Sloan

L and A. Two letters, emblematic of the city's two different psyches: paradise found, innocence lost. It's the city of angels, but a breeding ground for the devil's music. It's home to Disneyland and the porn industry, the place that spawned both The Beach Boys and Charles Manson. It was a strange karmic coincidence that Sloan found themselves recording their seventh album there: like L.A., Sloan are the sum of their own dualities. Four distinct songwriting voices -- guitarists Patrick Pentland and Jay Ferguson, bassist Chris Murphy and drummer Andrew Scot -- that nonetheless form a cohesive collective. Long-time Toronto scenesters who will always call Halifax home. Muchmusic and rock-radio regulars who -- via their own murderecords lable -- maintain strong ties to their indie roots. Money-city maniacs who have a soft spot for sweet sugar tunes. Music vets who, instead of coasting on their cred, continue to challenge themselves with each record.