It is tempting to say our Barenaked Ladies are growing up before our very ears. It is tempting, but is it true? Maybe. The clown princes of pranks and shticks always had a serious side to them. Since 1992's Gordon, fans and critics have had to wrestle with the question of whether BNL are jokesters with a serious side or serious musicians with a good sense of humor. They have probably been both throughout their career. With Everything to Everyone and now Barenaked Ladies are Me it is becoming increasingly apparent they would like to be thought of as the latter, not the former.
Few bands make their best albums when they enter the second decade of their career. BNL have entered that comfortable place where they can make comfortable music to please themselves and the fans they have attracted along the way. They are not likely to make any bold, artistic statements. They are a veteran act and the changes they make are likely to be more subtle than spectacular. On ...Are Me, Jim Creegan and Kevin Hearn each take a turn singing lead and different instruments are added to the sonic palette. After 13 songs, it still sounds like a Barenaked Ladies album with a new wrinkle or two.
I can no longer listen to an album without thinking of the review I hope to write. The first time I heard "The Sound of Your Voice," I was sitting in the McDonalds drive-thru. Yeah, I know, no accounting for taste. As I was listening to the song, I went rummaging for a pen and a piece of scrap paper. I had to jot down the first thought that went through my head as I listened to it:
Queen. "Somebody to Love."
I wrote it down because my memory is so bad. I need not have bothered this time. The two songs are inextricably linked in my mind now. I have even taken to signing "Somebody to Love" at different points during the song. "The Sound of Your Voice" is not derivative, it is reminiscent. "The Sound of Your Voice" is not a re-write of the Queen classic but the two songs are cousins.
Article comments
1 - Connie Phillips
Really nice review, DJRadiohead. I wonder the same thing about "Bank Job," but I like to dissect lyrics.
I hadn't made the same connection between "The Sound of Your Voice" and "Somebody to Love" but now that you bring it up... yeah, I can see that.
2 - DJRadiohead
Thanks, Connie. I now find myself singing "Somebody to Love" in the car when I listen to "Sound of Your Voice." The connection is just there for me. Go figure.
3 - A.L. Harper
Very good Josh!
4 - DaWezl
Very nice review DJRadiohead. Bank Job has definitely grown on me over time as well.
I'm curious to see how you will feel about the second half of the album, Barenaked Ladies Are Men, which is in limited release right now (and officially released in a few months), especially in combination with BLAM. I've been savoring all 29 songs that were recorded, and finding my opinions changing over time.
5 - Connie Phillips
Hey DJRadiohead,
You got me doing it now too! At least on the car ride to the Borders' in-store appearance they did (Simulcast on local radio)yesterday.
Once there, the version they performed had some really fun and interesting stuff worked in which blew that perception out of the water.
6 - DJRadiohead
Forgive me for pulling a Jet here, but this actually applies to Connie's last comment, too.
I started listening to this album again this afternoon and specifically to "Sound of Your Voice." I still hear it- the Queen connection.