A comprehensive ranking of every Barenaked Ladies album.

"not for canada - australian in disguise" (for-canada)
03/25/2016 at 17:39 • Filed to: MUSICLOPNIK, MUSICSITLOCK, MUSIC, CANADA, BARENAKED LADIES

I’m setting the record (pun!) straight here. This is the comprehensive, correct ranking of all the albums of Canada’s magnum opus of musical groups.

#10 - All In Good Time (2010)

You could really tell they had no clue what they were going to do after Page left. It just feels a bit, empty, without Page. They really hadn’t mastered their sound without Page yet. With that in mind, this one’s still my least favourite. Just a bit, boring, if you will.

#9 - Silverball (2015)

Meh.

#8 - Grinning Streak (2013)

By far their best album after Page left. It still feels like something’s missing, but it works WAY better than Silverball and All In Good time. Solid 6.5/10 record.

#7 - Barenaked Ladies Are Men (2007)/Barenaked Ladies Are Me (2006)

It’s basically one big album, as both were recorded at the same time as eachother. The last album released with Steven Page, and by far the least successful out of all the Page-era albums. Shame, because it’s really good, not as good as their earlier stuff, but really good. Should’ve been a chart success, but life goes on.

#6 - Maroon (2000)

Their first “serious” album. It sounds a lot more fleshed out then their stuff before it, but I think with it being more “serious”, it lost a lot of that classic BnL humour. However, some great songs are on this album, like Falling For The First Time, Baby Seat, and Humour Of The Situation, so I’ll give it a reprieve.

#5 - Everything To Everyone (2003)

I think they realized being a bit more serious was a bit of a mistake. This album is sarcastic, satirical, and feels a lot more like their 90s stuff, unlike Maroon.

#4 - Stunt (1997)

Their most successful album, in both the States and Canada. Mostly because of One Week. It’s a good album, but I don’t see why this got so popular compared to their other stuff from the era. Solid piece of late 90s alternative pop, however.

#3 - Maybe You Should Drive (1994)

If BnL was Weezer, this would be their Pinkerton. Criminally critically and commercially underrated. These Apples is probably the best song they’ve ever made, not even exaggerating.

#2 - Born On A Pirate Ship (1996)

BROKE INTO THE OLD APARTMENT.

Also, Straw Hat And Old Dirty Hank, enough said.

Honourable mentions:

Barenaked For The Holidays (2004)

The greatest Christmas album ever made. Although the songwriting in Do They Know It’s Christmas is garbage, but that’s not really their fault.

Disc One (2001)

Yes, it’s a greatest hits album, but it’s such a perfect compilation of all their work. It’s also the first album of theirs I ever heard, so it holds a lot of value to me.

#1 - Gordon (1992)

Because, well, duh. Literally every song is pretty much perfect. This whole album (save for the cover) is perfect. This is the best album, ever. Don’t fight me on this, because you know I’m right.

DISCUSSION (10)

Takuro Spirit > not for canada - australian in disguise
03/25/2016 at 17:42

Stopped listening when Steven left.

not for canada - australian in disguise > Takuro Spirit
03/25/2016 at 17:44

I mean, that was probably a good call. The quality definitely dropped after he left. Shame, really.

CB > not for canada - australian in disguise
03/25/2016 at 17:44

Blame It On Me just came on, which is fitting. I think I’d rank Stunt above Maybe You Should Drive due to the nostalgia aspect of it. Also, saying good things about Maroon and no credit for Tonight Is The Night I Fell Asleep At The Wheel? For shame.

Other than that, pretty spot on list. Gordon is such a fantastic album. But the greatest hits CD gets points for It’s Only Me (The Wizard of Magicland) and Lovers in a Dangerous Time.

not for canada - australian in disguise > CB
03/25/2016 at 17:46

I’m legit thinking It’s Only Me is the best Barenaked Ladies song, outright. The fact that it was never released as a proper single is a real damn shame.

Where have all the lightweights gone? > Takuro Spirit
03/25/2016 at 17:47

Same here. I mostly agree with the rest of this list, but I think Everything To Everyone and Maroon should be switched. Aside from “Another Postcard”, Everything To Everyone felt a bit forced and fell flat on its face.

CB > not for canada - australian in disguise
03/25/2016 at 17:49

I don’t know if I agree, but it’s definitely up there.

Takuro Spirit > Where have all the lightweights gone?
03/25/2016 at 17:54

Postcard was cringey, but the rest of the album is REALLY good. Better than Maroon? Nah. I agree. SWITCH EM.

Alfalfa > not for canada - australian in disguise
03/25/2016 at 17:55

I came here ready to fight, but you were pretty spot on. Maybe You Should Drive is my personal favorite, but your reasoning is fair.

Cash Rewards > not for canada - australian in disguise
03/25/2016 at 18:22

Left off snacktime, list is bullshit

Where have all the lightweights gone? > Takuro Spirit
03/26/2016 at 10:33

I noticed you left off Rock Spectacle. Why is that?