Barenaked Ladies

Barenaked Ladies – Gordon

Their first record, this is their finest. There’s a fine control to the goofy humour, and an insouciant energy that’s still just the bunch of talented crazies who stuffed themselves into the Speakers Corner box to play. So much fun! The sound is perfect, and the songs are impeccable. I first heard this in the art room at high school (thanks to Brian and Skippy), got my own copy post-haste (these days I own both CDN and US releases), and have I loved it ever since. Quite untouchable.

Barenaked Ladies – Maybe You Should Drive*

How to follow the strength of Gordon? Keep the signature sound and brilliant playing, but get a bit more serious (while maintaining the fun, not an easy feat). Each song is unique. It was also the record that had to happen. If they’d tried to remake Gordon, we wouldn’t have gotten to see this other side to the band, and they probably wouldn’t have been as successful as they became later. To me, this is solid gold. And paired with Gordon, it’s a one-two punch about which other bands can only dream.

Barenaked Ladies – Stunt**

Another excellent record, but this one has an edge to its pop sheen. The playing is still unimpeachable, the musical styles are still wide and varied, but there’s a darker element here, the playful comes packed with a punch. And that’s really odd, considering this was the record that truly introduced them to the world outside Canada and is a favourite among some fans. The hits are here, of course, but this record feels really tense. It’s like they’re doing this because they must, to get famous, not as much because it’s fun anymore. Still a good, hook-filled listen, for all that.

NB: I was a first day buyer of this CD in HMV at 333 Yonge in Toronto. The first however-many copies were autographed, and I got mine (see photo, below). My copy also has the two bonus tracks (the hilarious She’s On Time, and Long Way Back Home).

Barenaked Ladies – Maroon

I don’t tend to spin this one as much and, in fact, it’s about the point where I started to drift away from BNL. It’s no fault of the band’s, really, maybe I just grew out of it. No, that’s not right, I still perk up when I hear them, still love them, I just haven’t bought a new release of theirs since this one, 14 years ago, and when I do play them it tends to be the first four records. My tastes must just have shifted. Aw, I can’t hate on it, though. It still sounds like them and has the hits you know.

Barenaked Ladies – Everything To Everyone

I bought this for $2 in our local thrift shop in a fit of nostalgia. I wasn’t blown away, and I wasn’t diappointed in it either. It’s more catchy pop tunes that are very good. And, in fact, it is aptly titled, as they cover a lot of styles sure to appeal to someone somewhere. The spin I gave it for this blurb didn’t rekindle my passion for them, though, and there’s a part of me, the part that really wants to like this, that still finds that tough to write. Perhaps I need to spend more time with it. I’d be willing to do that.  NB: My copy has 3 acoustic tracks tacked onto the end, I don’t know if that’s the regular edition or not.

 

* Bought in Taranna with Mike on our 2014 jaunt.
** I’ve already reviewed the album previous to this, Born On A Pirate Ship (1996), here.

Gordon CDN

Gordon US

Maybe You Should Drive

Stunt (autographed)

Maroon

Everything To Everyone