Barenaked Ladies Grow Up

The quirky Canadian rock band Barenaked Ladies have released their latest CD, Maroon. There are some big expectations following the huge success of their last release, Stunt, which sold over 4 million copies and spawned the number one hit "One Week".

Barenaked Ladies are not an overnight sensation. The group formed back in 1988 in Toronto, Canada by childhood friends Steven Page and Ed Robertson. They released Gordon, their full length debut, in 1992. It was very successful in Canada, but didn't make much noise in the US. Their next 2 releases, 1994's Maybe You Should Drive and 1996's Born On A Pirate Ship, cemented their popularity in Canada. The Barenaked Ladies found their first major success in the US in 1996 with the release of the live CD Rock Spectacle, which included the hit single "The Old Apartment". Pirate Ship contained the single version of "The Old Apartment", but Rock Spectacle, with the live version of the song, sold more copies. That's appropriate, because Barenaked Ladies are well known for their entertaining and energetic live shows.

1998 saw the release of Stunt and their subsequent worldwide success and popularity. That brings us to their latest effort, Maroon. Barenaked Ladies have matured, and Maroon is a little more subdued than their previous releases. There are still plenty of goofy lyrics and humorous moments, but some darker stuff, too. And although several songs are more emotionally direct and politically aware, singer/guitarist Steven Page says this isn't "Barenaked Ladies' Political Record."

"What I'm saying now in my writing is very explicit," Page explains. "I don't even need to talk a lot about it because when you hear the songs, you should know exactly what I'm talking about. That's what different for me, it's not just me doing pop culture references. It's more explicit."

Grammy winning veteran producer Don Was produced Maroon, and was very pleased with the results. "I think this is the best record that they've ever made," says Was. " Their songwriting and their playing has hit another plateau."

Was is especially impressed with the group's ability to write complex, emotional songs. "They're communicating. On this album [Barenaked Ladies] are acknowledging that you can still live a joyful life and be a good and happy person, but that you will mess up sometimes. You will think of heavy things. And they've done it in a way that isn't a downer to listen to." Was explains. "Now, I think that's brilliant songwriting."

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