Disco de Barenaked Ladies: “Brian Wilson”

This is a great example of how to make a single. Put different versions of classic songs on it and include an incredibly hilarious, catchy non-album track.

"Brian Wilson" and "Break Your Heart" are already worth the price, but "Back" is what makes it far beyond merely "worth it." I enjoy "Back" more than some of BNL's album tracks, but hey others may disagree, still for the price of $3.14, there is no way you can go wrong. Buy it now!!!

Other die-hard fans might be disappointed in this, but for me it was a fine example of their work. The first track, "Brian Wilson (2000)" is without the original slow intro to the song, but it manages to catch the same feelings, the same sense of someone-help-me-I'm-turning-into-Brian-Wilson, as the original. I was slightly disappointed at the shortened bass melody at the end. The second track is a slightly-less-than-perfect-but-still-good version of "Break Your Heart," a tender song about a sensitive guy breaking up with his girlfriend. But anything--ANYTHING--wrong with the first two tracks is quickly neutralized by the frantic, poignant, yet incredibly humorous third track, "Back," which is the story of a man paralyzed in an embarrassing accident. They should have put that on an album. What a cool single!

This is a very rare and hard to find version of this song. For those of you who don't know, when BNL was first crossing over into America Popularity (Pre-Stunt), the live version of Brian Wilson from Rock Spectacle was enjoying a revived popularity. Whether it be the band, label, or manager, whatever...somebody was afraid that the America radio stations wouldn't play this version for some reason....so they recorded this as a nod to the live version. Though few radio stations utilized this updated recording, my station (Peoria's 99x at the time) played this. Despite the fact that it doesn't have the opening lead in verse (i always thought that was odd) and it is cut significanty, this version is a treat in production. I've never seen it on iTunes, youtube, or anything, so jump on this if no other chance than to hear it!

Other Tracks: Break you heart, which is off BOAPS, and one of my favorite from the cd...this version is cut though. I'd say just go for the version of Pirate ship. Also, Back....interesting fact about this...i'm sure a lot of you know that BNL has made it a tradition in their long career to record a track naked on every album. Well, this was BOAPS's naked track, though was, (sadly) cut from the album. And yes I say sadly, as this is one of the better tracks not on the record.

Bottom line...buy to hear a fresh outlook on Brian Wilson....btw....why Brian Wilson 2000...this was released in 1997...ah, whatever

The song 1week kicked but, it sounded like a polka tune without an accordian.