Customer Reviews

Barenaked Ladies Are Me

5 star:		(18)
4 star:		(19)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(9)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

"Some stupid number one hit single has got me in this mess!" The line from Barenaked Ladies' debut album, Gordon, proved prescient for the band following the success of "One Week" from their 1998 smash Stunt. The band had always crafted a whimsical blend of the somber and the comedic, yet they had garnered notoriety mostly for their humorous work, and the frenetic, pop culture-referencing song only further established them as a clever but glib band in the minds of critics and the general public.

Set on surmounting the novelty band stigma, the Ladies toned down their customary quirkiness a bit on their next two albums--Maroon (2000) and Everything to Everyone (2003). However, Reprise sought to capitalize on more rapid-rhyming singles, releasing "Pinch Me" and "Another Postcard" as lead singles for the albums. "Pinch Me" reached #15 on the Hot 100 and Maroon went platinum, but the downright inane "Another Postcard" received little airplay, and Everything to Everyone sold poorly. Disappointed with Reprise's promotional support (or lack thereof), the band left their long-time label in 2004 to form Desperation Records.

The common critical assessment of the band's new album, Barenaked Ladies Are Me, is that it's BNL's first "mature" album. Although such an assessment shows some critics' relative ignorance of Barenaked Ladies' entire work as well as an apparent forgetfulness of their own work (many writers hailed Maroon and Everything to Everyone as the band's "mature" albums), it's fair to say that a serious tone pervades the album. On songs like the acoustic-driven first single, "Easy," and the buoyant, sing-along-inducing "Bull in a China Shop," long-time songwriting partners Steven Page and Ed Roberston explore the familiar BNL themes of self-doubt and relationship complexities. Elsewhere the duo sharpen the political commentary that emerged on Everything to Everyone. The strongest of the politically-minded tracks (and perhaps the strongest song on the entire album) is "Maybe You're Right," which builds from sparse instrumentation to a resounding brass-filled finale. The album isn't devoid of BNL's trademark humor, though. On "Bank Job," a quirky waltz that could be the premise for a Cohen brothers' film, Robertson sings of a heist stymied by one of the robber's "crisis of conscience" when the bank is full of nuns. And, on "Wind It Up," the album's southern-rock closer, Robertson delivers possibly the funniest line of the album: "I was a baby when I learned to suck/But you have raised it to an art form."

Keyboardist Kevin Hearn and bassist Jim Creeggan also contribute some songwriting, with Hearn penning the Queen-esque "Sound of Your Voice" (sung by Page) and "Vanishing," and Creeggan providing "Peterborough and the Kawarthas." Hearn's songwriting contributions, including two other tracks on the deluxe edition, are his most prolific with the band, but his soft, colorless vocals are an acquired taste.

Despite many fans welcoming the band's continuing departure from fallacious ditties (No songs about postcards with chimps? Hallelujah!), some prefer early-era BNL (Gordon to be specific) and will no doubt be disappointed with the scarcity of BNL's customary hyperactivity. Of the thirteen tracks, only a handful could really be considered "peppy." Given that the band had written plenty of uptemo songs during the recording sessions--songs like "Running Out of Ink," "Down to Earth," and "Maybe Not," all of which are available on the deluxe edition of the album--one has to assume BNL consciously pursued a mellow vibe. The album doesn't really hit toe-tapping territory until the third song, "Sound of Your Voice," and two songs--the opening track "Adrift" and "Vanishing--are peaceful to the point of being downright somniferous.

Even though the album could use the jolt a song like "Running Out of Ink" would provide, the bulk of the material is by no means dull. The music is the sound of five guys who clearly enjoy the new-found freedom of making music on their own terms. BNL's greatest strength has always been their songwriting, and the album shows Page, Robertson, and Co. returning to form after the uneven Everything to Everyone. Barenaked Ladies Are Me not only surpasses its predecessor but also stands among the best work of the band's career.

The sticker on the plastic likens Barenaked Ladies are Me, but the closest comparison I can make is to Maroon. Definitely a shift from the moody Alternative of Everything to Everyone, this latest release is, nearly entirely, upbeat Adult Contemporary (as if these labels have any meaning). Seriously--this album is so upbeat, I think there's a good chance I was skipping as I walked down the street, earbuds in my ears.

Think: "Too Little Too Late," "The Humor of the Situation," "Go Home" and "Humor of the Situation." Now imagine it tighter. With much more elaborate arrangements (seriously, they didn't even use this many instruments on Gordon--there were times when I was wondering whether I was listening to BNL or Sufjan Stevens).

The lyrics are classic BNL (with "Bank Job" on par with "Another Postcard"--it's a good song when you don't hear it 20 times a day--in terms of off-beat humor). I've been told this album was more of a collaborative writing effort. I'll take my source's word for it.

Highlights: "Easy" and "Wind it Up" (from the EP), "Maybe You're Right" and "Bull in a China Shop."

Also of note: Kevin Hearn gets to sing! I know of no other time I've heard his voice except "Hidden Sun" (again, on Maroon).

The new album is probably their most consistent album they've made. The songs flow into each other wonderfully; nothing on the album is a jarring departure from the overall theme. While it lacks the darker edge of "Everything to Everyone," the album instead focuses on the nostalgic and pleasant. It features the trademark wit the band is known for, but it's much more subtle. While it doesn't have the boundless energy of "Gordon" or the pop sound of "Stunt," it is an album that demands to be listened to from beginning to end.

If you're expecting a "joke" album with "joke" songs, move on. Yes, there is still humor in here, but there aren't any postcards with monkeys on them. In my opinion, this album is their most professional, and their music ability is truly highlighted. I especially love "Maybe You're Right" and "Sound of Your Voice." The first single, "Easy," is actually the most boring song on the album. I think "Take it Back" is a well-kept secret and may end up being played over the airwaves to the masses.

This album is full of lush harmonies and easy going melodies that harken back to the "Pet Sounds" era, but they still remain BNL. Not as instantly catchy as Stunt or Maroon, but more infectious. Once you let it in, it's like a cozy little fire keeping you warm during a power outage in the middle of winter.
Among the best songs are Adrift, Take it Back, and Everything Had Changed. They even let Jim Creegan get in on the fun as he wrote and sings "Peterborough and the Kawarthas," an odd little ditty that is light without being pointless.

This album has been a pleasant surprise for me this year.

DVD-audio release of Barenaked Ladies Are Me and Barenaked Ladies are Men (aka, Barenaked Ladies are Me Deluxe Edition). If you have a DVD-audio setup, this is the one to buy. All 29 songs, remastered in 5.1 sound. Just like the DVD-audio remix of "Everything for Everyone", this one isn't terribly obtrusive or gimmicky, just a nice separation of tracks and the extra clarity that comes from the extended range.

Again, if you have the capability to enjoy it, pull the trigger and get this one.

I have been listening to the Barenaked Ladies since I was [...]and have loved almost everything they have done. Although at first I was not a huge fan of Everything to Everyone I grew to like it a lot, but they were still great because of the old stuff and they are an excellent live band. I am glad I didn't give up on them! Barenaked Ladies Are Me is unbelievable and it might be their best album ever! I have listened to it about ten times now and I like it more everyday. It is definitely their most emotional album since Born on a Pirate Ship. "Home" is one of the best songs they have ever written and is up there with "Call and Answer" and "Break Your Heart" in terms of emotional power. "Adrift","Sound of Your Voice", "Bull in a China Shop" and "Everything Had Changed" are great. The last one even brought me memories of Elliott Smith R.I.P. It was also great to see Jim and Kevin get into the action since they are horribly under utilized. Maybe next time around we can even get a Tyler solo, haha. Anyway, buy this album it is great and go out and see them live if you can, because they are amazing!

I've been a fan of Barenaked Ladies since Stunt and have all of their albums. This album ranks right up there near the top. Not quite as good as Gordon which seems to always be the case with any band never equalling their first effort.

The songs on this album aren't as whimsical as their earlier stuff, but they have grown up. The music is still well written, it's still upbeat, catchy, poppy. Ever since Everything to Everyone they've seemed to be writing more politically charged songs (though not overly obvious). These songs may not appeal to everyone but they sound good to my ears. It is true there isn't a true standout dynamite single but overall, the collection of songs on the album are strong enough for a 4.5 (or a 5 rounding up)

My favorite tracks are: Wind It Up, Take It Back, Maybe You're Right, Bank Job, Home.

Sure the majority of it is mellow, but comparing it to Barry Manilow is a terrible comparison. Adult contemporary? Nothing wrong with that, they've always been played on those stations. Think Maybe You Should Drive kinda mellow.

Less whimsy, more serious sound, but still unistakenly BNL. Lyrics are typically intelligent and harmonies are terrific. Sound is similar to their work on 'Stunt', but more rooted in slower and midtempo songs, and less raucous tunes like 'Alcohol'. Jim Creeggan and Kevin Hearn continue to leave their mark, increasingly more so on 'BLAM'. Standout tracks include 'Bull In A China Shop', 'Peterborough & The Kawarthas' and 'Sound Of Your Voice'. Ed Robertson's guitar work is especially good on the new disc, and especially on 'Easy' and 'Wind It Up'. All-around solid effort .

Barenaked Ladies Are Me shows that the Barenaked Ladies are one of the most consistently great bands around. They were never a "joke" band, as they are skillful musicians, talented singers, and do weigh in on serious matters of love and the world. "War On Drugs" from Everything To Everyone is an example of how they create very powerful music. But the Barenaked Ladies never took themselves very seriously, and their charming quirkiness adds another dimension to their music. On Barenaked Ladies Are Me, the Barenaked Ladies have found the perfect combination of playfulness and maturity. The guitar riffs are maybe a bit less catchy than before, but also more fresh. And "Home" is their best ballad. There's also even better chemistry between Steven Page and Ed Robertson and the rest of the band in working together. A must have!