Everything to Everyone - Barenaked Ladies

A great alternative to more profane pop music.

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Common Sense rates it

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Music details

Artist(s): Barenaked Ladies
Genre: Pop
Label: Reprise
Parental Advisory: No
Edited Version: No
Release Date: 10/13/2003

Parents need to know

The innuendo will most likely go over their heads, but you probably don't want your younger kids repeating phrases such as "All the jeans will cream" at school or around the house.

Older ones may be intrigued by the critiques of consumerism and celebrity culture. It could spark some discussion, or it could simply be enjoyed as music for those who don't pay much attention to lyrics.

Message
Violence
Sex
Language

Message

Social Behavior:

Positive. Only the irony-impaired could find a problem here.

Consumerism:

None. On the contrary, Barenaked Ladies poke fun at it.

Drugs/Alcohol/Tobacco:

"War on Drugs" may not be approved by the attorney general.

Violence

About as violent as Gandhi. "Take It Outside" is about avoiding a fight.

Sex

Just one line: "All the jeans will cream" on "Celebrity." But try explaining that to kids.

Language

"Look like hell" is as strong as it gets.

Common Sense says

What's the story?

Reviewed by Peter Melton

Take your basic rock'n'roll. Strip it of sweat, sex, swagger, and threat. What do you have left? Barenaked Ladies.

Unfair? Maybe. But parents looking for an alternative to more profane pop music will find BNL eligible for the Good Housekeeping seal of approval.

Despite the name, Barenaked Ladies are less about lust than jest, and the only thing stripped bare is emotion. EVERYTHING TO EVERYONE indicates the Toronto five are also nice guys--the kind of rock stars you'd be happy to invite over to meet the family.

BNL has largely dropped the jokiness of its early albums, although there's still a wink-nudge aspect to "Shopping" and "Aluminum." But even when the subjects are depression ("War on Drugs") and frustration ("Unfinished" and "Second Best"), the touch is kept light, and the band's old-fashioned musical virtues--close harmonies, tight musicianship, and songs with catchy hooks--make the whole thing go down easy.