Sloan is one of those bands that always delivers. They’ve kept an impressive level of consistency throughout their 32-year run. They’re one of the longest-running Canadian bands going today, still making music as good as they were before I was even born!
Chris Murphy, Patrick Pentland, Jay Ferguson, and Andrew Scott make up the band, and they impressively have kept that same foursome since day one. They started out in Halifax, but eventually moved to Toronto. They interchange positions within the band. All four bandmates contribute lead vocals on different songs, keeping things fresh.
Few bands have had a run like that. I don’t think they get enough respect for how good they are.
From Twice Removed in 1994, considered by some among the greatest albums in Canadian history, to Steady in 2022, they just keep making great music. “Magical Thinking” and “Scratch the Surface” are two of the songs from Steady featured on Evolution. Steady is an appropriate title for their album since they’ve been nothing but steady with their quality and presence on Canadian radio airwaves. They’ve been in the Top 25 Alternative Charts for most of their run.
On the note of Twice Removed, it was ranked #1 in a list of the greatest Canadian rock albums by the music magazine Chart. A controversial take that many disagreed with. I’m in that category. Although I will admit it is a fantastic album. “Coax Me” is one of my favorite Sloan songs.
All in all, they’ve made 13 albums and each one is worth a listen. To go through them would be too much, especially since I haven’t listened to most albums completely. They have experimented a bit, trying to lean more into a pop sound, but it still felt like Sloan. They did it in their own way.
Some songs throughout their run that I’d recommend are “Unkind,” “Money City Maniacs,” “The Other Man,” “People of the Sky,” “I Hate My Generation,” “The Rest of My Life,” and “The Good in Everyone.” That’s just scratching the surface!
They’ve been snubbed at the JUNO Awards, being nominated nine times, and only winning once. That was in 1997 for Best Alternative Album with One Chord to Another.
Put some respect on Sloan’s name! They’re a model of consistency that’s hard to match.
They just played at Commodore Ballroom on April 12th, so if you missed the boat, it might be a while until you get another shot. Don’t fret, they’ll come back around. They always do.