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Barenaked for the Holidays is one weird sleigh ride! I am an unabashed fan of Barenaked Ladies (BNL); these five Canadian guys (Jim Creegan, Kevin Hearn, Steven Page, Ed Robertson, Tyler Stewart) write and perform with more verve, humor and pure talent than just about any pop/rock group out there. This quirky album is, in many respects, exactly what you'd expect from BNL.

The opening is a classic! For the first 1'45", "Jingle Bells" is the most subdued holiday number you have ever heard--the vocal is depressingly submissive, and the piano accompaniment is delicate before rising in a mockery of new-age trills and cascades. Suddenly, BOOM--the song goes from fragile to frenetic, from meditative to MANIC, including a rousing chorus of "Jingle Bells, Batman smells, Robin laid an egg"--oh, you know the drill. Although these extremes would be tiresome in repeat playing, I would love to see the live performance.

Not surprisingly, BNL presents inspired songwriting here; seven tunes are BNL originals. The traditional holiday favorites, on the other hand, are often relegated to one-minute snippets, and these are peppered throughout the album. Page penned the beautiful "Hanukkah Blessings," one of three Hanukkah songs on the CD. Other terrific BNL originals include Robertson's whimsical "Snowman" ("Made of snow, I don't know how I fit in") and his rollickin' "Elf's Lament", a memorable tune about unfair labor conditions for Santa's helpers (Michael Buble lends his voice on this one!).

BNL does present some very cool renditions of holiday chestnuts. The best is probably their folksy "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen/We Three Kings" medley (with Sarah McLachlan)--it is an inspired charmer. "Carol of the Bells" is also superb; it is a synthesized instrumental with BNL's "voices" used for musical sound effects. "Sleigh Ride" is done in a similar fashion, but with more shtick. There is a very funny homage of sorts to Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young--it is "Deck the Stills" instead of "Deck the Halls." The album closes beautifully with a touching "Auld Lang Syne; the lead vocal is tender, the harmonies are energized, and the piano accompaniment hits just the right note.

Fans of BNL should flock to this holiday offering. Barenaked for the Holidays is both hip and heartwarming.

--Carol Swanson
(Reviewed in 2004)

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From the liner notes:

Barenaked Ladies Are:

Jim Creeggan: Electric and Acoustic Double Basses, Vocals, Lead Vocal and Electric Guitar on Christmas Pics

Kevin Hearn: Piano, Keyboards, Vibraphone, Accordion , Mandolin, Vocals, Lead Vocal on "Christmastime, Oh Yeah"

Steven Page: Vocals, Electric and Acoustic Guitars

Ed Robertson: Acoustic and Electric Guitars, Vocals, Bass on "Christmas Pics" Tyler Stewart: Drums, Percussion, Vocals

Special Holiday Company:

Michael Buble: Vocals on "Elf's Lament"

Sarah McLachlan: Vocals on "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen/We Three Kings"

Kelly Maureen McKenna: Acoustic Guitar on "Holy Night"

Barenaked Ladies

Barenaked for the Holidays

Artist link

Track List