What people are saying about SLACKS!
Mundane Sounds
http://www.mundanesounds.com/
Slacks/Slacks
Infernal Racket
posted May 6, 2004
Have you ever wondered what Trans Am would sound like if they were a country-rock band? If so, then Slacks is for you.
No, wait, please don't stop reading! This is not journalistic hyperbole at its worst!
On the surface--meaning the first few moments of album opener "Shintown"--Slacks sounds like your traditional instrumental math-rocky band. A drum beat tapping over a glistening atmospheric synth line..but wait, what's that I hear in the faint distance...a banjo? YES! That is indeed a banjo you hear! And what's that I hear on the next song--slide guitars? Yes! Slide guitars! And is that a country vibe I'm feeling all over the rest of the album? Yes! Is this attitude a good one? Yes! I've got to admit that it took me by surprise, but then again there's a damn jumping bass on the cover of this record, so should I have really been surprised by this band's country nature?
I don't think so.
Slacks is just one long, continuous trip down the highway, one nonstop afternoon in rural America, and I'm quite happy about it. This threesome have been making music together for nearly a decade now (several of these songs date back to 1995), and the lazy, devil-may-care attitude is quite prevalent. (Though I've no evidence to show for it, I bet they're all veterans of other bands and this is their little diversion.) I can just see these guys sitting together in their garage studio, shootin' the shit and havin' such a good time.
Heck I bet I know what these guys are thinking. I can just see it, they're thinking: Vocals? Eh, they're nice, but not important. Rockin' out? If you want to. Hey! Let's make a song that sounds like something you'd hear in a movie if the scene was driving along the interstate in West Texas! Should we record a new song, or should we crack open that case of beer that's in the fridge there? Hey! Maria from Victory at Sea, you wanna come over and hang out...oh, you've got a song you'd like to record with us? Hell yeah, let's do it! Shit, we got nothing but time, let's just jam.
But this isn't a jam record! No, Slacks have some really great musical skills, and the music is never ever sloppy. Just listen to the solid gold of "Solid Gold." It has a nice rock feel to it, but once the song gets going, you realize they're poppin' some post-rock on your hipster ass, and then to confuse you further, they pop out that banjo. It sounds reall good, it sounds tight--heck, this whole album reeks of professional musicians--but it's so loose and easy-going that you don't really notice the professionalism.
I like that.
I like it a lot.
These Slacks have made a downright enjoyable little record. Bless their pea-pickin' hearts. If you like your math-rock a little bit country and a little bit rock and roll, then kick back and slack with these Slacks. Have a beer, and then have another. There's plenty to go around.
--Joseph Kyle
"Slacks! has garnered more spins in my home and car CD player this year than any other disc in recent memory...For whatever reason, I have a huge place in my heart for banjo, slide and acoustic guitar and hearty songwriting. Slacks! deliver all of the former with a modern-day ambient twist and timeless rock n' roll for something completely, unabashedly original. Nothing hackneyed about Slacks!"
- Hellridemusic.com
"The second track, "No Goodbyes", instantly proves the power of this record - a f*cking masterpiece of slow and flowing melodies with a dark yet memorable atmosphere and impeccable softly sung female vocals. Many of the tracks are instrumentals, and often those with vocals are still largely based around instrumental passages, but even still the music really does convey a lot of emotion, and it's diverse as well. "Al Lindner's Hat" has a strong country/blues ring, "Solid Gold" uses some funky effects to where it could probably be argued that there's a quirky prog rock undertone involved, "Mr. Crosby" has more of a weird upbeat indie-ish rock thing going on, and then some... Definitely a great CD. Very different and, dare I say, quite original. I fully recommend this to anyone who enjoys good music and is in the market for something out of the ordinary."
- Aversionline.com
"This is a well written, classy record. I am digging the shit out of it. Listening to it at work right now and it suppresses the homicidal urges to an almost manageable level."
- Bryan Cox, of the Virginia based heavy rock band Alabama Thunderpussy
"I was completely disarmed by this f*cker, but after I just let it roll over me like a wash of bright sunlight, I found myself feelin' warm, mellow, and absolutely all-f*ckin'-right. Which is to say that it ain't rock n' roll by any stretch, but it did cause me to ask Stacey to make me some toast with jam and maybe a cup o' tea, and that's pretty remarkable. I mean, I haven't had tea since I turned evil somewhere in the mid 80's... Nice. Really, tho, Slacks! Is more of a full immersion album than a collection of songs, so give yerself a half-hour or so, and turn on the kettle. Oh, and if you get thrown into rehab, bring a copy, it'll make the time go faster."
- Sleazegrinder.com
"Great record. I haven't heard this kind of diversity in underground music for quite a while.
This is bluegrass, rock, acoustic, jazz, atmosphere, and college-y all in one CD. I must admit, I especially like the banjo shit and the sweet vocals of Maria Christopher (of 27 fame).There is something for everyone here. My hats off to Infernal Racket... I hope this band gets huge."
- Vic Szalaj, of the New England heavy rock band Cable
The official word on SLACKS!
The new self titled CD from SLACKS! represents the culmination of an eight-year process. What began as a creative outlet for noise rockers, Superhighway Carfire, has through the passing of time become something much more.
The project slowly self assembled, drawn together by seemingly magnetic forces. The pieces fit together effortlessly as if each connection was intended from the start. A soaring achievement had been attained, nearly by accident. The resulting record is all at once melodic, eclectic, and unapologetically musical with more than just a nod to many a songwriting hero; rock, folk, and country.
SLACKS! is more than just a compact disc or a band. SLACKS! is the soundtrack to a journey we should all take at least once, a road-trip to get away from the abrasive indignities of everyday life. The music reminds us that to escape down a wide-open highway with a full heart and a full tank of gas is a myth worth making real. SLACKS! invites you to roll the windows down and let the warm air in.
SLACKS! features the songwriting and performance talents of:
Randy Garvine, Mick Mullin, and Dan Ballinger
With special guest appearances from:
Maria Christopher, Christian Mckenna, Drew Juergens, Cliff Hall, Beth Miller, Big Zeke and some guy we don't know.
This recording is jointly released by:
Infernal Racket Records and Translation Loss
Catalog number: IRR 10-2/ TL3
Read more...