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Barenaked Ladies - Stunt
CD DetailsArtist: Barenaked Ladies Edition: Music CD Published: 1998 CD Release Date: 2007-01-08 Music Label: Reprise / Wea Product features: Soundtracks: - One Week
- It's All Been Done
- Light Up My Room
- I'll Be That Girl
- Leave
- Alcohol
- Call And Answer
- In The Car
- Never Is Enough
- Who Needs Sleep?
- Told You So
- Some Fantastic (Ivory And Ivory)
- When You Dream
Music reviews of StuntMusic Review: The Album That Thrust The Barenaked Ladies To Stardom! Rating: 5 Stars
(Actual Rating- 4.5 Stars)
Stunt(1998). The Barenaked Ladies' Fifth U.S. Album.
Zany Canadian Alternative/Pop Rock act Barenaked Ladies scored a Top 40 album with 'Gordon', but they didn't truly break through to American audiences until the release of 'Stunt'. Upon its release, 'Stunt' debuted at #3 in the U.S., and "One Week" breached the Top Ten. Their quirky blend of Alternative Rock, Pop, Reggae, and hints of Hip-Hop bode well with the mass public, and almost overnight, they became a sensation. Since this was my introduction to The Barenaked Ladies, I expected a lot. So, does 'Stunt' live up to my expectations, or does it breath mediocrity? Read on to find out!
Track Ratings-
One Week- 'Stunt' and The Barenaked Ladies' biggest hit, "One Week" is your typical Alternative Rock song, yet Reggae influences and catchy melodies make this an addictive song you can't help but like! Even the rapping isn't bad!
It's All Been Done- A Folk-Inspired Alternative Rock song, the over-the-top vocals and the folk inspired acoustic riff mix to create a catchy song that should've been a hit!
Light Up My Room- A ballad that lacks the humor of most Barenaked Ladies' songs, "Light Up My Room" features a heartfelt electric guitar riff and vocals that will inspire you to pull out your lighter and open up your heart. One of 'Stunt's strongest moments.
I'll Be That Girl- "I'll Be That Girl" starts off with a Middle Eastern flute(The ones that make snakes come out of a basket), yet turns into a melodic Alternative Rocker, featuring symphonic and touching vocals behind a pulsing, addictive beat. Good, solid song.
Leave- Alternative Rock infected with Country is what you get with "Leave", an electric guitar-laden rocker with Country-tinged bass guitar and vocals giving it a special originality. A creative rocker that won't fail to please!
Alchohol- A straight-up, no-holds-bared Alternative Rock song, "Alchohol" blends an enjoyable mixture of sarcastic melodies with humorous lyrics/vocals, but keeps a special melodic touch to keep the song enjoyable and fun to listen to. You can't help but not love the keyboarding here!
Call And Answer- Much like "Light Up My Room", "Call And Answer" is an Alternative Rock Ballad, using a somber acoustic guitar melody behind the brooding vocals to full effect. Unlike the previous ballad though, not much happens in "Call And Answer", and while not bad, it does get a tad repetitive and boring. The piano flourishes work quite well here though!
In The Car- Echoing back to the Old West, "In The Car" reminds me of a song off 'Blazing Saddles', combining a folky bassline with melodic vocals that would be a fun song around the campfire.
Never Is Enough- Starting off with an organ solo, "Never Is Enough" ends up turning into a catchy Alternative Rock song with blues influences, mixing drawling vocals and a bluesy acoustic guitar, not to mention nice organ solos throughout. Another winner!
Who Needs Sleep?- Another folk-influenced Alternative Rock song, "Who Needs Sleep?" uses a folk-y acoustic guitar beat, yet uses sarcastic vocals and upbeat choruses to enhance the song. It's hard not to like the chorus, you'll be singing right along! Fun, catchy song!
Told You So- Another big hit, "Told You So" is a Country-influenced Alternative Rocker with a Country influenced bassline that uses the brooding vocals to their full extent. When all's said and done, "Told You So" comes out as either a melodic Rocker or Country Ballad, and if you like either of those, you'll most likely enjoy this song. Gets a tad repetitive, but not overly so.
Some Fantastic- Sounding almost like a 50's Rock song, "Some Fantastic" reminds me of Elvis, as the vocals sound similar to him, the beat is catchy and upbeat, and the keyboards really add to the song. Also the chorus is quite addictive. Imagine Elvis, but add in heavy keyboards. I *like* this song!
When You Dream- The album's slowest song, "When You Dream" is a folk-ballad that sounds a lot like The Barenaked Ladies' biggest influence, Bob Dylan. Although the vocals are solid, nothing much happens....and I mean *nothing*! There is a slight acoustic guitar riff, but it only pops up every once in a while and it's very hard to hear. A rather disappointing track, and the worst of the album.
Overall, 'Stunt', while nothing groundbreaking or spectacular, is definitely worthy of my rating. If you want Alternative Rock with a lot of emphasis on the musicians and technical mastery, I suggest you look elsewhere, maybe at Pearl Jam or the Smashing Pumpkins. As for the Barenaked Ladies, if you want fun, catchy, addictive, and listener-friendly Alternative Rock(with particuarlar emphasis on Folk), then the Barenaked Ladies are for you. Personally, I thought that 'Stunt' was a great listen, and well worth my time!
Killer Kuts- "One Week", "Alchohol", "It's All Been Done", and "Light Up My Room".
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED TO FANS OF ALTERNATIVE ROCK/FOLK AND THE BARENAKED LADIES! DON'T COME IN EXPECTING THE GREATEST MUSICIANS ON EARTH, BUT TO HAVE A FUN AND ADDICTIVE EXPERIENCE!
Also Recommended-
Gordon- Barenaked Ladies
Ten- Pearl Jam
Siamese Dream- The Smashing Pumpkins
Thanks For Reading!
More Stunt free music reviews: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
Description of StuntLimited edition pressing of the quirky Canadian alternative rock/ pop group's 1998 breakthrough album with a seven track bonus CD featuring 'Brian Wilson' (Album Version), 'Brian Wilson (2000)' and live versions of 'The Old Apartment', 'Jane', 'When I Fall', 'If I Had A $1,000,000' & 'Straw Hat And Old Dirty Hank'. A combined total of 20 tracks, with the main album featuring the smash hit 'One Week'. Double slimline jewel case. 1998 release. The Ladies have done more than lie in bed the way Brian Wilson did; they've spent some quality sandbox time mastering the intricacies of catchy pop records, hooks and all. Sounding at times like Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young after a week in the Caribbean, the Ladies mix a dash of rap with a pop backbeat on "One Week," while "It's All Been Done" is classic 1960s Top 40, right down to the "woo-hoo-hoo" backing vocals. The lyrics are the hidden joy on this record, with lines like "I love you more than I did the week before I discovered alcohol" and the male voice singing about tying his pantyhose around his neck. The songs are well crafted and the production flushes out the Ladies' hidden musical talents, resulting in their best effort since Gordon. --Katie Sigler
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