Album Review: The Slackers - 'The Great Rocksteady Swindle'

You have hand it to The Slackers, they chose to follow in the footsteps of their friends Rancid and turn down major label offers to stay on small labels and do all of the work themselves, quite ironic considering the band name. These decisions have paid off however as the band are now on their twelfth studio album, ‘The Great Rocksteady Swindle.’ Ever the purveyors of the Ska genre, the band have perfected how to balance upbeat happy scar with styles such as rock, R&B, and reggae, all with a twisted lyrical tinge.

The reggae influence is especially present on opening track How It Feels in which the vocals have a roomy sound and the guitars travel with a relaxing kick to them. The Slackers sprinkle the record with the ideal blend of dub style reggae and up tempo alternative rock, which keeps things interesting all the way through.

The idea behind this record was to show a raw and less produced side to the band and amazingly it was recorded in only three days whilst the group were on tour. The standout is a song called Cheated, which has an atmospheric air about it, thanks to the reverberated percussion and lazy horn section. An instrumental cover of Bill Withers’ Ain’t No Sunshine is thrown in for good measure rounding off the first half, and strongest section of the album. The pace is kept to a minimum with the exception of Thankyou which bounds along with all the instruments mimicking each other to the bounce of the beat.

The record ends with The Same Everyday, during which the horns shine and provide a bright, summer sound while the vocals play with some of the best melodies and harmonies on the album.

The Slackers know what they are doing and are probably one of the best Ska bands around at the moment. After listening to this record it seems that their name may not reflect their work ethic, more the mood this music will put you in.

1. How It Feels

2. Because

3. Mr. Tragedy

4. Sabina

5. Cheated

6. Daddy

7. A Long Way Off

8. Bo Evil

9. Tool Shed

10. Ain't No Sunshine

11. Don't Look Back

12. Anastasia

13. Thank You

14. The TV Dinner Song

15. The Same Everyday