Artist: Barenaked Ladies Album: Stunt

Year: 1998
Duration: 0:0-1

of Barenaked Ladies' Album Stunt

Since their formation in the late 80s, Barenaked Ladies have been an indispensable addition to the pop-rock scene. Known for their catchy melodies and witty lyrics, the band has become a household name through hits like One Week and Pinch Me. However, amidst their respectable discography Stunt, released in 1998, remains one of the quintet's most popular and beloved albums to date. In this , we'll be dissecting the genre-bending record, examining the best tracks, and analyzing what makes Stunt an innovative addition to the music scene.
As previously mentioned, Barenaked Ladies have always been recognized for their witty lyricism and Stunt is no exception. The album incorporates a multitude of genres. From the hip-hop influenced One Week to the acoustic Alcohol, Stunt is a fine example of genre-bending music. One of the standout qualities of the album is the band's ability to weave sometimes fragile and introspective themes into upbeat and exciting instrumentals. The track I'll Be That Girl splits this contrast wide open, with an energetic and punchy melody wrapping around the lyrics' contemplation of loneliness.
The first track of the album is One Week, one of their biggest hits to date. While the heavily rap-influenced song met a lot of criticism from alternative music fans at the time, there is no denying that the song's undeniable catchiness and wit was responsible for catapulting the band into a new level of fame. Another worthy mention is Some Fantastic, a cheerful song that finds the band playing with synthesizers and sampling techniques, implementing unique drum rhythms and guitar breaks throughout the album.
Another standout feature of the album is the band's outstanding harmonies. The group has always been receptive harmonious and natural melodies, but Stunt takes that to a whole new level. The harmonies are used extensively and are such a vital part of the album, especially in tracks like Call and Answer and In the Car. Despite the multiple instrumentals and the upbeat tempo, the group's harmonies tie everything together to create a sense of cohesiveness in Stunt.
Criticism is often a tough pill to swallow especially for artists who've pride themselves on delivering solid works of art. However, despite the album's overall brilliance, there is a sense that the album is too imbalanced towards the pop side of things in its later stages. Songs such as Who Needs Sleep? and Some Fantastic“ can feel a bit too cheesy and lightweight compared to the gravitas of the album's earlier tracks.
In summary, Stunt is a musical masterpiece, one that blends various genres and showcases the Barenaked Ladies‘ unique instrumentality talents and harmonious vocals. The album was ahead of its time with its genre-bending approach, incorporating hip-hop, folk, and rock n roll, which wasn't the norm in the late 90s. The album brought Barenaked Ladies coveted success, and new fans were attracted by the band's punchy and clever lyrics and pleasing harmonies. The only drawback that the album faces is a bit of an imbalance in the latter half with some cheesy and lightweight songs. In the grand scheme of things, Stunt is a quintessential album, capturing the sound of 90's pop-rock, and one that should sit high up on anyone's playlist.