Search - Sloan :: Action Pact

A BIT DOWN, BUT ROCKIN' ALL THE SAME!!

D | Canada | 08/21/2003

(4 out of 5 stars)

"At first listen, "Action Pact", Sloan's 7th studio LP, is barely identifiable as the follow-up to 2001's Pretty Together; all the songs are fast and rockin', with guitars cranked
to new heights and fabulous vocal harmonies strewn all over the place. Also, it is indisputably the band's "fastest" album to date, with its quick-tempo song assemblage clocking in at just under 40 minutes. Nevertheless, as listeners work their way through the disc, they'll discover an unhappy quality that is inundated throughout the recording; this is a characteristic that Action Pact and Pretty Together share, at least to a certain extent.On A.P., Sloan appears to have developed the tones of Pretty Together, with the addition of a sonic touch that is perhaps slightly reminiscent of their early 90s origins, as well as mid-80s rock. Some of the results are undoubtedly sloan-esque (see "Gimmie That", "I Was Wrong" and "Reach Out"), while others seem to have departed from what has come to be known as the "sloan sound" (it is almost debatable, for instance, whether
"Backstabbin'" was actually written by Patrick Pentland or the collective members of KISS and AC/DC!). The cohesiveness of Action Pact seems the obvious culprit for the creation of the different sound. Working with producer Tom Rothrock in Los Angeles may have indeed altered the likeable "Sloan democracy," even though the band members seem closer than they ever have before. The idea of having a Chris & Patrick powered album was a good one, but when the tones of Pretty Together are joined with strong 80s influences and new-wave punk (as is the case on "Hollow Head" & "Who Loves Life More?"), this choice becomes questionable. In fact, Action Pact
can actually seem downright depressing after a full listen-through, as too many of the songs have minor undertones. Even
Jay Ferguson's songs are less mellow and more down than usual - "False Alarm" may as well be a long-lost Smeared tune. Moreover, it is a great tragedy that there are no psychedelic songwriting contributions from drummer Andrew Scott (though
on this album he still drums very well!). Unlike Pretty Together, Action Pact is definitely NOT sugary pop, although 2 of Chris Murphy's tracks (both the first single "The Rest of My Life" and the Travis-like "Nothing Lasts Forever Anymore") seem to be obvious progressions from nostalgic P.T. songs, and serve to provide a nice break from the other songs on the record. That said, the abudance of good-time rockers on Action Pact still makes for a great listening experience! While it may seem a bit "too much" at first, each individual song is thoroughly enjoyable, and A.P. is another great work from the greatest Canadian rock band. If new to the Sloan catalogue, however, I would recommend that you begin your Sloan journey with either One Chord to Another, Navy Blues or Between the Bridges before taking this pact for action."

I Like It

dirtberger2 | Apple Valley, CA USA | 10/03/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"My wife and I finally agreed on something, this CD would have been better without the last 3 songs. For most bands, 9 out of 12 great songs would make a great CD, but seeing as how this is Sloan, and in the past 5 years that I have been a fan, there was only one other song that I have to skip when it plays (Pick it up and Dial It) I was a little (but not very) disappointed."Reach Out" is tedious, the words "Reach Out" get repeated 19 times in a row to conclude the song. The drum work on the song is excellent, and is the only reason that it isn't a skipper. "Who loves life more" is painful, and "Fade Away" is only average.The best song on this disk goes to Patrick (as it usually does) "I Was Wrong" is one of the catchiest songs I have ever heard, not to mention completely true. Sometimes the only way to get the wheels rolling again with your significant other is to admit you are wrong, even if you aren't.Favorite Songs :Gimme That, Live On, Rest Of My Life, False Alarm, Nothing Lasts Forever Anymore, and of course I Was Wrong. Great tunes, great harmonies, fun sing-along-at-the-top-of-your-lungs-in-the-car songs. Maybe the 3 songs I didn't care too much for wouldn't have made it had Andrew not been to busy to write a few more songs. I applaud him for spending time with his new daughter rather than waste time writing songs for the album, I only hope there is a double dose of Andrew songs on the next album to make up for it."

Best Road Album Ever?

D | 08/20/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This CD is totally upbeat and unlike other Sloan records it contains no experimental songs. What you get is straight ahead rock n roll, guitar bass and drums. Every song is uptempo and sounds best loud. I expect 4 or 5 hits in Canada. The release of a Sloan record is always a treat and Action Packed is no different."