The Fastest Slow Song

Wednesday... the theoretical "Hump Day." So what better to push on this Wednesday than a slow song? Since you know me, my dear reader(s?), I am not one for the traditional. Today, I present the fastest slow song I have. From the Slackers 2001 album Wasted Days, today's selection is "So This is the Night."

I heard of The Slackers one fun day driving into work via NPR. The sound really took me by surprise. Old school ska, classic beats, infused with tight horn arrangements, and a throaty vocal power. The surprise is, the band is much more than just ska. The live performances are a wild time, frenetic and loud. Not overpowering, since this type of music really needs engineering to differentiate it from "noise."

"So this is the Night" is different, as far as love songs go. It's about love gone askew, following the theme of the title song. Initially, I thought the whole album would have had this as a central theme, but I was mistaken (and thankfully so, that would have been uplifting and yet depressing). The song is fast, but not quick. The faster pace is interspersed with various musical queues and a large smattering of eclectic pieces. The resulting production is much like a quick, brilliant, quixotic, doomed romance.

So, for the eternal romantic in you, here is your song. For the ska lover in you, here is your song. For the music lover in you, here is your song.


If you don't meet any of the last three... I really feel for you. Here is a great song that may help you introspect on your hump day.

That's all I got.
-om