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Sloan
Fifteen years: that's how long Sloan's been around, give or take. In the past many, many years, over the course of eight albums (plus a multi-disc live show and a greatest hits compilation), they've morphed from a shoegazy outfit to a pop machine. Halifax's most popular export has had an impressive run that's included various label changes, a break-up, a re-union, and, most recently a comeback album of sorts in their most recent effort, the 30-song strong Never Hear the End of It. They're bona fide Top 40 stars in their home country of Canada and cult heroes in the United States and it's not hard to see why; Accessible and catchy, the songs feature the standard four-piece big rock sound, with the requisite guitar solos, swinging horns, bouncy handclaps, and backing la-la-las. It's a sound perfect for crowd singalongs and swooning female fans (as proven by their live box set, 4 Nights at the Palais Royale).
Sloan's influences are worn proudly on their sleeves and penetrate nearly everything they do, from Pentland's rock-star poses to Ferguson's achingly sweet ballads to Murphy's smug audience come-ons and antics. It's an irresistible, easygoing combination as the band proves time and time again that they've got songwriting chops to spare, a dedication to rock'n'roll standards, and the stamina to keep pressing on with the signature Sloan sound. All four members (guitarists Patrick Pentland and Jay Ferguson, bassist Chris Murphy and drummer Andrew Scott) take on singing and songwriting duties for the group; live, they all switch instruments and positions accordingly. This split of responsibilities results in Sloan's sometimes schizophrenic sound, yet the band nearly always lands squarely in the arena of catchy pop-rock, whether they're inspired by the Big Star, Beatles, Cheap Trick, or AC/DC.
Sloan may never be on the cutting edge of rock but the band still has quite a bit energy left in them after all these years. They may never inspire "best new music" accolades, but they're still here, they're ready to go, and they make some damn fine rock'n'roll. Long live Sloan!
Sloan - If It Feels Good Do It
Sloan - Money City Maniacs
Sloan - She Says What She Means
Sloan - The Good in Everyone
Sloan - Who Taught You To Live Like That
Visit Sloan's official site. Buy Never Hear the End of It from Amazon or iTunes.
Posted by Queen of the Front Row at 03.06.07 at 12:09 AM
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