It seems like only yesterday when the Barenaked Ladies’ stream-of-consciousness hit “One Week” played over and over on the radio. They have since released three albums, and their latest, “Everything to Everyone,” shows they can do more than just vocalize a fast-paced string of random ideas.
“Everything to Everyone” makes a total of eight albums for the Canadian quintet since their first release in 1992, including a greatest hits album. The new record covers topics from the pain of drug addiction to the joy of shopping. The song styles are silly, serious, bright and thoughtful, with rich vocals whether the lyrics are sung fast or slow.
The album begins with the slightly egotistical but catchy “Celebrity,” which exposes the deepest thoughts of a person who has become famous. Next, the group covers girls in the slightly psychedelic “Maybe Katie,” examining the hesitation involved in dating a single mother.
“Another Postcard” is a fun ballad about going crazy after receiving a large amount of postcards depicting chimpanzees. The lyrics include the group’s trademark of quick-paced verses with a slower chorus. That tune is silly, but the album gets even sillier with “Shopping,” a goofy, pop-techno tune that boasts, “Everything will always be all right / When we go shopping.” These last few songs are examples of how far the Barenaked Ladies take their songwriting — they know that almost any obscure thought is worthy of a song.
Some songs are based on more concrete ideas than shopping, however. “Unfinished” tells a fun story about uncompleted tasks. Even the lyrics are cut short, as shown in the chorus: “Everything is un / Everything is unfin / Everything is unfinished.” Playing with words seems to be the specialty of the group, and they show that songwriting can be successful even when it is casual and light-hearted.
But the Barenaked Ladies can also make the heart flutter. The last track, “Have You Seen My Love?” is a sweet, nostalgic tribute to a first lover and the lost dream of staying with her forever ; it’s capable of producing an emotional pang or two. The most touching song on the album is the gorgeous “War On Drugs.” It’s a soft, heartfelt tune about the various effects of drugs on humanity, including destroyed relationships, suicides and mental anguish. The hopelessness of drug addicts is exposed explicitly with the words, “They say that Jesus and mental health / Are just for those who can help themselves / What good is that when you live in Hell on Earth? / The very fear that makes you want to die / Is the same as what keeps you alive / It’s more trouble than your suicide is worth.”
“Everything to Everyone” contains appropriate music for both giddy and solemn moods. It’s a great example of the Barenaked Ladies’ talent for writing great jamming tunes and creative lyrics, then bringing them to life beautifully, whether the pace is fast or slow.