After a 6 year album hiatus after 2012’s “Candy Coated Fury”, Reel Big Fish have managed to continue touring nonstop while also making the time to record their latest effort “Life Sucks…Let’s Dance”.
From the kickoff with songs “Life Sucks…Let’s Dance” and “Pissed Off” we are instantly treated to that Reel Big Fish wave of ska they’ve come to perfect over their career. “Pissed Off” even shows off a more aggressive side of the band on this album.
“You Can’t Have All Of Me”, which was the single released before the album is a standout for sure. It’s easy to tell why it as chose as the single as it is your standout RBF song in nearly every aspect and will leave you singing the chorus even after it ends. “In Love Again” is a faster song on the album and will have you wanting to move your feet and skank along with the band.
“Bob Marleys Toe” is a tribute to the reggae legend and has a more reggae feel to it. While I like what they were trying to do with this I just couldn’t get into it. For one major thing it feels extremely out of place on the album and is stuck behind two great faster songs and can kill the pacing the album has going for it.
Also not the biggest fan of album closer “Walters Highlife” about Walter the dog who travels with the band. Its an instrumental song and has a more islander feel to it and while it could be a more relaxing way to finish out the album it just didn’t sit right with me.
My only other complaint with this album is that it feels too long. At 14 songs they could have easily have taken out 4 or so songs and used them as an EP. While most the songs are great RBF songs it just starts to drag towards the end with the run time here. Sometimes shorter is better.
Overall if you are a RBF fan you’ll love this album. RBF continue to show why they have a long lasting career that shows no signs of stopping. Minus two songs that I just felt didn’t fit on the album this is a solid skank filled dance fest of upbeat and catchy ska music for all.
Score : 8/10
Advanced copy provided by Rock Ridge Music
