Customer Reviews

Peculiar

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Next to Redlight, this is probably the best album the Slackers have released. There are simply no bad songs on the album. The album is slightly more political, including the songs "Propaganda" and "International War Criminal" that both reflect opinions about the "war on terror." The album's diversity is amazing, however. The traditional Slackers ska sound we all know and love is apparant in "Crazy" and "Peculiar". However, one of my favorites on the album, "Set the Girl Free" has a doo-wop feel to it. Overall, this album nothing short of spectacular.

Simply speaking, this cd is good. I would't find any good reasons to dislike this album. Maybe I can totally entertain this CD because I don't have "International War Criminal EP" but who cares? At least, an album version of "International War Crimial" is much more better, mellower, smoother than the EP's version. Since I only possess "Question" and "Redlight", I cannot compare their sound to the rest of works, but "Peculiar" is very qualitatively recorded, compared to these two albums. You can readily sense how their production has been heightened (but some people like more raw sound). Every song here deserves to be released as a single, although I don't like "In Walked Capo" that much. Also notable to this album is how Vic's vocal is stood out - it is very clear and delicate. Instrumentation is also sophisticated as always. I would say that this is the best release of hellcat record in 2006 so far. This is one of far and few between CDs that you do not mind repeating over, over, and over in your stereo. Also, try to catch their shows, because their performance is as brilliant as music!

Don't listen to the bad review(s), this album rocks. Vic Ruggiero proves his amazin ability again. True it does have the songs from their e.p. on it, but new versions. It doesn't take away from the album. It's also true that Q-Maxx is no longer in the band, but you don't really miss him. He still recorded some backups for the album before he left. Also, Alex Desert from Hepcat makes a guest appearance singing backup on a couple tracks. Favorite songs : Peculiar, Set the girl free, and what went wrong(Glen Pine, the trombonist sings lead on this song and does an excellent job). Go pick up this album now.

'Peculiar' is another great Slackers album. They added the International War Criminal EP tracks,so people wouldn't have to buy just an EP of 5 songs, so they threw em on here.
I disagree when someone said its a change for the worse. There is only a change in a couple songs from previous Slackers releases. "What Went Wrong" features the amazing vocals of Trombone player, Glen Pine. Its a great track, with a solid horn line, and awesome lyrics.
Someone said Glen Pine's voice clashes with Vic's? I don't hear that, I think Glen makes a great backup singer and lead singer.
I am neglecting the horns of Glen Pine and Dave Hillyard on this cd. They are beyond awesome as always. Amazing solos, and tight horn riffs always keep me lovin' it.
I just saw the Slackers Feb 25th 2006, at the Grog Shop In Cleveland, and it was a great performance, and the songs they played off this cd were great as well.
Another solid Slackers release, grab it!

For a band that has been around for a surprising near-15 years, The Slackers have proven time and again they are willing to grow and mature. The heavy-ska "Better Late Than Never" evolved into the mature "Redlight" and brilliant "The Question." The experimental "Wasted Days" evolved into the melancoly, soulful and stripped down "Close My Eyes." What I see with "Peculiar" is not a change in the band's sound, but a trimuphant revival of the band's energy and passion. Considering that long time members Marq Lyn and TJ Scanlon have left the band, there will be a difference in direction. But "Peculiar" shows that there is certainly enough energy, skill and passion to put forth a new record with a new sound.

I wanted to pay special attention to how this record was recorded. Most of the tracks were record live at Ernesto's in Amsterdam, and then overdubbed at Version City by Vic Ruggiero and Jeff "King Django" Baker. What we get is a tight sound with live energy and clearly unlike anything we've heard before. Certain songs, Sauron and In Walked Capo come to mind, benefit from this more than others. It was a good idea to record the record this way and I'm glad they did.

My favorites? Set the Girl Free, What Went Wrong, the Propaganda rework. Highly recommended.

This album is new for the Slackers in that it's a new direction. It's still as good as any Slackers album, i don't know why people don't like it. It has great songs, even if they are repeats, and it has a bob dylan cover, making it awesome. I have a feeling this one is going to be getting as much time in my cd player as Wasted Days and Redlight. It's the Slackers, and you know it's going to be good.

Peculiar is another great album in the good old Slackers-style, as good as "Wasted Days", "Redlight" and "The Question". The sound is still pretty much the same (that's a good thing!); traditional Ska with influences from other genres. The two big songs on the album are the song Peculiar and International War Criminal. But don't worry the other tunes are also best Slackers music!!!

If you liked the other Slackers albums you definitely will like PECULIAR!

While this album is really good, it is not their best work, but it is still heads and shoulders above what most bands are able to produce. My only real gripe is that fact that about half the album is material they already released on an ep. It is not a unique tactic to put out an album quickly, but it is still disappointing.
Aaron.

While this might not be the best CD The Slackers have done it's still awesome! I recommend to any fan.

I don't know why everybody complains about this album, to me, it's their best album to date. I love the diversity of this album, and every song is catchy and memorable. I know that the main gripe is that most of the songs were on prevous releases, but for those of us that don't have Slack in Japan or the Int. Nat. War Criminal EP, that complaint is irrelevent, and even if you do, the songs have been reworked, so it's still not the same songs exactly. Anything the Slackers put out is 5 star worthy, and this is definately my favorite out of all of them, including the newly released "Self Medication". Buy it if you haven't yet.