Maybe You Should Drive

BARENAKED LADIES: “Maybe You Should Drive” (Reprise Records)

I HEARD that the Barenaked’s New York concert was so hot that some women ended up only partially clothed. Intrigued, inspired and in preparation for a virgin listen to the all-male Toronto-based quintet, I shed my flannel shirt and hoped for a heat generating number to appear on their sophomore effort.

But although crisply produced, the first song ‘Jane’ (also the first single and video) did not increase my blood flow. I thought maybe I’d do some yoga but instead ended up reaching for the lyric sheet and proceeded to get caught up in the clever lines scattered throughout the album.

With the exception of one song, the 12 numbers comprising the irrelevantly titled Maybe You Should Drive are about girls, or perhaps I should say ‘ladies’. But the songs follow no formula. Circle the word ‘original’, and while you’re at it highlight the word ‘eclectic’ because neither does the album sequence follow any audible logic. Maybe almost sounds like you left your CD player on random selection: it ranges from shades of James Taylor to Al Jarreau to Elvis Costello. The bio states that when the band went to the studio with 21 songs from which to choose, all five members made a list of their 12 favourite cuts. When compared, only three songs made all five.

Although each member can claim either music or song credits, I’ll wager that the brace of tracks written and composed by Steve Page are two of the three choice picks: ‘Intermittently’, about loving someone, and ‘A’, an assortment of lines one might say in an apology after an argument. Both numbers include strings, wandering bridges, harmonies that’ll make you wish you could sing – and an odd perspective. Of the remaining 10 selections ‘Alternative Girlfriend’ and ‘Life In A Nutshell’ contain choruses that stick to the brain. The award for the weirdest track goes to a one-minute jazzpiano ditty, ‘Little Tiny Song’. The complete lyrics: “Hey, I’m a cow, I’m curious/Hey watch me now I’m furious/Hey I’m a cow, I’m full of hate/Hey watch me now I’m on your plate.” Cool background dinner music for vegetarians who eat very quickly.

It took me six times listening before I could fully appreciate Maybe You Should Drive. I’ve no doubt that in performance the Barenakeds are superior in their craft and showmanship. I bet they even heat up a crowd. But for at-home listening pleasure, maybe you should keep on your clothes.

• Melissa Knight