The Slackers

The Slackers

Self Medication

[3.5/5]

The beauty of the Slackers is they’ve always seemed like throwback ambassadors from a land where ganja grows on trees and Red Stripe is the true king of beers. While the ska revivalists call New York City home, they’ve made a career out of sounding like Jamaica’s Studio One during the glory years. But there are moments on Self Medication where the Slackers aspire to being more than the second coming of the fabulous Heptones. “Don’t Have To” imagines ’68 Comeback Elvis taking a kick at woozy retro-swing, while “Stars” suggests a passing fondness for ’70s Memphis soul. The 17-year-old band don’t always sound inspired; the tossed-off title track will top the list of songs no one will be screaming for at live shows. But when the Slackers stick to the percolating, rock-steady sound they mastered long ago, Self Medication is almost as skanktastic as Bob Marley circa ’64. (INDICATION) Mike Usinger

Categories: