Canadian power-pop superstars Sloan celebrate their dominance with this double-live-CD set, recorded largely during a multi-evening stand at a Toronto theater in 1998. Most of 4 Nights of the Palais Royale's meaty perfo... more »rmances at least equal their studio versions, with a stripped-down 'Everything You've Done Wrong' and a cranking 'Money City Maniacs' among the highlights. Gatefold digipak. 1999 release.« less
Canadian power-pop superstars Sloan celebrate their dominance with this double-live-CD set, recorded largely during a multi-evening stand at a Toronto theater in 1998. Most of 4 Nights of the Palais Royale's meaty performances at least equal their studio versions, with a stripped-down 'Everything You've Done Wrong' and a cranking 'Money City Maniacs' among the highlights. Gatefold digipak. 1999 release.
"4 Nights at the Palais Royale is the crowning element of a complete Sloan collection. This double CD truly captures the essence of a Sloan concert. Most fans, like myself, enjoy the banter between Chris, Patrick, Jay and (though infrequently) Andrew during the shows; we also enjoy the informal manner in which Sloan navigates through their set. Sloan often changes a set list at a fan's request. Sloan is a fan's band; they are accessible, humble, and overly willing to sign autographs and decipher lyrics. This album, as called by one reviewer, is a "love letter" to all Sloan fans, and if you are a HUGE fan, you probably can hear yourself screaming and chanting ON the recording!"
Really more for the fans than the uninitiated
Merlin D. Mann | 11/17/1999
(3 out of 5 stars)
"This is not a good place to start if you're trying out Sloan for the first time--go with any of the studio albums (except the baby-steps debut "Smeared"). The strengths of the album are the good humor, spirited crowd participation and go for broke playing. On the other hand, the playing is sloppy, the singing is sometimes a bit off-key, and the band too often stops what they're doing to let the fawning audience fill in the blank--like in parts of "snowsuit sound" and "i can feel it". 2 cd's are too much for all except the most rabid fan, and only 1 song out of the 20-plus on the whole set surpasses the original--"Anyone Who's Anyone." But believe me, my less than ringing endorsement of this record by no means implicates incredible Sloan records like "Between the Bridges", "Navy Blues," "One Chord to Another" and "Twice Removed." I'd recommend you order all 4 and get caught up on the pop genius that is Sloan."
Simply the best live record I own.
Merlin D. Mann | San Francisco, CA USA | 08/16/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I love this record.Like most any live set, it's probably not the ideal place for the first-time listener, but how many live records are?You'd be hard-pressed to find a group this talented who's so tuned in to their fans, and on this great collection it shows.Quibbles about the noodling, the chatting, and the lack of overdubs is pretty pointless, IMHO. Unlike their heros, KISS, Sloan leaves the "clams" in, and I think that's part of what makes it so charming.That aside, the performances are all pretty great. This is an all-out rock n roll romp with a band who knows how to please the kids who put the $$ (Canadian or otherwise) on the barrelhead. They seem like a swell bunch."
Great Album
Mat (luckabee@hotmail.com) | Ontario, Canada | 08/09/1999
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Just a great album. Gives you a great idea of what they are like live. I just wish I could of went to one of their concerts."