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Album Details

• Artist: The Slackers
• Album: Peculiar
• Label: Hepcat
• Year of Release: 2006
• ME Rating:
• Reviewed by: dscanland on 2006-10-18

If you have been following ska you will have no doubt run into The Slackers. They've been putting out quality music since their inception back in 1990. Their latest album, another one for Tim Armstrong's (Rancid) label Hellcat and it is a cracker. I'm always amazed at Vic Ruggiero's great vocals. He's got a gruff voice but it totally suits the Slackers style. This album was recorded in a slightly different fashion. It has a mix of live and studio recordings. It really adds to the energy. Album opener "86 The Mayo" kicks things off in the right direction. Not a super upbeat track but it really is a solid track. Some other highlights is the great "Propaganda" with some great political and socioeconomic topics. But really, the highlight is the last song on the album. They do an amazing cover of Bob Dylan's "I Shall Be Released" made famous by The Band. It's one of those covers that make you take a second (or more) look at the original and how great the song really is. Peculiar shows why the Slackers have been recently named "Best reggae/ska" band in New York by African Beat. There are those that felt ska was just a trend but as good music always stands the test of time, so do good ska bands. Bands like the Slackers are always a pleasure to listen to. The disc comes with a video of "Propaganda".

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