We're Not Happy 'til You're Not Happy

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We're Not Happy 'til You're Not Happy
Reel Big Fish - We're Not Happy 'til You're Not Happy cover.jpg
Studio album by
Reel Big Fish
ReleasedApril 5, 2005
Recorded2004
StudioWorld Class Audio, Anaheim, CA
GenreSka punk
Length59:42
LabelMojo, Jive
ProducerAaron Barrett
Reel Big Fish chronology
Cheer Up!
(2002) 		We're Not Happy 'til You're Not Happy
(2005) 		Monkeys for Nothin' and the Chimps for Free
(2007)

We're Not Happy 'til You're Not Happy is the fifth studio album by ska punk band, Reel Big Fish. It was released on April 5, 2005 on Mojo Records to mixed reviews.

Background and production[]

In February 2004, the band finished pre-production for their next album. Following this, they embarked on a tour of Europe, which lasted in March. In May 2004, they began recording their next album.[1]

Music[]

Notably darker than the band's previous album, Cheer Up!, the album's songs commonly express jealousy, regret, short-lasting fame, and disappointment toward mainstream record companies. The album also includes covers of Tracy Chapman's "Talkin' Bout a Revolution", Morrissey's "We Hate It When Our Friends Become Successful" and Social Distortion's "Story of My Life". Both the Chapman cover and the Social Distortion cover were respectively chosen as the first and second singles.

Release[]

In June and July 2004, the band went on a North American tour, with Catch 22, Rx Bandits, Lucky Boys Confusion, Big D and the Kids Table.[2] The album was not particularly successful in comparison to previous releases. The band felt a large portion of this was on the record company's lack of promotion.[citation needed] This, amongst a long list of other conflicts, led to the band's 2006 split with Jive Records.[citation needed]

Hidden message[]

After the track "Your Guts (I Hate 'Em)", a long period of random sounds and loud noises plays. These noises include screaming, short excerpts from a song sung by Scott Klopfenstein and a hidden message played backwards on repeat, read by singer Aaron Barrett. The message says:

I love this band. This is my favorite band. I love Reel Big Fish. Reel Big Fish is my favorite band. I love this song. This is a great song. I feel good when I listen to this song. I will buy Reel Big Fish merchandise. I need Reel Big Fish merchandise. I feel good when I buy Reel Big Fish merchandise. I love this band. I want to tell everyone I know about this band. I love Reel Big Fish. Reel Big Fish is my favorite band. I love this album so much I want to buy it again. Reel Big Fish is my favorite band. I want to buy all my friends a Reel Big Fish album. I love Reel Big Fish. I love this band. This is my favorite band...

From here the message repeats.

Reception[]

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic3/5 stars[3]
IGN7.3/10[4]
Punknews2.5/5 stars[5]

AllMusic described the album's songs as "angry" and "embittered", but also deemed the album as "super catchy".[3]

Track listing[]

All tracks are written by Aaron Barrett, except where noted.

No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."The Fire"Barrett, Dan Regan3:05
2."Drinkin'" 3:25
3."Don't Start a Band" 3:18
4."A-W-E-S-O-M-E" 3:32
5."We Hate It When Our Friends Become Successful" (Morrissey cover)Morrissey, Alan Whyte2:23
6."Turn the Radio Off"Barrett, Regan2:38
7."Talkin' 'bout a Revolution" (Tracy Chapman cover)Tracy Chapman3:24
8."The Bad Guy"Barrett, Regan, Matt Wong, Scott Klopfenstein3:32
9."Story of My Life" (Social Distortion cover)Mike Ness4:10
10."The Joke's on Me" 3:49
11."One Hit Wonderful" 4:18
12."Last Show"Barrett, Klopfenstein3:02
13."Say Goodbye" 4:09
14."Your Guts (I Hate 'Em)" (ends at 2:06) 14:57
15."Beer" (Bonus Track; Japanese release. New version of song from Turn the Radio Off) 3:53
16."Way Back" (Bonus Track; Japanese release) 15:27
Notes
  • "You're Gonna Die" - 9:49 hidden track, which is part of track 14 on general release (track 16 on Japanese release) begins at (5:06) on the general release.

Personnel[]

Reel Big Fish
Additional musicians
Production
  • Eddy Schreyer - Mastering
  • John Halpern - Photography
  • Chaz Harper - Mastering
  • Vince Pileggi - Management
  • Denise Trorman - Art Direction, Design
  • Beau Burchell - Engineer
  • Shawn Sullivan - Producer, Mixing, Engineer
  • Jesse Alvarado - Engineer
  • David Irish - Engineer, Mixing
  • Lars Stalfors - Assistant Engineer, Beats

References[]

  1. ^ White, Adam (February 21, 2004). "Reel Big Fish UK dates / recording in May". Punknews.org. Retrieved March 23, 2021.
  2. ^ Paul, Aubin (April 18, 2004). "Reel Big Fish Touring this Summer". Punknews.org. Retrieved March 28, 2021.
  3. ^ Jump up to: a b We're Not Happy 'til You're Not Happy at AllMusic
  4. ^ JR (April 19, 2005). "Reel Big Fish - We're Not Happy 'Til You're Not Happy". IGN. Archived from the original on January 9, 2006. Retrieved July 21, 2017.
  5. ^ Punknews review

External links[]

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