Fishbone - The Reality of My Surroundings

When Fishbone's The Reality of My Surroundings was released in 1991, several critics went as far as comparing its all-encompassing brilliance to that of Sgt. Pepper's. While it may have been too high of a praise, Fishbone's third full-length album is indeed exceptional. Their preceding album, Truth and Soul, had been straightforward in its approach. In contrast, Reality is more unpredictable and off-the-wall, but just as gripping. While not all of the selections exactly hit the spot (the pointless four-part "If I Were a...I'd," "Naz-Tee May'en," and "Babyhead"), its many bright spots outshine the misfires. Fishbone continue to explore their hard rock side on such standouts as "Fight the Youth," "Behavior Control Technician," "Those Days Are Gone," and the crushing album closer, "Sunless Saturday." But as on their older releases, other music styles are digested and spit out -- the wonderful tribute to Sly & the Family Stone, "Everyday Sunshine," the reggae-tinged "Pray to the Junkiemaker," the explosive punk rocker "Pressure," and the humorous funk of "Housework." The Reality of My Surroundings would prove to be Fishbone's last great album, unfortunately. ~ Greg Prato, All Music Guide

Name Credits Aklia Chin Vocals (Background) Byron West Mixing, Vocals (Background) Chris Theis Assistant Engineer Clark Germain Engineer Clif Norrell Assistant Engineer Clip Payne Vocals (Background) Dan Bosworth Assistant Engineer David Kahne Producer, Associate Producer Eric Rudd Assistant Engineer Fernando Pullum Trumpet Fishbone Producer Gaz Mayall Vocals (Background) Greg Bell Vocals (Background) James Grey Vocals (Background) Jeff Conners Vocals (Background) Joel Stoner Engineer Ken Felton Assistant Engineer Kristen Vigard Vocals (Background) Kyle Beff Assistant Engineer Larry Fishburne Vocals (Background) Mark Guilbeault Assistant Engineer Max Aguilera-Hellweg Photography Michael Brauer Mixing Nadja Haynes Vocals (Background) Natalie Jackson Vocals (Background) Niko Bolas Mixing Rail Jon Rogut Assistant Engineer Randy Wine Assistant Engineer Rich Engstrom Assistant Engineer Sam Mims ? Stacy Drummond Design, Art Direction Steve Holroyd Assistant Engineer Susan Rogers Vocals (Background) Susan Stovall Vocals (Background) Sylvia Massy Assistant Engineer Thom Panunzio Mixing Vicky Calhoun Vocals (Background) Wally Traugott Mastering Wendell Holmes Vocals (Background)