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CD Review

The Slackers
Self Medication (Rockers Revolt)




America’s The Slackers have their latest release available in the UK thanks to Pama International’s Rockers Revolt label, and if you like the more laid back style of rocksteady and ska, then this is for you.

Every Day Is Sunday (‘when you’re unemployed’, as the lyrics continue) is an easygoing track, a laid back introduction to this album, but a quality tune with simple brass licks and certainly a track that keeps you hooked for track two. Which is a funky reggae number, Don’t You Want a Man, and a sing-along for sure and very catchy. I put it on once in the kitchen and was humming it in my head for ages afterwards.

I sense a theme emerging here… Estranged begins with a spooky keyboard and indeed the keys’ hook through this reggae style number is very reminiscent of the later Specials, circa Ghost Town. It’s not until Leave Me that we get some real ska with pace, authentic with a Latin twist I sense, but the wait was worth it. 2 follows at a similar pace, the effects on the bass guitar reminding of 1970s Bob Marley and the Wailers as The Slackers sing about ‘living out of your bag’. The Happy Song is just that, things are truly livening up in a ‘third wave of ska’ style with a Rico-esque trombone solo and confirms the first few numbers certainly lured you into a false sense of security. And then Self Medication takes you back to Reggae land, Don’t Have To adds some rock n roll and it all finishes with Sing Your Name, a modern piece of lovers I think. There’s no doubting there’s an eclectic mix of songs on this album, but if they’re as good live as this CD suggests then it would be one hell of a concert to attend!

Andy

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