Music review: Barenaked Ladies - Down To Earth

Artist: Barenaked Ladies Members: Steven Page (guitar), Ed Robertson (vocals, guitar), Tyler Stewart (drums), Jim Creegan (bass), Kevin Hearn (piano) Album: Barenaked Ladies Are Me/Barenaked Ladies are Men Video link: Via YouTube

Lyrics: Some people are just all show Well, I don't mind that if the show is worth watching But it's all bark and no tree What's more ironic than a hippie in Versace? It's all peace and love and limousines You got the right message, but the wrong intentions How can you be touchy-feely when you've lost touch? I think it's time we had a little intervention with you

Hey now, wake up And lose the makeup She makes you wanna know her When you don't know what it's worth Now you really wanna show her How she's just so down to Earth (via satellite)

There's no better friends than the, the kind you pay If they don't balance, great - then the door will keep revolving It's a tight circle of the chosen few Well, how'd you manage that with the recipe involving Just a pinch of sweetness and a cup of angst? Mix it all up - you're the all-purpose flour Though it looks delicious, something smells bad I don't think I'd last a half an hour with you

Hey now, wake up And lose the makeup She makes you wanna know her When you don't know what it's worth Now you really wanna show her How she's just so down to Earth (via satellite)

What's it like to love you When there's no one else above you And no one gets to know you? Well, who'll be there to show you (via satellite)?

It's like making love to a TV It's kinda novel, but it's miles away from satisfying Your hangers-on say it's a great deal But what you're selling, there's no chance in hell that I'll be buying

Hey now, wake up And lose the makeup She makes you wanna know her When you don't know what it's worth Now you really wanna show her How she's just so down to Earth She makes you wanna know her When you don't know what it's worth Now you really wanna show her How she's just so down to Earth (via satellite) About the song: The more I listen to this album, the more I love it. This is a song about fake people...most likely celebrities like Paris Hilton since the guys like writing about current events and the people involved in them. These are people who pretend to be 'normal' yet act the complete opposite. Such a great song.

Music review: Barenaked Ladies - Adrift

Artist: Barenaked Ladies Members: Steven Page (vocals), Ed Robertson (guitar/vocals), Tyler Stewart (drums), Jim Creegan (bass), Kevin Hearn (keyboards) Album: Barenaked Ladies Are Me Release date: 9/12/06 Video link: Via YouTube

Lyrics: Ever since we said our good-byes The onion rings, the phone makes me cry Something isn't right Like the Deep Blue without the Great White

In the morning open your eyes The waterfalls, the fire flies You're an abacus And my heart was counting on us

Your heart's got a heavy load There's still a long way to go Keep your eyes on the road

Crescent moon sings me to sleep The birches bark, the willows weep But I lie awake; I'm adrift without a snowflake

Your heart's got a heavy load There's still a long way to go Keep your eyes on the road About the song: While Steve has the stronger voice, I think it was a perfect choice to have Ed sing lead on this. His voice is a bit softer which gives this sad ballad so much emotion. It's a wonderful song though I'm not sure I agree with their choice to lead the album with it. It sets the entire album off with a melancholy feeling instead of something a bit happier. But it still a good song on its own.

Music review: Barenaked Ladies - Alternative Girlfriend

Artist: Barenaked Ladies Members: Steven Page, Ed Robertson, Jim Creegan, Tyler Stewart, Andy Creegan Album: Maybe You Should Drive Release date: 8/16/94 Video link: Via YouTube

Lyrics: You're in an all-girl band Your futon's second hand Your parents understand but you don't care

I have a job in a shop I'm an undercover cop I make sure the customers aren't thieves

Old at being young Young at being old Everything's on hold within our evolution

Chorus:

You're my alternative girlfriend I love you, and now you cannot pretend There's nothing left that won't cross over

Last night we slept on the lawn you woke up and I was gone Back to the dream I dream to leave My life with her is a bore

A worn-out metaphor No more surprises up its sleeve We're old at being young Young at being old Everything's been sold to other's revolutions

Chorus

You live above your dad's four-car garage With your vinyl and imaginary entourage if I pull up in a U-Haul, pack up quick So we can get out of this town 'cause it makes me sick

Chorus About the song: I fully admit that I am pretty biased toward Barenaked Ladies songs. They have so many great songs. This is another one. Alternative Girlfriend is fairly straight-forward lyrically. It's a song about a young couple who have grown bored of each other. I think it's the background music that really makes this song. There isn't anything 'new' or 'fresh' about it but that's the point. It sounds like a whole lot of other 'alternative' songs from that time period which points out the fact that while you may think you are different, you're pretty much the same as everyone else.

Music review: Barenaked Ladies - Shoe Box

Artist: Barenaked Ladies Members: Steven Page (vocals), Ed Robertson (guitar), Tyler Stewart (drums), Jim Creegan (bass) Album: Born on a Pirate Ship Release date: 3/19/96 Video link: on YouTube

Lyrics: A key in the door, a step on the floor A note on the table, and a meal in the micro Note says "I'm in bed, please make sure that you're fed if you're taking a shower, you can borrow my bathrobe When I'm asleep I dream you move in next week" I crumple the note and save it to put inside

Chorus:

My shoe box Shoe box of lies Shoe box Shoe box of lies

it's under my bed, it's never been read it's in with my school stuff and my mom never cleans there From my first little fib, when I still wore a bib To my latest attempt at pretending I'm someone Who's not seventeen, doesn't know what you mean When talk turns to single malts, or stilton, or

Chorus

Did somebody tell you This is how it's supposed to be? Or did you just find it And you don't want any more from me?

Chorus

Was it something I said, or was it something you read That's making me think that I should never have come here I can offer you lies, I can tell you good-bye. I can tell you I'm sorry, But I can't tell you the truth, dear And what if I could -- would it do any good? You'll still never get to see the contents of

Chorus

You're so nineteen-ninety And it's nineteen-ninety-four Leave this world behind me 'Cause you don't want me anymore. About the song: Shoe Box was a track on the first soundtrack for the tv series Friends. As such, it was added to BoaPS at the last minute. It's a rather cute song about the secrets and lies we all have.

Born on a Pirate Ship is an interesting album in the BNL library. When it was recorded, the band only had four members. Andy Creegan, who played a variety of instruments, left the band before the album was recorded. His replacement, Kevin Hearn, was invited to join them on the album's tour. This also makes the music video for Shoe Box a little weird. While Kevin isn't on the actual recording of the song, he is in the video for it.

Music review: Barenaked Ladies - Christmas Time (Oh Yeah)

Artist: Barenaked Ladies Members: Steven Page (vocals), Ed Robertson (guitar), Tyler Stewart (drums), Jim Creegan (bass), Kevin Hearn (keyboards & more) Album: Barenaked For The Holidays Release date: 10/5/04

Lyrics: Now that all the snow has fallen It's crunching in below my feet And all the Christmas lights are shining On houses up and down my street And I can see the happy families inside If only for a moment, it's Christmas time

I think I see the children down the street Here they come caroling Now we can hear them, they sing "Oh yeah"

Mr. Johnson bought a Christmas tree He set it up with his family They're opening their presents big and small Mr. Johnson got a big, brown, bowling ball And Sally got a pair of brand new skates And Jimmy got a box of frosty flakes He knows that there's a special little prize inside What a happy moment, it's Christmas time

The carolers are standing in line They sing, "Oh yeah" Oh yeah About the song: I'm not usually a big fan of Christmas music. However, this is one of my favorite songs about the holiday. I particularly love the harmony on the "Oh yeah" parts. In my opinion, Kevin is the weakest singer of the band but his nasally sounding voice is appropriate for a song about family. This song isn't about being a great singer. It's just about enjoying the holidays with your family, even if you only get Frosted Flakes as a present.