The Great Rock-Steady Swindle

This album shows that the Slackers haven't lost their magic after all these years. Excellent Jamaican-inflected ska boogie with a soulful message. It strikes me that this is more ska-driven than other recent records from them and a return to their Jamaican influences, some of it even sounds kind of two-tone-ish, which is how they say they started out playing as teenagers. They have started using some pretty slick-sounding keyboards. As a longtime fan, this makes me smile.

I have to say I don't quite agree with the other two reviews posted here. But the one that calls it "Dope" is closer to the mark. It's not their best effort; it's missing some of the addictiveness of their more modern ska sounds so nothing will probably grab you right away, but the chill rock steady sound grows on you with a few listens and you'll find yourself with the songs stuck in your head before long. I agree that a lot of them are just so-so, but song for song I'd say this album at least matches Self Medication, and certainly makes me look forward to the band's future work.

Let me say I am a HUGE Slackers fan. I own every album. And I'm not saying the people in this band aren't talented, but when I saw them say that all the band members contributed to this album (writing wise) I knew it was going to be bad. I say this because typically your main vocalist tends to write songs which flow with there singing style. In a case like Vic's voice it's very distinctive & unique. And trying to write a song for him is going to be a challenge. Secondly hearing that everyone contributed, doesn't say that they're trying to be different, it tells me the focus of the main people involved with the Slackers were not there (side projects or something) & it shows. The songs sound boring, the lyrics don't flow with the rythem of the songs, & the echoing vocals are horrible. As for the sound of the album going back to their roots as a band....it's not a good thing here. It's WAY TOO LOW FI! Every song regardless of how good your sound system is the songs sound like there being played on some homemade speaker box. Bottom line is The Slackers sound bored & un-inspired. And when you struggle to find 4 songs out of 15 that you like....It ain't a good thing. Very Disappointed.

nachschub <lechz> und das vom feinsten :))und jetzt muss ich noch mehr schreiben, sonstsieht man die Bewertung nicht und das wär doof...