Barenaked Ladies Album: “Disc One: All the Greatest Hits 1991-2001”

As Steven Page says in the liner notes about "Get In Line," calling some of these songs "greatest hits" may be stretching the definition of the term. Perhaps a better title would be "The Best of (And Then Some)."

And among the band's best these are. Besides the expected hits ("Brian Wilson," "One Week," "Pinch Me"), this collection includes the hard-to-find cover of Bruce Cockburn's "Lovers in a Dangerous Time," and "Get In Line," which was only available on the "King of the Hill" soundtrack. Plus you get the superior live version of my personal all-time BNL favorite, "What a Good Boy."

Of the new songs, "It's Only Me (The Wizard of Magicland)" reminded me a little of The Knack (one of Page's favorite albums was that band's debut album) and has a exciting New Wave kickiness to it, while Ed Robertson's "Thanks, That Was Fun" is a little more mournful. Neither of them (sad to say) is likely to conquer U.S. airwaves, but they're welcome additions anyway.

For the casual BNL fan, this collection is a great way to get deeper into the band's catalog. For the BNL fan who already has all their albums (like me), it's a way of hearing these favorites in a new context, plus two new great tracks. What are you waiting for?

I've been a fan of BNL ever since a friend of mine asked me if I wanted "...this annoying CD I bought off the bargain table - but I think it's your type of thing." The CD was 'Rock Spectacle', and I was hooked immediately. When they toured, I jumped to buy tickets (word to the wise: even if you're only a slight BNL fan, you MUST go to one of their concerts - it's the most fun you'll have all year). So I was thrilled to hear a couple of the newer songs I'd heard performed live ('The Wizard of Magicland', 'Falling for the First Time') on this CD.

The Ladies are very funny, a little strange, and very smart. The lyrics are never cheap, and you'll find yourself catching more and more in the songs, the more you listen. The songs on this CD range from the more "made for radio air-time" hits like 'One Week' and 'It's All Been Done' to the sadder 'Call and Answer' and 'What a Good Boy'. They even sing love songs...of a sort. What girl wouldn't want to be a guy's Yoko Ono? Right....don't answer that.

The point is, this CD is the perfect soundtrack for a cynical but hopeful generation of kooks. It has a place of honor in my CD collection, and never gets old or fails to cheer me up.

I thought about getting this disc when it first came out, but after listening to sound snippets of the songs I didn't know, I put it on my wish list for later. A few weeks ago, my five year old daughter came home singing "If I had a million dollars"--I had to get it. Ahhhh....the wisdom of children. This is a great collection of songs. The poppy, catchy, humorous songs are all here (Brian Wilson, If I had a million $, Its all been done, One week, the old apartment) as are other less familiar (to me at least) gems such as Be my yoko ono, alternative girlfriend,and Bruce Cockburn's classic 'Lover's in a dangerous time'. For those of you who know just a little about the Ladies, this is a great intro disc to get to know them a little better.

I'm a fairly recent BNL fan. In fact, I only really got to know their music after the recent "Pinch Me". But I'm very glad I did. The songs are alternately fun and sweet, but they're almost all excellent. Even my sister, who only likes old stuff, had to admit that this was a great CD. This CD has all the songs I know and love, such as Pinch Me, One Week, and If I Had $1,000,000, plus some truly great ones I've never heard before, such as Get In Line, and the Wizard of Magicland. I was slightly disappointed it didn't have "Who Needs Sleep", "Some Fantastic" or "Never is Enough" but you can't have everything.

I happen to know that this band didn't get famous for being a bunch of pretty boys, like certain other bands I can mention. BNL got famous from pure talent?

Between all of my CDs and MP3s, I actually did have every song on this compilation of singles (including the new ones), but I bought the CD anyway. I admit, I bought it for the insightful liner notes from Steven Page, and to help support what I think is the most underrated band on the face of the planet. Of course, all the concert tickets (three shows this year alone) don't hurt, either... :~) I admit that I am what could be considered an obsessed uber-fan, but I'm going to try to put this in perspective.

Though this is a compilation primarily of released singles (even the Ladies admit that the term "hit" is stretching it a bit for some of the tracks), I still think is an excellent sampler for a new fan that may only be familair with Stunt and Maroon (or to take a step further -- One Week or Pinch Me). People either "get it" or they don't with BNL -- the ones who get it will dig this CD. If all you know is One Week or Pinch Me, give some of the older stuff a listen. I firmly believe that BNL has something for everyone, all it takes is the right song -- and this is probably the most balanced collection money can buy.

I have to say, I love both of the new songs. Thanks, That Was Fun is a fine example of a poignant Ed-song, and really shows how his voice has devleoped over the years. The lyrics are great, as usual, and Ed sings it with emotion. It's Only Me (which I affectionately refer to solely as "Wizard") is pure fun, in a sort of early-80s, Knack-kinda way. And the subject matter, when you figure out what the song is really about, makes it all the more fun! It's never stated in the liner notes, but I think the line "I'm the me in monogamy" gives it all away. I won't say anymore. :~)

If you love the Ladies, pick it up. If you like the Ladies, but didn't know which CD to buy, pick it up. If you have never liked anything they played on the radio in the USA, well, you might want to skip it, but maybe borrow it and give the older tracks -- all Candian releases -- a listen. :~)