Music recorded live at Bill’s Bar, vocals, overdubs, mixing and mastering done in Lammi’s Room. Produced by Slater and Marc Flynn.

Reviewer –Gerard Leahy

     These are the dark ages of rock. All those gloomy metal bands rule rock radio like barbarians, and the Roman Empire of the nineties has certainly fallen. All the indie bands who built castles on major label kingdoms have been slain. However, a few young knights have been preparing for the next renaissance. Slater’s new e.p., "All My Favorite Rockstars Are Dead" seems to recognize its existence in this dark time and makes an effort to create its own light. From the en medias res beginning of the album, the band is shouting, "We started a fire! We ain’t got no water!" and this embodies the potential that is in this brief collection of songs.

     The songs rock with major key enthusiasm and the melodies and harmonies are woven more tightly than a lot of the disposable new punk that’s out there today. The circular structure of the seven songs is a tribute to the fact that this band really understands context. It is evidenced in the way the "we ain’t got no water" sentiment comes back on "Seasick" and the e.p.’s short bookends.

     One of the elements that makes these sixteen minutes of music so exciting is the way it was recorded. By recording the basic tracks live at Bill’s Bar, and the sometimes awkwardly loud overdubs separately, some of the production qualities are reminiscent of Weezer’s "Pinkerton" and some of the more melodic material Steve Albini worked on in the nineties. There are times when the listener might argue that all of Slater’s favorite rockstars aren’t dead, it’s just that Rivers Cuomo isn’t making records as honest and in-your-face as the aforementioned "Pinkerton" anymore, Buffalo Tom aren’t in quite as much of a position to take over the world, and Mac from Superchunk has been busy with his tropicalia thing.

     It is clear though, that one of the rockstars they’re talking about is Kurt Cobain, who, despite having a new book and album out, actually is dead. "The sun is gone and I have a lamp," sings Ted Billings on the title track of this e.p., echoing a sentiment from Nirvana’s "Dumb," but placing it in a different context, and giving it a more positive new meaning. "It’s okay cuz all you need is love," he adds. It should be noted that the production on this number sounds like a direct homage to "My Mummy’s Dead" from John Lennon’s "Plastic Ono Band" record. Given the ambitious nature of this e.p. and the implication that in this great future this band doesn’t forget its past, Slater’s light will only grow brighter. Especially when they learn that they are actually capable of making music as rocking as some of their favorite rockstars, because this band is very much alive.

(Spent Records)

Contact: www.slaterrock.com

www.spentrecords.com