After 2001's "Pretty Together," many a Sloan fan was left wondering what direction their heroes would take on their latest material. Recorded in L.A. under the watchful eye of producer Tom Rothrock (Beck, Badly Drawn Boy), this is a decidedly more focused effort than the previous record. Brimming with radio-friendly tunes, this release will definitely polarize Sloan's faithful following. While some will dismiss the band as having "sold out," Action Pact showcases their unique talent for writing catchy sing-along choruses and great hooks. The boys allowed Rothrock to select the tracks for Action Pact, and he obviously favoured the power pop leanings of Patrick Pentland and Chris Murphy to the more eclectic songwriting of Jay Ferguson and Andrew Scott. In fact, drummer Scott does not contribute a single songwriting credit to this release, although his formidable presence on the drums has never been so fully captured as on the rollicking opening track "Gimme That." Lyrically, the album could be a bit of disappointment for Sloan fans looking for clever word play and introspection, with Pentland's "Backstabbin'" a particular lyrical lowlight. Still Ferguson's "False Alarm" and Murphy's "Rest Of My Life" rival their best work of the past, and Pentland's "I Was Wrong" would be a massive hit in a just world. This is a party album, and repeated listens show that Sloan have added some great songs to their already formidable arsenal. -Dave Mix, Oct.28.03

Action Pact