"This album changed hardcore forever. After this album, everyone either tried to emulate Quicksand's style, or just gave up. It made everyone look around at the state of hardcore at that time and say, 'what have we been doing this whole time?!?' This was the first record of its kind, though Swiz and Fugazi were probably influences. If 'Dine Alone', 'Fazer', 'Freezing Process', and 'Lie and Wait' had any more groove to them, the world would have to just stop spinning. Walter's voice and lyrics and his syncopated vocal rhythms serve to strengthen the already-massive musical force of their music. Tom Capone is one of the few guitar players in the world who should actually be playing guitar solos, and Alan Cage's drumming style is unparalleled. These four seasoned hardcore vets (the various members were at one time or another in Youth of Today, Bold, Beyond, Absolution, Gorilla Biscuits, Shelter, Moondog, Burn, and other great bands), all got exactly what they deserved by being signed to a major, and this debut release scarcely disappoints. The only let down here is the lack of vocals on Baphomet ('if you were mine...'). The vinyl version (good luck finding it) even has a better mix of 'How Soon is Now?' than you'll find on the Dine Alone promo single. Pick this up as soon as possible and feel whole again."
Are you kidding me? This record kills it!
05/14/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This record bridges the gap between Sunny Day Real Estate and Rage Against The Machine in the best way! It's the best melodic hardcore record you'll ever hear. Even Deftones fans will step off once they've spent a little time with Slip. An addictive record with precise, meaningful lyrics. Came out at the height of new school NYC hardcore scene...on the heels of Gorilla Biscuits and 7 Seconds, and dusting everything that's come out since. Quicksand. Just to say it makes me smile."
Helmet + Fugazi= Quicksand
C. Cerrato | 11/13/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Amazing band. I honestly can't stand all the garbage that constitutes as "post-hardcore" or "emo" these days. Bands like Thursday, Saves the Day, Taking Back Sunday(pretty much any band with "day" in the title) cannot and will not ever hold to Quicksand. On this cd you won't hear wussy guitars and whining vocals screaming about ex-girlfriends. Instead, you'll be treated to strong and assertive vocals and quality songwriting. Highly recommended"
Excellent and subtly subversive early '90s rock album.
Luke Rounda | Lawrence, KS | 08/07/2005
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Criminally unnoticed and sublimely loud, Quicksand's "Slip" seems to reach inside itself for each song, summoning up the power behind each great guitar riff. Quicksand exudes the same type of weird energy found on records by the Deftones or Rage Against the Machine, where passion seems mysteriously imbued with intelligence.
Like Deftones' singer Chino Moreno's infatuation with The Cure, or RATM's Zach de la Rocha's hang-ups on delicate matters like politics, Quicksand possess melodicism and subtlety to go with their heavy metal affectations. Just check out their fuzzed-up, palm-mutes-like-a-punching-bag cover of "How Soon Is Now?" by the Smiths for proof.
Following a terse drum roll of greeting, "Fazer" opens the album by laying down an irresistible groove perhaps worthy of standing as a mosh pit classic, while the squirrelly riff on "Dine Alone" will get heads nodding all the way through to the climactic bridge section, where heads start flying. Likewise, other cuts, like the title track, don't really heat up until their own fiery endpieces, where guitarist Tom Capone's unique and satisfying soloing style metaphorically puts the pedal to the floor. Other great moments are "Lie and Wait," with a guitar part like an uncontrollable kerosene hose; "Unfulfilled," a song you'll feel you've known forever (in that good way in which the knowing is something drawn from the subconscious rather than something radio- or culture-born); and the sinister, chaotic instrumental "Baphomet."
Talk of inspiring effect on future musicians and waxing poetic on the significance of screaming aside, "Slip" is an underground landmark album for anyone who's ever enjoyed the clever side of the distorted electric guitar."
Best album of the 90's???
C. Cerrato | Ft. Lauderdale, FL | 07/26/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Walter Schreifels has one hell of a track record. He cut his teeth in the seminal punk/hardcore band Gorilla Biscuits, and proceeded to start this band here, Quicksand, before going on to form the amazing Rival Schools. All three sound completely different, but gracefully hold their own. Gorilla Biscuits was hardcore through and through, while Rival Schools was more of a rock records, per se. But his best work was with Quicksand, a perfect blend of the two. Blurring the lines of what hardcore, punk, and rock should sound like, Quicksand had a sound all their own. Ask the thousands of similar sounding post-emo, post-hardcore, post-whatever-bands what their favorite albums are, and I'll bet Quicksand pops up every time. And they should. Quicksand have an uncanny skill to create incredibly catchy songs while retaining all the heaviness of a hardcore band. While going relatively unnoticed to the general music-buying public, they have an almost cult-like following that remains strong to this day. I remember seeing this band open up for the Offspring and No Use For A Name in 1995, and all my friends hated them. Naturally they became my favorite band. Basically, anyone into bands ranging from Thursday to GlassJaw to even the Blood Brothers, this is where it all began. An absolute classic in all regards.
Standout Tracks: Fazer, Head to Wall, & Freezing Process"