Sometimes growing up is the worst thing that can happen to a rock & roll band. However, it's almost always the best thing that can happen to a ska band. Why? Because when ska bands grow up, they slow down and start paying attention to craft, the last thing on the mind of most young skasters. The Slackers are something of a departure from the norm in that regard -- they've sounded like grown-ups from day one. But their latest effort still shows the effects of growth and maturation, both musical and emotional. For one thing, there's almost as much reggae as ska here: the elastic rocksteady beat of "Knowing" follows close on the heels of the Latin ska bounce of "Manuel," while the 2 Tone inflections of "And I Wonder?" lead directly into the straight one-drop riddim of "No More Crying." For another thing, bandleader Vic Ruggiero is worried about mortality and the nature of love, and his lyrics are all the better for it. Songs like "The Question" and "Have the Time" actually reflect some serious and skillful thinking -- another rarity in the world of ska, quite frankly. If the Slackers keep getting better, things are going to get scary very quickly. ~ Rick Anderson, All Music Guide
Albert Caiati (Mixing), Glen Adams (Voices), Jessica Shokrian (Photography), Glen Pine (Vocals), Jeremy Mushlin (Trumpet), Vic Ruggiero (Producer), Glen Adams (Organ), Glen Pine (Trombone), Dave Hahn (Guitar), Victor Ruggiero (Piano), Alan Douches (Mastering), David Hillyard (Saxophone), Victor Ruggiero (Organ), T.J. Johnson (Engineer), Marcus Geard (Bass), Marq Lyn (Vocals), Larry McDonald (Percussion), Glen Pine (?), Victor Ruggiero (Vocals), Luis Zuluaga (Drums), The Slackers (Group), Grace Falconer (Assistant Engineer), Victor Ruggiero (Mastering), T.J. Scanlon (Guitar), Glen Adams (Mixing), Luis Zuluaga (Percussion), Victor Ruggiero (Mixing), Victor Ruggiero (Percussion), Clive Chin (Mixing), Matt Scanlon (Percussion), Simon Chardiet (Guitar), Jeremy Mushlin (Vocals), Albert Caiati (Engineer), Victor Ruggiero (Producer)
The Question is an album by The Slackers, released on November 20, 1998 (see 1998 in music) on Hell-Cat Records. The record is dedicated to Tommy McCook and Dick Qualiana.
Artwork
The third of the "Wix series" of covers. Vic, who was in real life involved romanticly with Wix, is shown in bed with another woman. Cris the Wix is shown sneaking up behind with a revolver. Interior features Wix holding the gun looking into the camera and numerous photos of the band in a New Orleans cemetery. Cover photo credit goes to Q Maxx 420. Interior photos are credited to Cris the Wix herself. Also photocredit to Jessica Shokrian. Layout and Design: Cris "the Wix" Qualiana & Spencer.
