Sloan

Add Date: June 3

Artist: Sloan

Album: Parallel Play

Label: Yep Roc

Genre: Power pop, guitar rock

Comments: Veteran Canadian quartet Sloan returns with their ninth studio album, and the follow-up to 2006's Never Hear the End of It. In comparison to that 30-song extravaganza, Parallel Play is more condensed and focused--no small feat, considering that all four members wrote and sang lead vocals on at least three tracks each. Focused, too, doesn't mean homogeneous, as the record ranges from the expected power pop standouts "Cheap Champagne," "I'm Not a Kid Anymore" and "Witch's Wand," to the jangly rocker "Down in the Basement," to the psychedelic-leaning "The Dogs." Another stellar effort from this Halifax foursome.