Customer Reviews

Rock Spectacle

5 star:		(123)
4 star:		(13)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Barenaked Ladies is an excellent band. It especially shows during their live performances. Wow. So much life and energy and enjoyment that you can't help but dance around. Therefore, if I could I would give this CD a much higher rating than 5 stars because it captures the essence that is BNL during these live performances. If you're wondering whether you should buy this album, just do it. You will not be disappointed, as it is somewhat of a "greatest hits" album as well. Although I consider all the Barenaked Ladies songs to be wonderful, this is an excellent compilation of live material. Plus, the multimedia on the disc is worth the price alone. Classic.

If you've only heard Canada's Barenaked Ladies as a result of the more radio friendly hits "One Week" and "Pinch Me," you probably only know them as a bunch of somewhat goofy guys who seem to specialize in pop cultural jokes. Of course, as any Barenaked Ladies fan knows, this is only about 25% of the story. 30% at the most! In fact, the Barenaked Ladies are extremely talented musicians whose songs -- while often humorous -- are also infused with an exhilirating mix of the two lead singer's differing styles of humor (i.e., Steven Page's morbidly cynical worldview balanced with Ed Robertson's goofy sense of fun). No where is this more obvious than in their legendary live shows where, without the technical polish of the recording studio and with the freedom to be totally and completely spontaneous, the Barenaked Ladies often prove themselves to be one of the greatest "garage" bands of all time. That is why it is indeed wonderful to have an oppurtunity to hear their live CD "Rock Spectacle," which I think ranks as, probably, their best release to this date. Along with their more familiar hits (Brian Wilson and If I Had a Million Dollars -- both of which have never sounded better), Rock Spectacle features some of their just-as-good, lesser-known songs like Jane, the jaunty Hello City, When I Fall (which features Page at his best), and my personal favorite -- The Old Apartment (a song which represents the ultimate combination of Page and Robertson's differing styles.) As well, the CD ends with three extra tracks which features a few random bits of stage banter between the band and their audience as well as an impromptu song called "Uncle Elwyn" which shows the strong bond between the Ladies and their audience (a bond that is another invaluable component to any BnL concert). This is, without a doubt, an amazing CD and it'll stand as the ultimate proof that BnL is one of the best bands playing today.

"The bare naked what?" my parents said the first time I mentioned the band. The BNL consists of Tyler Stewart, Steven Page, Ed Robertson, Jim Creggan and Kevin Hearn.

In a field of one-hit-wonder alternative bands, the Barenaked Ladies have a unique acoustic style in concert which isn't as apparent in hearing their radio hits.

The Rock spectacle is a LIVE cd consisting of BNL's best-loved classics. If you're a new BNL fan, THIS is the CD with which to start your journey.

Everyone loves "Brian Wilson" and "If I had a million dollars"- which brings raining macaroni from concert-goers when it's done live. But other classics are the tender "Break your Heart" and "Jane", and the creative "Farmer" and Hello City."

"Uncle Elwyn", a spontaneous rap, shows you how BNL loosens up and shows their well-known creativity in concert.

This album is a classic you'll play again and again.

This CD is the one that got me into the Barenaked ladies, not Stunt. This is like a greatest hits album. It is one of few CDs that I can listen to all the way through, and still want more. After this Cd I went out and bought the other four. I found the others to be good with good hits, but I still think this one is there best.

If you haven't yet been baptised in the waters that are BNL, this will be one very expensive CD, because you'll find yourself collecting everything they've ever recorded, enjoying every variation of every theme of this eclectic band's extraordinary portfolio. Sure, this recording of a 1996 concert consists of cuts that can be found on their pre-Stunt studio efforts, but BNL has always been about an exchange between the band and its afficianados, of energy, insight and fun. Steven Page is among the most interesting lyricists writing today, and these guys are tight: Yeah, it's funny, brilliant and catchy, but make no mistake -- it rocks. Brian Wilson, If I Fall, If I Had A Million Dollars, Hello City: Not a second-rate cut to be found. Every once in a while, everything on an album just fits together seamlessly, and you know you've stumbled onto something special. BNL is one of the best things to be found in rock, defying any attempt to pigeonhole their style, flowing effortlessly from one genre or tradtion to another, weaving with subtlety and verve a multiplicity of levels of meaning, and just kicking ***. Buy this one and you will become a believer.

So many live albums can be "flat". You can't go back and redo anything and if the crowd has an off night or isn't into your show, you can't go back to the studio and re-record cheers or fill in the "other" instrument (the audience).

Oh, how different this album is. BNL have so much energy and so much interaction with the crowd, I'll bet no editing was needed. You can hear the crowd singing along with them and they interact with the crowd and play along with them so well. The energy of this album makes you feel like you are at the show (and I've seen them live and this is a great record).

Filled with so much energy you may never go back and listen to the studio versions of these songs again. A great record with great mixing, great energy and great lasting power.

"Rock Spectacle" gets played more than just about any other CD in my collection. Even if you don't like the music of Barenaked Ladies, there's no denying that this is an exceptionally well engineered live album that does a first rate job of capturing the energy and fun of a live Bnl performance. The songs were recorded when the band was touring in support of the "Born on a Pirate Ship" CD. In my opinion, the best and most noteworthy tracks on this CD are:

Brian Wilson-Ed Robertson's acoustic guitar style has never been better than in this version of a song that originally appeared on the shamefully underrated "Gordon" CD.

"Break Your Heart"-I think this angst ridden song about ending a relationship one of the best songs Bnl has ever recorded. Steven Page's searing vocal just rips your heart out, and keyboard player Kevin Hearn is in fine form playing minor chords from what sounds like a Hammond B-3. Much better than the studio version on the "Pirate Ship" CD.

"Jane"-Great guitar work by Robertson, along with great drumming from Tyler Stewart. I frequently hit the repeat button when this song is going in my car's CD player. Way better than the original studio version from the "Maybe You Should Drive" CD.

"What a Good Boy"- A favorite of long time Bnl fans and a very good song, done even better live.

As one previous reviewer mentioned, "Rock Spectacle" would make a very good introductory CD to someone who is not familiar with Bnl's music. For the listener who loves the band's live shows, I humbly suggest taking a trip to www.barenakedladies.com, where for a nominal fee you can download authorized bootlegs of concerts from their "Everything to Everyone" tour. As good as they are, they're still a far cry from the craftsmanship and sonic impact with which "Rock Spectacle" dazzles the lister.

...then this should be that album. There are only a handful of bands I can think of who sound as-good-if-not-better live than in the studio, and the Barenaked Ladies should be right at the top of that list. BNL give their all on stage, and it shows - these songs have a kind of contageous manic energy that will have even the quietest listener singing, clapping, and hollering at the top of their lungs. But it's not all fun and games - 'Break Your Heart' is truly an anthem for anyone who's ever experienced a rough break-up from a bad relationship, and Steven Page pours his heart into it.

The same is true for the other songs, as well. It's not often I come across singers who actually seem to be aware of the words they're singing, and what they mean. It gives something extra to all the songs, which is why I'd consider this not only the best Barenaked Ladies album, but one of the stand-out classics of modern rock. I've had this album for five years and - like my 'Dark Side of the Moon' and 'Magical Mystery Tour' albums - it never gets old.

Most of the CD's in my collection are either Christian Contemporary or Classical Music performances combined with a sprinkling of jazz, country-western, folk music and classic 60's rock. So the fact that I was willing to purchase BNL's 'Rock Spectacle' says a little something about the tremendous appeal of this CD.

I had heard several cuts from 'Rock Spectacle' on a morning radio show that plays a great eclectic music selection. It's rare that a live CD can produce even a handful of songs that have the kind of quality that makes a fan want to play them over and over again. As a live recording BNL's 'Rock Spectacle' is an uncommonly superb achievement. Each song here is performed with skilled musicianship and a slightly restrained exuberance that live recordings strive to accomplish. No matter what style of music you prefer it's hard to dislike any of the performances presented here. This is one of the few CD's in my collection that I can never play too often - I could never tire of hearing it.

When you listen to 'Rock Spectacle' be sure to play it all the way through the final song. Do not stop the CD player at the last note of this song but instead wait a few minutes and you'll be treated to a humorous monologue and hear an improvisational performance of 'Uncle Elwyn'.

If I wanted to tell you how much I really like the Barenaked ladies I would be here all day. But I will tell you that they have the most talent of any band in the world and their older CD's are the best! This CD, Recorded live in Chicago, is the best live CD ever and If you appreciate good music you will love this CD. Also, these guys are great live and if you get a chance, you should go to one of their concerts.

Brian Wilson, my favorite song, is a nice medium paced song with great music. Straw hat and old dirty hank is also a great upbeat song thats fun to sing along to. Break your heart is a ballad that takes awhile to appreciate but is truly a great song. Jane is a nice upbeat song right before they go into the ballad "When I Fall". Hello City is an upbeat song with fun lyrics and great music that gets you in a great mood and then going back to a ballad with "what a good boy" which is another one that is great once you get used to it. Old Apartment, Life in a nutshell, and these apples, are great upbeat songs that are just fun to listen to. And my favorite song, If I had a Million dollars which is an instant BNL classic. PLus there is also bonus material at the end of this great enhanced CD. Buy it today and I promise you wont be dissappointed and The Barenaked Ladies!