Oh, the ’90s. When pogs invaded middle-school classrooms, girls wept over their dying Tamagotchi’s and Keanu Reeves’ acting abilities didn’t make us cringe, you have to admit — growing up in the ’90s was pretty awesome. While we were glad to see some ’90s musicians and one-hit wonders fade into oblivion, few bands have successfully transitioned from childhood adolescence to the 2000’s with grace. Barenaked Ladies is one of these bands.
Formed back in 1988 by friends Ed Robertson and Steven Page, Barenaked Ladies was one of the beloved groups that shaped the soundtrack of the ’90s with hits like “One Week,” “If I Had $1,000,000” and “Pinch Me.” Today, with 10 albums under their belt, the band comes back swinging with their latest release, All in Good Time. As the title suggests, the band’s 22-year career together has had its ups and downs, and for the first time in two decades the Barenaked Ladies are one man short. With lead singer and co-founder Steven Page splitting from the band in 2009 to pursue a solo career, the remaining four members continue to be driven and dedicated to the band that made them a household name.
After listening to the peaceful guitar riffs of the album’s title track, “You Run Away,” it seemed like a bit of Barenaked Ladies’ sprightly vivacity was sorely missing and they were playing it a little bit too safe. However, the remaining 13 tracks of their first CD as a quartet bounced and bounded by with the same energy they had 10 years ago, proving they still have that refreshing edge that’s kept them strong over the years.
“This was a chance for me to shed some of my writing dependencies, both good and bad, and explore new ground,” guitarist and lead vocalist Ed Robertson said on their official site. And it has certainly paid off.
The band has matured with their latest album while still maintaining the humor and energy that defines them. The jaunty “Four Seconds” brings back a nostalgic feeling of their 1998 hit “One Week,” with bouncy raps and rhymes, while the more thoughtful track “I Saw It” brings attention to adolescent bullying and isolation. At times, certain songs passively float along without much oomph, almost channeling the serenity of Death Cab For Cutie without Ben Gibbard’s unique vocal sound. Boring and a bit too mainstream, tracks like “Watching the Northern Lights” and “On the Lookout” are a bit yawn-inducing.
Unfortunately, with Page’s absence, it’s inevitable that fans and listeners will be judging the latest CD from this beloved band, keeping a close eye on anything that might cause them to lose hope in their future. Losing a band member, especially one who once played such a pivotal role in the band’s success, will definitely make fans wary. However, All in Good Time should reassure listeners that Barenaked Ladies have still got it. The album’s tracks move from one to the next with cheery vocals, bouncy guitar solos and playful beats, but are at their best when they bring something new to the table. This may not be the ’90s, but with their tour already underway, Barenaked Ladies aren’t going anywhere.
3 1/2 stars out of 5.
