Sloan “Hit and Run” EP Out Today!

--taken from: Green Shoelace

by Melissa Nastasi

The Canadian Godfathers of indie pop, Sloan, are back at it again to provide you with some sugary tunes. Today the band has just released via their official website their newest EP titled Hit and Run (Murderecords). The name is pretty self explanatory, as singer/bass player/sometimes drummer Chris Murphy was involved in a hit and run this summer when a car plowed into him crossing the street in Canada. This is a surprising yet clever title to the record.

One of the most interesting things about Sloan is the fact that they switch instruments and vocals. This creates the ultimate diversity within the band, but somehow they seem to bring it all together. The album starts off with the “Take it Upon Yourself,” which is a Murphy penned song that begins with the classic Sloan keyboard sound and handclaps that automatically want to make you dance around the room. This is a great way to start off the record. For the track “Midnight Mass,” Jay Ferguson takes over lead duties as his voice croons over the piano. The rest of the band comes in filling the song with stellar harmonies that also add a 60’s nostalgia feel. Patrick Pentland heads to the front for the track “It Is Never,” which is filled with sonic guitar sounds and brilliant melodies that he always successfully brings to the table. Murphy returns with another song in tow, “Oh Dear Diary,” which at first glance of the title has the potential to be foolish, but turns out to be a sincere song which brings a bit of old school Sloan back into the mix. With the mixture of voices, piano and the retro sounding drums this is one track that will be stuck in your head for days. Andrew Scott comes from behind the drum kit to take on “Where Are You Now?” which is perhaps his strongest song since the band released Between the Bridges in the late 90s. Infectious guitar riffs fill the song with Scott’s strong voice prominant in the song. Hit and Run takes on a life of it’s own and proves that Sloan shows no signs of slowing down.

Sloan is also embarking on a short North American tour in support of the EP that starts on Saturday. Check out the dates below and come back to Greenshoelace.com for coverage of their show in Brooklyn next week!

--taken from: Green Shoelace