| ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. | |
| PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. | |
| OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. | |
| NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Parents need to know that these songs are less about lust than jest, and the only thing stripped bare is emotion. There's one innuendo ("All the jeans will cream") that will most likely go over most kids' heads.
Take your basic rock & 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.
Families can talk about the band's critique of consumerism and celebrity culture. Such lyrics may intrigue older kids, and can be enjoyed simply as music by those who don't pay much attention to lyrics.
| Artist: | Barenaked Ladies |
| Release date: | October 13, 2003 |
| Label: | Reprise |
| Genre: | Pop |
| Parental advisory: | No |