Barenaked for the Holidays

The new album doesn't dissapoint either. As i placed the cd into the player, i was treated to a very different version of Jingle bells. It was just the first example of some of the classic christmas songs that the guys have re-arranged into a traditonal style. If you are looking at the track listings thinking that a lot of these are covers of songs you've already heard, then don't be put off by it. Barenaked ladies have covered nearly all of the songs in a very new style which is specific to them, with a few exceptions such as "do they know it's christmas time?" (which is still one of the best songs on the album)

There are some fantastic highlights to the album such as "Elf's Lament" which is a catchy and funny song, and they are accompanied by Michael Buble who sings with them and fits in very well. "Green Christmas", "Jingle Bells" and "Christmastime, Oh Yeah" deserve mentions for being very good as well.

Another bonus for fans of BNL is that not only do Ed and Steve sing main vocals, but Kev also sings lead on "I saw Three ships" and "Christmastime, oh yeah", a song that he wrote himself, and Jim sings lead vocals on "Christmas Pics", which he wrote himself.

Not only that, but there is also something not seen on other BNL albums, and that is just instrumental songs. "Carol of the bells" is one example. These definitely add to the album, and make it that bit more special

The only dissapointment in my opinion was "rudolph the red nose reindeer" which i feel would have benefited from having lyrics rather then just being a keyboard solo.

Overall, another great album from the guys, which is a must for fans, and generally anyone who enjoys listening to christams music. Whhich on the other hand means that if you hate christmas music, then i don't think this would be a very wise purchase.

My favorite songs are Green Christmas (assume it is from the Grinch), God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen/We three kings with Sarach McLachlan and by far the best is Elf's Lament. A classic BNL fun song with Michael Buble who sounds great with the guys (can only hope that they work together on some more material). The classic songs that have had the BNL treatment (Jingle Bells, Do they know it's christmas?, I have a little dreidel) also sound great.

There are a couple of tracks that feel more like an extended version of the playing about that is attached to the end of the Gordon album. Deck the stills is a perfect example of this and when I first heard I thought the guys had gone insane but after a few plays it becomes catchy and you can't stop singing it.

There are a couple of songs which are a bit disapoiting such as Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer as instead of the expected BNL version it is simply a 60 second long cheesy keyboard solo that could be any ten yearold on a keyboard.

Overall it is an album that gets better each time you listen to it so I would encourage any other BNL fans to give it a chance. I am going to see them in London on their winter tour and am really looking forward to hearing the material live.