say that's bad about their CD is that the lyrics are pointless. LOOK AGAIN! Nearly every one of their songs has a message if you truly look at it. Suckerpunch is about how God is there for us no matter who we are; Banner Year is about how the US Government betrayed the Native Americans; Handbook for a Sellout is about how people associate popularity with selling out; and Every New Day is the most powerful song on the CD about how a man's faith in God has changed over the years. The list goes on. If you're looking for a good ska band, buy this. If you're looking for a good Christian band, buy this. If you're looking for a band with a message, buy this. Simply, an incredible CD.

This is the best FIF cd ever
I never skip a song on this album so let me help you out.
Handbook for the Sellout - A great start pulls you into the album makes you keep listening. 10th best on cd.
Where is Micah? - A very well written song about their guitar player being late. 8th best on cd.
Superpowers - A funny song with weird lyrics but a great bass rythum. You'll listen to it for a while. 6th best on cd.
Fistful of Sand - A very very very extra good song. Great lyrics, great tune, only one song is better. 2nd best on cd.
Suckerpunch - Just plain funny. Also has a good tune. It's about a young 7th grade geek. 7th best on cd.
Kitty Doggy - A raw recording. Very stupid, it'll leave you puzzled.
Blue Comb '78 - A funny song about Reese's sister throwing his comb on to the highway. 9th best on cd.
Banner Year - Just plain great. 5th best on cd.
Second Season - Very good. Like a better sequel to Banner Year. 4th best on cd.
Litmus - A great song, but it all sounds the same. 12th best on cd.
Oh, Canada - Another funny/weird song about going and leaving Canada. Not to great. 11th best on cd.
Most Likely to Succeed - About the winner of the high school senior superlative. It is just plain good. Great tune and better lyrics make it 3rd best on cd.
Every New Day - THE BEST FIF SONG EVER!!! Can't describe how great it is. Best on cd.

It all began with this album
It all started when i was bored and went rummaging through my brother's CDs. As a pre-teen i hadn't found a kind of music i particularly liked but i remembered my brother getting Newest Album Ever as a present so i listened to it - and fell in love with Five Iron Frenzy. I thought it was so kool that a rock band had horn instruments. 5-Iron is definitely my favorite band and Newest Album Ever is very nearly my favorite album. You can't go wrong with the subtle humor in Suckerpunch and Superpowers and the hard rocking of Handbook For The Sellout and Fistful of Sand. Plus FIF goes all out in their love for God with Every New Day, one of the best songs i've ever heard. BUY THIS ALBUM U WILL NOT REGRET IT - SKA ALL THE WAY

very very awesome
I have been listneting to ska for a very long time and I havn't been able to find what I really like until I found five iron frenzy. This is a great CD. I love almost every track and would recommend anyone to buy this no matter what the cost. Even if you don't like ska music this is very fun and good music. Great buy

our BEST album ever!
this album is one of the best albums ever in my mind, both musically and lyrically. not only did it convey their message in a positive and ever evident way, it also successfully challenges the media, something that mainstream bands TRY and attempt today, but only come away from looking incredibly hypocritical. alas.. that is a whole other story for me! anyway.. being an avid FIF fan i would definately have to agree that this was both their "newest album ever" AND their best album ever. If you are a FIF virgin this is a great first album and contains many of the songs that are FIF classics. ... Read more

Amazon.com essential recording

When Bob Marley and the Wailers recorded their legendary 1975 London gig,little did they know of its lasting power. From the opening shuffles of "TrenchtownRock" to the rabble-rousing "Get Up, Stand Up," this brief recording captured Marley'scombo of critical invective and languid musical power. The rhythm team of Aston andCarlton Barrett make time-keeping splendidly melodic as Marley's gently scouring voicegets woven in with his backup vocalists in a mellowly dazzling display. On fire, the bandjumps into the discovery of its power without regard to keeping the songs tidy orreflective of anything other than the moment of execution. No matter the years betweenits original release and the present, this recording will always breathe. BetweenLive! and the later, longer Babylon by Bus, Bob Marleyshowed categorical know-how in the art of executing state-of-the-art performances in theera of arena rock's supremacy. --Andrew Bartlett ... Read more

Reviews (16)

One of the best live albums I've ever heard
Bob Marley and the Wailers were really on that night in London in 1975. Like many great live albums in the pantheon of rock music they were able to find their groove early on and it does not stop until the very end of the album. Bob's singing is as passionate and heartfelt as a blues singer and often times is even more so. His "sisters," the female back-up singers, only enhance the songs because their voices are so beautiful. The guitar and bass playing is, with most reggae, rythmic and melodic and it's impossible to keep from nodding your head or tapping your feet to the beat. The guitar player pulls off some really great solos that once again only enhances the feeling of the song. The organ is rythmic and improves the already incredibly tight sound of the rythm section. It was at this gig that the legendary live recording of "No Woman No Cry" took place. Perhaps even more impressive is "Get up, stand up" which makes you want to start your own revolution against crooked politicians and everything else that is wrong with this world. "Stand up for your right"... that's damn right, Bob. My favourite tracks have to be "Trenchtown Rock," a perfect opening track, "Lively up yourself," "Get up, stand up," and a SWEET song called "Kinky Reggae." The bass playing on that song just makes me wanna cry from joy it is so good. Even though it goes without saying, buy this album as soon as possible. One Love.

Wish I Was There
When Bob Marley passed away in 1981, I was only three years old. So I never had a chance to see this great man perform live but this CD showcases his talent and takes me there. The sound of this remastered CD is excellent. The set, though pretty short at 45min, includes great performances..Trenchtown Rock, No Woman, No Cry(also featured on Legend), and the bonus cut Kinky Reggae (an underrated Marley cut). So for those of us who never saw this man live...this is the next best thing. Oh yeah....play this record loud! We miss you Bob....hope your in a safe place.

One good thing about music...when it hits you feel no pain
There is something both magic and tragic about live recordings. The magic is that a performance is captured and bottled for future generations to experience. What's tragic, is that those future generations are only offered a small part of the live experience. The pallet is only whetted just enough to make the listener say "I wish I had been there to see it and hear it-to feel it FOR REAL."
Bob Marley and the Wailers Live! is one of the few live albums I've heard that transcends time and is able to deliver everything but the visuals of being at a live Marley performance. According to the recording, Marley and company were one hell of a live act. Every track bounces and grooves. All of the songs are classic live album fare-in that they're long, extended jams of Marley's best hits. Unlike most bands, however, these jams are listenable and welcomed. "No Woman, No Cry" and "Get Up, Stand Up" soar with a sonic majesty most other artists cannot achieve in the studio, let alone live on stage.
Live! takes no time in getting the vibes going, "Trenchtown Rock" opens the set, in it Marley pretty much sets the stage for the rest of the album singing "One good thing about music, when it hits you feel no pain." Indeed. The lyrics are powerful and yet at the same time very simple. Every word uttered, but Marley or his backup singers, is delivered with much honesty. A healthy mix of songs-love, feeling good, and politics permeate throughout. All the things Marley was (and still is) are represented equally.
Upon the third (or was it the fourth?) listen, I began to more fully appreciate the album's musicianship. The bass is kickin' and the organ hums beautifully. But best yet...the guitars are funky. Everyone on the recording is the same caliber as Marley and should be commended for helping to create not only one of the greatest live albums of all times...but also one of the greatest albums of all time. Marley may be many things to many people, but Live! proves beyond a shadow of a doubt that Marley was, at the end of the day, a Rock Star and the King of Reggae. This should be required listening for anyone wanting to write, perform, or listen to any kind of music.

LIVEly up your self
I consider this to be one of Bob marley's best cds.The cd starts off with the incredibly moving trenchtown rock.Then you have an excellent rendition of Burnin and Lootin. Them belly full is an incredibly energetic song. Next,is a totally groovin' lively up yourself. no woman no cry is a slow song but has to be considered one of marleys best and this is by far the best version of it.I shot the sheriff and Get up stand up would be without a doubt their best editions also if Peter Tosh was with him.Then you have a fun and fast kinky reggae. this cd shows how much marley loved making this music. I would reccomend this cd to anyone because it is definetly not just for hardcore marley fans like myself.

"One Good Thing About Music...
...when it hits, you feel no pain."

From the opening notes of "Trenchtown Rock" to the end of "Get Up, Stand Up" (I do not have the remastered version w/ "Kinky Reggae"), Bob Marley and the Wailers weave a tight infectious groove that must have been amazing to witness live. Recorded in 1975, the band is clearly "into it" and they deliver definitive versions of some of their best-known tunes up to that point.

While short by today's standards, Live! is superior to the more lengthy, but not quite as strong, Babylon by Bus. There is not a weak track in the bunch. "Trenchtown Rock" is a great opener and "No Woman, No Cry" is an absolute show-stopper.

In short, this is a tremendous CD..."so hit me with music..." ... Read more