In A Class By Itself...What Else?
By Yahoo! Shopping User May 2, 2001 | 1 out of 1 found this Maroon review helpful
The Barenaked Ladies have done it again with their album "Maroon". Although the album is a little darker than their last ones, its like that because of the hardships the guys faced while recording. That is another story though. Present on this ...album are great lyrics and catchy tunes; in other words, like their previous albums. What makes this one different from the rest is the fact that the lyrics are more adult sounding than previous albums, while maintaining the silliness that the Barenaked Ladies are known the world over for. This can be found in songs like "Pinch Me", where they say "I could hide out under there/I just made you say underwear". Granted while "Pinch Me" is the albums first single, the other songs are nothing to shrug at. "Never Do Anything" talks of all these dreams that need to be done but doesn't ever feel like actually doing. "Too Little, Too Late" is chock full of great lyrics and beats that will leave you dancing long after the music ended. "Go Home" talks about being with the woman you love instead of out and about somewhere, which in and of itself is an adult sounding message, unless you hear the lyrics that refer to Catherine the Great and Joan of Arc (yes, it all ties in brillantly). "Falling For The First Time" refers to someone who does everything right, yet life still doesn't turn out. With lyrics like "I'm so cool, too bad I'm loser/I'm so smart, too bad I can't get anything figured out" this next single from them is bound to be the theme song of...well...everybody. "Humor of the Situation" refers to a man's hilarious point of view after a break-up. "Baby Seat" is also a great song that talks about self-independence, while "Convectioneers" goes in the other direction and talks about a man regretting a one-night stand with a fellow co-worker. Truly, the darker songs on the album, "Sell, Sell, Sell" (a song bout an old time actor selling out), "Helicopters" (about a war-torn country) and "Tonight is the Night I Fell Asleep at the Wheel" (describing in 1st person detail a gruesome and fatal car accident) are just that: dark. However, BNL has a knack for putting in fun, great lyrics in all dark songs so that you can be singing along with it for months before you actually realize what you're singing about. Even in "Tonight.." with the background music sounding like something that was excerpted from a carnival somewhere and Steven Page's great voice, you're left feeling....weird, but in a good way. The bonus track "The Hidden Song" was played and sung by Kevin Hearn and refers to a girl guiding a man through through trouble and into triumph. Hearn's beautiful piano playing and John Lennon-esqe voice make this an eerily loving and tear-jerking song, especially upon knowing the battle with cancer Hearn had within the last couple of years. All in all, it sounds like BNL is growing up gracefully but are still aware when to have fun. Page's lead vocals are haunting and errily beautiful. Ed Robertson's great guitar playing, bassist Jim Creggan's bass lics classic keyboard performances by Hearn and totally crazy drum performances by drummer Tyler Stewart certainly set them aside from the other acts out there today and yet within the group manage to blend in together with great harmony and great music performances. Unfortunately, they're not getting the recognition they deserve, especially in a time of boy bands and girl bands. However, THIS boy-band is sure to be around for the long-haul since they have great talent, which was brillantly showcased in "Maroon". A definite must-buy! 5 Stars! Read more Less
