The band was formed in 1991, when Chris Murphy and Andrew Scott met at the Nova Scotia College of Art and Design (NSCAD) in Halifax. Patrick Pentland and Jay Ferguson joined soon after. In 1992, the band created their own record label, called Murderecords, for themselves and other Halifax area bands, and the outfit released the 'Peppermint EP' (the release also known as just 'Peppermint').
According to Sloan's official website, the band's name refers to a friend's nickname. Their friend, Jason Larsen, was called 'Slow One' by his French-speaking boss, which with the French accent sounded more like 'Sloan'. The original agreement was that they could name the band after their friend's nickname as long as he was on the cover of their first album. As a result, it is Larsen who appears on the cover of the 'Peppermint EP'.
Later in 1992, Sloan released their full-length debut, titled 'Smeared', on Geffen Records. Like many indie rock groups before them, the band found that major label dealings were basically as much trouble as they were worth. In 1994, Geffen did not promote their second album, called 'Twice Removed', due to artistic disputes, although it sold well in Canada. Spin named the album one of the "Best Albums You Didn't Hear" in 1994. A 1996 reader poll by Canadian music magazine Chart! ranked it as the best Canadian album of all time only two years after its release. The same poll in 2000 ranked the album third, behind Joni Mitchell's 'Blue' and Neil Young's 'Harvest', while the 2005 poll once again ranked the album first.
After the release of Twice Removed, the band went on hiatus and were rumoured to have broken up, as they had rejected Geffen's offer for their next album. In 1996, however, they released the widely praised One Chord to Another on their own Murderecords label. Following 1998's Navy Blues album, Sloan released their first live album 4 Nights at the Palais Royale in 1999. Those albums were followed by Between the Bridges in 1999, and Pretty Together in 2001.
Sloan made a concerted effort to break into the US market on their 2003 release Action Pact. Songs were recorded in L.A. with Tom Rothrock producing. The glossier, radio-ready sound failed to raise Sloan's profile in the US, though they continued to be highly popular in Canada.
Sloan's first compilation album A Sides Win: Singles 1992-2005, included two new songs, "All Used Up" and "Try to Make It". The Japanese release included two additional new tracks.
Now signed to Yep Roc Records for their US releases, they put out their eighth disc, Never Hear the End of It in 2006. The album contained 30 tracks with all the members of the band contributing new songs. It was met with widespread critical acclaim and became the highest charting Sloan album in the US up to that point.
In 2008, Sloan followed up their longest album with their shortest release Parallel Play.
In November 2009 Sloan added a digital music store to their website. The band released an online-only EP called Hit & Run to promote the store. The EP featured two songs by Chris Murphy, and one by each of the other band members. Murphy's Take It Upon Yourself was released as a free single. In February 2010, the band released another online exclusive, the compilation album B-Sides Win: Extras, Bonus Tracks and B-Sides 1992 - 2008.
In 2013, the band revealed plans for a double album, with each of the four sides featuring a solo suite by a different band member. In May 2014, it was announced that the new album would be titled "Commonwealth" and would be released in September 2014. On July 14, 2014, the band announced the official release date for the album (September 9, which turned out to be accurate) and the release of the album's first single, "Keep Swinging (Downtown)". The album cover portrays the band members as four-of-a-kind kings. The suits of these playing cards correspond to the titles of their solo sides: Jay Ferguson's side is called Diamond, Chris Murphy's is Heart, Patrick Pentland's is Shamrock, and Andrew Scott's is Spade.
Hollow Head
Sloan Lyrics
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It's obnoxious and absurd
I dedicate myself too late
To all the people who have heard
The sound of the living gospel
The promise of the living word
That a fool like me can refuse to believe
Take it on!
Arms and elbows
Made to hold close
Legs that follow
Head that's hollow
All that you know
Is love must grow
Or you will lose
The hardest lesson that you learn
Elimination of concern
I realize the compromise
Is the flicker not the burn
It's easy living life on the outside
To never have to wait for your turn
But a fool like me can refuse to believe
And still get what I deserve
Sloan's song "Hollow Head" is a reflective and philosophical piece about personal growth and the acceptance of life's difficult lessons. The opening lyrics indicate that the singer has traveled extensively and has encountered significant challenges along the way. He laments that he has "followed it half way around the world," referring to his pursuit of some elusive goal or objective. Despite the absurdity of his journey, he acknowledges the importance of the people who have listened to him and heard his message. This reflects the idea that even when we struggle or appear to fail, we can find meaning and purpose in helping others.
The song goes on to discuss the nature of personal growth and the necessity of learning hard lessons. The singer acknowledges that he has been a "fool" for refusing to believe certain truths but notes that this has not exempted him from the consequences of his actions. He encourages listeners to embrace love and cultivate it in their lives, warning that failure to do so means they will ultimately "lose." This sentiment is particularly relevant in today's world, where there is so much negativity and divisiveness. The song's chorus reinforces this message, emphasizing that we must embrace the entire human experience, both good and bad, in order to grow.
Overall, "Hollow Head" is a powerful reflection on the human condition and the importance of personal growth. Its underlying message of love and resilience makes it an inspiring and thought-provoking piece that resonates with listeners from all walks of life.
Line by Line Meaning
I followed it half way around the world
I pursued a certain something with utmost dedication and zeal, even if it meant traversing great distances
It's obnoxious and absurd
It's absolutely ridiculous and insane
I dedicate myself too late
I offer my full commitment and effort after the opportunity has already passed
To all the people who have heard
This pertains to anyone who has listened or paid attention to the event in question
The sound of the living gospel
The message of the good news that is also prevalent and current
The promise of the living word
The spoken assurance that offers hope and justification in life
That a fool like me can refuse to believe
Even a person like me with lesser intellect and understanding can choose not to accept the truth
And to get what I deserve
The consequences of my actions won't spare me, regardless of my beliefs
Arms and elbows
The physical parts of a human body that can be used to hold close
Made to hold close
Arms and elbows are created and meant to embrace and cuddle
Legs that follow
The pair of limbs located below the waistline that provide motion and momentum
Head that's hollow
The mind devoid of any intelligence, rationality or wisdom
All that you know
Every aspect of knowledge you possess about the world
Is love must grow
Love must be nurtured and cultivated to flourish and bloom
Or you will lose
Failure to do so results in losing that love or affection altogether
The hardest lesson that you learn
The most difficult realization you'll ever know
Elimination of concern
Giving up on every worry or stress in life
I realize the compromise
I now understand the need to make a concession in life
Is the flicker not the burn
It's the fleeting moment rather than the prolonged agony
It's easy living life on the outside
It's simple to maintain an existence without experiencing the troubles or hardships of others
To never have to wait for your turn
You won't ever have to wait for your fortune, as everything seems handed to you easily
But a fool like me can refuse to believe
A person like me can be unable to comprehend reality despite evidence
And still get what I deserve
Regardless, my actions lead to the same consequences that should have been anticipated
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Thelma
on Everything You've Done Wrong
Thelma I like the title