The Stig
12-05-2004, 06:24 PM
Barenaked Ladies -- Born on a Pirate Ship
Released 1996
Ed Robertson -- Vocals/guitar
Steven Page -- Vocals/Guitar
Tyler Stewart -- Drums
Jim Creegan -- Bass/keys/vocals
This is the third album from Canadian pop-rockers Barenaked Ladies. After a tough second album Maybe You Should Drive, they reunited with Gordon producer Michael Philip Wojewoda; however, keyboardist Andy Creegan left to persue higher education. The result is spectacular. While this album has its serious side, it still has such light-hearted classics as "Spider in my Room" and "Stomach vs. Heart." In short, fans of the BNL will not be disappointed.
Stomach vs. Heart -- A nice, upbeat start to the album. One thing I like about the Ladies is the fact that the bass is almost always heard. This song is a prime example, as Jim rocks out with a fairly simple, yet punchy bassline. A bit of an amusing science lesson, this shows the light side of the Ladies. 4.5/5
Straw Hat and Old Dirty Hank -- This is a song about a stalker - told from the stalker's point of view. Sounds like a classic hoe-down kind of song with the fiddle in the back. 4/5
I Know -- To me, this is a song about racism. Jim's bass is once again very punchy and well-defined. Otherwise, it's pretty standard song for the Ladies. 3/5
This is Where it Ends -- One of the more serious songs on the album. This is about suicide and depression. Once again, Jim's bass sticks out on here (this album seems to have a lot of this happen -- and that's a good thing). Steven's vocal is also very well-done. 4/5
When I Fall -- The best song on here. Period. Starts off with just Ed's guitar and vocal, and escalates from there (and yes, the bass is incredible here, too). The vocals are just plain beautiful. I can't say much more than that. 5/5
I Live With it Every Day -- Another song about depression. It's good, but nothing really stands out. 4/5
The Old Apartment -- The most famous song on here. It's about someone visiting a place he used to live (he's still with the same girl). It's simple, yet still a great song. 5/5
Call Me Calmly -- I honestly think this and the next song are the weakest on here...It's decent, but very dull to be. 2.5/5
Break Your Heart -- I think Steven tries a bit too hard on this song. Again, this is the low point for me. 2/5
Spider in My Room -- This is one of Jim's songs. It starts with tribal singing and drums, then turns into a pretty hard rocker. It's an amusing song about killing spiders. One of my favs. 5/5
Same Thing -- Another one of Ed's songs. This is a nice, slow song that is fun to chill to. I love the strings and piano used. Ed's vocals are also great here. 4.5/5
Just a Toy -- Another pretty heavy (for the BNL, at least) song. For some reason, I really like the drums during the chorus on this one. 4.5/5
In the Drink -- Jim's other song, this is a silly love song. Jim shows he can play more than amazing basslines as he plays a pretty jazzy guitar lick on here. 4.5/5
Shoe Box -- A good closer and the other famous song from BOAPS. It's about a teen having an affair with an older woman who asks him to move in with her. It also has one of my favourite BNL guitar lines on it. In effect, a great closer to a great album. 5/5
This is possibly my second favourite album by the BNL (to Gordon -- review coming soon!). It's not one of those albums that will make you ponder your existence, and there are no 20-minute guitar solos. However, it's an excellent pop album, and it's nice to chill to. That's why I'll give it a 4.5/5 overall rating.
Released 1996
Ed Robertson -- Vocals/guitar
Steven Page -- Vocals/Guitar
Tyler Stewart -- Drums
Jim Creegan -- Bass/keys/vocals
This is the third album from Canadian pop-rockers Barenaked Ladies. After a tough second album Maybe You Should Drive, they reunited with Gordon producer Michael Philip Wojewoda; however, keyboardist Andy Creegan left to persue higher education. The result is spectacular. While this album has its serious side, it still has such light-hearted classics as "Spider in my Room" and "Stomach vs. Heart." In short, fans of the BNL will not be disappointed.
Stomach vs. Heart -- A nice, upbeat start to the album. One thing I like about the Ladies is the fact that the bass is almost always heard. This song is a prime example, as Jim rocks out with a fairly simple, yet punchy bassline. A bit of an amusing science lesson, this shows the light side of the Ladies. 4.5/5
Straw Hat and Old Dirty Hank -- This is a song about a stalker - told from the stalker's point of view. Sounds like a classic hoe-down kind of song with the fiddle in the back. 4/5
I Know -- To me, this is a song about racism. Jim's bass is once again very punchy and well-defined. Otherwise, it's pretty standard song for the Ladies. 3/5
This is Where it Ends -- One of the more serious songs on the album. This is about suicide and depression. Once again, Jim's bass sticks out on here (this album seems to have a lot of this happen -- and that's a good thing). Steven's vocal is also very well-done. 4/5
When I Fall -- The best song on here. Period. Starts off with just Ed's guitar and vocal, and escalates from there (and yes, the bass is incredible here, too). The vocals are just plain beautiful. I can't say much more than that. 5/5
I Live With it Every Day -- Another song about depression. It's good, but nothing really stands out. 4/5
The Old Apartment -- The most famous song on here. It's about someone visiting a place he used to live (he's still with the same girl). It's simple, yet still a great song. 5/5
Call Me Calmly -- I honestly think this and the next song are the weakest on here...It's decent, but very dull to be. 2.5/5
Break Your Heart -- I think Steven tries a bit too hard on this song. Again, this is the low point for me. 2/5
Spider in My Room -- This is one of Jim's songs. It starts with tribal singing and drums, then turns into a pretty hard rocker. It's an amusing song about killing spiders. One of my favs. 5/5
Same Thing -- Another one of Ed's songs. This is a nice, slow song that is fun to chill to. I love the strings and piano used. Ed's vocals are also great here. 4.5/5
Just a Toy -- Another pretty heavy (for the BNL, at least) song. For some reason, I really like the drums during the chorus on this one. 4.5/5
In the Drink -- Jim's other song, this is a silly love song. Jim shows he can play more than amazing basslines as he plays a pretty jazzy guitar lick on here. 4.5/5
Shoe Box -- A good closer and the other famous song from BOAPS. It's about a teen having an affair with an older woman who asks him to move in with her. It also has one of my favourite BNL guitar lines on it. In effect, a great closer to a great album. 5/5
This is possibly my second favourite album by the BNL (to Gordon -- review coming soon!). It's not one of those albums that will make you ponder your existence, and there are no 20-minute guitar solos. However, it's an excellent pop album, and it's nice to chill to. That's why I'll give it a 4.5/5 overall rating.