The Question

by The Slackers

Overview

Sometimes growing up is the worst thing that can happen to a rock & roll band. However, it's almost always the best thing that can happen to a ska band. Why? Because when ska bands grow up, they slow down and start paying attention to craft, the last thing on the mind of most young skasters. The Slackers are something of a departure from the norm in that regard -- they've sounded like grown-ups from day one. But their latest effort still shows the effects of growth and maturation, both musical and emotional. For one thing, there's almost as much reggae as ska here: the elastic rocksteady beat of "Knowing" follows close on the heels of the Latin ska bounce of "Manuel," while the 2 Tone inflections of "And I Wonder?" lead directly into the straight one-drop riddim of "No More Crying." For another thing, bandleader Vic Ruggiero is worried about mortality and the nature of love, and his lyrics are all the better for it. Songs like "The Question" and "Have the Time" actually reflect some serious and skillful thinking -- another rarity in the world of ska, quite frankly. If the Slackers keep getting better, things are going to get scary very quickly. ~ Rick Anderson

Product Details

Release Date:	03/24/2023
Label:	Pirates Press
UPC:	0810096651747

Tracks

1. Manuel
2. Knowing
3. Have the Time
4. And I Wonder?
5. No More Crying
6. Feed My Girl
7. Mountainside
8. The Mummy
9. Motor City
10. Power
11. Keep Him Away
12. The Question
13. The Question [Version]
14. Face in My Crowd
15. Do You Know
16. Yes It's True
17. Alone Again
18. Make Me Smile
19. No Love

Album Credits

Performance Credits

The Slackers   Primary Artist
Larry McDonald   Percussion
Victor Ruggiero   Organ,Piano,Vocals,Percussion
David Hillyard   Saxophone
Glen Pine   Vocals,Trombone
Dave Hahn   Guitar
Marcus Geard   Bass
Glen Adams   Organ,Voices
Simon Chardiet   Guitar
Luis Zuluaga   Drums,Percussion
Matt Scanlon   Percussion
Marq Lyn   Vocals
T.J. Scanlon   Guitar
Jeremy Mushlin   Vocals,Trumpet

Technical Credits

T.J. Johnson   Engineer
Vic Ruggiero   Producer
Victor Ruggiero   Mixing,Composer,Producer,Mastering
David Hillyard   Composer
Glen Pine   Composer
Marcus Geard   Composer
Albert Caiati   Mixing,Engineer
Alan Douches   Mastering
Glen Adams   Mixing
Clive Chin   Mixing
The Slackers   Group
Luis Zuluaga   Composer
Jessica Shokrian   Photography
Grace Falconer   Assistant Engineer
Marq Lyn   Composer
T.J. Scanlon   Composer