The Question
Hellcat Records
The Slackers first appeared on the ska scene in 1991, playing primarily 2-tone influenced pop ska. In 1995, the band added a horn section that featured alums of the seminal ska bands Hepcat, Donkey Show, and the Allstonians. Since then The Slackers has retooled its sound to create one of the smoothest, traditional grooves in the ska scene today. This sound is showcased on the band's new album The Question.
"Manuel" kicks off the record in an appropriately upbeat fashion that is reminiscent of early '60s Jamaican ska. Later standouts include the sing-along "Have the Time," the remorse stricken "And I Wonder?" and the thankful "Yes It's True."
In truth, nearly every song on The Question has the potential to be a listener favorite.
There are, however, a few instances of poor songwriting. They can, for the most part, be overlooked, as these occurrences tend to be minor. One such infraction is the opening line of "Knowing:" "brand new, good for you." When slips such as these are discarded, the listener begins to realize that the Slackers have produced a vital and engaging album.
The Question is 19 songs that run the thematic gamut, from the religion of "Mountainside" and the goofball antics of "The Mummy" to the melancholy "No More Crying." With its third full-length outing, The Slackers have managed to create a musically and lyrically mature album that should be capable of continuing its acclaim in the ska scene.
--Brian Gettler