REVIEW: Barenaked Ladies, Stunt (Reprise)
- Bob Gajarsky
It takes a different kind of fan to appreciate the Barenaked Ladies sense of humour. Some would call it childish, others would call it good clean fun - but it has to be called different. What else could you use to describe a band that thinks the best part of having a million dollars would be all the Kraft macaroni dinners they could buy?
However, after the effervescent debut of Gordon, BNL took a more 'serious' tact. Sure, there were the periodic returns to form on "Alternative Girlfriend" and "Shoe Box", but it seemed that the exuberance which earmarked Gordon might be history. And after the Stateside success of the 90210-aided track "The Old Apartment", one could be excused for thinking that the Ladies would cater to fans who purchased their latest single.
Fortunately - and with a great sense of relief - Stunt marks a return to the fun days gone by without abandoning those who are new to the Ladies pirate ship. Just as a teenager has to make a difficult transition to an adult, BNL are making a challenging move into their own new domain.
The leadoff single "One Week" captures the essence of a BNL live show, where a rap of Public Enemy's "Fight The Power" or a singing/rap/dancing medley of current hits frequently completes the set list. Rather than contrast them to Chuck D, think more of a Beastie Boys-style rap without the urban 'edge'. It wouldn't work for 99 other bands - but it's perfect for this one.
While an ode to Brian Wilson was one of the group's early hits (and a remixed version appeared in stores last year), "It's All Been Done" rests firmly in the power-pop lap of many of Wilson's self-appointed disciples. Complete with the requisite "la la la"s and "woo hoo hoo", it appears that the Barenakeds have been boning up on yet another element of today's pop music.
"Who Needs Sleep?" will probably be *the* key live cut from Stunt. This playful tale of an insomniac could serve as a perfect introduction to all the Ladies are about: wordplay, a sing-along refrain, call-back within the group, and an irresistible hook.
"Never Is Enough" is a list of things that BNL never want to do - including getting honoured at Wendy's restaurants - complete with the notes that guitarist Ed Robertson was Employee of the Month in July 1985 at a fast-food chain. Now that the band have used McDonald's and Wendy's in their songs, can Burger King be far behind?
Covering a wider assortment of music styles than on any of their previous efforts, "Alcohol" could be a dead-ringer for a Morrissey / Boz Boorer rockabilly track, circa Your Arsenal, while "Leave" would nicely reside near efforts from the Son Volt / Wilco camp and the calypso-tinged "Some Fantastic" offers yet another avenue to express the group's creative thoughts.
For those fans who long for slower material, Stunt offers cuts which can fill their appetite without leaving them feeling as if it's two hours after a Chinese take-out meal. "Light Up My Room" and "Call And Answer" are this album's answer to "The Old Apartment". And while BNL are often lighthearted, the introspective look towards youthful fooling around (and manipulation, without penetration) on "In The Car" and the wish to be the desired one, and wanted by others has never been stronger than on "I'll Be That Girl".
Returning to the same successful bounciness that earned Gordon a permanent spot in some fans' disc changers, Stunt is the album that fans hoped would come out four years ago. Welcome back, Barenaked Ladies. You've been away far too long.
