Released in July of 1998, Barenaked Ladies’ Stunt peaked at 3 in the U.S. top 200 billboard chart and earned 4x platinum. I rediscovered this album while in modern band class this year, as we will be performing two of songs off of this album. As with many of the albums that I review, my parents used to play them when I was younger, and listening to them now, I get why. This album is indeed a banger; here are some of my stand out tracks:
“One Week” was unintentionally the top single for this album. It features a nonsense rap with a loose theme of a couple fighting and eventually making up. I am admittedly partial to this song as I will be “singing” it with the modern band at our spring show, but it’s a fun song. There’s a weird synth bass sound that mixes well with the various guitar parts in the intro and chorus sections. The bass part really stands out to me in this song. When looking at the chart, it reads like a freestyle; there is no specific pattern apart from following the chord progression. It’s interesting to listen to and provides some structure during the verses where the only other instrument present is the drums and one guitar. I love this song, and I’m so excited to perform it.
“Light Up My Room” has always been a favorite song for me off of this album. It’s a calming, sweet song about lovers who may not have wealth, but they have each other. A lot of BNL songs follow this theme, “love in your 20’s,” I like to call it. One acoustic guitar is joined by an acoustic bass and they dance through the melody in both the chorus and the verses. There are some very pleasing vocals throughout the song as well, harmonizing in the chorus and the outro. This song is like a blanket fresh out of the dryer: wholesome and comforting.
My favorite part of “Some Fantastic” is the quacking noises in the background throughout almost the entire song. I did some research (one Google search) and I couldn’t find what could make that noise, but if anyone can figure it out, please contact me as I am very interested. My second favorite part of this song is the piano part that intermittently graces the listener with a descending line that marks the beginning of the pre-chorus. This song -in my professional opinion- is about trying to get back with someone after a breakup by saying they will invent various things that will make the other person want to be with them again. “Someday I will find the secret / To your social chemistry / Then I’ll print it on a t-shirt / And it’ll make you want to be with me.” A song for a true yearner.
Please listen to this album. I know that I review a lot of albums here; this one is really interesting and incredibly rewarding for the right type of person. Listen to this album when you’re in love, when you’re young, or when you’re reminiscing. I give this album an 8/10.
