SOUNDTRACK: FISHBONE-The Reality of My Surroundings (1991).
This was my first real exposure to Fishbone (except for John Cusack wearing the fish skeleton shirt in Say Anything, of course–which, no images available on the web? How is that possible?). At 60 minutes it’s one of the first really long alternative discs to come out. It does run a little long, but there’s so much packed into it that it’s easy to forgive their self indulgences.
Reality starts with the heavy, thrashy “Fight the Youth” an amazing guitar workout. It’s almost not the same band as on Truth and Soul, except that all the Fishbone elements are still in there. I listened to this album a lot in college. I distinctly recall singing the line “Dooooo the Howwwwssssswork!” from “Housework” a fun return to the Fishbone of old.
But two other big highlights come near the end: “Everyday Sunshine” is just a beautiful song. But even that doesn’t compare to “Sunless Saturday” a fantastic catchy and wonderful song. It starts like a ballad but turns into a speedy rocker by the end, never too heavy, just perfect for what should have been a massive single.
The album has 18 songs, and interspersed throughout are silly songs that are about a minute each. “Asswhippin” is 37 second of well, asswhippin. But it’s the 4 “If I Were A…I’d” pieces that shows the band taking things they dislike and throwing them into a thrash song explaining what they’d do. They were always fun back in the day, and even though, as songs, they are pretty silly, I enjoyed hearing them again.
This is a pretty massive record, and will always remain a favorite for me.
[READ: December 26, 2008] Practical Demonkeeping
After reviewing You Suck, I was inspired to read some more Christopher Moore (even though I have SO MANY OTHER books to read). Anyhow, I put this book (his first) on hold, and it came much sooner than I expected. So, I decided to read this one instead of what’s next on my list.
But anyhow.
This book is set in Pine Cove, California. A tourist trap that prides itself on being touristy. As the book opens, one of Pine Cove’s residents is driving The Breeze around town looking for action. The Breeze is a small time drug dealer and trailer resident awaiting his big score tomorrow. And so, he is obviously bummed not to make it through the night when he is swallowed by a giant demon. (more…)
SOUNDTRACK: FOXBORO HOT TUBS-Stop Drop & Roll!!! (2008)
This is the least cleverly concealed “side-project” in rock history. At this point Billie-Joe Armstrong’s voice is so recognizable, that it’s impossible for him to hide. But Foxboro Hot Tubs were a way for Green Day to release something different after their mega-successful American Idiot album.
I Just Read About That... 