Average Customer Review: ( 139 customer reviews )
Write an online review and share your thoughts with other customers.
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
21 of 23 found the following review helpful:
Barenaked Ladies doing what they do best! Dec 06, 1999
Barenaked Ladies is an excellent band. It especially shows during their live performances. Wow. So much life and energy and enjoyment that you can't help but dance around. Therefore, if I could I would give this CD a much higher rating than 5 stars because it captures the essence that is BNL during these live performances. If you're wondering whether you should buy this album, just do it. You will not be disappointed, as it is somewhat of a "greatest hits" album as well. Although I consider all the Barenaked Ladies songs to be wonderful, this is an excellent compilation of live material. Plus, the multimedia on the disc is worth the price alone. Classic.
7 of 7 found the following review helpful:
Welcome to the Bryan Street Theater... Nov 12, 2001
By Jeffrey Ellis
"bored recluse"
If you've only heard Canada's Barenaked Ladies as a result of the more radio friendly hits "One Week" and "Pinch Me," you probably only know them as a bunch of somewhat goofy guys who seem to specialize in pop cultural jokes. Of course, as any Barenaked Ladies fan knows, this is only about 25% of the story. 30% at the most! In fact, the Barenaked Ladies are extremely talented musicians whose songs -- while often humorous -- are also infused with an exhilirating mix of the two lead singer's differing styles of humor (i.e., Steven Page's morbidly cynical worldview balanced with Ed Robertson's goofy sense of fun). No where is this more obvious than in their legendary live shows where, without the technical polish of the recording studio and with the freedom to be totally and completely spontaneous, the Barenaked Ladies often prove themselves to be one of the greatest "garage" bands of all time. That is why it is indeed wonderful to have an oppurtunity to hear their live CD "Rock Spectacle," which I think ranks as, probably, their best release to this date. Along with their more familiar hits (Brian Wilson and If I Had a Million Dollars -- both of which have never sounded better), Rock Spectacle features some of their just-as-good, lesser-known songs like Jane, the jaunty Hello City, When I Fall (which features Page at his best), and my personal favorite -- The Old Apartment (a song which represents the ultimate combination of Page and Robertson's differing styles.) As well, the CD ends with three extra tracks which features a few random bits of stage banter between the band and their audience as well as an impromptu song called "Uncle Elwyn" which shows the strong bond between the Ladies and their audience (a bond that is another invaluable component to any BnL concert). This is, without a doubt, an amazing CD and it'll stand as the ultimate proof that BnL is one of the best bands playing today.
7 of 7 found the following review helpful:
It's raining macaroni! Jul 08, 2001
By S. Brockhaus
"The bare naked what?" my parents said the first time I mentioned the band. The BNL consists of Tyler Stewart, Steven Page, Ed Robertson, Jim Creggan and Kevin Hearn. In a field of one-hit-wonder alternative bands, the Barenaked Ladies have a unique acoustic style in concert which isn't as apparent in hearing their radio hits. The Rock spectacle is a LIVE cd consisting of BNL's best-loved classics. If you're a new BNL fan, THIS is the CD with which to start your journey. Everyone loves "Brian Wilson" and "If I had a million dollars"- which brings raining macaroni from concert-goers when it's done live. But other classics are the tender "Break your Heart" and "Jane", and the creative "Farmer" and Hello City." "Uncle Elwyn", a spontaneous rap, shows you how BNL loosens up and shows their well-known creativity in concert. This album is a classic you'll play again and again.
7 of 7 found the following review helpful:
Wonderful Jan 09, 2000
By Tom
This CD is the one that got me into the Barenaked ladies, not Stunt. This is like a greatest hits album. It is one of few CDs that I can listen to all the way through, and still want more. After this Cd I went out and bought the other four. I found the others to be good with good hits, but I still think this one is there best.
5 of 5 found the following review helpful:
This Will Cost You Much More Than The Cost Of The Album Feb 07, 1999
By MensRea@aol.com
If you haven't yet been baptised in the waters that are BNL, this will be one very expensive CD, because you'll find yourself collecting everything they've ever recorded, enjoying every variation of every theme of this eclectic band's extraordinary portfolio. Sure, this recording of a 1996 concert consists of cuts that can be found on their pre-Stunt studio efforts, but BNL has always been about an exchange between the band and its afficianados, of energy, insight and fun. Steven Page is among the most interesting lyricists writing today, and these guys are tight: Yeah, it's funny, brilliant and catchy, but make no mistake -- it rocks. Brian Wilson, If I Fall, If I Had A Million Dollars, Hello City: Not a second-rate cut to be found. Every once in a while, everything on an album just fits together seamlessly, and you know you've stumbled onto something special. BNL is one of the best things to be found in rock, defying any attempt to pigeonhole their style, flowing effortlessly from one genre or tradtion to another, weaving with subtlety and verve a multiplicity of levels of meaning, and just kicking ***. Buy this one and you will become a believer.
See all 139 customer reviews on Amazon.com
|
based on 139 reviews
