Few bands have been unluckier than Raging Slab. This New York group kick-started the whole retro-boogie stoner-rock scene 15 years ago, only to end up watching lesser talents surpass them while they got jerked around by record company weasels. Now, after being sidelined for three years waiting out their last ill-fated deal, the mighty Slab emerge with their sixth platter of greasy Southern-fried grits-rock and twisted trailer-trash metal. As always, redneck-throated singer Greg Strzempka's songs (Flap Your Boogie Flap, Bite the Lightning) are as weird as the spelling of his last name, and his lyrics ("Double wide / and half-assed") never fail to raise a smirk. Meanwhile, the rest of the Slabs -- especially fearsomely talented slide guitarist and singer Elyse Steinman -- remain the tightest outfit in stoner-rock, navigating Strzempka's syncopated, mutant-boogie licks as easily as if they were 12-bar blues. Admittedly, despite sure-to-be Slab classics like Sir Lord Ford, Here Lies and That's Alright, this isn't as consistent as their flawless early albums. Hey, after three years, you can't expect 'em to be back at full strength. But with The Dealer, at least Raging Slab are back in the game.

Track Listing 1. Here Lies
  2. Sir Lord Ford / When Electricity Came To Arkansas
  3. Double Wide
  4. Real Good Time
  5. Too Bad
  6. Chasin The Dragon
  7. Flap Your Boogie Flap
  8. That's Alright
  9. Ballad Of Truly Mae, The
  10. Bite The Lightning
  11. I Don't Know You
  12. Roadless Rider
  13. See Through You, (What I)
  14. I Saw The Light
  15. That Ain't What I Meant
  16. Good Mornin' Lil' Schoolboy