Customer Reviews

Vanity Project (Dig)

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(10)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

What can I say? The Vanity Project is a thought provoking album well-crafted by the extremely talented artist/Barenaked Ladies lead singer Steven Page with most songs co-written and co-produced by Stephen Duffy (who has worked with BNL on several occasions). The Vanity Project is basically classic BNL wordplay minus the few "silly" (but still clever) songs one would expect to find in a BNL album. Everything on The Vanity Project seemingly boils down to Page's thoughts and apparent self-examination. Yet, Page manages to accomplish this in such a way that the songs do not have a strong, blunt, satrical tone, but instead a catchy, less-pushy, and WAY more clever tone than most pop/rock albums (by the way, the Vanity Project is really more of an acoustic album than full-fledged rock). BNL fans may be prematurely disappointed because of the BNL band members' exclusion from the Vanity Project (except for Kevin Hearn's keyboard expertise on Glitterbug), but once they hear the album's unmistakable freshness and quality, they will undoubtedly come to the conclusion that the same quality still resides throughout the entire Vanity Project album as in any other BNL release. Since I've only owned this album for a short time, I haven't gotten the chance to disect the meaning of each song. I have listented to them all, though, and can say without resignation that this album is absolutely enjoyable to ANY BNL fan, or someone looking for an acoustic pop/rock album that strays away from the dull norm. Place your order now, or go to your local electronics store (I went to Barnes & Nobles Booksellers) to pick up the Vanity Project today!

First of all, this isn't a Barenaked Ladies album. You have to know that when you get it. (Although you probably haven't heard of this if you don't like Barenaked Ladies).

The first time through this cd I noticed a few catchy tunes and a few songs that I thought I'd never get to like, but each time I listen to it again I like it more. So, don't give up after the first listen, or you'll be missing some great music.

Glitterbug is, in my opinion, the best song on the album. Short, clear and super-sweet, with some beautifully simple music.

The fact that this album exists at all makes me wonder what's wrong with these songs that the Barenaked Ladies didn't want to use them, because the feel of most of the music and lyrics is the same. Maybe Stephen Page felt these were more personal somehow, or maybe the rest of the band didn't like them. Whatever the reason, it's worth picking up the cd while we're waiting for another Barenaked Ladies cd to come out.

The die-hard BNL fans will get this because Steven Page is a phenomenal singer, musician and songwriter. And I can tell you that they will not be disappointed... but it is very different to BNL and doesn't showcase Page's range as much as the band stuff does.

Overall a good album, Hit and Run is my favourite track.

If you like the Barenaked Ladies, this album is a logical addition. The feel of the album is a little more straight rock than the goofiness found on many BNL albums. Unfortunately, throughout the album, you feel as if something is missing. You keep expecting the next song to be sung by Ed Robertson or for there to be a cool piano or bass solo by Kevin Hearn or Jim Creeggan. The formula is not far enough away from the BNL style to really make it feel like Steven Page's album as opposed to another BNL album missing the band.

After listening to the 30-second samples on the Vanity Project website every day until this album's release, I'd been expecting songs that while good, were simply repetitive and BNL-Lite. However, hearing the finished project changed that. Every song has a beautifully done intro and has a catchy hook either in the lyrics or instrumentals. You can have fun, you can be somber, and you can be a tad Emo- this album will fit any mood. Page and Duffy experiment with a lot of hard and rough instrumentals across the board, procuding a unique sound that sometimes gets in the way but more often compliments the vocals.

Picked up The Vanity Project on the day of release. Absolutely fantastic! Each song is full of emotion, and one truly gets the impression that Page really has put a lot of thought into his songs. One of my favourite tracks thus far would have to be "Wilted Rose." This song involves Pierre Trudeau, and naturally, of course, goes straight to my heart, hehe. This album is a must-have!

Steve's solo effort is a wonderful mix of thoughtful, as well as catchy, tunes. In the past week I bought both this CD and the Barenaked Ladies CD for As You Like It and I must say that I enjoy listening to Steve's CD much more. A few songs on the Vanity Project are a bit silly, but it creates a well balanced mix of songs. The introspection on some songs feel almost intimate.. as if you are getting an acoustic performance. The blend of songs go from thoughtful and serious to fun and playful. This project is a refreshing change from the recent BNL music and I for one hope it brings new life to the next BNL project.

These Wasted Words is by far the best on the CD but most are great as well.

I'm a big Barenaked Ladies fan, so I had to check out this CD. It's a very interesting CD and you have to listen to it a few times before it really grows on you. A great addition to my collection.

I first heard Steven Page in 1993. Like any relationship, you start to take certain things for granted. Oh sure, we've all changed our email, our parental status, our lives. But I knew Steven Page. You know, it gets comfortable. Then he goes and does something like The Vanity Project to make me look at him all over again. Preview "So Young, So Wrong, So Long" and tell me you can resist this man. I put my iPod Shuffle down for this album, it gave my car cd player a new lease on life. Really, you need this. Beautiful, irreverent, thoughtful, everything you're looking for in one package.

Politically-charged and introspective Steven Page's new solo project is a unique view into a brilliant artist's mind. Through the years as Barenaked Ladies front man we've learned a lot about this portly, bottomless well of musical ability. Until now most of what we've seen has been the quirky side of Page, jumping around on stage doing free-style rap. Though songs like "Break Your Heart" and "Tonight is the Night I Fell Asleep at the Wheel" gave us a brief glimpse of what was simmering below his charismatic persona never before have we, the fans, been allowed such a thorough look into those depths.

Never one to keep his opinions to himself The Vanity Project's first two pieces are about politics in both America and his northern homeland of Canada. There is a clear sense of melancholy about these songs, a hint of defeat and sadness. Page has always been a poignant songwriter, so it's not hard to imagine how he feels when he's singing. Page doesn't overdo it though; he quickly moves the album toward more personal issues.

"These Wasted Words" is a song about a failed relationship, but more importantly it's about the couple not ending it even after they realized that it was over. Their inability to end the relationship stemmed more from cowardice than any notion that the relationship was salvageable. It eventually fell apart without their consent and they moved on. Page said in a recent interview that it is stupid to try and write generic, broad love songs to try and connect with as many people as possible; it's more worthwhile to write about something personal, any connection that somebody else makes with it will be more significant because the feelings are specific and thus many fewer people will find themselves within the words. That's paraphrased, of course, but you get the idea.

"So Cal." is yet another in a long string of less than positive songs about Southern California. I can't think of any city that is written so consistently about with such seething hatred as Los Angeles. Though I suppose the fact that many major artists record in that area has something to do with it, it's still an interesting thing to look at. "So Cal," the only song on the album not co-written with Lilac Time's Stephen Duffy, is upbeat, but don't let the tempo fool you, it's about loneliness and emptiness. After all "Regret, it is the patron saint of Southern California."

"That's All, That's All" is a nice acoustic guitar ballad. "Everything's the Same" takes another political stab though it centers more on cultural issues than governmental ones. "Glitterbug" is another gorgeous song featuring BNL's Kevin Hearn on keyboards; it's worth a listen, but isn't anything new.

"Thank you for Sharing" is like "These Wasted Words" but rather than staying together the couple decides to split, "you came from Merryweather/you're parents stayed together/both of them hating every day/so why should we repeat it/when it can be defeated?/we're smart enough to walk away." In this case the girlfriend's parents are stuck in a relationship that they hate and the couple is trying to learn from their mistake.

"Baby Loves the Radio" is fun piece of inanity in true Steven Page style. This song is a bit like BNL's "Shopping." The difference, and it's significant, is that this song isn't repetitive or annoying. "By the Roadside" is a dark and cryptic tale of a woman who dies by the side of the road (you didn't see that coming did you!). You can determine for yourself how she actually dies; it's kind of hard to tell. "So Young, So Wrong, So Long" is a story about a disenfranchised kid and his conversation with Page. Whether or not this really happened is up for discussion, but it doesn't really matter because it's funny. The kid complains and Steven tells him that he used to feel like that, but he was "So Young, So Wrong." "Here Today and Yesterday" is a truly unique piece, easily the most original on the album. Flowing and lyrical, this song feels like it could go on happily forever. It doesn't; after the last note it breaks down into a group of people laughing like chipmunks and then ends abruptly. This is an entertaining, though not particularly effective, ending to the album.

Overall the album is an impressive and emotionally-charged display by the man who's so often written off as a clown. The one downside of this album is that it doesn't effectively showcase Page's voice. Steven Page has one of the best voices in pop music. Even songs like "Break Your Heart" and "Call and Answer" don't press his vocal limits; he sings them with ease in the middle of two-hour long concerts. I was expecting a Page solo record to be more vocally impressive than this was. Despite this, Steven Page's solo work seems a step above his contemporaries: you won't hear quality music like this on Rob Thomas' new solo project and Gwen Stefani is far behind them both.