Customer Reviews

Close My Eyes

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I eagerly awaited the release of Close My Eyes and rushed out to buy it. I wasn't expecting what I heard at all. It sounds quite different from their earlier stuff, but, nevertheless, it's a good album. Close My Eyes is more toned down than the Slackers' other music, though it still mantains the energy and soul of a skanking classic so central to the Slackers' style. The album also sports a slightly modified band lineup (Ruggiero leading of course and Lyn also on vocals) with subtle trombone and tenor sax sans trumpet.
My advice to all loyal Slackers fans is to buy Close My Eyes because it truly is a good album and it's a new phase in the band's evolution. But to listeners new to the Slackers and especially those new to Ska, I would recommend getting The Question and/or Redlight, arguablly their best work.

The title of my review says it all. I have every Slackers studio album, all of which are well worth the money, but this has to be my favorite. There isn't a single bad song on here. The production is crisp and clear without being glossy (excellent), and everyone seems extremely focused (especially Vic, whose voice, lyrics, and catchy melodies are in absolute top form here). Also, there were a few personnel changes (the departures of longtime drummer Luis Zuluaga and trumpeter Jeremy Mushlin). The absence of trumpet gives the band an even more mellow sound, which is very good.

The opening drum solo of "Shankbon" is all it takes to get you hooked on this album. Listen to the masterful trombone and sax solos and the great swing/ska rhythms on this, the best instrumental they've ever done. Next comes "Old Dog," with a great reggae beat and cool harmonica work. "Axes" is another great song to which you'll be singing along before the first verse is over. "Bin Waitin" is very good, but doesn't really stand out much.

This is followed by Marq's only lead, "Real War," a slow, soulful reggae song with the best lyrics on the album. It's followed by "Lazy Woman," another slow, smooth, insanely catchy reggae track. The guys pick up the pace on "Mommy," a great contrast of bright, happy melody and sad lyrics. The intro to "Don't Wanna Go" sounds a lot like Hepcat's "Rudies All Around." Maybe this is why the song doesn't really grab me. Yet another slow reggae song, "Who Knows," is next, and contains my favorite lyric (a reminder to 'Don't pet squirrels in the park'). The album comes to a close with title track, soulful and catchy, then my absolute favorite "I'll Stay Away" that reminds me of early Drifters songs, and a decent dub track that (unfortunately) ends the album on its weakest note.

All in all, The Slackers make an excellent comeback from the inconsistent "Wasted Days," reclaiming their position as my favorite band, and reminding everyone they are THE premiere ska band out there.

I thought I had reviewed this album when it came out, but apparently no. I hadn't listened to it in a while until a couple days ago, and I was stunned that I hadn't had in my CD player in so long. Chances are, this is the best Slackers album since Redlight, and although musically it is far and away different, the touch and feel of the albums are more similar to each other than The Question or Wasted Days.

Orignally, when I the albums came out, I felt that The Question was one of the best albums I'd heard by the Slackers. Years later, The Question hasn't really stood the test of time with me. Redlight, on the other hand, which I payed little attention to after its first year, is once again becoming a favorite of mine. Why the change, and why did Close My Eyes suddenly peak its head out and thrust itself back into my active CD collection? I blame production. Redlight and Close My Eyes have a certain feel to them that reminds me of listening to some of those Trojan Reggae/Ska comps that feature poorly produced songs that were recorded in crummy studios in an under-developed country 30 to 40 years ago--and thats how I like it to sound. Although the production isn't as bad as those, the feeling it gives seems more throwback and less like its trying to compete with modern ska tracks by more "mainstream" ska bands of the nowadays. The Question, on the other hand, suffers from being rather un-even and overproduced. Apart of me thinks too many songs were thrown on that one in order to make an album that us fans would one-day call "their best," which I had done myself for some time. But, I feel like the Slackers are at their best when they dim the lights, allow cigarette and pot smoke to cloud the microphones, and drink heavy rums while recording albums. Its a bar-room, downtown type of Ska that is lost these days. I've always said that Hepcat is my favorite Ska band, but since that band is no longer, The Slackers are the ones for me--they're still out there, doing their thing, and doing it the best. May they continue to tour, hitting the dive bars and getting drunk on stage, and may they continue to produce traditional style (sound and production) Ska that hasn't been handled properly by any one else in years. Thank you Vic and company for keeping Ska alive.

This album blew my mind when I first listened to it. The Slackers are in my opinion the best 3rd wave ska band playing 1st wave ska and rocksteady. This album covers all styles and the band pulls it off without a hitch. A must have for any ska fan.

I am an avid reggae/ska fan, listener and enthusiast...the latest offering from the Slackers is as near a perfect ska recording you will find. I am a big fan of their "Question" release, but "Close My Eyes" hits the sweet notes that rootsy ska fans wanna hear. Smokin', ska/groovy bass lines puctuate the majority of the laid back/catchy selections. Mr. Victor and mates have definitely mastered the art of laying down the right combo of catchy lyrics, drop dead bass lines and sweet brass backing up the recipe. Hopefully other modern ska bands will pick up the recipe and run with it (Hepcat, etc.) Try playing this recording and then listening to a classic Laurel Aitken ska selection while sipping on a tequila and lime and you'll be picturing coconut trees blowing in a warm ocean breeze. Enjoy and thank you Slackers for helping me chill and enjoy the sweeter things in life like sweet, sweet ska music! I am now off to lay under my own coconut tree and watch the palm fronds sway to the beat.

Very great CD... A lot more rootsy than the other ones. It sounds like it came right out of the 60's, the production and everything. Wasted Days was great, but this has to be their best work since they released the question. Go buy it now!

Another solid entry by The Slackers. My favorite songs on this album are:
Skankbon, Bin Waitin, Mommy, Close My Eyes, and I'll Stay Away. If you are a Slackers fan and have not bought this yet, get it!

One of the best releases of the year and an almost perfect album from begining to end. Every song just gets in your head and refuses to leave until you play the album again and sing out loud! Rocksteady riddims abound (old dog, bin watin etc) but there is plenty of good old slow ragga jams (real war, lazy woman).

Until this moment I have been a casual fan of the Slackers but now I will never miss a gig! Gotta hear 'stay away' live!!

NYC is blessed with the Slackers, Rudie Crew, Crazy Baldhead. Thanks guys for the great music.

Peace
redeyegooner