Sloan has always been an unusual machine. Comprised of four separate singer songwriters, including Chris Murphy, Patrick Pentland, Jay Ferguson, and Andrew Scott, Sloan has never been a band with a unique voice but rather four unique voices. This attribute has been both one of their greatest assets and their potential undoing. At times, their work tends to feel less like a band and more of a collaboration of four solo artists. If mixed properly, Sloan delivers albums that are an amalgamation of varied song styles with different but consistent flavours. (see: Between the Bridges or Twice Removed). But at its worse, this four headed beast can produce a patchwork of singles that appear in-cohesive and somewhat schizophrenic. (see: Pretty Together). This time round, the Canadian quartet has seemingly addressed this gift/curse and made a pact to remedy it right from the start.
Handing the producing reins completely over to veteran Tom Rothrock is a bold start for the boys. (The band has been responsible for producing or co-producing most of their recent efforts) What Rothrock brings to the table is a new perspective. He seems less concentrated on selecting the best songs contributed by each member and more about just choosing the best 12 tracks that work for the album. The result is the most focused, cohesive Sloan album in some time. It also seems apparent that they have one simple goal. To rock from start to finish.
Action Pact is a departure
from the previous records the Canadian fab four have released. Absent
are the piano, the acoustic guitars, horns and ballads that have frequented
most efforts. Action Pact finds the boys plugged in from opening until
close. Seemingly taking a nod from 2002 tour mates the Strokes, all the
songs are short and to the point with only the albums closer pushing the
four minute mark. All the songs have an up tempo guitar heavy energy to
them filled with clever beats and harmonizing. The opener “Gimme
That” is a rousing quintessential Sloan rocker featuring a ripping
chorus that seems destined for radio play. Couple that with the jumping
“I Was Wrong” (the ablum’s best track) and you easily
have the band’s best rock singles in years. Lead guitarist Patrick
owns this album as his songs are without a doubt the scorchers. There
are many highlights throughout including “Live On”, the tremendous
Beatlesey first single “The Rest Of My Life”, “Nothing
Lasts Forever Anymore” and “Reach Out”. Jay who fronts
two tracks this time, delivers the type of songs he at this point could
do in his sleep. That said, his “False Alarm” is still fun.
At times, some of the records lyrics border on rock n’ roll cheesy.
But I feel it is the order of the day here. “Backstabbin’”
has an obvious hair band kitsch to it but still works thanks to its catchy
riff and hooks. “Ready For You” the albums only misstep, goes
for the same type of sound, but fails to inspire tongue and cheek fun
and rather delivers a shoddy AC/DC homage at best.
Conspicuous by his absence is drummer Andrew Scott who provides no songs
to the records track list. Though a disappointment, Scott was never known
to play within this realm of sound and adding a few of his contributions
would have only diluted the albums purpose. Action Pact is a rock and
roll album. Period. To get to this end, some of the familiar attributes
of the Sloan machine needed to be sacrificed. Chances needed to be taken.
I feel Action Pact is better for it. It is a smooth, cohesive album that
fulfills its goals. It is top to bottom a fun, rockin’ party record.
Will every Sloan album moving forward sound like this? Don’t count
on it. For a band into their second decade to keep producing albums they
have to continue being tenacious, passionate and taking chances. Count
on Sloan taking those chances!
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