LogFAQs > #976199797

46. Barenaked Ladies Gordon
Pop Rock, Alternative Rock, Acoustic Rock
https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/a/user_image/7/3/2/AAeDEnAAE2-E.jpg

@Xarnax42

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_kL_VVX0yblvvbk0x1JBuBkyaYoANpstrM

1. Wrap Your Arms Around Me
2. Brian Wilson
3. Be My Yoko Ono

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w6dsOoxgiN4

I have never been terribly charmed by this band, with a few exceptions, Pinch Me being the big one. Pinch Me isnt on this album though. Can we recover from this disaster?

Turns out I already know some of these songs! Enid is a blend of wistful nostalgia, ruminations on how memory is a fickle thing while playing at the idea of serious teenage relationships. Grade 9 is another song about being a teenager; Im surprised there are two right next to each other, since I dont think the band necessarily plays to that demographic? Its not a bad song, actually I prefer it to Enid, but it makes me wonder how the rest of the album will play out. There are some nice moments, like their genuinely terrific harmonies; or the subsequent instrumental outro in Brian Wilson. Be My Yoko Ono begins with the thought-provoking entreaty: If theres someone you can do without / Then do so. Those harmonies are on full display on Wrap Your Arms Around Me. Im glad the band knows theyre good at this!

One thing I find interesting about the Barenaked Ladies is theyre verynot rock star-y? Unglamorous, maybe unpretentious (though I dont know how much of that is an act). I think affable is a good word for this album, and this band.

Nine songs in and I have to sadly report that nine songs of Steven Pages vocals have not improved my impression of Steven Pages vocals.

Theres no need to be afraid of us
Though it just might be your daughter on our bus
-New Kid (On the Block)

There are a lot ofslow love songs on this album? Certainly more than I was expecting.

Theres been this seemingly endless stretch after Wrap Your Arms Around Me (#6) up through Blame It on Me (#12!) that I just dont really care about. I dont dislike it, my skin isnt crawling like with some of the lower ranked albums, but I struggle to maintain an opinion, or interest, on anything. The Flag rekindles my interest, with intriguing lyrics. I dont get why If I Had $1,000,000 appears to be the most popular song here I found it pretty insufferable.

Overall not really my thing. I enjoyed some songs, disliked one, and was ambivalent toward most. Thatll safely keep it out of the bottom five at least!