Customer Reviews

4 Nights at the Palais Royale

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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!

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.

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.

In this day and age of pre-fab "bubblegum" bands with lyrics lacking any power or originality this two volume live set by Sloan is a truly welcome treat for the ears. Though this was recorded live each track is flawless and the audience participation and bantering between band members did not detract in any way from the musical experience quite the contrary it made it all the more intense. This band truly connects with both their audience and their music. Taking inspiration from both the 60's and 70's Sloan has created a unique sound that can be hard and driving as in "MoneyCity Maniacs" or persuasive and haunting like "Coax Me". If all those "be my baby" top 10 pop hits are getting you down try something a little different that will still keep ya dancing all night long and give "4 Nights" a listen.

No real surprises on this live double cd. The set is an enhanced version of the one they played in Chicago the last 2 times.

The approach is similar to what The Who did with Live at Leeds a mere 28 years ago. Turn on the recorder and just play. This includes the group banter between songs, teeny-bopper girls screaming "Slo-o-o-o-o-an", and a strange reference to barnyard animals.

It's a little self-indulgent, but not too much so.

The music and sound quality are very good, and the members of Sloan replicate their vocals and harmonies very well in this recording.

It's just a very fun cd over all, and the stories behind the songs are informative for Sloan fans of any age or interest level.

Some highlights include:

A funny introductory narrative which when played in the context of the concert makes Sloan sound like a savior to the world. Quite ammusing.

A recording of horns and marching drums to end "Sinking Ships"

Vocal harmonies in place of the horns in "Everything You've Done Wrong."

An excellent version of "Suppose They Close the Door," which is one of their most mature compositions in my opinion. Very tough to pull this off live, but they do it remarkably well.

A KISS-like drum solo and crowd invlovement thing in "Money City Maniacs."

The closer: "Underwhelmed," the original Slaon sing-along.

My official rating is 3.5 stars but there was no option for 1/2 stars.

Enjoy!

I have liked Sloan for five years now, and they never cease to amaze me. With every cd they put out, they surprise me again on how diverse the four lads really are, and 4 Nights is no different.

Wow could this be any cooler? two discs all great all sloan. Great old Sloan and Great new Sloan. what more could any fan ask for? "Snowsuit sound" is my pick for disc one: and as for disc two my choice would have to be "torn". Thank you Sloan.

This album is the next best thing to seeing Sloan live. I've seen them several times and they rock live. This CD is good at capturing their essence while also keeping the crowd in it. As anyone who's ever been to a Sloan show knows, the crowd is just as involved in the show as the band is. This album kept in all the sing-along parts, as well as "Happy Birthday" to Chris. It's got the great fun of the live show, without the confinining space and odours of the concert venue.

All the best Sloan songs on one CD, and they are amazing live.

This album is absolutely amazing. One of the most impressive things about Four nights is that nothing has been over-dubbed or studio improved. It sounds as it was. I've had the opportunity of attending one of the nights at the Palais Royale and I will say that it was absolutely amazing. Money city Maniacs-----amazing audience participation and psyching up by the band themselves. One heart-beating track after another. A collective greatest hits hitherto. I was there baby!