If this album was released in the early summer I’m sure it would have been a soundtrack of the season, but being released in September perhaps it’ll bring us a bit of sunshine cheer throughout
the autumn months instead.
I’m not really too familiar with The Slackers, so bare with me here. I’m also not really too familiar with the whole Hellcat Records family but I am positive that The Slackers are one of the least punk bands associated with the label. In fact, this record has no punk content at all. What we get is Ska. But it’s probably not the kind of ska you’re thinking of…
The album starts with a very bluesy instrumental number, which sets the tone for the whole album. The production seems to replicate the old studio 1, Trojan records and Lee Scratch Perry sounds of the 1960s and 1970s, which is something I’m into, and The Slackers seem to do it very well.
The whole album is very atmospheric and is perfect listening for a relaxing Sunday afternoon. The lyrical content varies over the whole album, there are love songs and there are political protest songs, covering topics such as racism and world peace, which is something this type of music is renowned for. The track “Real War” has some classic dub effects and backing vocals, and is lyrically one of the most politically motivated tracks on the record. The bassline intro to “Lazy Woman” is reminiscent of the Clash‘s dub version of Bank Robber and, like the title suggests,
the song is a Lazy laid-back number, in keeping with the majority of this record.
The style of the record is nothing new, and it will never be done better than the pioneers, but
you could do a lot worse than listen to this. Once you’ve had a good listen, head down to the
record shop and hunt down some Trojan/Studio 1 records and get an education in ska.