NZ Musician Feb/Mar 08 ALBUM REVIEW:
The Managers: 'Take It Or Leave It' This is a stunning album...really. It’s hard not to like the whole reggae/ska movement sweeping New Zealand but admittedly some bands do do it better than others.The Managers have produced a very tight, toe tapping ska based album that at times is quite the little Pandora’s box. Songs such as sinister After All and Snakes and Scorpions are real long beach ska. While it’s clear the band, as do I, love a good tangent. Take 2 sides and holy s*#t where did that come from? This is real musicality. How dare they put death metal in the ring with ska....but it works. You just know that this stuff is gonna induce human movements of the up and down variety when played live. It’s a very full and hearty sound, which no doubt transcends well to the stage. And value for money. There’s no short changing 9-10 track song listing here, try 15. I love this album, it twists, turns, keeps you on your toes in every sense, and keeps going. Take it or leave it? Don’t be silly take it all!
reviewed by Tom Anderson (not The Managers sax player)