The Slackers

“Peculiar” (Hellcat/Epitaph)

Sounds like: Hepcat, The Specials

REVIEW: 4.5 / 5

In short: The most diverse offering yet from soulful NYC ska kings The Slackers proves that the only thing better than high expectations are topping them with near perfection.

Since 2003’s “Close My Eyes,” The Slackers have barely stopped to breathe, touring constantly, releasing two EPs and a dub album, as well as having members moonlighting in various other bands. The busy schedule only seems to have raised The Slackers to meet the challenge and record their best album to date, a perfect blend of two-tone ska, reggae, soul, garage rock, jazz, dub and rocksteady.

The Slackers – like fine wine – only seem to get better with time. Their seventh full-length studio album “Peculiar” is 13 prime cuts of what they do best – catchy, thoughtful music made to move the feet. The formula is simple: Classic song structures based on ’50s rock and roll combined with a bouncy Jamaican rhythm and made memorable with the phenomenal musicianship of saxophonist David Hillyard and trombonist Glen Pine. Over the intricate tickling of his electric keyboard, vocalist Vic Ruggiero croons passionately of love lost, misfortune and more political dissent than ever before.

The only thing missing from “Peculiar” is the Rastafarian toasting of past albums by vocalist Marc “Q-Maxx” Lyn, who is now listed as an “additional musician” and whose contributions are minimal on “Peculiar.” Overall, however, The Slackers have finally reached their potential, providing their best album yet and one that will be hard to top in 2006.

– Tyler Barrett