Artist: Barenaked Ladies Album: Gordon

Year: 1992
Duration: 58:43

A of the Album: Gordon by Barenaked Ladies

When it comes to distinguishing Canadian music, there is no way you can undermine the great impact caused by Barenaked Ladies on the music industry in the '90s. One of the most remarkable pieces of music in their discography is Gordon, the album that helped launch them into mainstream popularity. Released in 1992, this album is often considered a quintessential piece of Canadian pop and alternative rock. In this article, we will critically examine the album, the genre of music, the best songs, and the most innovative parts of the album while also providing a fair critique of the record.
The album Gordon has a unique blend of musical styles that includes elements of rock, folk, and pop that is typical of the alternative music genre. The opening track of the album, Hello City, sets the tone for the rest of the album, which is characterized by humorous lyrics inspired by the band's personal experiences. The track Grade 9 is an excellent example of the band's ability to blend socially conscious lyrics with catchy hooks and an upbeat melody.
The most outstanding songs of the album are the acoustic masterpiece, Brian Wilson, which tells the tale of Beach Boys' Brian Wilson's struggles with mental illness and substance abuse. If I Had $1000000 features a playful guitar riff and quirky lyrics expressing the nostalgia for youth and the desire for the simpler things in life. Enid, the third track of the album, is an underrated song in the context of this album, with a harmonica intro and fantastic harmonies.
One of the most innovative parts of the album is its use of catchy melodies and harmonies, which became a signature of the band's sound later on. This technique can be heard throughout the album, particularly in the tracks The Flag and What a Good Boy, with their powerful and melodic choruses. The innovative use of instruments is also worth mentioning as we hear the ukulele on What a Good Boy and the harmonica on Enid, adding a fresh dynamic to the band's sound.
One critique of the album is that it has a few filler tracks that don't match up to the quality of the genre-defining songs present on this album. Blame It on Me and Wrap Your Arms Around Me are two examples of such tracks that took away from the overall cohesiveness of the album. However, these won't deter from the strengths of the album.
Overall, Barenaked Ladies' Gordon album remains a memorable representation of Canadian alternative rock music, strongly displaying the creativity of their songwriting and their ability to infuse humor into their music. With hits like If I Had $1000000 and Brian Wilson, the album brought forward some of the band's most popular songs while staying true to its narrative focus. Thus, BNL fans or music aficionados alike will agree that Gordon is a great album to listen to, even after almost three decades since its initial release.