Stunt

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...

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.

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.