Disco de Barenaked Ladies: “Stunt (+7 Track Bonus CD)”

This CD is a great one although their earlier albums are superior (particularly Gordon and Born on a Pirate Ship.) It is well worth the money. Stunt is a fabulous eclectic CD with some songs that are a serious and sad (like "Call and Answer") and some that are fast and funny (like "Some Fantastic" or their Radio hit "One Week".) Everyone has probably heard "One Week" and if you liked it you should DEFINATALY buy this CD. If you didn't like it then you should buy the CD anyway because all of the other songs are much better than that song even though it is already fantabulous.

From the opening track, "One Week", and its rhythmic magic and lyrical genius, you can tell that this album is truly a masterpiece. But "One Week" is far from the only "happening tune" on this album. In true Barenaked Ladies fashion, every song is outstanding, and unique. Second on the CD is the feel-good '60s-style "It's All Been Done", which is reminisent of the Brady Bunch and the Partridge Family, but good. Next, "Light Up My Room" is a melodically soothing ballade that far surpasses the boring monotonous efforts of other groups to attemp this style of song. Fourth on the disc is another pinnacle, "I'll Be That Girl". Very catchy, it has a sort of mysterious sound that is sure to have listeners crying for more. Next comes the country twang sound of "Leave". It is craftily mixed to attract country fans and country haters alike and is simply another style the Ladies have perfected. The album's sixth track is one of the groups all time greatest. "Alcohol" recreates the magic of "The Old Appartment" with its beat, and gets the blood pumping with its envigorating energy. Throw in the Ladies' witty lyrics and it becomes an instant classic. Seventh is the love-torn tune "Call and Answer", from which emenates a rarely created feel-good melancholy. Next is the techno hit "In The Car", which combines Beach Boys Style surfer attitude, a great chorus, and sexy, subtly racy lyrics. Track nine, "Never Is Enough", is a pure example of BNL's lyrical genius, combining youthful free spirit with an addictingly different sound. Following this gem is "Who Needs Sleep", with a beat that will have the whole family head-banging in no time. It is another exibition of the Ladies' immortality in music. The eleventh track, "Told You So", has an alternative rhyme pattern and artful lyrics that make it super duper! "Some Fantastic" adds yet another highly melodic and brilliantly-worded hit to BNL's arsenal that will keep you in a great mood for hours and simply make you want to dance! To end the album, "When You Dream" is perhaps the only mediocre song that BNL has ever come out with. It is decent, but not up to their normal God-like wizardry. It in no way retracts, though, from the awesomeness of this CD. It is possibly one of the top five CDs of all time and its a must have for any sane individual, especially a fan of the Barenaked Ladies' earlier works. Enjoy!

If you are new to Barenaked Ladies music, then start with their other recordings first. This one is the most commerical sounding of them all. It has happy party tunes like "One Week", "It's All Been Done", and "Alcohol". Most of the songs have happy tunes accompanied with dark lyrics. Most of the slower songs are good too. "Light Up My Room" is a cool song that is about the lightpoles in neighborhoods at night and "Call and Answer" begins as a lovely "I'll be there for you song" until it turns dark toward the end. All in all this is a very enjoyable album. I also would like to add the lady who lived in the house I just purchased actually knew the Barenaked Ladies and had them over for a bar-b-que. Don't worry, she said they are really down to earth guys.

This group is one of the best around, and I don't attach many such superlatives to current rock bands. Although there are many highly addictive tracks, my favorites include "It's All Been Done" and (my nomination for song of the year...yes, I know it's too late) "Call and Answer." After this CD, I bought 2 earlier ones, but I think this is their best.

I recently (4-03) found this 5 year old CD in a box at a flea market and figured that spending $1.00 on it was no big deal. I had never even heard of the BNL, but the name alone was enough to catch my attention.

I was pleasantly surprised when I popped the CD into my player. What a nice montage of musical styles. Not only does this CD cover a lot of musical ground, but the proficiency of the playing and singing is equally enjoyable. And then there's the lyrics... simple on the surface, but actually deep and meaningful in places. (Of course "One Week" doesn't fall into this category, but it's a heckuva lot of fun nonetheless) One example of the better lyrics is "Light In My Room". It has an almost sarcastic naiveté to it, even though the average person might simply and easily dismiss it as nothing more than oddball drivel. And then there's "When You Dream". For anyone who's ever stared at their little baby boy or girl sleeping, this song is almost poignant. There's even a reference to the late, great, Del Shannon!

From a creative standpoint, the quality and quantity of this CD reminded me a lot of Lenny Kravitz; another artist who's not afraid to explore all kinds of musical territory.

For someone in his or her 40's, CDs like Stunt are not only enjoyable to listen to, they're comforting in the sense that they make you realize that there's still good music out there, played on real instruments by real musicians, with lyrics that actually are lyrics; not adrenaline-laden screaming or repetitive common denominator rap rhyming.

If you're in the same age group as me, go get this CD. You won't regret it.