Sloan
"Coax Me"
A Sides Win: Singles 1992-2005
(2005)
The need to know: A Canadian institution that never quite found much success in the states, Sloan made some of the best power pop to come out of that country in the 90s. Although critically adored, their first attempt at United States domination found the band feuding with Geffen records and the label refusing to promote their second album, Twice Removed, in 1994. The band found much love and acclaim in their native Canada, however, releasing no less than five albums between 1996 and 2001. Still going strong, Sloan's most recent album, the again well-received Parallel Play, was released in 2008.
Why it's worthy: Orginally appearing on Twice Removed, "Coax Me" is largely thought to be based on the death of Kurt Cobain and his relationship with Courtney Love, as well as the band's struggles with Geffen at that time. A low-key, catchy tune, the Chris Murphy-penned song is largely dominated by the clever wordplay that made the group's earlier songs, like "Underwhelmed", so loveable. But it also comes across as an underhanded Fuck You. Murphy may be singing "Coax Me" but it sounds a lot like "Bring it."
Quotable lyric: "It's not the band I hate/ It's their fans"
Where you've heard it: Sloan contributed five songs to the soundtrack for Sophia Coppola's 1999 film, The Virgin Suicides.
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