AMG Review of Duet All Night Long

Corey Apar
All Music Guide

Considering the amount of caffeinated energy and good ol' fashioned fun that comes with each separate Reel Big Fish and Zolof the Rock & Roll Destroyer album, the pairing of the two on one record is almost too much to process. But here Duet All Night Long comes and it's even more giddy fun than one could have expected and way too much for anyone to attempt to ignore. It's basically a covers album -- each band handles three of their favorite pop nuggets from the '80s -- but to twist things up a bit, Zolof vocalist Rachel Minton guests on the RBF tracks, while either Aaron Barrett or Scott Klopfenstein appear on the Zolof cuts for, you guessed it, duets all album long. Songs like the Smiths' "Ask," Madonna's "Dress You Up," and the Human League's "Don't You Want Me" all get effervescent ska or peppy, synth-fused makeovers that breathe a new and invigorating life into them. Minton and Barrett have previously paired up, as on RBF's "She Has a Girlfriend Now," and it's their continued playful chemistry that really brings these songs to such a vibrant existence. But let's not overlook Klopfenstein's contribution to the Paul McCartney/Michael Jackson gem "Say Say Say," however, since his over-the-top desperation next to Minton's winking sass makes the sweaty, disco grooves of that cut one of the EP's most memorable. Duet All Night Long is all nervy excitement, sparkling lights, and infectious enthusiasm on songs both bands seem to love without one drop of irony. It's what results when two groups of friends get together for the pure joy of playing music and having a great time. In other words, it's an absolute treat to listen to.