Search - Barenaked Ladies :: Stunt (Bonus CD)

Number One for 1998

G. J Wiener | Westchester, NY USA | 06/15/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Its hard for me to find many late 1990's records that I like. The over emphasis on technology and the overreliance of talking one's lyrics instead of singing them has made much of music today somewhat below standard when compared to other eras. However, in the case of the Barenaked Ladies Stunt, everything seems to work perfectly. The rap section in One Week is very complimentary to the hook laden chorus. This song is both radio friendly yet creative. It has some special effects yet there is a good backbeat. The other songs are all very strong and written from the heart. Call And Answer is a special gem as it portrays a relationship in distress. Alcohol shows the light hearted sound of the Ladies as it chugs along quite nicely and woul;d fit into any non-rap party environment. In general each of the songs displays a fresh arrangement and a captivating rhythm. Nothing is over emphasized. That is the key reason why I rate this recording as the best release for 1998."

Consistently good, but not as great as previous works.

Amy Schachtner | 12/14/1998

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Alright, let's get one thing straight--I see lots of one-star reviews on this page absolutely trashing this album because all the songs didn't sound exactly like "One Week." If you're bitching about that fact, it's no one's fault but your own for following the masses running out to buy the CD for the one song getting radio airplay. Those who took the time to find out know that none of Barenaked Ladies' previous work is particularly similar to "One Week," and unsurprisingly, nor is the rest of Stunt. Almost all of the songs on the CD are very listenable, but just as they don't plunge to the depths of experimental mediocrity that some songs on previous releases do, nor do Stunt's tracks soar to the same brilliance. "One Week" is great, and "It's All Been Done," "Call and Answer," and "I Told You So" are also strong efforts, but many of the songs on the album are not particularly compelling or meaningful. The well-polished, risk-free songs are nice to listen to, but lack the passion and energy of their live work (one of my recurring criticisms of the Ladies' studio work), and lack the experimental tricks and rough edges that mark some of their most brilliant work. There aren't any songs on this album with the raw passion of "Break Your Heart," the infectious energy of "Brian Wilson" or the blend of musical styles and instruments that drives "Straw Hat and Old Dirty Hank." Further, the Ladies' writing proves a double-edged sword, as their wittiness sets apart some songs, but mars others. "Light Up My Room," for instance, features good music and a neat central image to build a song around, but cutesy, semi-nonsense verses keep the song from reaching its huge potential. Ditto for several others on the album. If you like the Ladies already, then Stunt will be a welcome addition to your CD collection, particularly if you can get your hands on the limited edition version, which features two strong extra tracks. However, if this is your first foray into Barenakedness, I think you'd be better advised starting out with Rock Spectacle or perhaps Gordon, which capture the band at its most brilliant, and take the rest from there."

BNL Has Done it again!

Benny McBean (schaefer@wesnet.com) | Dayton, Ohio | 08/27/1998

(5 out of 5 stars)

"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!"