Bloomerific's Full Review: Maroon by Barenaked Ladies
When you are a truer-than-true-hardcore fan of a band or artist, you become totally wrapped up in following their music. That's how I am with Barenaked Ladies. Waiting for this album has been like waiting for paint to dry. I was starting to get really impatient and was afraid that I wouldn't like the album as much as the others. Then I got to thinking, who really cares about the others? Why compare, this is a new album, with a new producer---why bother with the others when I know I came to love them as well? When "Pinch Me" was released in August 2000, I had already downloaded the song and was starting to listen to snippets of the rest. When September 12th came, I ran out right after work and bought myself a copy.
I love "Maroon." From the beginning to the end. The album comes out running with "Too Little, Too Late." Steven Page rips through the lyrics like cheap fabric. The handclaps make you want to clap right along. "Never Do Anything" mirrors "Never is Enough" from their Stunt album, but has its own flair. It's more angry and dark with lyrics like "Got a big chip, you want a fat lip? How 'bout a mouth full of Chiclets?" "Pinch Me" comes next, probably geared to be their next commercial success since it has topped many charts throughout the U.S. and Canada. "Go Home" chronicles the dread of touring and the road, and how the pain of missing someone can get to you-but you should just go home if you can't take it. "Falling for the First Time," which can be taken positively or negatively is filled with many interesting comparisons such as "I'm so cool, too bad I'm a loser." Then, to me, the album climaxes with "Conventioneers" which is my favorite song on the album. All about office love and how it will never work out, has the perfect ending, "it'd be great if you transferred out of state." Genius.
"Off the Hook" chronicles a relationship filled with lies and deceit, and has the best lyrics on the album. Very moving and real. "Tonight is the Night I Fell Asleep At the Wheel" combines macabre words that describe an accident and death with circus music. The phrase, "you're the last thing on my mind" has a double meaning---his girl is the last thing he's thinking about when trying to concentrate, but then she's literally the last thing he's thinking about when he dies. The Limited Edition (which I have and will be off the shelves soon as the 2nd pressing has already been released) has a song entitled "Hidden Sun" by keyboardist extraordinaire Kevin Hearn. The song is beautiful (though for some his voice may take some getting used to for you-I personally dig it) and is about his battle with leukemia. The simplicity of the song will shock you.
One thing I noticed was the lack of the Jim Creeggan's double bass. This man is amazing, and I definitely miss that underlying bass line.
Whether you are a new fan of BNL or an old-timer like me, this album is definitely something to check out. It's a fresh sound, with a different outlook.
Other albums to check out: all of Barenaked Ladies' discography, The Brothers Creeggan (which is Jim Creeggan of BNL and his brother Andy who was in BNL in the early days) discography, and if you dig "Hidden Sun" by Kevin Hearn, check out his album "Mothball Mint."
1998 s quadruple-platinum smash Stunt catapulted Barenaked Ladies from alternative favorite to major pop stardom. The colorful Maroon, produced by Don...More at Buy.com Marketplaces
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