The Barenaked Ladies have always been just below the American radar, churning out hits without being known as hitmakers. But unlike most of the big acts from the past decade, the members of BNL remain lighthearted despite their immense talent. One needn’t look far for examples: the beautiful “If I Had $1000000” features stunningly harmonic vocal parts singing “If I had $1000000, we wouldn’t have to eat Kraft dinners / But we would eat craft dinners / Of course we would, we’d just eat more.” The music is silly without being stupid, charming without being cheesy.

For the most part, however, it’s also good and not great. The record, a far cry from a greatest hits compilation, is rather the band’s favorites from their own repertoire; consequently, many listeners may find themselves hearing certain tracks for the first and last time.

Despite these occasional lapses, songs such as “Too Little Too Late” and “It’s All Been Done” highlight the band’s strengths; and the two new tracks -- “It’s Only Me (The Wizard of Magicland)” and “Thanks That Was Fun” -- show growth and significant improvement over earlier work.

To commemorate the band’s career, liner notes include essays about their history by editors and label executives as well as stories for each song by songwriter/vocalist/guitarist Steven Page. The band’s charisma, not surprisingly, shines throughout.

(Included tracks: The Old Apartment, Falling for the First Time, Brian Wilson, One Week, Be My Yoko Ono, Alternative Girlfriend, It's Only Me (The Wizard of Magicland), If I Had $1000000, Call and Answer, Get In Line, It's All Been Done, Jane, Lovers in a Dangerous Time, Pinch Me, Shoebox, What a Good Boy, Too Little Too Late, Enid, Thanks That Was Fun)
Barenaked Ladies

All Their Greatest Hits: Disc One

(Reprise)

reviewed by Chris Kelly