New BNL album shows maturity

Whether it’s an ode to the nectar of college students, alcohol, the inability to get a decent night’s rest or idealistic dreams about how to spend that first million dollars, Barenaked Ladies made their mark first among college students. Those students are growing up now, as is the band.Over the 13 years since the band’s earliest manifestation, BNL has evolved from the dorky college hooligans who produced “If I Had $1,000,000” to a cohesive group of serious musicians grappling with the world and fame. “Everything to Everyone,” the group’s fifth studio release, demonstrates the witty songwriting skills of Ed Robertson and Steven Page, but with a darker edge. For this album, Page and Robertson, who traditionally compose the group’s repertoire, share the creative credit on six of 14 songs with bassist Jim Creeggan or keyboardist Kevin Hearn. Even though the group has always split the royalties for composing evenly, this is the first time compositions written with Creeggan and Hearn have appeared on an album.While it might not be blatantly obvious, BNL’s lyrics have taken on a political agenda in E2E. From the jab at President George W. Bush’s post-September 11 reassurance that shopping would be the best thing to do the next day in “Shopping” to a less-than-subtle protest against American foreign policy in “Second Best,” E2E presents a biting social commentary masterfully hidden in bouncy melodies. The only completely nonsensical single on the album – “Another Postcard”- was unfortunately the first released. Similar to the popular “One Week,” this rap-like ditty tells the tale of a man plagued by an influx of postcards covered in chimps. Time Warner’s decision to release this song first made their executives look like monkeys when it earned the number eight spot on USA Today’s 10 Worst Singles of the Year. “Another Postcard” does not represent the development of the band present throughout the rest of album. It seems the debacle has taught the execs a lesson, as the second release is more representative of the band’s new direction.Second to be released, “Maybe Katie” is a catchy look at dating in the modern world. BNL’s maturing age and attitude is obvious as the song looks at issues surrounding dating an aging woman with a daughter. While the chorus can be incessantly repetitive, it has the staying power of “It’s a Small World” without the accompanying nausea.”War on Drugs” is by far the best gem on the album, doomed to never be released due to theme and length. With an acoustic melody reminiscent of past greats like “Call and Answer,” the song explores suicide and the “demons haunting us to keep us company.” Touching and meaningful, “War on Drugs” stands as one of the best BNL ballads. The band is now on tour, promoting their new album in 32 North American cities. For those who missed the sold-out Nov. 12, 2003 concert, there is still hope. Rochester will once again hear BNL rock Blue Cross Arena on March 3. The Peepshow Tour marks the tenth time BNL has performed in the Rochester area since their first show at the Horizontal Boogie Bar, now Water Street Music Hall, on March 28, 1993. Tickets for the March 3 show are still available through Ticketmaster.Miller can be reached at amiller@campustimes.org.