SLOAN - 12

--taken from: Soundblab

by Ljubinko Zivkovic

Yes, 12 in the title of the new album from one of Canada’s favourite bands does stand for the fact that this is the twelfth album Patrick Pentland, Chris Murphy, Jay Ferguson, and Andrew Scott made together. It is certainly a rare occasion that a rock band anywhere these days has not only stayed together but, remained in the same lineup from its inception. And it shows.

Eighteen years on, as far as Sloan are concerned, the only things that seem to have changed is the fact that if you look at the album covers, the hair of some members heads has gone seriously grey. And the fact that their brand of seriously infectious, sophisticated power pop hasn’t lost any of its potent qualities. Oh, and they still haven’t made any serious breakthroughs outside of Canada as far as any wider acceptance is concerned. Critics excluded.

At the time Sloan started out, their then US record company didn’t see many reasons to push them - but then it was Grunge season, and maybe they were seen as some kind of competition to their American counterparts. Then again, Sloan was no grunge band. Sure, they knew how to turn the volume up on their guitars, but with them, it is a more thought-out process, where melody and vocal harmonies had an equal part to play, and rhythmic and melodic changes never lagged behind.

So what has changed on 12? Luckily, nothing, really. The songs, singing, playing are, again and again, stellar. The songwriting on the album, as on Commonwealth their previous outing, is again equally split among the four band members, but this time around, it is not a double, but a ‘standard’ single unit. Maybe the idea was that in such a manner it would be easier to take on.

Personally, it doesn’t make a difference, but it still sounds as a unified whole, and although the songwriting was split among the members, you can feel that if you woke up these guys in the middle of the night during the studio sessions, they would know exactly what each of them needs to add to every song. Musical quality was never Sloan’s problem. Take a listen to “Gone for Good” or “The Day Will Be Mine”, or any other track on the album for that matter, and you get the sense that these guys can come up with some exquisite melodies, vocals, and musicianship. Simply, Sloan could be one of the most accomplished power pop bands around.

So, what’s the problem? I’ve no idea. It could be that power pop is not in the vogue, but if you take into consideration some of their younger counterparts like Lemon Twigs, maybe not. Maybe they just missed their moment back in the Nineties. On the evidence of 12, it is quite a shame, because Sloan is still a joy to listen to. If not 12, maybe thirteen will be their lucky number. They deserve it.

--taken from: Soundblab

Sloan returns to Sault Ste. Marie

--taken from: SooToday

The band will play The Grand Theatre this June

About Sloan '12'

Sloan 12 is indeed the 12th album from Canadian power-pop perennials Sloan, which means its as good as Led Zeppelin IV, Black Sabbath's 4, and Chicago 4 all put together. But seriously: not only are Sloan the rare band to make it to their 12th record, and not only are Sloan the rare band to make it to their 12th record with all four original members, and not only are Sloan the rare band to make it to their 12th album with four original members who are equally prolific songwriters, they're arguably the only band to make it to their 12th album with four original members who are both equally prolific songwriters and all still working at the top of their respective games, sounding utterly ageless in the process.

On 12, each of the four principals contribute three stellar songs that play to their core strengths: Patrick Pentland with the soaring rock anthems, Chris Murphy with the playful, participatory sing-alongs, Jay Ferguson with the jaunty prog-pop gems, and Andrew Scott with the whimsical interspace explorations. Says Murphy, "I guess with the album title, we are showing off the fact that we have 12 records."

--taken from: SooToday

Sloan's 12 tour stops in Sault

--taken from: Sault Star

Canadian rock band Sloan's North American tour promoting a new album nears its end with a summer date in Sault Ste. Marie.

The winners of a 1997 Juno Award for best alternative album play The Grand Theatre on June 26 at 8:30 p.m.

Sloan's new album, 12, will be released in April.

The band kicks off more than 30 dates with an April 3 show at Sudbury's Townehouse.

Sloan's Sault appearance comes a day before the band plays Stars and Thunder Festival in Timmins. That show is the final date of a tour that includes stops in Detroit, St. Louis, Buffalo, Calgary, Regina and Winnipeg.

Sloan played The Grand Theatre in November 2016 and Canadian Motor Hotel in October 2003.

The band's hits include Underwhelmed, Coax Me, People of the Sky and Unkind.

Sloan formed in 1991. The lineup, Patrick Pentland, Chris Murphy, Jay Ferguson and Andrew Scott, remains the same 27 years later.

--taken from: Sault Star

Canadian legends Sloan coming to Bo’s Bar and Grill

--taken from: Red Deer Express

Band to feature new album featuring single The Day Will be Mine

by Todd Vaughan

Sloan, one of Canada’s iconic 90s bands, is coming to Red Deer on April 8th with a new album in their repertoire.

The band, who’s hits include Money City Maniacs, The Rest of My Life and If It Feels Good Do It, will be bringing their 12th album to Bo’s Bar and Grill and Jay Ferguson, guitarist, said it is first new album in a while for the band.

“Our last album was a double-record called Commonwealth, which came out in 2014,” he said. “In between, we did a reissue of our third album called One Chord to Another. We made a box set and did a tour for that, which was fun.

“We haven’t had new music out in awhile. It is always fun when you put new music out. Fingers crossed that people are looking forward to it.”

What is currently titled as Sloan 12 features the new single The Day Will be Mine, which has influences dating back to the band’s first album in 1992.

“Our first album was very influenced by what was happening at the time, which was in the early 90s,” Ferguson said. “It was kind of like melodic, British, underground rock which is bands like My Bloody Valentine and Teenage Fan Club. Even a bit from stuff in the States like Nirvana or Sonic Youth.

“The Day will be Mine could easily fit with the sound of our first record.”

Ferguson said Sloan’s longevity can be traced to the fact that each member writes and sings, leading to a profoundly democratic feel to the band.

“There is a shared responsibility in the band and it is very democratic,” he said.

“That has helped keep our band together. It is an outlet for everyone. There isn’t a disgruntled drummer who doesn’t get to play his songs. Everybody gets to contribute.”

He added the band has always felt a sense of separation from the Canadian music scene.

”We make records based on records we liked growing up and then you end up creating your own distinct sound. By nature of us being four different voices in the band, that is something I feel is unique in Canadian music,” he said.

Ferguson said the band will be playing two long sets at Bo’s featuring both old hits and new songs.

He said the advantage of playing in that type of venue means the audience knows the songs and is open to hearing new tracks.

Touring for Sloan is also something that has become more vital than what it was in the early 90’s.

“Touring is great. Playing shows is a fun part of the job and it is also a way that we make money for ourselves,” he said. “It is kind of the bread and butter. At some point, you would have made more money from selling your music on CD or cassette. That has diminished for sure. It is still a great job and it is part of being a current band.”

Ferguson added Sloan will tour for the better part of this year before moving on to their next project, which will likely be a box-set reissue of their first album.

--taken from: Red Deer Express