Album sure to 'Cheer Up' anxious fans

Cheer Up
Reel Big Fish
Mojo/ Jive Records It's funny how four years out of the limelight can change a band. The last time Reel Big Fish was hot they had their first and only hit song (remember the ironic "Sell Out?"), were riding the success of a top 100 album and trying their hardest to regain some MTV-slain 'street cred' enjoyed by all those in So-Cal ska/punk obscurity. Like many before them, RBF seized the opportunity to discount their pop image and remind their fans that they could still rock on their subsequent album, Why Do They Rock So Hard? It was loud, bitter and fun with just enough inaccessibility to stay away from the mainstream and help them slip back into the shadows. For a long time fans have been saying, "You know, Reel Big Fish, the guys who did 'Sell Out.'" RBF knows this, and it shows. On their new album, aptly titled Cheer Up, RBF seems to have done just that, and in the process, created a playful and entertaining collection of ska/punk melodies. The band has always had a real knack for catchy pop hooks, and Cheer Up is no exception. It is a bit more mature and toned down compared to their past work (which may alienate some die-hard fans), but lends itself more to intricacy and form. On Cheer Up, RBF has placed more emphasis on melody and harmony, allowing frontman Aaron Barrett to shine with great support from the backing vocals and horn lines. Cheer Up maintains a nice mix of styles. There is everything from the growling punk guitar tracks of "Brand New Hero," "Where Have You Been?"and the title song (that leads one to believe their recent tour with Goldfinger provided some musical inspiration) to the RBF classic, screaming horn-laden "Good Thing," "Suckers," and "What Are Friends For." And it's all quite consistent. The whole thing is incredibly infectious and is one of the few albums from the past year that gets better and better with every listen. It's a great summer album and their best release to date. Hey, it certainly cheered me up.