Review Summary: While it may not be the happiest CD, the Slacker's style would prevent you from knowing so. Catchy, head-bobbing ska/jazz music and darker lyrics create an odd amalgamation that both pleases and makes one think at the same time.
The Slackers are now veterans of laid-back ska. While they're music may not be the most exciting, it is very easy to bob your head along to and just chill out while enjoying it. While it may not be challenging, it's something that will mellow you out and hopefully bring a smile to your face. "Self-Medication" is actually quite a dour-mooded CD, but the music might prevent you from realizing that unless you pay attention to the words.
The CD opens up with "Everyday is Sunday," an ode to the unemployed of the world. The catchy horns and guitar mix well with the lyrics of an unemployed person wondering what they should do with themselves and the mix of joy and depression that they have knowing they have all the freedom in the world, but knowing that they can't really do anything with it.
Sample Lyrics: "
Everyday is Sunday when you're unemployed. Feels pretty good man, I should be overjoyed. Every tomorrow's Monday, Friday never comes."
The next song, "Don't You Want a Man" is driven by a simple but catchy bassline, while the song is a person wondering what's happening in his relationship, and if his significant other really wants him around anymore. Instead of the usual blaming, this song makes a difference by asking the question, and not making any imperative demands.
Sample Lyrics: "
Now the distance between us grows further everyday. Every time I see you, It just makes me want to say; Don't you want a man anymore?"
"Don't Forget the Streets" opens up with a horn break and a nice bass line. However, this to me is one of the weaker tracks on the album, as nothing seems to stand out. While the bass line is catchy, it's about the only solid thing about it as the horn work is pretty disappointing and the lyrics are also not very memorable.
Sample Lyrics: "
Some folks see a reason, and some folks see a plan. Some folks say their faith can fill what they don't understand"
"Estranged" starts off with an ominous bass line and keyboards before building into a reggae verse. The bass and keyboards are what really make this song as they provide a mood of the unknown, while the lyrics also solidify the idea that it's unknown what is coming next.
Sample Lyrics: "
Since we've become estranged of heart, you ride away right from the start, as on the stage you played the part, since we've become estranged."
"Stars"... Well... this is the least Slackers' like song I have heard yet. While that may not be a bad thing... it's a bad thing. In my opinion, anyways. This song seems like an attempt at a ballad with a sing-along chorus that just doesn't really work. The lyrics are pretty good, but otherwise it does nothing for me because it's such a departure from the rest of the album.
Sample Lyrics: "
The stars that wouldn't shine, they don't go away, just 'cause you don't see them shining here today."
"Leave Me" is more like it. One of the Slackers more up-tempo, although not exactly happy, songs, the horns and bass create a feeling of pursuit, which lends very well to the lyrics. With a nice trade-off between the two vocalists, this song is a plead from someone to another asking to be left alone. As a bonus, there is a nice horn solo section, which while not particularly challenging fits nicely into the song.
Sample Lyrics: "
I want to look up at the sky now that I've opened up my eyes. No more will I wander, never asking why. Leave me, I want to be alone again. Leave me, I want to be on my own again."
"Eviction," the next track, has a very somber sound to it. The song, as the title might lead one to believe is about being evicted from your home. It may sound like it's even from personal experience, as the lyrics paint a vivid picture of what it feels like to be kicked out of your home and having to live off of the streets.
Sample Lyrics: "
Crash, bang down the door, no warning, come the police this morning, judged the case and have files for eviction
The next track, "Happy Song," is in quite a different vein from "Eviction." The horns and bass start off the song and lead into an up-beat, bouncy verse. The lyrics lend themselves to asking someone to sing a happy song, which just makes life better, being with someone and hearing that happy song. The keyboard and bass work well to keep the mood up, and a trombone solo also melds well with the cheerful mood of the song.
Sample Lyrics: "
Sing me a happy song, so I can dance the whole night long. Sing me a sweet melody, so I can find a harmony. When I hear that song, I know nothing can go wrong."
Next is the title track "Self-Medication." Although in a different manner, this song succeeds where "Stars" fails. Although the mood of this song is quite different in mood, one finds it easy to find their self wailing along to the chorus of Self Medication. A slow, very dour song, it paints a picture of a man who is disappointed with his life and even contemplating suicide. The bass and low horn lines keep the mood dark, and don't allow for very much optimism, which is what the mood of the song is trying to prevent, it seems.
Sample Lyrics: "
My favorite medicine is whiskey and weed. And I free associate at sonic speeds. Cause boredom and apathy get so sublime, visions of tragedy, cold dollar signs. Self Medication, self medication, everyone knows it's just a matter of time..."
"Don't Have To" is also pretty different from the rest of the CD. The production quality and sound of the song makes it sound as if the band is playing in front of a crowd, and the style makes it seem as if they're at a carnival or festival of some sort. Although this may sound odd, I get an Elvis vibe from this song. Yes, as in, Elvis, the King. The style of the guitar solo also enforces the vibe of old time rock and roll.
Sample Lyrics: "
I walk 5 miles overhill through a foot of snow to make a call back home on your birthday."
"Walkin' With Myself" is very aptly titled. The was that the bass and guitar progress along leads one to an ambling type of mood, making you feel as if one foot just keeps going right in front of the other and you'll just keep moving. The lyrics seem to describe the story of a drifter who keeps walking, keeps moving from place to place on foot and in trains.
Sample Lyrics: "
I'm walkin' with myself, talkin' with myself, waiting, waiting for the next train to come. Now it's come and gone, and I've been waiting so long."
"Sing your Song," the final track starts out with a nice jazzy section. A smooth horn intro continues into a jazzy verse, which continues into a jazzy chorus. Quite a jazzy song, if I do say so myself. The lyrics seem to speak of someone who sings the song of someone else, because they want the best for that person.
Sample Lyrics: "
I say your name 'cause no one else does, I sing your song 'cause no one cares. I see the light is softly fading upon the mountain."
Overall, except for 2 tracks, this is a solid, catchy CD. The Slacker's have been around for awhile and they do pretty darn well at what they do. I hope that you enjoyed this review and it got you interested in the CD.
Recommended Tracks:
-Everyday is Sunday
-Leave Me
-Happy Song
-Walkin' with Myself
This Message Edited On 07.15.08
