Barenaked Ladies - Barenaked Ladies Are Men (CD)

All Music Guide

While 2006's Barenaked Ladies Are Me was an enjoyably melodic and heartfelt album, Barenaked Ladies' 2007 companion album Barenaked Ladies Are Men bests its predecessor by throwing in just a bit more wit, sparkle and pop. Where Are Me was lowkey and mature, Are Men is a just a bit more energized and in some ways features a few more memorable hooks. Songs like "Something You'll Never Find," "Angry People," and "Down to Earth" are catchy, playful BeatlesmeetCrowded Housemeetthe Cars kind of pop and should definitely appeal to longtime fans of the band. However, there are still some mature, laidback moments including the Burt Bacharachinflected ballad "Beautiful" and the singer/songwriterly "Half a Heart" which, while still retaining a sense of irony and wit, reveal just how skillful lead singers Steven Page and Ed Robertson have become at writing devastatingly poignant songs. Though fans of the band may appreciate the group's prolific output, the need to release two full studio albums wo...uld seem fairly dubious were it not for the generally high quality of the tracks on the two albums. In that light, though, they are separate releases, taken together Barenaked Ladies Are Me and Barenaked Ladies Are Men should not only stand as a creative high point for the Canadian rockers, but a truly superb wouldbe doublealbum. - Matt Collar, All Music Guide Read more Less