Where is the silliness? Where is the knockout, hysterical single? Why aren't Ed and Steve harmonizing? What happened to Ed's lead vocals?

Maroon sounds almost completely unlike anything the Ladies have produced so far, owing to a good deal of 80's influence (mostly for background effects) and outright new musical directions for the band. One song in particular, The Humour of the Situation, makes me think of Pallisades Park, which I think came out in the early sixties . . .

After giving the album a couple more listens, however, it all starts to gel. The lyrics are potent, intelligent and witty. The trademark Barenaked silliness is still there, but you've got to dig a little more for it this time through. Although the album doesn't generate laughter at the pace that, say, Gordon did, it still has its moments.

There are several great songs, here. Whether you like the fast-paced romps of Ladies' past, or some of their more introspective tunes, this album has it all in spades.

Gem of the album goes to Tonight is the Night I Fell Asleep at the Wheel, the most morbidly fascinating song I think I've ever heard. What makes it even better, with a title like this, is that it's ultimately one of those twisted love songs that BNL does so very well. Touching, and at the same time downright creepy.

Yes, the album is a little more stark due to the scarcity of harmonizing vocals, and I would've liked more than just the two or three leads that Ed performs, but it all still works. Steve Page is an incredible vocalist, and he shows his usually broad range here. The songs tend to lend themselves more to a single vocalist, anyway. And you still get harmony in the choruses, so there.

Compare this album, if you will, to Maybe You Should Drive. More serious than Gordon, but not entirely a serious album, this is another step in the "maturity" of the band.

It's not Stunt. It's not Gordon. But it's still the Barenaked Ladies. And it's really, really good.

13 of 14 found the following review helpful:


Maroon is the best!  Sep 23, 2000
This is probably the best CD that the Ladies have done to date. It's different, but it includes elements of all of their prior releases.

There is probably not a single song on this album that I would skip all of the time. I'm not too fond of Sell, Sell, Sell, but the rest of the CD is superb. I especially like the way the the album sort of flows from one song to the next--the order is perfect. You can't just listen to one song at a time, you have to sit there and listen to the whole album to get the full effect.

As for the standout tracks, I absolutely worship Conventioneers, Helicopters, and Off the Hook. Conventioneers is such a great song, especially live. Steve's voice is just amazing. One of the reviews I read on some website said that Conventioneers was just "pop by numbers," which makes it clear to me that he knew absolutely nothing about the song. It has a lounge singer feel to it, but what really sets it apart from the pop genre is that there is essentially no chorus. The lyrics are all verses that tell a story. Off the Hook is amazing lyrically. "shaken while he stirred," etc. There is so much that I like about this song, although the drum machine I could do without. Helicopters is great too. It's so poingnant. And it is a wonderful lead in to Tonight is the Night I Fell Asleep at the Wheel. A large number of reviews that I read disliked this song, saying that it was too gory. Actually, I get the opposite feel from it. It's really quite sad, but it will make you smile because of the juxtaposition of the funky circus music with such a lyrically heavy song.

Too Little Too Late is a great rock opener with an infectious beat. Go Home has a bit of a country feel, but it's like the Beatles crossed with country. They can turn a phrase in that song like you wouldn't believe. Never Do Anything is a fun party type song, classic BNL. Baby Seat would be a good song, but the chorus is a little weak. It has a rather 80's feel to it, which isn't really a bad thing.

Pinch Me and Falling for the First Time are the only Ed songs on the album, and he makes full use of them. Though the lyrics to FFTFT may seem a little contrived, they just flow so well throughout the song that it is forgivable.

All in all, one of, if not the best effort to come out of the Ladies yet. I thoroughly enjoy this album, from start to finish. I think it may have usurped MYSD from it's top position on the BNL hierarchy.

10 of 11 found the following review helpful:


Wow..  Sep 19, 2000 By Danielle Kichler
Ed Robertson almost didn't complete "Pinch Me" because he feared it sounded too much like "One Week"; these fears were soon proved groundless. Don't be silly, guys. I'm thinking "Maroon" is a bit like "Gordon": both have catchy, sometimes lush, melodies, tweaks at the mass media and celebrity culture, slightly twisted love songs and good natured pokes at themselves. However, something about "Maroon" seems far darker, almost grimly contemplative than any prior release, especially "Tonight is the Night I Fell Asleep at the Wheel," a song that almost made me shudder.

I enjoyed the album thoroughly and can't wait for the tour.

12 of 14 found the following review helpful:


God Bless Canada!!  Oct 19, 2000 By Erin
I have one request for the music producers and record companies: PAY MORE ATTENTION TO CANADIAN ARTISTS!! This may come as a surprise to many, but there was life before Stunt for the Barenaked Ladies. Yeah, no joke. These boys have been happily making music since the late 80s, but released their first cd "Gordon" in 1992, but due to the grunge-rock era, these lads never got the well deserved air play that would have made them stars here in America. Anyway, moving forward 6 years to '98 and the smash "One Week", these guys FINALLY got the well needed break with us and became multi-platinum selling artists. Now, let's see if we can help them out with their new cd Maroon. Now this might just be because I'm a HUGE fan of BNL, but this cd is awesome. It has the humor of Gordon in it, but the maturity of Stunt. For instance, the song "The Night I Fell Asleep At the Wheel". It's not meant to be a funny song, but darn it, you can't really help laughing due to the freakin' oompa band in the background. Plus, my personal favorite song is "Baby Seat". Now c'mon--BABY SEAT? Again, I start giggling every time i hear it. But anyway, I digress. This album is special for many reasons and it shows in the lyrics. Keyboardist Kevin Hearn had complications after a bone marrow transplant surgery and was in the hospital in and out for about 2 years. That experience touched the other Ladies and inspired some wonderful music. Thankfully, Kevin is slowly, but surely regaining strength and confidence and is again rocking with the band. I can't say anymore or try to convince you to buy this cd. It's up to you, but I will say this; the Barenaked Ladies are one of the finer bands out there today because they deliver a positive message but they aren't oozing with bubble gum pop tunes like some artists who will remain nameless. Give the guys a chance. For me and for them. They've come a long way, baby and I have a feeling they'll keep on coming for a very very long time after.

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