The Stig
12-07-2004, 06:46 AM
Barenaked Ladies -- Gordon
Released 1992
Andy Creegan -- Piano/percussion/vocals/shaker
Jim Creegan -- bass/vocals/shaker
Steven Page -- vocals/guitar/shaker
Ed Robertson -- Guitar/vocals/shaker
Tyler Stewart -- drums/vocals/shaker
Michael Philip Wojewoda -- production/stupid keyboard bass, and yes - shaker
This is by far my favourite Barenaked Ladies album. The Ladies are introduced by their energetic, sometimes quite silly turn on pop-rock. From Andy Creegan's jazzy piano to his brother Jim's virtuosic basslines, Ed Robertson't masterful guitar work, and Tyler Stewart's incredible drumming, this band has an incredible amount of musical talent showcased in fifteen songs. Even the liner notes have the Ladies' unique sense of humor. On a song (The King of Bedside Manor) that features shaker, everyone is listed as having played the shaker. On "Grade 9," they credit their producer as having played the 'stupid keyboard bass.' Even the comments about the pictures of the band are absolutely hilarious. Though serious at parts, the humor of the band is more evident on this album than any others...
Hello City -- And it starts. A lazy, muted trumpet line introduces vocal harmonies. The song starts as a slow shuffle, then builds to a jazzy bridge and all-out onslaught of the entire band. It's words describe being disenchanted by city life. they do a good job, too. 4.5/5
Enid -- Latin Percussion and a horn section. What else could you want? This song is a slightly humorous bit about a man who wants to reunite with his high school love - though she won't. Tastefully done, though there is much better to come...4/5
Grade 9 -- Wow. This is an amazingly funny look back on the dreaded freshman year of high school. Everyone sings about their woes, such as missing "Stairway to Heaven" at the school dance. But the best part about this song is the musicianship. The drum fills are perfect. The syncopated guitar and walking bass line mesh fantastically. Then you hear an allusion to Rush's "Tom Sawyer," and you think, 'cool.' Then you hear Vince Guraldi's "Lynus and Lucy" (Peanuts theme) modulate up a few steps. This melds fluidly into the main line of Rush's "Spirit of the Radio." In short, this song is amazing. 6/5
Brian Wilson -- The mood changes slightly after "Grade 9." Interestingly enough, Andy opts to play the conga drums instead of the piano that permeates the more famous live version. It's still an excellent song, with most of the molody coming from Jim's bass (I love him). In the end, Jim proves his power with a virtuosic bass solo. Then, one must be reminded that he plays a double bass the entire album. Greatness. 5/5
Be my Yoko Ono -- This is a silly skiffle song that pokes fun at the relationship between John Lennon and Yoko Ono...One must be truly impressed by Ed's impersonation of her singing during the bridge. 4/5
Wrap Your Arms Around Me -- This is an acoustic ballad sung by Ed. It's a good song, but nowhere near the level of "When I Fall" or "Light up my Room." 3.5/5
What a Good Boy -- Steven says that this song is about an idealistic 21-year-old's views on gender roles. It's a pretty serious song, and it has some nice piano. 4/5
The King of Bedside Manor -- This is about an aging ladies' man. The band goes crazy with the shaker on here (six people are listed as having played it). Possibly the most hyperactive bluegrass-stomper on the album. The end features a sudden change as Ed yells out, "Styx!" Then, they go into the chorus of Mr. Roboto, Jim does his own crazy bass thing, and Steven and Ed yell until they're blue in the face. Well done, boys. 5/5
Box Set -- Andy shines on this one. His Latin style piano is amazing. Meanwhile, Steven croons as if he were an aging pop singer, making fun of the concept of the box-set. The part where he lists the disks is utter hilarity. 4.5/5
I Love You -- One of the Ladies' signature silly love songs. They sing about loving fishsticks, soup, and a girl. Really, they do. During the bridge, Andy lets loose with some nice scat vocals. 4/5
New Kid (On the Block) -- This is the BNL tribute to boy bands. Interestingly, they tell the story from the point of view of one of the new kids on the block. Jim has yet another nice solo towards the end; the interlude seems kind of spaced out like a Rush song would be. 4/5
Blame it on Me -- This is a pretty mellow song. In lieu of drums, there are different percussion instruments used. Nothing really special happens here, though...3/5
The Flag -- This is a pretty serious anti-war song. It goes without percussion for much of the song, then a snare drum comes in, as if to imitate an army going to battle back in the old days. Pretty neat effect. 4/5
If I Had $1,000,000 -- Who hasn't heard this one? This put the BNL on the map. What can beat singing about macaroni, pre-wrapped sausages, and dijon ketchup. The live version is also worth looking for, too. 5/5
Crazy -- This one starts off with a nice bassline and guitar. Ed's vocal style is very choppy, fitting in with the mood very well. At the climax of the song, it explodes into another BNL bluegrass stomper. Towards the end is a wild (by BNL standards) jam session. Then you hear some chords from "Hello City" to end the song. However, there's also a bit of a secret track with some studio banter, what appears to be an attempt to incorporate "Live or Let Die" into "Grade 9," and some outtakes from "$1,000,000." 4.5/5
This album showcases the musical ability and humor that make the BNL one of my favourite all-time bands. I love the dual-vocalist approach, and they also showcase the ability to write serious songs. The eclectic songs on here make me give this a 5/5 total rating. You need to check this album out ASAP.
Released 1992
Andy Creegan -- Piano/percussion/vocals/shaker
Jim Creegan -- bass/vocals/shaker
Steven Page -- vocals/guitar/shaker
Ed Robertson -- Guitar/vocals/shaker
Tyler Stewart -- drums/vocals/shaker
Michael Philip Wojewoda -- production/stupid keyboard bass, and yes - shaker
This is by far my favourite Barenaked Ladies album. The Ladies are introduced by their energetic, sometimes quite silly turn on pop-rock. From Andy Creegan's jazzy piano to his brother Jim's virtuosic basslines, Ed Robertson't masterful guitar work, and Tyler Stewart's incredible drumming, this band has an incredible amount of musical talent showcased in fifteen songs. Even the liner notes have the Ladies' unique sense of humor. On a song (The King of Bedside Manor) that features shaker, everyone is listed as having played the shaker. On "Grade 9," they credit their producer as having played the 'stupid keyboard bass.' Even the comments about the pictures of the band are absolutely hilarious. Though serious at parts, the humor of the band is more evident on this album than any others...
Hello City -- And it starts. A lazy, muted trumpet line introduces vocal harmonies. The song starts as a slow shuffle, then builds to a jazzy bridge and all-out onslaught of the entire band. It's words describe being disenchanted by city life. they do a good job, too. 4.5/5
Enid -- Latin Percussion and a horn section. What else could you want? This song is a slightly humorous bit about a man who wants to reunite with his high school love - though she won't. Tastefully done, though there is much better to come...4/5
Grade 9 -- Wow. This is an amazingly funny look back on the dreaded freshman year of high school. Everyone sings about their woes, such as missing "Stairway to Heaven" at the school dance. But the best part about this song is the musicianship. The drum fills are perfect. The syncopated guitar and walking bass line mesh fantastically. Then you hear an allusion to Rush's "Tom Sawyer," and you think, 'cool.' Then you hear Vince Guraldi's "Lynus and Lucy" (Peanuts theme) modulate up a few steps. This melds fluidly into the main line of Rush's "Spirit of the Radio." In short, this song is amazing. 6/5
Brian Wilson -- The mood changes slightly after "Grade 9." Interestingly enough, Andy opts to play the conga drums instead of the piano that permeates the more famous live version. It's still an excellent song, with most of the molody coming from Jim's bass (I love him). In the end, Jim proves his power with a virtuosic bass solo. Then, one must be reminded that he plays a double bass the entire album. Greatness. 5/5
Be my Yoko Ono -- This is a silly skiffle song that pokes fun at the relationship between John Lennon and Yoko Ono...One must be truly impressed by Ed's impersonation of her singing during the bridge. 4/5
Wrap Your Arms Around Me -- This is an acoustic ballad sung by Ed. It's a good song, but nowhere near the level of "When I Fall" or "Light up my Room." 3.5/5
What a Good Boy -- Steven says that this song is about an idealistic 21-year-old's views on gender roles. It's a pretty serious song, and it has some nice piano. 4/5
The King of Bedside Manor -- This is about an aging ladies' man. The band goes crazy with the shaker on here (six people are listed as having played it). Possibly the most hyperactive bluegrass-stomper on the album. The end features a sudden change as Ed yells out, "Styx!" Then, they go into the chorus of Mr. Roboto, Jim does his own crazy bass thing, and Steven and Ed yell until they're blue in the face. Well done, boys. 5/5
Box Set -- Andy shines on this one. His Latin style piano is amazing. Meanwhile, Steven croons as if he were an aging pop singer, making fun of the concept of the box-set. The part where he lists the disks is utter hilarity. 4.5/5
I Love You -- One of the Ladies' signature silly love songs. They sing about loving fishsticks, soup, and a girl. Really, they do. During the bridge, Andy lets loose with some nice scat vocals. 4/5
New Kid (On the Block) -- This is the BNL tribute to boy bands. Interestingly, they tell the story from the point of view of one of the new kids on the block. Jim has yet another nice solo towards the end; the interlude seems kind of spaced out like a Rush song would be. 4/5
Blame it on Me -- This is a pretty mellow song. In lieu of drums, there are different percussion instruments used. Nothing really special happens here, though...3/5
The Flag -- This is a pretty serious anti-war song. It goes without percussion for much of the song, then a snare drum comes in, as if to imitate an army going to battle back in the old days. Pretty neat effect. 4/5
If I Had $1,000,000 -- Who hasn't heard this one? This put the BNL on the map. What can beat singing about macaroni, pre-wrapped sausages, and dijon ketchup. The live version is also worth looking for, too. 5/5
Crazy -- This one starts off with a nice bassline and guitar. Ed's vocal style is very choppy, fitting in with the mood very well. At the climax of the song, it explodes into another BNL bluegrass stomper. Towards the end is a wild (by BNL standards) jam session. Then you hear some chords from "Hello City" to end the song. However, there's also a bit of a secret track with some studio banter, what appears to be an attempt to incorporate "Live or Let Die" into "Grade 9," and some outtakes from "$1,000,000." 4.5/5
This album showcases the musical ability and humor that make the BNL one of my favourite all-time bands. I love the dual-vocalist approach, and they also showcase the ability to write serious songs. The eclectic songs on here make me give this a 5/5 total rating. You need to check this album out ASAP.