The Show Must Go Off DVD,
Reel Big FishKung Fu are certainly having a go at pushing the punk DVD, with the 8th release of the 'Show Must Go Off' series featuring Californian ska-punk heroes Reel Big Fish. It doesn't matter if this is any good or not because fans will quite rightly lap it up, but the disc features a 20-song live show filmed at the House of Blues last year. Incidentally, the gig is also drummer Carlos' last show. So, we have the usual madcap and zany RBF live show documented on one shiny disc. If you've never seen RBF before this is essential stuff, but if like me you have seen them three or four times, it's a little cumbersome and predictable. The jokes are worn and have been seen before and the energy levels aren't quite what they were a few years ago. Aaron and Scott are back on top form but they draw things out far too much by talking complete crap, not just at the end of each song but also in the middle of the tracks. It's annoying, especially during the likes of 'Beer'.
Things start badly with the out of tune 'Alternative Baby', but then when Aaron's guitar lead comes out the band start again and things sound much better. There's plenty of brass, the drums sound good and Aaron is an inventive guitarist, so musically it's pretty much up to scratch. The setlist itself also takes in all three albums, not neglecting their older material, which frankly dumps on that of 'Cheer Up' from a great height. Having said that 'Ban the Tube Top' comes across really well and 'Thank You For Not Moshing' is a welcome addition. It's one of my favourite RBF songs, so kudos just for including this track. 'Everything Sucks' is fantastic and 'Scott's A Dork' is fun too, but 'She Has A Girlfriend Now' really lacks the female vocal - Scott simply cannot pull it off convincingly.
'Good Thing' and 'Where Have You Been?' are possibly the best two songs on 'Cheer Up' so their inclusion is welcomed, but it's the old favourites that come off best with 'Beer', 'All I Want Is More' and 'Sell Out' making this DVD work so well. Things finish with a chaotic 'Take On Me', which although gets the band excited it seems to have left the US audience in a daze. At over 90 minutes in length it's a weighty set, but the fans never really seem to get into it. The extras on this disc are much better than the average SMGO effort, with photo galleries, commentaries, multi-angle options and documentaries backstage. It's nothing new and amazing but all the basics are there. Let's face it, once you've seen them you probably won't need to watch them again.
However, it's all a little predictable. The break-downs and jokes have all been seen before and the obligatory Carlos speech comes just before the encore, as usual. Fans of RBF need this disc because it's going to be the closest thing to actually seeing them in the flesh. It is a little tired and the energy levels can be questioned, but all the 'hits' are present and correct and it is the best in the series so far so you most probably won't be disappointed.
www.kungfurecords.com
Paul
