The Slackers Album: “Better Late than Never”

Ahh the Slackers. My favourite ska band. Purveyors of what saxophonist Dave Hillyard refers to as 'the Jamaican music known as the Ska, the Rocksteady, and the Reggae'. If I had to pick a favourite Slackers album, it would be this. Or the Question. Or Redlight. Hmm. Anyway, Better Late Than Never features an expanded line up, including King 'Skinnerbox/Stubborn All-Stars' Django, with Victor Rice in the producers chair. The result is a somewhat more laidback sound than the others (if that's possible), ie perfect summer music. If I had to name a stand out track, I'd have to say 'You don't Know I', or '....'. Just buy it. I'm not sure if I'm allowed to say this, but seeing how this item is currently unavailable, one place you can try is from Moon Ska Europe, still going strong.

Perfection is the only way to describe this album. The Slackers are one of my favorite bands of all time, period, ever (tied with Sublime, NOFX, and Radiohead), and this is BY FAR their best. "You Don't Know I" blows me away; never has unrequited affection been set to music quite so well; "Run Away" is one of the coolest, smoothest songs I've ever heard; and "Sarah"- let's just say that I have yet to find a single person who hears it and doesn't like it (I have no clue how it didn't become a radio hit- guess it's too good). And the album is bookended by two of the greatest instrumentals ever to be ("Contemplation" equals pretty much anything the Skatalites ever did, "Guns of Navarrone" included). Need another reason? The "CD-as-record" concept is cool. Less talk, more buy. Don't care how long you have to wait; wait by the box. This is one of those CDs without a single bad song on it.

Bottom line: If you're reading this, you've probably already got BLTN. If you don't, buy it now, unless you don't like art or music.

I kept hearing "this is the Slackers' best CD" but hadn't ever heard it. I had all of the other CDs and loved 'em, and couldn't believe that those albums don't live up to this, their debut. Then I got this album, and realized everyone was right. As great as their other albums are, the songwriting and arrangements here are incredible, and even make up for the less-than-stellar early-90s production. If you liked their other albums (or liked them in concert) you'll love this one. Pure genius. I can't ever see myself getting sick of this album.

The Slackers are by far one of the best bands around and this is the top Slackers album out there. Check it out, pick it up, listen and skank the night away!

I really like all of the tracks exspecialy two face and sarah