The Orange County, CA ska band release their first album in three years and their seventh studio album overall.
I won't lie--it has been a while since I listened to a Reel Big Fish album. Like most people, I first became aware of the band in the late 90's when their hit "Sell Out" first started getting mass airplay.
Despite living in the same area, the band had somehow fallen from my consciousness as they moved away from the major labels and started releasing stuff on their independent label. Now let's find out if their new release trumpets a return to what made them big or if they should be fading away gracefully.
I'm happy to report that here is a lot of good stuff on their latest release with their signature humor flowing freely on the album buoyed by some of the most danceable ska music I've heard in years.
The fun starts right off the bat with the joyous "Everyone Else Is an Asshole," which sweeps you along with its blaring horns, loud chorus and big hook, and continues over the 14-track release all the way through to the last song, a cover of Depeche Mode's "I Promise You" (misnamed "The Promise" on the album).
Candy Coated Fury is not the deepest album you'll hear this summer but it is one of the more fun ones. Reel Big Fish is able to recapture the joy I found in their music back when I was in college and that is no small feat.
Score: 7.5/10
Song(s) to Sample: "Everyone Else Is an Asshole", "Don't Let Me Down Gently" and "Hiding in My Headphones"
The soundtrack to the remake of a "classic" 1976 film that stars Jordin Sparks, Whitney Houston, Cee Lo Green, and Mike Epps.
The original film's soundtrack, four of whose songs appear on this version, was written and produced by Curtis Mayfield with Aretha Franklin providing the album's vocals (although Irene Cara starred in and sang her own parts for the movie). Additional tracks for the new version is written and arranged by R. Kelly.
Of course, none of those stars, despite their prominence and commercial appeal, are the draws of this album since it also features two new songs from the late, great Whitney Houston.
Since the Houston songs will get the most attention, let's get those out the way first. "His Eye Is On The Sparrow" is a slow, organ-driven gospel ballad where Houston's vocals sound slightly strained although there is no doubt she could still belt out a run with maximum power. "Celebrate" on the other hand is a catchy R&B duet with Jordin Sparks where R. Kelly creates a jaunty and inviting melody that empowers Sparks and Houston's vocals without overpowering them.
Despite the praise worthy "Celebrate," the most memorable tracks on the album don't feature Houston. Cee Lo Green has a lot of fun with the throwback R. Kelly penned song (the movie is set in the late 60's and early 70's) "I'm A Man" which has the bombastic horns that you would find from Motown songs from that era and Green's always fun vocal style.
Relative newcomer Carmen Ejogo also shines on her R. Kelly written tracks with sublime vocals that harken back to some of the best from that time like Martha Reeves. She also does a solid job as the main vocalist on the tracks that return from original film's soundtrack.
Overall, Sparkle will have a good soundtrack accompanying the film that feature lots of songs that are reminiscent of the R&B hits from its defining decade. Houston's tracks will understandably get all the press but it's the lesser publicized tracks that deserves to get the attention including some breakout songs featuring Ejogo.
Score: 8.5/10
Song(s) to Sample: "I'm A Man", "Yes I Do" and "Celebrate"
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