The Automatik

Watch this at: http://www.vikrecordings.com/sloan/actionpact/multimedia.html

Relief flooded over me when I realized that this song was the first single from Sloan’s new album, since I was certain it would be the album opener, “Gimme That.” Not that “Gimme That” doesn’t provide a thorough sonic ass-kicking; it’s just that we went down that route with Pretty Together‘s “If It Feels Good, Do It” and I was hoping for something different this time around. (Someone should serve me with a “Comparing Everything to Pretty Together” gag order, I swear to God.)

“The Rest of My Life” is a delightfully clever pop song where Chris Murphy proves that the impressive vocals he displayed on Between the Bridges‘ “The Marquee and the Moon” were not a fluke or studio trick. Sloan trademarks abound: honest, self-deprecating lyrics, goofy basslines, the asymmetrical song structure, and loving mentions of their home country. How does Murphy sing a line like, “One thing for sure about the rest of my life/I know that I’ll be living it in Canada” without sounding like Lee Greenwood mewling that at least he knows he’s free? It’s all part of the Sloan charm, I suppose.

Speaking of charm, the video for the song is oozing it. Watching the lads in action was like putting on a favorite pair of jeans. Props go to Jay Ferguson and Andrew Scott for being able to carry off white pants with such panache, but Patrick Pentland’s the real fashion plate with his stylish Nehru jacket. I’m not sure what look Murph’s going for with the black ensemble, blue belt, and long white scarf, but it works, and hey, he’s not wearing the bloody GUARD t-shirt so let’s encourage him a bit. (By the way, are those FLARED trousers?) I’ve said it before, but that painting in Murph’s attic is worth every penny he paid for it, although, to be fair, Pat and Andrew definitely pass The Old Grey Whistle Test, ifyouknowwhatimean. (Look it’s a video; I can objectify them if I want.)

All the familiar semiotics, from Andrew nearly falling off the drum stool, to the Murphy Rock Kick?, to Jay’s David Lee Roth moves are present and accounted for. The scene transition from the Mini-Murph pushing up her glasses to the present day one doing the same is priceless, as is the fact that Mini-Murph is played by a girl. The portrayal of the other young Sloans is pretty spot on, from young Pentland’s glasses right down to the old TV set and wood paneled basement. No Spin the Bottle in this video, however. It’s all wholesome fun.

Did I mention I watched it twice in a row? I did. Awww, Sloan. Oh yes, and here’s perhaps the best part of all: PATTY SMILES.