Sunny outlook for a rainy day

Reel Big Fish is at it again! Punk Ska hasn’t been the most popular genre these days, but Reel Big Fish has been one of the biggest names to survive from the mid-’90s. Their latest effort doesn’t disappoint, giving hope and leading the charge into the inevitable fourth wave of Ska. Although the group has gone through many band member changes, lead singer and guitarist Aaron Barrett’s continued presence gives the group a consistency that has led them down a good path.

This record preaches a theme of acknowledgment. Its songs tell the listeners to acknowledge the hard times in life, but choose to be happy. The theme of striving for better times comes across very strong across this record and is easy to relate to. The album title, Life Sucks… Let’s Dance!, and even the album artwork coincides very well with this central theme as well. It is as if this album is designed to help cheer up a friend going through a tough time. The simplicity and straightforwardness of the album really work for it.

Even though the music style is simplistic and catchy, there is real depth to the lyrics. Take the lyrics from their first single, “You Can’t Have All of Me”, for example:

“You can’t have all of me; my boss, my job, my family
You cant have all of me; I need a little for myself.
You cant have all of me; my soul, my time and my money
You cant have all of me; I need a little for myself.

Now I’m spread too thin. There’s not much left of me.
I’m like a skeleton; the vultures pick my bones clean.
And all these vampires have got me bleeding out.
Well they keep taking more and I have to go without.
And all these obligations, well they just keep coming
Won’t be long until I’m all used up, then I got nothing.”

Knowing the band’s past complications with members leaving, as well as their move to their own record label in 2006, it is clear that this song is revealing Barrett’s personal struggles with the group.

“The Good Old Days” is a bouncy happy sounding track, but when you think about the lyrics, they reveal a lot of Barrett’s relatable outlook on life. Through the painful nostalgia of better times, it is good to realize and appreciate what you have now. Live life in the present.

“G.D. Beautiful Day” is ironically hilarious! Imagine your world falling apart, but through Barrett’s rose-colored glasses you can still find a reason to smile. His charm works very well on this track. The song is light and funny in its own way. It is also uniquely uplifting in a surprisingly emotional way. One might say it is borderline therapeutic.

Overall, the album was very enjoyable and has a strong central theme. Despite its light-hearted tone, it touches on some thought-provoking subjects that are worded in a very relatable way.