[.ca] Stunt

From Amazon.com:
The Ladies have done more than lie in bed the way Brian Wilson did; they've spent some quality sandbox time mastering the intricacies of catchy pop records, hooks and all. Sounding at times like Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young after a week in the Caribbean, the Ladies mix a dash of rap with a pop backbeat on "One Week," while "It's All Been Done" is classic 1960s Top 40, right down to the "woo-hoo-hoo" backing vocals. The lyrics are the hidden joy on this record, with lines like "I love you more than I did the week before I discovered alcohol" and the male voice singing about tying his pantyhose around his neck. The songs are well crafted and the production flushes out the Ladies' hidden musical talents, resulting in their best effort since Gordon. --Katie Sigler

Mood Music:
When I stumbled on to the group, Barenaked Ladies, on the radio, I was kind of surprised at how much I liked the song "One Week". Its kenetic tempo and fast paced lyrics actually put me in a better mood (not an easy task at all). It was then, I decieded to check out the entire CD. I was happy to discover that the rest of release had something to offer as well. The songs are a lot of fun and reflect an admiration of the Beatles, without sounding like a mere rip off. After listening to the whole thing, I am certain that the group, even with the quieter ballads, had a lot of fun with this. So will you. The CD has 13 tracks and a running time of 51:19. Stunt deserves a listen

Lots of Gems on this Powerful CD:
I bought this CD because I liked Barenaked Ladies other songs and I really liked "One Week." However, soon after the CD was in my collection, it was not only my most played, but also, the song "One Week" became old news compared to the numerous other hot songs that never made the radio. My favorite song on this CD is "Who Needs Sleep?" While keeping a humorous tone, there is a universal message there. I identified with this song right away. And the tune is so catchy -- I'm surprised mattress companies aren't falling all over each other trying to get it into their advertisements. At any rate, BNL put together a great collection of songs here. I think their songs appeal to a broad spectrum of music-lovers of all ages, with their contagious melodies and clever lyrics. I would recommend this CD to anyone who likes music. "Lids down, I count sheep, I count heartbeats." - From the up at 3 a.m. reviewer.

Good melodies, depressing lyrics:
Don't be fooled by the sweet melodies on this CD, which often conceal some very sinister and bitter lyrics. Some of the songs, such as "In the Car," show mercy and compassion for their characters, but others like "I'll Be That Girl," "Some Fantastic," and "Call and Answer" contain dark, violent undertones. While they sound sugary sweet, when one examines the lyrics, they look like love poems gone horribly wrong in the hands of a psychotic ex-boyfriend. Elsewhere, "Never is Enough" serves up enough vitriolic cynicism to poison an army (although I do agree with their point that working retail is a pain in the neck), while "Alcohol" revels in self-destructive behavior as an escape from the daily grind. Sometimes these wicked concoctions are funny, but more often than not they become off-putting. Because the music lacks the cathartic qualities of hard rock, punk, or metal (see "Angel Dust" by Faith No More or "London Calling" by the Clash), the negative themes juxtaposed with cute instrumentation creates a kind of unresolved tension which is in my opinion counterproductive. Still, the solid musicianship and stellar songwriting craft of "Stunt" make it a better than average listening experience. The band has good chemistry, the production is surgically precise, and the voice of Steven Page sends shivers up your spine even as he makes death threats. One more thing, I feel that BNL is easier to stand when confronted with their charming live presence, and I would highly recommend their concerts even to a casual fan.

Best or 2nd best BNL:
I think my fave is still "Maybe You Should Drive", but this one has some pretty amazing songs on it, such as "I'll Be That Girl", which is probably my favorite BNL song. "Leave", "One Week", and "It's All Been Done" are all truly fine. I think subsequent albums have not been up to the standard set by this one. The album also has a "bummer", but even "Maybe You Should Drive" did...

BNL Goes Mainstream:
This is the first of the megahit rap tunes BNL has done, that being One Week. This also sparks the band's emergence onto the mainstream rock circle, and a departure from the Alternative. The use of grunge guitars is prevalent, and I would begrudge the band for departing from their earlier style, which I fell in love with in Gordon, but they do this style so competently, that the album is darned near perfect. The only slow spot on this disc is the ending with When You Dream, which is the only reason this disc doesn't get 5 stars. Aside from that, the pop stylings are fun to listen to, and the writing is consistently clever. If you like the stuff that's been playing on the radio, it all started here, and approach the old stuff with caution.

• One Week
• It's All Been Done
• Light up My Room
• I'll Be That Girl
• Leave
• Alcohol
• Call and Answer
• In the Car
• Never Is Enough
• Who Needs Sleep?
• Told You So
• Some Fantastic
• When You Dream