SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: SLOAN – 12

Sloan
12
Murderecords/Universal Music

Sloan is one of those Canadian bands I’ve always liked, so I was looking forward to hearing their 12th album, fittingly titled 12, and featuring 12 new songs by the band. Each of the four founding members (Chris Murphy, Patrick Pentland, Jay Ferguson, and Andrew Scott) democratically contributed three songs each, and Sloan have delivered one of their best records to date. Says Jay Ferguson, “This one would potentially have more collaboration than usual.”

Surprisingly, in their long and storied career, the band have only won one Juno award, though they have been nominated for nine. Perhaps this is partly explained by their lack of top 10 singles.

On the new record, rock anthem tracks like the first single “The Day Will Be Mine,” “All Of The Voices”, the piano-based “Essential Services,” and “Have Faith,” are all rockers in typical Sloan style. However, the best new song in my opinion is saved for track number 10, called “The Lion’s Share,” which may be one of their finest songs to date.

The band begins a full-blown North American tour to support 12 in early April.

Artist Links