Slippery When Ill
The Vandals · 1989
36 min · 10 tracks · punk rock
A frenetic blend of irreverent punk anthems laced with humor and sharp social commentary.
Top tracks — play these first
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In America — This track stands out for its biting critique of American values, wrapped in an upbeat punk sound that exemplifies the band's signature style.
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Long Hair Queer — By addressing issues of identity and acceptance, this song captures the band's knack for merging humor with important societal themes.
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Susanville — This track showcases a distinctive narrative style, using storytelling to reflect on personal experiences intertwined with broader cultural observations.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album combines humor and punk energy, making it distinctive within its genre but not without some unevenness.
What we noticed
- The album opens with a fast-paced track that sets a frenetic tone, maintaining high energy through the first half.
- Several tracks feature abrupt tempo shifts, such as 'In America,' which contrasts its aggressive verses with a more melodic chorus.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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6/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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5/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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6/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- frenetic energy for parties
- sharp humor and social commentary
- short bursts of fun
- sing-along anthems with friends
Maybe skip if you
- prefer slow, introspective music
- dislike irreverent lyrical content
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released in 1989, Slippery When Ill was The Vandals' third studio album, following their 1988 release, When in Rome Do as the Vandals. At this point in their career, they were solidifying their place in the punk rock scene, known for their comedic yet politically charged lyrics.
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Clowns Are Experts (At Making Us Laugh) 4:02
- 2 Susanville 4:28
- 3 Desert Woman 3:40
- 4 In America 2:33
- 5 Elvis Decanter 3:27
- 6 Goop All Over the Phone (Pleasant All Over the Bill) 3:14
- 7 Shi'Ite Punk 3:18
- 8 Gator Hide 4:09
- 9 Long Hair Queer 2:25
- 10 (Illa Zilla) Lady Killa 5:23
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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