Artist: Fishbone Album: In Your Face

Year: 1986
Duration: 0:0-1

A Critical Review of Fishbone's Album In Your Face

Fishbone, a band known for their unique integration of punk, ska, funk, and rock music, released their fifth studio album In Your Face in 1986. The album is a testament to the band’s musicianship and creativity, with its unique sound and socially conscious lyrics. In this blog post, we will delve into the history of Fishbone, the music genre of In Your Face, the best songs of the album, the most innovative parts, and a critic review of the album.

To understand Fishbone, one needs to go back to the late '70s, where the band was formed in Los Angeles. The band's founding members, Angelo Moore (vocals/saxophone), Kendall Jones (guitar), and Norwood Fisher (bass) had a shared love for punk, funk, and reggae music, creating the beginnings of their unique sound. In the years following the formation, the band added more members, each contributing to the band's musical palette. Fishbone is known for their engaging live performances that showcase their talented musicianship and theatricality.

In Your Face is a melding of different genres that the band is known for; punk, ska, funk, and rock. Every song on the album is a showcase of the band's musical prowess, with influences ranging from the Red Hot Chili Peppers to James Brown. The album addresses socio-political issues prevalent in the '80s, such as racism, urban decay, and police brutality, with a ferocity that is both thought-provoking and toe-tapping.

The best songs on the album are When Problems Arise, Bonin' in the Boneyard, and Ghetto Soundwave. When Problems Arise is a funk-driven track that addresses the inherent issues in human relations. Bonin' in the Boneyard is an upbeat track that blends punk and ska music and speaks to the band's philosophy of living life to the fullest. Ghetto Soundwave is a socially conscious track that uses the metaphor of a radio station to express the plight of the marginalized in society.

The most innovative part of In Your Face is the exploration of different genres of music and how seamlessly they blend to create a unique sound. Fishbone's music is hard to pin down to one particular genre, and that's what sets it apart from other bands. The band's use of unconventional instruments such as saxophone and trumpet in a punk and funk-driven song has become a signature of their music called ska punk.

A critical analysis of In Your Face reveals a few flaws. The album's sound quality is not the best, with some tracks sounding muddled and unclear. The album's production value could have been better as well. Lyrically, some of the tracks can feel a bit preachy, and the band perhaps could have struck a better balance between being politically conscious and still maintaining their core musical ethos.

In Your Face may not be Fishbone's most popular album, but it certainly is one of their best in terms of showcasing their eclectic sound and social commentary. The album is a testament to Fishbone's musicianship, their ability to meld genres into a unique sound and deliver socially conscious lyrics in a fun and engaging way. Despite a few flaws, In Your Face has become a seminal album in the world of ska punk, and Fishbone has rightfully earned their place in the music industry as one of the most innovative and impactful bands of their time.

In Your Face may not be Fishbone's most popular album, but it certainly is one of their best in terms of showcasing their eclectic sound and social commentary. The album is a testament to Fishbone's musicianship, their ability to meld genres into a unique sound and deliver socially conscious lyrics in a fun and engaging way. Despite a few flaws, In Your Face has become a seminal album in the world of ska punk, and Fishbone has rightfully earned their place in the music industry as one of the most innovative and impactful bands of their time.