Sloan, Pretty Together (Murder) 9
Once upon a time, Halifax, Nova Scotia-based Sloan were compared to Radiohead, in that their 1993 hit single "Underwhelmed," and Radiohead's "Creep" had them pegged as alternative one-hit wonders. Eight years and six albums later, they haven't reached the creative or popular heights as Radiohead, but they've gradually cultivated a dedicated following based on hard touring and irresistible power pop and 70s stadium rock, rewriting The Beatles, Badfinger and Cheap Trick songbooks. On Pretty Together, they're tighter than ever, with all four members participating in the songwriting. The result is more cohesive than their last effort, 1999's enjoyable Between The Bridges. That is, with the exception of "Pick It Up And Dial It," a cringe-inducing approximation of Sammy Hagar-era Van Halen. "In The Movies" leads off with a Who-ish guitar, and drumming nearly worthy of Keith Moon. Sloan's live experience shows. While nothing here is catchy as, say, "Deeper Than Beauty," the album is full of nice touches, like the best "ooh ooh" harmonies since The Posies, and folky acoustic touches in songs like the affecting ballad, "The Other Man." The deceptively simple "The Life Of A Working Girl" features some impressive picking, and lyrics nearly worthy of John Lennon. Songs like "Dreaming Of You," "It's In Your Eyes," and "I Love A Long Goodbye" demonstrate what they do best, dreamy love songs. No wonder the most diehard Sloan fans I know are women. They also rock. While Sloan are hardly groundbreaking, they have gelled into a groove that, with all its influences, sounds irrefutably like Sloan. Catch the boys on their next tour and show them your tits.
