10 Iconic Albums You Won't Believe Are Turning 20 Years Old
8. Reel Big Fish - Cheer Up!
Cheer Up! It could be worse, this iconic album could have been released 30 years ago...
Reel Big Fish are regarded as one of the most iconic ska punk bands on the planet, but 2002 actually saw somewhat of a departure from the genre as the band released an album with more of a rock sound - at least on the first five tracks.
Why? Well, to quote a song from the album, maybe the band thought, "Rock 'n' Roll Is Bitchin'! "
While no singles were officially released, the title track, Good Thing Ban The Tube Top and Suckers are all well-loved fan favourites, with Valerie still a staple of the band's setlist.
The album, of course, follows the RBF tradition of cover songs - featuring a rendition of Frank Sinatra's New York, New York, as well as a cover of Sublime's Boss DJ. Drunk Again also features lead vocals by the band's trumpeter/guitarist/pianist Scott Klopfenstein.
While Reel Big Fish have never received real mainstream success, Cheer Up! was an incredible response to those who felt the band were somewhat of a one-trick pony, and further cemented their legacy as the biggest band in their genre, but one which could break free of those shackles when they wanted to. Not to mention, the artwork probably ensured this album to be the band's most recognisable in their own catalogue.
Cheer Up! turns 20 years old on 25 June, having been recorded between May and November 2000 before being delayed for over a year.