Sloan : Based on the Best Seller

Posted on by J. Hubner

I discovered the Canadian rock band Sloan back in 1997 thanks to the Canadian music channel MuchMusic. MuchMusic came with our satellite subscription and for the bulk of 1997 I watched a lot of MuchMusic, and one of the many great Canadian bands I discovered(besides Odds, Big Sugar, and Big Wreck) was the band Sloan. The 4-pc indie/power pop band got my attention with the song “The Lines You Amend” off their album One Chord to Another. I immediately special ordered the album and bought their first two records Smeared and Twice Removed.

While their first two records were more in line with the college rock sound of the late 80s and early 90s, One Chord to Another saw the Halifax band deep dive into late 60s/early 70s rock and roll. Big vocal harmonies, catchy guitar lines, and an overall feel not at all different to bands like XTC, the Beatles, the Stones, and Jellyfish. Sloan was all about big hooks, melodies, and bittersweet turns of phrase.

While being a big band in Canada, Sloan in the US are more of a “if you know, you know” kind of band. They’ve continued to make records for the past nearly 35 years, and while not all of them have been classics they’ve remained consistently great and have stayed true to their sound. With their newest record Based on the Best Seller, Sloan continue that consistency of catchy pop rock. This is their best record in years.

Sloan keep to the power pop confections, giving fans of artists like Matthew Sweet, Michael Penn, Ben Kweller and Coconut Records something to sink their teeth into. “Capitol Cooler” opens the record on a gritty garage rock vibe. A touch of the Stones comes through here. “Dream Destroyer” goes for big glam hooks and an arena rock feel. “Open Your Umbrellas” is a piano-led track that sounds like classic Kinks with a hint of Raspberries for good measure.

From start to finish Based on the Best Seller delivers in catchy hooks and jaunty pop tracks. From the Strokes-like “Congratulations” to the fuzz rock of “No Damn Fears” to the big pop closer “I Already Know” Sloan lock in and never lose focus.

Sloan remain a national treasure, both in Canada and for those fans in the states. One of indie rock’s best kept secrets, and Based on the Best Seller is proof of that.

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16 thoughts on “Sloan : Based on the Best Seller”

    1. I loved everything up to Navy Blues. While they could still have a couple great tunes, the overall vibe on the albums after that were spotty. I feel like this new one captured some of that magic of those earlier albums. The Double Cross was decent, while Between The Bridges was probably the most disappointing. I didn’t need Sloan’s “soft rock” phase.

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      4. One Chord To Another and Navy Blues are the two I always go back to. Those first two albums were good, but having discovered them with One Chord the stylistic shift between 2 and 3 was pretty huge for me. I don’t listen to them a whole lot anymore, but I’m glad they’re still out there making music.

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  2. Pretty great record. Andrew’s songs are my favourites this time around. Steady was a pretty great album too, so I feel like they’re on a bit of a roll again. My favourites are obviously the first 3 albums and Double Cross. “Never hear the End of it” to some extent as well. Look forward to seeing them perform these tunes next month.

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    1. I really like Jay’s stuff, too. I can listen to “Junior Panthers” on repeat. That song felt like it had been stored in a time capsule for 25 years then finally released in 1996. I’d still love to see them live at some point.

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  3. SLOAN!!!! I saw them live just before the pandemic. Great show. Perhaps one of my favourites. It likely helped that it was at one of my favourite craft breweries.

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Published by J. Hubner

Complex Distractions is a little corner of the universe where music and conversation reign supreme. Intellectual discussions and essays written about heady records, both big and small, that despite what you might think can truly change your life. Spinning the records for the good of mankind.