'Between the Bridges' differs from previous Sloan releases

Although it wasn't apparent initially, after a few tracks it's clear that "Between the Bridges" differs from previous albums due to the new role of Sloan's guitars. While previously used as the driving force behind nearly every song, many of the tracks on "Between the Bridges" relegate guitar to a more supporting role. Instead, the songs rely on piano or vocals for energy. This removes some of the edge that has been such a defining quality of Sloan.

In an effort to capitalize on the success of their past two albums -1998's "Navy Blues" and 1999's live double album, "4 Nights at the Palais Royale" - Sloan didn't wait long to record and release "Between the Bridges." "To avoid stagnation," we're told, the band sent the album to be polished by professional mixer Chris Shaw.

Diehard fans, however, may feel that this treatment introduces an unnatural thinness to the album. In fact, my first reaction upon hearing the single "Losing California" was to ask, "When did Sloan start taking singing lessons?"

Longtime listeners will immediately note that "Between the Bridges" is the first Sloan album that begins with a slow song instead of a high-energy, pop single-style track. This slow song, "The N.S.," forces the listener to reconsider his expectations of the album. The band suggests that "Between the Bridges" is Sloan's first concept album, telling the story of the band's journey out of Halifax in a quest for rock stardom. Applying this context to the lyrics of each song exposes powerful messages that are seldom found in popular music today. The story is further enhanced by the flow of each track into the next, which gives a lot of unity to the album.

Is it hypocritical to use an artificial sound to tell a serious story? Perhaps, but it may also be time to realize that Sloan's original "Peppermint" EP was released nearly ten years ago. If the sound has evolved, it is because the band has matured.

With killer harmonies and a nod to their rock-star roots (woooo!), Sloan's "Between the Bridges" shows that if we all must eventually grow up, this is how we'd want to do it.

09-28-99