Barenaked Ladies - Silervball

Barenaked Ladies
Silverball
2015

The Barenaked Ladies probably never have to work ever again. With The Big Bang Theory being the biggest sitcom on television and their song at the beginning of ever episode it is safe to say the Ladies are set for cash. That makes Silverball more of a chance for them to do whatever the hell they want musically and just have fun. That is exactly what they are doing on this record, there is zero constraint on the band and with thirteen previous albums under their belt recording is more habitual than anything else. The band has shrunk from their "One Week" days into a four piece and it is reflected in the music. Silverball is less comedic and more refined, it is four adults who have been making music their entire lives doing just that. There is almost zero fat on this album which makes the songs super sharp. Even when the goofy synths come in as they always do with the Barenaked Ladies they are less about making a joke and more about adding a signature to their sound. Even the vocals sound grown up. So then the Barenaked Ladies have put themselves in a new category and we have to look at the album through that lense.

Silverball is a collection of songs that can only be described as adult contemporary. While they do have a bit of lightness that their reputation brings there is an emphasis on emotion on this record and it makes them, ordinary. For a group that always celebrated the weird hearing them slide into this new role of just another band is a bit sad. Apparently you can't be the life of the party forever. The songs tend to blend together into one sappy overture after another, trying to regain lost love or celebrating love that is here now. It is the same thing that everyone talks about on every song. "Passcode" is the most egregious of tracks that just drips of cliche and sweetness. It just feels lame. So then we come to two places on this record; for one it is well done, sounds concise and shows growth but two it makes them very ordinary and often puts them in a place they probably don't belong. Also at 14 tracks this record is way to long and could have really used some song editing. In the end however they are the Barenaked Ladies, they can be whomever they want and people will love it, I just don't think they will love this.

5.5 out of 10