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Just in time for your shorts, t-shirts and sneakers, the Barenaked Ladies are back with Grinning Streak, their eleventh studio album and second as a four piece band. The band has had their share of turmoil in recent years including record label shuffles, a poorly-timed children’s album as well as the departure of co-lead vocalist Steven Page, but they were able to leave all of this behind and hammer out another great sounding album.
Branded as jokesters by most, Grinning Streak carries a more serious tone than their prior releases. Ed Robertson’s voice sounds stronger than ever, almost as if he upped the ante to fulfill the sole lead singing duties. Keyboardist Kevin Hearne, drummer Tyler Stewart and bassist Jim Creeggan sound as tight as ever with what seems like minimal effort. This album has the typical BNL sound with acoustic guitars, harmonies and tastefully used sound effects. A couple of my personal favorite songs are Boomerang and Best Damn Friend. Full of mildly seriously lyrics, a catchy beat and well-crafted choruses, these songs stick in my head for hours after every listen.
I know many fans are hesitant to pick up any Steven Page-less Ladies album thinking that it’s impossible for it to work, but you may be surprised. Sure five Barenaked Ladies are gorgeous, but four are pretty damn hot too. As a fan myself, they will always be incomplete without Page in my eyes too. Regardless, the remaining Ladies still have some solid material up their sleeves and Grinning Streak is a true testament of this. I’m still holding my breath that the differences, addictions, or whatever the hell happened between Steven Page and the band can eventually be ironed out so we can get back to the true full Barenaked Ladies sound that I miss so much. In the meantime, Grinning Streak is the next best thing.
