Fishbone

July 25 - August 1, 1 9 9 6 [Off the Record]

**1/2 Fishbone

CHIM CHIM'S BAD ASS REVENGE

(Rowdy/BMG)

The title, which pays homage to '70s 'xploitation flicks and Speed Racer's simian companion, is a pretty fair indicator of the inspired madness contained within. A spoken-word "Intro" (singer Angelo Moore recites a manifesto of Unabomber-like proportions) leads into the funky ruminations of the title track, with Moore's sax and Walter Kibby II's trumpet evoking Kool and the Gang's party-hearty atmosphere. The Mothers of Invention meet Parliament on the hip, satirical "Psychologically Overcast," with a rap cameo by Busta Rhymes adding to the tune's decidedly bent perspective.

But just when you think this CD ain't nothin' but a house party, Fishbone throws you a curve. In the 57-second rave "Riot" Moore offers an unapologetic call to anarchy: "When you ain't got shit, make you want to loot shit/Yeah, we burn your fuckin' store up." On "Rockstar" the band admit the reality of prejudice in the rock world while trashing its delinquent self-indulgence. "Alcoholic" (the first single and video) is an autobiographical ska-punk riff on drunken relatives, by turns humorous and tragic.

-- David Gérard

(Fishbone play the Vans Warped Tour at Northampton Airport this Tuesday, July 30, and the Barnstable County Fairgrounds, Falmouth, next Saturday, August 3. Call 800-THE-TICK.)