Lunedì 4 Set 2006, 14:48

If I were in Barenaked Ladies, I would be pissed at iTunes right now. In the past two weeks, iTunes has accidently switched their new album Barenaked Ladies Are Me from "Pre-Sale" to "Buy Now" twice. First, the standard 9.99 and bonus track editions. And now, this week the FULL Digital Deluxe version (Containing 29 songs, 16 of which aren't due to be "officially" released on CD until next year- on the album "Are Men").

As I type this, the Deluxe Edition is STILL available on the U.S. iTunes store:
iTunes link: http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewAlbum?id=185435126&s=143441
Normally, I would think BNL is doing everything they can to get it pulled so no more leaks occur- However after the first time, Steve Page made this comment on their Podcast:

Some of you already heard it because I guess it's been leaked a bunch of times. Isn't that just perfect? But again, I'm not stressing. I'm not Flea from the Chili Peppers freakin' out about people hearing his record because at the end of the day I know that if you got it early it's 'cause you wanted it. It's 'cause you were looking forward to it. I just hope that you liked it as much as we like it.

Either way- I had to download it. I have the actual CD on pre-order, and will not be canceling that (It comes with a free live CD, I want that!).

With 29 songs, it's really hard to do a review, but I guess I'll try.

In general: I love the album, I think it's in my top 3 BNL albums- where in the top 3, I don't know. It's got a REALLY good "americana" sound to it- a lot of simple acoustic/country work- Reminds me of the folkish sound from Gordon. I felt like their latest work was getting to forced and electric…It's really nice to hear banjo's and accordions on the album.

God, how am I going to break down 29 songs? Hmm. Ok, let's try this…

(None of these tracks will be linked to Last.FM because the album isn't even on the site yet)

Adrift
I feel like Kevin wrote this song- But I can't be sure because I don't have any liner notes. It's really pretty and has some nice Banjo work. This is a "wind down" song for sure.

Bank Job
I don't know if it's the melody or the lyrics that lure me to this song- But I just love the story it tells

Sound of Your Voice
A song originally sung by Kevin. On the album, steve takes the wheel and rightfully so, I think. This is a powerful song. A little cheesy, but it works.

Easy
The first single off the album. The best part is the bridge, I don't know if I really dig the song, though. Music video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YTqdPJLTdOk

Home
A really pretty little guitar song- it's got the kind of chord progression that I just love…Little minor things stuck here and there. Cool bridge!

Bull in a China Shop I heard this song back in 2004 at a concert when they played it live. I never thought it would see the light of day- I'm SO used to hearing it on bootlegs, it's hard to "review" it. Good song, though.

Everything Had Changed
One of those nice simple "americana" songs- Some bajo and accordion. Love it. Another good bridge! What the hell is with them and bridges?

Peterborough and the Kawarthas
Sorry Jim…I just can't get into it. You hit it out of the park with In the Drink…But not with this one. It's a little too weird.

Maybe You're Right
I really like the horns in this. The end is GREAT. A little bit ELO/Polyphonic Spree-ish.

Take it Back
I hear Coldplay in the piano here. This is apparently a throwback from Everything to Everyone. It's about airport security. Cool. Great lyrics: "Long lines and warning signs/think of all the lives saved by plastic knives/ it's naive but make believe that we will never lose if we remove our shoes"

Vanishing
A creepy Kevin-sung song. I don't know how I feel about it.

Rule the World With Love
Great pop song. Lots of fun. Classic BNL.

Wind It Up
A BNL rock song (Interpret that as you will). Definite air guitar material. It's cool. Dunno if it's something I like. But it's fun and uplifting. GREAT BRIDGE/CHORUS.

Serendipity
Kevin! I really like Kevin, I really do. He's my favorite in the band But I think I prefer him singing in Kevin Hearn & Thin Buckle This is a good song, just not one of my favorites. Maybe I'll appreciate it more later-on.

Something You'll Never Find
Catchy! I find myself pretending to sing along to it already. It's got horns! Pretty cool.

One and Only
A song with a really weird tempo. I kept skipping it, but I find it getting stuck in my head. I need to listen to this more in the future, because I typically love Ed-sung songs.

Angry People
A VERY classic BNL formula: UPBEAT song with subversive lyrics about mobs and angry demonstrators.

Down to earth
Great lyrics. I'd like to hear this song without the dirty guitar. Dunno how I feel about the end of the chorus where he says "Via Satellite"

Beautiful
Another song I had heard in 2004 from one of their live bootlegs. It's a really nice song.

Running Out of Ink
In one of their Podcasts, Steve described this as a classic "Steve Page Song"…and I think it is. A really cool sounding piece. I like it a lot, and for no real reason. It hits my ears the right way. Another friggin cool bridge- sounds like the Kinks or something. I have no idea.

Half a Heart
This song has been floating around forever- I don't know if I have heard it until recently, but I remember hearing OF it years ago. It's nice to see it finally get released. It's not my favorite- but it's a sweet song.

Maybe Not
A lot of BNL songs seem to start the way this one does. I can't explain it. But it's very non-specific. Solid song, but not a standout.

I Can I Will I Do
This one has been around since Everything to Everyone- I remember them talking about it in a video about E2e:
http://stream.qtv.apple.com/qtv/WBR/barenakedladies/clips/bnl_clip_026_ref.mov
That being said, I don't dig this. Maybe I will? I dunno. It's boring to me. The end is groovy, but that's it.

Fun and Games
I've been listening to live versions of this song for 3 months now- I love it. Great political lyrics that straight to the point. Cool tune.

The New Sad
I don't know what this means. It's a nice song. Not too special to me, but nice.

Quality
I like this song, but I can't stop comparing it to the theme song from TV Funhouse (the Comedy Central version). I just CANNOT get it out of my head!!!!

Another Spin
More Kevin! I'm pretty sure he wrote this one. It sounds like a Thin Buckle song.

What a Letdown
Another song I heard in 2004- They changed the timing a little bit in the final recording. I like it- NICE rock feel. Great lyrics. Ed did a real nice job in this one.

Why Say Anything Nice?
A good song to wrap up the second "disc" (Barenaked Ladies Are Men). The lyrics feel a little forced and dramatic. But it's a good, solid song. Love the horns. It's nice to hear that.

There, that's all 29 songs, I think! Wow. Right now Maybe You're Right is taking my top spot.