Recently, I had the pleasure of interviewing Chris Dowd, founding member of the legendary genre-bending band Fishbone. Before the interview, I did a deep dive, so I figured I might as well make a Fishbone album ranking video. Decide to include my notes as well, for those who prefer to read. This includes the just-released new album Stockholm Syndrome.
9. Still Stuck in Your Throat (2006) – 2 stars
Considering this album was over 30 years into their career, they were bound to have a dud. The album is long, uneven, and unfocused. The best song on the album is a cover of Sublime’s “Date Rape”, a terrible song that never should have been covered. The bar was that low.
Best Track: “Date Rape” (makes me cringe typing it)
Worst Track: “Let Dem Ho’s Fight”
8. Chim Chim’s Badass Revenge (1996) -3 stars
This is an overblown, convoluted concept album that has something to do with a space monkey. To be fair, many concept albums are convoluted, and some succeed and become classics despite this. But this album is way too long and uneven, and at times is a drag to listen to. It also suffers from the loss of two original members, Chris Dowd and Kendall Jones. When I interviewed Dowd, he mentioned he left due to disagreements in creative direction. With this being the direction, you can understand why. But the album is not without merit. I enjoyed the three-song sequence of “Psychologically Overcast” (featuring Busta Rhymes, who never has a bad feature), “Alcoholic”, and “Love…Hate”. I also appreciated the statement that “Rock Star” was trying to make concerning the overlooked contributions of black musicians to rock music and the systemic racism within the music industry. But the song is unfortunately just a bit too disjointed. If the album had been cut in half and been a bit more focused, it could have been a really good album.
Best Track: “Love…Hate”
Work Track; (tie) Both Interludes
7. The Psychotic Friends Nuttwerx (2000) – 3.5 stars
This is a serviceable album that goes through the motions a bit. Nothing really bad, but it’s kind of just there. But there are a couple of solid moments like the first two tracks, “Shakey Ground” and “Suffering”. Neither tread new ground, but they have a chillout vibe which I enjoyed. “Just Allow” is also a rollicking highlight with some tasty guitar soloing.
Best Track: “Suffering”
Worst Track: “Everybody Is a Star” (cover of the classic Sly And The Family Stone tune, more bland than bad, until it goes off the rails towards the end. It’s an unnecessary cover, plus I have a personal bias against Gwen Stefani, which may or may not be fair).
6. Fishbone – In Your Face (1986) – 4 stars
This is either their sophomore or debut, depending on whether or not you count their self-titled EP. Slight sophomore dip in comparison to the self-titled, but it is still a strong album. It was also important in helping to expand their genre-bending template, adding elements of jazz and soul to their hybrid of funk-punk-ska. It also featured their trademark blend of infectious grooves and social commentary, which they would go on to perfect on their next release. Also fun fact: on the original iconic John Cusack holding a boombox scene in Say Anything, the album track “Turn The Other Way” played (Cusack is a huge fan of the band).
Best Track: “When Problems Arise”
Worst Track: “Post Cold War Politics” (it is not bad, but it is just a little over a minute and kind of just there. Also, a weak way to close a strong album)
5. Stockholm Syndrome (2025) – 4 stars
Because of recency bias, it is hard to know where to rank it. But it is a strong return to form. It also greatly benefits from the return of Dowd who wrote the politically explicit singles “Racist Piece of Shit” and “Last Call In America.” He also composed the heartbreaking “Why Do We Keep on Dying,” which is another highlight. The album resonates in the current political climate and could be viewed as a soundtrack to our times.
Best Track: “Secret Police” (chilling 80s-inspired post-punk tune, which features lyrics that could easily apply to what is currently going on with ICE)
Worst Track: “Gelato the Clown” (the song is not terrible, I just had to pick one).
4. The Reality of My Surroundings (1991) – 4 stars
This is the album where Chris Dowd stepped it up creatively, making the keyboards a key part of their sound. he was also more involved with the songwriting and taking lead vocals on a couple of tracks. Doesn’t have the same charisma as Angelo Moore, but he has a strong voice that effectively conveys the lyrical message. The album showcases the band’s eclectic musical style, blending ska, punk, and funk seamlessly. The album also features really strong bookends, opening with “Fight the Youth,” a powerful anthem that addresses social issues with urgency and energy, and closing with the equally powerful “Sunless Saturday.”
Best Track: “Sunless Saturday”
Worst Track: “Babyhead” (the song is raunchy, but not in a good sexy fun way. It is borderline cringe, and the only blatant misfire on the album).
3. Give a Monkey a Brain and He’ll Swear He’s the Center of the Universe (1993) – 4 stars
The final recording featuring all six original members, at the time of release, was divisive, but since then, it became a cult fave. The album was a stylistic departure, boasting an impressive amount of heaviness that rivals any metal band, especially with the opening three tracks. After that strong trio, there is also a refreshing cool down with a return to their roots with the vibey ska tune “Unyielding Conditioning.” There is a slight dip in the 2nd half of the album, and it is a bit long, which is a common issue during the CD era of albums, but it is still really solid.
Best Track: “Black Flowers” (Heavy and atmospheric, with some great vivid imagery with the lyrics)
Worst Track: “Drunk Skitzo” (the song is uneven and juvenile and almost sounds like a Red Hot Chilli Pepper’s outtake, and I’m not particularly a Pepper fan).
2. Truth and Soul (1988) – 4.5 stars
On their second full-length album, the band came together as a cohesive group, with each band member showcasing their strengths as songwriters and musicians. They skillfully reinterpret a variety of influences, exemplified by the album opener, their take on Curtis Mayfield’s classic “Freddie’s Dead,” transforming it from a soulful, sorrowful reflection into a hard-hitting cautionary anthem. This is the essence of Fishbone: they absorb sounds from everywhere, infuse a lifetime of socially conscious insights, and blend them all to create something remarkable. The album also closes strongly with the powerful rock ballad “Change,” making for a strong bookend.
Best Track: “Ma and Pa”
Worst Track: “Deep Inside” (the song is not terrible, kind of just there, and I had to pick one).
Before we reveal the #1 album, will include a bonus list of my top 10 Fishbone songs:
- 10. “When Problems Arise” (In Your Face, 1986)
- 9. “Secret Police” (Stockholm Syndrome, 2025)
- 8. “Freddie’s Dead” (Truth And Soul, 1988)
- 7. “Sunless Saturday” (The Reality of My Surroundings, 1991)
- 6. “Ugly” (Fishbone, 1985)
- 5. “Servitude” (Give a Monkey a Brain and He’ll Swear He’s the Center of the Universe, 1993)
- 4. “Party at Ground Zero” (Fishbone, 1985)
- 3. “Black Flowers” (Give a Monkey a Brain and He’ll Swear He’s the Center of the Universe, 1993)
- 2. “Ma and Pa” (Truth And Soul, 1988)
- 1. “Lyin’ Ass Bitch” (Fishbone, 1985)
1. Fishbone (1985) – 5 stars
Because it is technically an EP, there is some debate about whether or not to include it, but it is 26 minutes long and features some of the band’s best songs. It has really strong bookends with the infectious opener “Ugly” and the catchy and scathing “Lyin’ Ass Bitch.” It also has a tune about Godzilla farts and the all-time classic “Party at Ground Zero.” What else do you need?
Best Track: “Lyin’ Ass Bitch”
Worst Track: “Another Generation” (It is a solid tune, but I had to pick a song).
