To anyone unfamiliar with
Slobberbone, the band's name will probably be a puzzler: What kind of music would a band called
Slobberbone make? Country-rock? Rock? Cowpunk? In most cases, the problem could be solved by placing the disc in the player and giving it a spin, but in the case of
Slippage, that would only raise more questions. The first five or six songs sound like rock with a punk edge. Unlike earlier albums, there isn't a mandolin or dobro in sight. But just when the listener thinks he or she has it all figured out,
Slobberbone delivers a fine country version of "To Love Somebody" followed by a countrified "Find the Out," complete with a hip harmonica solo. Clearly, vocalist
Brent Best, guitarist Jess Barr, bassist
Brian Lane, and drummer
Tony Harper are comfortable in both modes. One also begins to suspect that
Slippage refers to the fine line between straight rock and alternative country. In fact, all that's needed to travel between one genre and the other is a slight vocal inflection and a few bent guitar strings. On the very last track, though, the band drops all pretense of rock for a back-to-the-basics track dominated by acoustic guitar, dobro, and just a touch of organ.
Slippage's split musical personality would probably be perfectly clear if issued on vinyl, allowing one side for each style. As it is, the group's fans along with adventurous country-rock listeners can sit back and enjoy the music on
Slippage as they contemplate its eclectic nature.