Steady
Yep Roc, 2022
10/10
The Canadian power-pop luminaries Sloan have been plugging away for 30 years now, and they celebrate that landmark with this 13th album that has Chris Murphy, Patrick Pentland, Jay Ferguson and Andrew Scott cranking out one memorable rock tune after another.
“Magical Thinking” gets the listen off to a buzzing and rhythmic start of garage-rock ideas that are quite catchy, and “Spend The Day” follows with thumping drums and bouncy bass work complementing the vibrant melodies.
Deeper still, “Scratch The Surface” brings plenty of grit amid the punk nods via the fuzzy rocker, while “Dream It All Over Again” recruits a playful jangle that’s got some of the best singing on the album.
Approaching the end, the dreamy “Close Encounters” is both soulful and diverse as it alternates between calm and busier bouts, and “Keep Your Name Alive” exits with a scrappy indie-rocker that’s got some vintage qualities and a summery delivery that you won’t soon forget.
A band who have been consistently great for 3 decades and have maintained the same line up, too, whether you’re a frequent visitor of the Sloan catalog or a newbie, you’re really going to be smitten with these 12 excellent tunes.
Travels well with: Matthew Sweet- Catspaw; The Tragically Hip- Saskadelphia