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Steady

by Sloan

supported by
Todd Leiter-Weintraub
Todd Leiter-Weintraub thumbnail
Todd Leiter-Weintraub Sloan breaks absolutely NO new ground on their newest record. And I couldn't care less. Because when the songs are this good, nothing else matters.
This kicks ass.
marcusalmightygemineye
marcusalmightygemineye thumbnail
marcusalmightygemineye Wow! What a great album. I'm a long time Sloan fan..so great to see the band firing on all cylinders still.
I grabbed the vinyl of this album. Incredible that the drum tracks were recorded on a 4 track cassette machine. They sound great. Favorite track: Magical Thinking.
BetoR
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BetoR Hard to choose a favorite track. Not sure how they do it after all this time still great, fresh, very melodic songs. Stars aligned when these 4 got together. Favorite track: Dream It All Over Again.
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1.
If it feels right Accept unblinking Make it real life Magical thinking Message from the other side Feelings that won’t be denied Believing in it all along I think it and I can’t be wrong Unrelated, yet connects Supernatural effects It has meaning to me Make it real life Magical thinking Humankind Is wired to find Some meaning in this world reminds Me of a dream that will come true I want it I deserve it So I’m gonna get it Never wanting Always known Make it happen Thoughts alone Righteousness is ringing true And feelings tell me what to do Hate surprises Love control But explanations can’t console Just thinking it is to do it Make it real life Magical thinking I like to stay inside the realm Already comprehended Any other explanation Look to the cosmos Everyone knows It will send it Never guessing Tempting fate Predictions come but come too late The weather’s bad I can’t complain Because I’m sad I made it rain I’m being punished but for what I guess I didn’t trust my gut Sometimes I cannot control it If it feels right Accept unblinking Make it real life Magical thinking Humankind Is wired to find Some meaning in this world reminds Me of a dream that will come true I want it I deserve it I like to stay inside of the realm Already comprehended Any other explanation Look to the cosmos Everyone knows It will send it Magical thinking Magical thinking
2.
It’s not like living in your real world Is better than my life on The Other Side I’m sick of wired and I’m tethering And weathering somewhere out of my mind Hide away Spend the day in here with me a while Hide away Spend the day in here with me a while It’s not like every time your wide eyes Look at something that it’s full of lies You’re gonna try and find The who, what, why, where I refuse to recognize Hide away Spend the day in here with me a while Hide away Spend the day in here with me a while It’s not that living in your real world Is better than my life on The Other Side I’m sick of wired and I’m tethering And weathering somewhere out of my mind Hide away Spend the day in here with me a while Hide away Spend the day in here with me a while Hide away Hide away Spend the day Hide away Hide away With me a while
3.
Reading the draft Wasn’t sure where to laugh The language wasn’t very refined Skipping ahead She wasn’t sure where it lead The patterns were too hard to find Traffic and lights Connecting flights She read it through The church rang the bell Heard it from her hotel She stood up open the blinds A rolled magazine Became part of her scene She put up with what she put down Laying in bed Now off the top of her head Knowing she could take ‘em to town Traffic and lights Setting her sights She always knew Some aim to be great But they just illustrate That history’s often unkind Writing her thoughts As she stares out to the highway Will anyone read or review? Cool ocean air As she pulls in to the driveway The ceiling is cracked But she’s leaning out the window Out of the window Out of the window Out of the window Traffic and lights Connecting flights She thought it through Make no mistake She’ll never let them eat cake Because history’s often unkind Still the church rang the bell Echoed through the hotel The key is often harder to find
4.
Human Nature 02:42
Human nature Human nature We wanna make sure That we can figure out If we get talked about I don’t wanna know The latest in salacious family news Honestly I hate it but It can keep me amused Go on Oh no she never Let’s get together And talk it out Human nature Human nature We wanna make sure That we can figure out If we get talked about You don’t wanna talk But if you’re going to gossip make it good If they had the chance to dish on you You know they would You know That office chatter Tends not to flatter And it’s a shame Although It is beneath them You’ll grit your teeth when You hear your name Human nature Human nature We wanna make sure That we can figure out If we get talked about You listen as they converse And steel yourself for the worst But nobody mentioned you at all And lo! Your world was shattered You did not matter Amongst your peers A blow That made you stronger So you no longer Prick up your ears Human nature Human nature We wanna make sure That we get talked about So we won’t feel left out Human nature
5.
When you’re alone in the city No one knows your name Alone in the city everybody feels the same When you’re alone in the city No one knows your name Alone in the city everybody feels the same You’ve got your peace and love You’ve got your liquor and drugs Liquor and drugs Peace and love It feels the same Scratch the surface There’s something living on the other side Scratch the surface There’s something living that’s worthwhile Alone in the city Like a single flame Alone in the city everybody feels the same You’re alone in the city and you don’t connect The world around you and your effect Alone in the city Take it easy baby, oh yeah Scratch the surface There’s something living on The other side Scratch the surface (It’s been alive) There’s something living that’s worthwhile All my life You got your peace and love You got your liquor and drugs Liquor and drugs Peace and love It feels the same (It’s been alive) Scratch the surface (all my life) There’s something living on the other side (It’s been alive) Scratch the surface (all my life) There’s something living that’s worthwhile (It’s been alive) Scratch the surface (all my life) There’s something living on the other side (It’s been alive) Scratch the surface All my life
6.
How would you know you’d been deceived? The web of trust has torn away (Make memories) Time has a value that decreases every day Don’t give away love, light or fear Days come and go Now I really need to sow Seeds in the garden Where the garbage can breed (Make memories) Sunsets are silver And there’s panic in the streets (On Runnymede) As I’d suspected all along Big dogs are a rhythm That I can never do without They judge you not lest there’s the need Time lays low Fire’s burning hot and slow Back in the garden Where the garbage can breed Oh no (Make memories) Oh no On Runnymede
7.
What’cha gonna do If they call your name out? Raise your hand The beat to the band in tune, yeah The writing’s on the wall But the words came slowly Take a stand From key to command it’s true, yeah Light a candle make a wish Don’t blow it out It might come true, maybe Leaving everything you love’s not easy In fact, I’d rather choose To dream it all over again with you You end up looking farther afield In hindsight it kept it’s appeal So we’re here and now, yeah What’cha gonna do If they call your name out? The changing of the guard is a trend And curtain calls will come at the end Do I take my bow? Yeah What’cha gonna do If they call your name out? Light a candle make a wish Don’t blow it now It might come true, maybe Leaving everything you love’s not easy In fact, I’d rather choose To dream it all over again with you When they call your name out What’cha gonna do? When they call your name out If you wait a while Then we’ll be back in style But if you lose your thread We’re never hard to find Light a candle make a wish Don’t blow it out It might come true, maybe Leaving everything you love’s not easy In fact, I’d rather choose To dream it all over again with you Without a sapphire in your sight You’re clearly blue Let’s dream it all over again with you What’cha gonna do If they call your name out?
8.
Running up the expenses Running off at the mouth Running out of resources And heading south Sticking out your neck for me Sticking it to the man Sticking to a story I don’t understand Sticking to the plan I know I am expected to go All for one for the show Am I going to regret it? Either way The ship is sailing today And I hear what they say Nice work if you can get it Showing off’s half the battle Showing up doesn’t pay Showing in those invited But they can’t stay Pressing each other’s buttons Pressing on in the hopes Pressing problems keep us Pressing on the ropes That’s how one copes I know I am expected to go All for one for the show Am I going to regret it? Either way The ship is sailing today And I hear what they say Nice work if you can get it Turning into what I hate Turning water to wine Turning right on a red Turning on a dime Turning one more time Turning on my dime
9.
I think I finally broke in November Maybe December, I don’t remember It was late In a year that was full of hate And love and snakes and heartbreaks And kitchen sinks and earthquakes Keep it inside, yeah You keep it inside You keep it inside You keep it inside Now everybody’s coming home tonight To celebrate you and your life But I prefer to grieve In a way that we’d both believe And I don’t know what time it died But I’m pretty sure my state of mind I won’t crack Except that we all know I’m gonna crack (We all know I’m gonna crack) I think I finally broke in November Maybe December I don’t remember Love and snakes and wounds that ache Crow alone, heartbreak We made our bed of love and lies And the truth will burn and so will I Keep it inside Would mean it won’t come back Simply leaving (Simply leaving) Would mean I might come back Simply leaving (Simply leaving) Would mean I might come back Simply leaving (Simply leaving) Would mean I might come back Simply leaving (Simply leaving) Would mean I might come back
10.
If you could grab the moon And I’ll take the river Let’s try to deliver Some chills down the spine I bet you’re wondering About the clouds in the sky And how they always pass by Like thieves in the night As for children Having been one I know that Small change can be hard Like the stones from your yard These times are insane So many never getting away with it I’m wearing my mask A second summer Drawing close to its end I know There’s a pretty big part of me That tries to let go This thing keeps hiding in corners Just the same It’s so depressingly sad How held hostage we are By the wifi bars And all the gas in our cars The blinking caution light The fantods howlin’ skyward Like it’s been rigged from the start There’s a big hole in your heart And I bet you’re wondering Are all the best times behind you Or are they soon to remind you The sky’s going out So love your brothers And your sisters the same I’m wearing my mask Another changer posted Modern world game Why show There’s a window inside of me It’s starting to snow Winters come and the winters go away Summer and spring will fall away
11.
I dream of sleep I should be tired I want to see the Sandman fired Ceiling looks good But I’ve seen enough Mind races while my eyes are shut I dream of sleep Midnight and I’m wide awake 1, 2 and I’m wide awake 3, 4 and I’m wide awake 5 o’clock I’m wide awake And all too soon Sun reappears My obligations reach my ears I welcome the sound Up and get dressed As soon as I‘ve had a little rest I dream of sleep Midnight and I’m wide awake 1, 2 and I’m wide awake 3, 4 and I’m wide awake 5 o’clock I’m wide awake Midnight and I’m wide awake 1, 2 and I’m wide awake 3, 4 and I’m wide awake 5 o’clock I’m wide awake I dream of sleep I dream of sleep
12.
I cannot lie I should have thought it over There was a time I opened with a closer I flew away, away, away Kept my composure As she waved Did I become another castaway? If I simply turned around Or counted one to five Do you have to leave your home To keep your name alive? Well I guess I had to find out for myself The house remained divided Locked the door Are mirrors all one-sided? But the day went after day And still no further Breaking waves Rendered me another castaway If I simply turned around Or counted one to five Do you have to leave your home To keep your name alive? Whether you float far away Where it’s too deep to dive Failing further mention of Keep your name alive Keep your name alive La la la, la la la, la la la I flew away, away, away La la la, la la la, la la la If I simply turned around Or counted one to five Is there need to travel far In order to arrive? Whether you float far away Where it’s too deep to dive You don’t have to leave your home To keep your name alive Keep your name alive Keep your name alive Keep your name alive

about

There are certainly enough noteworthy events and experiences peppered through the 30-year history of Canadian indie rock heroes Sloan to make for a good yarn.

From the band’s earliest home studio recordings that married their pop smarts with fizzy, fuzzed out guitars that sat somewhere to the left of the shoegaze and grunge movements of the day, to the chaotic yet charismatic energy they brought to the earliest live shows in their home town of Halifax, Nova Scotia, the quartet – bassist and vocalist Chris Murphy, guitarists/vocalists Jay Ferguson and Patrick Pentland, and drummer/vocalist Andrew Scott – possessed a rare chemistry from the start. With the release of their debut album, Smeared, in 1992 (on label du jour DGC, home to Nirvana and Teenage Fanclub among others), the band set off on a trajectory that would, even in the band’s first few years, provide its share of challenges (label indifference to the follow-up album, 1994’s Twice Removed, which would lead to a temporary break-up of the band) and triumphs (the recording of what was intended to be a swan song in 1995’s One Chord to Another on their own label, murderecords, which turned into their biggest seller to date).

Yet, the bumps along the road that have taken out other bands, including many of their contemporaries of the time, didn’t derail Sloan. Instead, the band continued to rack up commercial hits (such as their amped-up 1998 album Navy Blues, featuring the anthemic “Money City Maniacs”), critically acclaimed efforts (see their sprawling double album from 2006, Never Hear the End of It) and a passionate international fan base over the span of three decades – a run that continues to this day.

To explore the reasons why the band has not only endured but evolved into an indie rock institution (a term the band would probably bristle at), a few theories rise to the top. From the beginning, the band has eschewed the typical star-making machinery that puts one member as the driving creative force, with the rest of the band serving as trusted accomplices. Sloan boasts four singing, songwriting multi-instrumentalists, all of whom contribute to the final fabric woven into each album. As a result you have a depth and breadth of music that defies simple characterizations like “power pop” or even “indie rock” – 2001’s Pretty Together balances charming chamber pop with fist-pumping rockers, while later efforts such as 2014’s Commonwealth and 2018’s fan favourite 12 contain multitudes in their track listings, ranging from Dylanesque streams of consciousness to short, sharp blasts of power pop. But somehow, it all remains quintessentially Sloan.

Another key part of the puzzle: from day one, the lineup of the band has remained unchanged. Through thick and thin, geographical relocation from Halifax to Toronto and who knows how many trials along the way, the band has stayed intact. Sure, many can point to the band’s practice, perhaps inspired by their hardcore and post-rock heroes, of splitting the earnings evenly. But there’s more at play here. There seems to be a shared understanding between both the band members themselves and their devoted audiences around the world that Sloan is the sum of its parts, and if one member were to leave for whatever reason, that would bring the story to a close. You can call this commitment – to an ideal, to friendships, to the music itself. But it resonates through the songs, through the live performances, and through the relationship the band has with their fans.

There are other aspects of the band that set them well apart from the pack – their uncanny ability to treat their music, and the presentation of it, with great care while not seeming to take themselves terribly seriously, for example. Ultimately, whatever theories appeal most to you when looking at the big, still-developing story that is Sloan, as you wind your way to the present day, there is one fact that is incontrovertible. In 2022, some 30 years on from when it all began, with the release of their 13th full-length album Steady, the tale is – thankfully – far from over.

credits

released October 21, 2022

2022 Two Minutes for Music, Ltd. Under Exclusive License to Yep Roc, LLC.

Sloan is:
Jay Ferguson
Chris Murphy
Patrick Pentland
Andrew Scott

Produced by Sloan & Ryan Haslett
Mixed by Ryan Haslett & Sloan

Recorded at The Bunker, Toronto 2020/2021
Drums recorded on a 4-track cassette recorder at Sloan Studio, Toronto 2020/2021
Piano and percussion recorded by David Matta at Giant Studio, Toronto Aug 29 2021
Mixed at The Bunker, Toronto Jan 2022
Mastered by João Carvalho at João Carvalho Mastering, Toronto

Managed by Mike Nelson & Chip Sutherland

Design and artwork by Sloan
Photography by Haris Cehajic
Layout by Simon Evers at Berkeley Stat House, Toronto

All songs written by Sloan
All songs performed by Sloan except:
Gregory Macdonald: vocals, keyboards, percussion

All songs published by Two Minutes For Music Ltd. 2022
All songs SOCAN

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Sloan Toronto, Ontario

30 years of rock-n-roll.

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