SpenniesFishbone - TROMS
June 6th 2006 03:34
*FISHBONE – The Reality of My Surroundings* (1991)
Sony Records
Produced by: David Kahn & Fishbone
(click for purchasing details and song samples)
This was the seminal black funk/rock/ska/funk/metal/whatever band’s fourth album, and was released at a time when popular music was taking a mighty shift. Bands who were at the top of the trends in the 80’s such as Motley Crue and Skid Row were being replaced by a new generation of down-beat grunge stars (Nirvana, Pearl Jam) and to a lesser extent, funk-rock (Rage Against the Machine, Red Hot Chili Peppers) – and then smack-bang in the middle was Fishbone. Having started out as a high school band in the early 80’s playing mainly ska, the now 7-piece had built up a steady following throughout the previous decade with their fun hybrid of energetic, unique genre-hopping.
TROMS highlighted a real turning point – whereas previous releases had been fun, upbeat and humorous – this album was darker, featured much heavier songs and blended everything the band had done into 18 tracks of socially aware funk-rock mania. The singles “Sunless Saturday” and “Fight the Youth” are anthemic and dark, highlighting the songwriting skills of guitarist Kendall Jones, while the other single “Everyday Sunshine” is an uplifting funky soul number, reminiscent of Sly & the Family Stone. The album from start to finish is a cacophony of heavy metal guitars, funk bass and drums, blaring brass and soulful vocals. Songs like “Pressure” and “Behavior Control Technician” are heavy, aggressive numbers which intersperse with the reggae-tinged “Pray to the Junkiemaker” and the funk/ska of “Housework.”
Unfortunately, as much praise as the album gained at the time of release, it is regarded as most as the last great Fishbone album, as inner turmoil and management issues would haunt the band for most of the rest of their career. They have managed to stay together through different lineups over the years, but have never regained the popularity they once had (even Prince once cited Fishbone as his favourite band!).
Overall, TROMS is a phenomenal album – it was as groundbreaking for the time as any other successful releases, and in terms of creativity, blows bands like the Red Hot Chili Peppers and Nirvana out of the water.
Sony Records
Produced by: David Kahn & Fishbone
This was the seminal black funk/rock/ska/funk/metal/whatever band’s fourth album, and was released at a time when popular music was taking a mighty shift. Bands who were at the top of the trends in the 80’s such as Motley Crue and Skid Row were being replaced by a new generation of down-beat grunge stars (Nirvana, Pearl Jam) and to a lesser extent, funk-rock (Rage Against the Machine, Red Hot Chili Peppers) – and then smack-bang in the middle was Fishbone. Having started out as a high school band in the early 80’s playing mainly ska, the now 7-piece had built up a steady following throughout the previous decade with their fun hybrid of energetic, unique genre-hopping.
TROMS highlighted a real turning point – whereas previous releases had been fun, upbeat and humorous – this album was darker, featured much heavier songs and blended everything the band had done into 18 tracks of socially aware funk-rock mania. The singles “Sunless Saturday” and “Fight the Youth” are anthemic and dark, highlighting the songwriting skills of guitarist Kendall Jones, while the other single “Everyday Sunshine” is an uplifting funky soul number, reminiscent of Sly & the Family Stone. The album from start to finish is a cacophony of heavy metal guitars, funk bass and drums, blaring brass and soulful vocals. Songs like “Pressure” and “Behavior Control Technician” are heavy, aggressive numbers which intersperse with the reggae-tinged “Pray to the Junkiemaker” and the funk/ska of “Housework.”
Unfortunately, as much praise as the album gained at the time of release, it is regarded as most as the last great Fishbone album, as inner turmoil and management issues would haunt the band for most of the rest of their career. They have managed to stay together through different lineups over the years, but have never regained the popularity they once had (even Prince once cited Fishbone as his favourite band!).
Overall, TROMS is a phenomenal album – it was as groundbreaking for the time as any other successful releases, and in terms of creativity, blows bands like the Red Hot Chili Peppers and Nirvana out of the water.
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