(originally posted on http://theaaronelyareview.tumblr.com on June 19th, 2010)
‘All In Good Time’ by Barenaked Ladies — the aaron elya review
‘All In Good Time’
Barenaked Ladies
Raisin’ Records
Released: March 30, 2010 (U.S.)
Produced by Phillip Wojewoda
Run Time: 50:09
‘All In Good Time’ is the 11th studio album released by Barenaked Ladies (if you count ‘Barenaked Ladies Are Men’ as its own album, and NOT as half of a double-album with ‘Barenaked Ladies Are Me’). It’s the first album released by the band after the departure of BNL co-founder Steven Page in February of 2009. It is not, however, the first time the band has done an album as a foursome. 1996’s ‘Born on a Pirate Ship’ (their third studio album) was recorded after the departure of original keyboardist Andy Creegan and before the addition of current keyboardist Kevin Hearn.
When I heard that Steve Page was leaving BNL, like most BNL fans, I was filled with all kinds of emotions: confusion, sadness, denial, curiosity, resentment, etc. I also knew that many BNL fans would feel the same things and would either jump ship or stay on board.
I stayed on board.
When word came that the “Pageless” BNL would soldier on as a foursome, I looked at it as yet another opportunity for BNL to reinvent itself. ‘All In Good Time’ was going to be the beginning of a new era. At least I hoped it would.
‘AIGT’ is our first opportunity to really see what Ed Robertson (remaining co-founder, majority writer, and primary lead-vocalist/guitarist) was made of. It’s clear that Robertson approached this album from a much deeper place…and yet, there is a greater feeling of liberation. And that feeling comes through right off the bat with track # 1.
The lead single (and opening track) from ‘AIGT’ entitled “You Run Away” is clearly inspired (at least partially) by Page’s departure from the band. To me, it’s VERY obvious that a song like this would have NEVER appeared on albums like ‘Gordon’ or ‘Stunt’. The song is a bold statement with a powerful crescendo and really tugs at the heart strings of its listeners. You can feel the emotion coming through Robertson’s vocals as you approach the summit of the song. I can only imagine the feeling in the studio amongst the foursome when it was played back for the first time. Haunting.
In previous efforts, BNL have proven that they are quite versatile both musically and lyrically. That proof has mostly come from Ed Robertson and Steven Page with only a handful of contributions from band members Jim Creegan & Kevin Hearn. ‘AIGT’ features quite a few more pieces from Creegan and Hearn (music and lyrics). This is a welcome change, in my opinion. These guys are immensely talented musicians and song writers and it’s high time they be given their opportunity to shine. “Watching The Northern Lights” and “I Saw It” are great examples of their work.
From a strictly musical standpoint, this is probably BNL’s most broad effort. The arrangements on tracks like “Summertime”, “On The Lookout” and the next single “Every Subway Car” reveal a hesitant and almost “light rock” feel.
Opposite of that, you have the song “Four Seconds” which helps remind us of how playful and energetic this group has always been. Generally speaking, though, playfulness does NOT seem to be the direction BNL wanted to go with this record…and that’s okay.
All in all, ‘All In Good Time’ doesn’t disappoint. It’s not really a great album for “BNL beginners”, though. That’s not to say they won’t enjoy it, per say. They just won’t enjoy it on quite the same level as those who’ve been following BNL since ‘Gordon’ and before (‘Yellow Tape’, anyone?). We simply have a greater appreciation for just how far they’ve come.
BNL will never make another ‘Gordon’…or another ‘Maroon’. But that’s part of what makes this band so resilient and capable of bringing on throes of new fans with every album. In the case of ‘All In Good Time’, to fully enjoy it is to fully understand the journey of Barenaked Ladies as a whole.
I’m glad I didn’t jump ship.
