Happy 30th Anniversary to Fishbone’s second studio album Truth and Soul, originally released September 13, 1988. One of the most popular bands to come out of the Los Angeles music scene in the ‘80s was Fishbone. As we celebrate the 30th anniversary of Truth and Soul, their most consistent album, it’s hard not to think about the many “what ifs” and if onlys” that swirled around the band at that time. MTV, mainstream radio and a handful of music critics couldn’t quite figure out what to make of Fishbone. Before Truth and Soul, critics saw the band as some sort of ska/funk/rock novelty act, but they were much more than that. The band was formed in 1979 by junior high school friends bassist John Norwood Fisher, his brother Philip 'Fish' Fisher on drums, guitarist Kendall Jones, 'Walter Kibby II (vocals and trumpet), Christopher Dowd (keyboards, trombone, and vocals), and larger than life frontman, Angelo Moore.

Mar 23, 2007 - FISHBONE TO RELEASE FIRST ALBUM OF NEW MATERIAL. The band's most popular releases including Fishbone, Truth and Soul and The. Jul 10, 2009  Fishbone - 'Truth and Soul' I really love this album. There's not much else to say. Part funk, part ska, part new wave, part punk, part hair metal (yes), and part comedy. Fishbone is awesome, but an acquired taste. I got this on cassette a few years ago from the aforementioned neighbor. 87.07MB ZIP file Click Here to purchase from Amazon.

The Fishers, Kibby, Jones and Dowd lived in South Central Los Angeles but were bused to the predominantly white Hale Junior High School in the San Fernando Valley, where Moore’s family lived. According to a bio written by Columbia Records, their label until 1995, it was at Hale where the group learned about bands like and Rush and incorporated those sounds into their music. In 1991, John Norwood Fisher Rolling Stone’s David Fricke a different story. “Rush was about the coolest thing we found out. But my dad was always listening to rock & roll stuff. It wasn’t like a new experience. I learned to hate motherfuckers who told me Jimmy Page was better than Jimi Hendrix.” They attended high school back in South Central Los Angeles and the comparisons of the two vastly different environments helped shaped their opinions and their politics.

On their first two releases, 1985’s self-titled EP and 1986’s full-length debut In Your Face, Fishbone’s ska/rock/funk mix of humor and social commentary helped them gain a huge cult following, but they were in danger of getting the “goofy” label attached to them. Jones once remarked to Rolling Stone, “We tried to take our thing, our politics, and put it with humor, make it funny so people would listen. And it was wrong. You try it that way, and it just cheapens everything you’re trying to say.” On Truth and Soul, Fishbone toned down the humor and infused a harder rock sound which paid huge dividends.

The album starts with a cover of ’s “Freddie’s Dead.” It was a very wise choice to open with because it pretty much set the course for what you were going to hear for the next 41 minutes. Jones’ guitar work is the unsung star of the LP because it breathes life into their unique sound.

It also hides the somewhat dated sound of the keyboards, which has made other ‘80s records close to unlistenable now. A personal highlight for me was seeing them “Freddie’s Dead” on Soul Train. Don Cornelius had no idea what he witnessed or where they were coming from. “Ma and Pa” is the ska influenced second track that tells the story of a family split apart by divorce as seen through the eyes of a child.

(“Hey Ma and Pa / What the hell is wrong with ya'll / Hey Ma and Pa / Fighting for love on an angel's feather / Why don't ya'll get your shit together”). While not the cheeriest of subjects, they somehow get their social commentary out there without compromising their sound. Gde najti nomer rami na zil 130. It’s a fan favorite that they still play in concert.

“Question of Life,” “Pouring Rain,” and “Deep Inside” are incredibly strong tracks that put Fishbone’s versatility on display. They go from uptempo crowd pleaser to ballad to hard rock without missing a beat. “Deep Inside” sets the tone for the second half of the album, which showcases the band’s lyrical improvement.

Before that happens, Fishbone dips their toes into the waters of their past. “Bonin’ in the Boneyard” is a throwback to their previous releases that shows off their improved musicianship.

It’s a palate cleanser for what is about to come. “One Day” starts with a ticking clock with Moore taking on the role of a preacher who makes a lot of proclamations, asks some questions and has no answers, all accented by the exceptional bass playing of John Norwood Fisher.