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ivan@stellysee.de
| From | Bill Silvers <wsilvers@earthlink.net> |
| Subject | Re: NSAIG...new Sloan |
| Date | Thu, 7 Dec 2006 16:51:35 -0500 (EST) |
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Jason Damas wrote:
>For what my money's worth, I'm glad that Sloan packed the album with 30
>songs, many of them with the economy of the typical Guided By Voices cut. I
>think that another 15 track album with more fleshed-out cuts would've
>sounded curiously like "just another Sloan album," which is a criticism that
>has been (successfully) levied at them in the past. They're a decade and a
>half into their career now, and they have put out at least three (if not
>four) records in a row on auto-pilot mode. "Never Hear The End of It" is
>really the sound of a band challenging themselves and breaking the mold
>while still working within their style, and as such it's my favorite since
>at least "Navy Blues." I really think that, out of the 30 tracks, there's
>not a single dud. And some of those 90 second tracks are amongst my
>favorites, too. I'm still listening to the record all the time and hearing
>new songs and hooks all over the place... it's truly a surprise to hear them
>sounding so rejuvenated so late in their career. --J
Jason, you are my hero. <g>
I won't say "I couldn't agree more," because I guess I probably could, but bravo for seeing things a little differently. I always hear folks say that records are too long, that bands should more or less stick to ten "perfect" songs in 35 minutes and get the hell out of Dodge. I agree that there isn't a "dud" on NEVER HEAR..., only relatively stronger and lesser tracks. It's ironic to me that a band with Sloan's track record could release 30 tracks and 78 minutes worth of new music and have it be seen somehow as a negative to be overcome or corrected with a bit less self-indulgence. Indulge away, boys.
b.s.
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