Record Label: Hellcat Records
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The Slackers are back with another top notch ska reggae album. The Slackers have been playing in a band & touring nonstop for over 15 years now and show no signs of slowing down…even though ska isn’t the flavor of the month anymore. It’s not like they were apart of that ska craze to begin with, but the ska fanbase seems to have shrunk since then. But thankfully the band still plays the ska music and keeps trudging along with touring.

You know you’re in for a good danceable ska CD as soon as you hear the first song come on. What I like about the Slackers is how they mix soul & ska together. For example, “Set The Girl Free” seems like it was recorded right out of the 60’s. Or at least to me it does. But you can tell that soul, and old rock is a big influence with the band as well as the old rocksteady & reggae like Jackie Mitto. But what I don’t like about the Slackers’ music is the endless solos and jams. I was never a fan of solos and jam sessions and can’t stand in it any genre. I guess it depends on what mood i’m in and right now I don’t feel like hearing solos. I especially don’t like it at shows since when you’re dancing, it throws off your rhythm and you look like a horse’s ass. But anyway, The band finishes off the album with a great cover of Bob Dylan’s “I Shall Be Released.” I don’t know too many songs from Dylan but I’m sure they do the bambling songwriter justice.

Musically, I don’t really know the difference between the other Slackers albums and “Peculiar”. I try to not over-analyze music so much. It gives me a headache. It’s the Slackers and they deliver each time with enjoyable soulful ska/reggae tunes.That’s all you really need to know. Slackers’ fans shouldn’t overlook this album either.

Bottom Line: Another great Slackers album. Keep em coming guys!
Notable Tracks: Peculiar, Set The Girl Free, I’d Rather die Happy, I Shall Be Released
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