All things at once, this is a dense album to say the least. I’ve probably listened at least 10-20 times, and I still feel like I’m just scratching the surface.
What I can say for sure is it rocks. It reminds me of Paul McCartney’s ‘Chaos and Creation in the Backyard’ in terms of depth and production quality.
Expect drums, guitar, vocals, bass, your standard rock instrumentation, with the addition at times of strings, electronic drum beats, heavy use of effects and more. Pristine production. Jane’s Addiction / Spacehog-esque glam rock vocal stylings.
Sloan has roots in the 90s, they’re Canadian. (The country of Broken Social Scene, Arts & Crafts and more).
I have a special love for mid-to-late career albums.
This is thick, complicated, nuanced rock and roll. It takes quite a few listens to get through the layers, but its rewarding. Infectious, but perhaps subtle.
If I was going to criticize, perhaps its too dense? But I think albums like this are necessary. We get way to many vapid pop songs, way too many hooks, overly catchy electronic stuff. This record isn’t really about riffs.
The vibe is complex, chill. The arrangements subtle but effective. Like someone went in and trimmed all the fat. “Boutique rock and roll” in the least condescending way ever.
This isn’t sex drugs and rock and roll. This is heritage rock and roll.
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