Sloan
The Double Cross
Album · Rock · 2011
Sloan, one of Canada’s finest groups for the past twenty years, is back with their tenth album, the quick and concise The Double Cross, where the band shows its knack for a pop hook is second to none. Bassist Chris Murphy’s “Follow the Leader” kicks things off with a sound in perfect league with Squeeze. Guitarist Jay Ferguson’s “The Answer Was You” comes creeping with its Mellotron chasing the tight-knit harmonies. Lead guitarist Patrick Petland throws in the sliced and diced power pop of “Unkind.” Even drummer Andrew Scott contributes two tracks, including the bristling shuffle of “Traces.” With four songwriters in the group and talented vocalists all around, Sloan can pull off anything they desire. Power- pop and psychedelia, however, are their preferred interests and “Your Daddy Will Do” explores another way the Beach Boys could have taken their post Pet Sounds material. The sweet ballad “Green Gardens, Cold Montreal” is further proof of just how great this band can be.