Canada's premier 70s revivalist act are in fine form on this, their fifth studio album. One can hear echoes of Badfinger ("Friendship"), both Lennon and McCartney's solo work (the opening "The N.S.", the rather creamalicious "Don't You Believe A Word"), Fleetwood Mac, Todd Rundgren... even Cheap Trick (the upbeat single "Losing California"). Lyrically, Chris Murphy & Co are still managing their usual trick of sounding simultaneously too clever and utterly baffled by everything going on around them. Although both Fountains Of Wayne and Silver Sun are better known for this sort of smooth pop-rock over here, Sloan could well be their superiors. Sounding like a cross between Wings ("Band On The Run"-era) and Elliott Smith spin-off band Quasi, Between The Bridges is a fine album indeed. --Everett True