I’ve been revisiting this album a LOT this year, this brilliant dive into the record sums up a lot of my feelings about the music and the band. I couldn’t believe people didn’t take them seriously with the level of musicianship and depth of their emotional writing. I was fairly obsessed with them in high school, even went on an early BNL cruise. I am still so sad Steven left - his voice really made the emotions break your heart (song ref!). I hold out hope that there will be a full reunion one day.
I love this album! I saw them live back in the day in Ottawa, and then several years ago without Steven Page. They are such great entertainers and I think underrated as songwriters.
thanks for a trip through an old favourite. I was at Zaphods in Ottawa for years so was lucky enough to see them a few times as performers and as patrons.
I even remember talking my mom into seeing As You Like It at Stratford solely b/c BNL had done the music.
Being a Rushhead for decades now, the only thing I knew about BNL is their connection to Rush. Listening to the songs you embedded is, I think, the first time I've done so, which is a grievous oversight.
I played the hell out of that Yellow Tape release! Their cover of “Fight The Power” absolutely slaps!!
They’ve been stuck with the novelty act moniker for much of their career but there’s been some brilliant songwriting along the way as you rightly pointed out.
The 'Enid' breakdown is such a perfect fit for what I write about, that line about the upbeat music belying a dark underbelly is basically the whole idea in one sentence. Love that you called that out specifically instead of just glossing over it. Great flashback overall, Gordon deserves this kind of deep dive.
And they trashed my hometown!
They sure did. But I feel like they walked that back after a few more visits.
I’ve been revisiting this album a LOT this year, this brilliant dive into the record sums up a lot of my feelings about the music and the band. I couldn’t believe people didn’t take them seriously with the level of musicianship and depth of their emotional writing. I was fairly obsessed with them in high school, even went on an early BNL cruise. I am still so sad Steven left - his voice really made the emotions break your heart (song ref!). I hold out hope that there will be a full reunion one day.
Saw Steven on Tom Green’s farmcast a little while ago and a reunion does not sound likely. Let’s hold out hope, though!
I love this album! I saw them live back in the day in Ottawa, and then several years ago without Steven Page. They are such great entertainers and I think underrated as songwriters.
Amazing live band!
thanks for a trip through an old favourite. I was at Zaphods in Ottawa for years so was lucky enough to see them a few times as performers and as patrons.
I even remember talking my mom into seeing As You Like It at Stratford solely b/c BNL had done the music.
BNL + Shakespeare is a wild combo!
BNL are not in my usual musical wheelhouse, but they've released some undoubtedly incredible songs, and I had a lot of fun when I saw them live.
The live shows are pure entertainment. The only other band I’ve seen where the banter was almost as good as the music was Crowded House.
Crowded House? Interesting. I know their hits but that's about it. I really like it when the banter between band and audience is engaging.
Another fun banter concert I saw was David Lee Roth on his Eat 'Em and Smile tour. That guy can work a crowd like nobody else.
That's a cool idea for an article: Best Banter Bands!
Being a Rushhead for decades now, the only thing I knew about BNL is their connection to Rush. Listening to the songs you embedded is, I think, the first time I've done so, which is a grievous oversight.
That’s ok, now you have some new stuff to dive into! 🤘🏻
I played the hell out of that Yellow Tape release! Their cover of “Fight The Power” absolutely slaps!!
They’ve been stuck with the novelty act moniker for much of their career but there’s been some brilliant songwriting along the way as you rightly pointed out.
Haha. Fight The Power was so good it made the Coneheads movie soundtrack. 😝
The 'Enid' breakdown is such a perfect fit for what I write about, that line about the upbeat music belying a dark underbelly is basically the whole idea in one sentence. Love that you called that out specifically instead of just glossing over it. Great flashback overall, Gordon deserves this kind of deep dive.