Welp. Welcome to the grand survey of things Ska, Reggae, Rocksteady, Dub and Dancehall.

As a way by which to sate listeners’ appetites before that upcoming live DVD release from the Slackers entitled Live from the Flamingo Cantina, the following is a brief, incomplete and perhaps slightly less than comprehensive overview of the recorded works of the band.

Redlight (Epitaph, 1997)

Not the initial long player from the NYC troupe, Redlight does lend insight into the early working version of the Slackers crew. There are a number of extended offerings on this disc, most notably “Tin Tin Deo.” But this, the second full length from the band, finds their style firmly in place with the vocal numbers ratcheting up the tempo into ska territory and instrumental passages sitting somewhere between reggae and rocksteady. Redlight also sports the studio version of “Married Girl,” a live staple and one that would be re-recorded for Live at Ernesto’s.

Live at Ernesto's (Epitaph, 2000)

The full range of music that the Slackers find influential is recorded here for posterity. Clocking in at just over an hour, the band has ample time to include a number of tracks from previous albums as well as the classic Art Blakey jazz-standard “Work Song.” Perhaps the most fulfilling recording from the first half of the Slackers recorded work, this isn’t the place to begin, but after becoming acquainted with their other work, this might be one of the most overall listenable offerings from the NYC ska band.

Close My Eyes (Hellcat, 2003)

This album marks the first release on the Tim Armstrong helmed Hellcat Records. And even if it’s probably not due to that, here the Slackers reach a new high point in their career. Close My Eyes marks the band’s first release since 9-11 and that topic – being New Yorkers – gets addressed rather bluntly. The 2003 release also has two important aspects working for it in terms of the Slackers’ development. Firstly, it marks the first appearance of straight dub tracks on a studio album. And second, it’s also the last appearance that Marq Lyn (aka Q Maxx 420) made on a proper studio album – he shows up on the International War Criminal EP a year later. Lyn makes his presence not only felt, but indispensible. The track “Real War,” couldn’t have been accomplished without him.

An Afternoon in Dub (Echo Beach, 2005)

Not generally considered a proper album from the Slackers, An Afternoon in Dub is a collection of spacey, minimalistic dub tracks from the group. It really sounds better in theory than what it turned out to be, but there are certainly some classic tracks represented herein. Unfortunately, it’s not on the same level as the previous Close My Eyes.

Peculiar (Hellcat, 2006)

Much in the same way that An Afternoon in Dub seemed a bit of a let down when compared to Close My Eyes, Peculiar comes off much the same way. Included are a few moments that perhaps touch the peaks of previous efforts. But this disc also marks an expansion of sounds incorporated in the Slackers vision. But more standard fare, like “Rider” and the apt Dylan cover of “I Shall Be Released” elevates this effort to heights beyond just average.

Self Medication (Indication, 2008)

By this late date, Dave Hillyard was no longer the main musical component of this ensemble. And the further expansion of their musical palette may have served to entertain the band, but this latest effort from the Slackers is perhaps their least focused. There are still ska tracks, but it seems like that influence has in some places been usurped by a rock sensibility. There are a few gleaming moments, but nothing that reaches back to their heyday. I guess that doesn’t matter as much when considering the fact that the Slackers remain one of the most vital and consistent live acts on the road. Here’s to another decade of music.