Disc One: All Their Greatest Hits 1991-2001

It is a great CD for any BNL fan, from the seasoned fan who has all there albums, to the person who heard a couple of there hits on the radio, wants to get a CD, and doesn't know where to start.

It has some of there best classics, as well as 2 new and two less common songs. The CD is worth it just to get a good recording of "Lovers in a Dangerous Time", and the two new songs. Its also nice to be able to get "Get in Line" without having to buy the King of the Hill soundtrack.

This is a must buy for all you BNL fans out there.


A Treat for Fans New and Old...   November 27, 2001
S. Meredith (Rochester, NY USA)
8 out of 9 found this review helpful

Between all of my CDs and MP3s, I actually did have every song on this compilation of singles (including the new ones), but I bought the CD anyway. I admit, I bought it for the insightful liner notes from Steven Page, and to help support what I think is the most underrated band on the face of the planet. Of course, all the concert tickets (three shows this year alone) don't hurt, either... :~) I admit that I am what could be considered an obsessed uber-fan, but I'm going to try to put this in perspective.

Though this is a compilation primarily of released singles (even the Ladies admit that the term "hit" is stretching it a bit for some of the tracks), I still think is an excellent sampler for a new fan that may only be familair with Stunt and Maroon (or to take a step further -- One Week or Pinch Me). People either "get it" or they don't with BNL -- the ones who get it will dig this CD. If all you know is One Week or Pinch Me, give some of the older stuff a listen. I firmly believe that BNL has something for everyone, all it takes is the right song -- and this is probably the most balanced collection money can buy.

I have to say, I love both of the new songs. Thanks, That Was Fun is a fine example of a poignant Ed-song, and really shows how his voice has devleoped over the years. The lyrics are great, as usual, and Ed sings it with emotion. It's Only Me (which I affectionately refer to solely as "Wizard") is pure fun, in a sort of early-80s, Knack-kinda way. And the subject matter, when you figure out what the song is really about, makes it all the more fun! It's never stated in the liner notes, but I think the line "I'm the me in monogamy" gives it all away. I won't say anymore. :~)

If you love the Ladies, pick it up. If you like the Ladies, but didn't know which CD to buy, pick it up. If you have never liked anything they played on the radio in the USA, well, you might want to skip it, but maybe borrow it and give the older tracks -- all Candian releases -- a listen. :~)


The best of the best   October 4, 2003
8 out of 9 found this review helpful

This CD is the best of the best and has the place of honour in my collection. I began my BNL journey when a friend forgot her Rock Spectacle CD at my house and I played it to see what it was about. I had low expectations, but I was pleasantly surprised. With live versions of Brian Wilson and What a Good Boy, two previously unreleased tracks and a new version of Lovers in a Dangerous Time, this CD proves undisputedly that the Barenaked Ladies truly are the kings of Canadian music.

1) The Old Apartment: A great song that hasn't gotten the attention it deserves. This is one of my favourites on the CD.

2) Falling for the first time: An upbeat, catchy song about a guy who realizes the joy in failing.

3) Brian Wilson: A truly great song that was the first BNL song I ever heard. Once I heard the first chorus, I was hooked.

4) One Week: A catchy song with a bit of rap, I think this song is great. It's one of my favourites.

5) Be My Yoko Ono: For some reason, I don't care for this song much. It's a decent song that gets annoying after awhile.

6) Alternative Girlfriend: A reasonably good track, Alternative girlfriend has a nice beat that I never get tired of.

7) It's Only Me (The Wizard of Magicland): One of the two previously unreleased tracks, I like this song because of it's hilarious lyrics and catchy beat.

8) If I had $1 000 000: This is my favourite Barenaked Ladies song so far. This song never gets boring.

9) Call and Answer: A ballad with heartfelt lyrics that I enjoy very much.

10) Get In Line: I have to say, this track stretches the definition of 'Greatest Hits.' I usually skip this song.

11) It's All Been Done: A very fun song to sing, especially the "Woo hoo hoo" chorus.

12) Jane: This a slower song, but it's a very good one and I like the lyrics.

13) Lovers in a Dangerous Time: This song is one of my favourites, especially the chorus. It's got a nice beat, great lyrics and the music is amazing.

14) Pinch Me: For a song about chronic depression, this one still makes me feel good. I especially like the line "It's like a dream, you try to remember but it's gone and you try to scream but it only comes out as a yawn."

15) Shoebox: a quicker song, this one is pretty good, but not one of the best.

16) What a Good Boy: For a song that is supposed to be an intimite ballad, I've heard better versions of this song than the live one with hundreds of fans singing along.

17) Too Little Too Late: A reasonably good song, I like the music better than the mediocre lyrics.

18) Enid: One of my favourites, this song has a great beat and great lyrics, especially "I can get a job, I can pay the phone bill, I can cut the line, cut my hair, cut off my cholesterol, I can work overtime, I can work in a mine, I can do it all for you. But I don't want to."

19) Thanks That Was Fun: A friend of mine told me that this song sounded too dark, but I don't agree. This song has heartfelt lyrics and Ed's best singing on the CD.

Overall, this was a great CD that I never tire of listening too. I hope that the Barenaked Ladies are around for another ten years, because they truly are great.


good stuff   February 9, 2002
7 out of 7 found this review helpful

I thought about getting this disc when it first came out, but after listening to sound snippets of the songs I didn't know, I put it on my wish list for later. A few weeks ago, my five year old daughter came home singing "If I had a million dollars"--I had to get it. Ahhhh....the wisdom of children. This is a great collection of songs. The poppy, catchy, humorous songs are all here (Brian Wilson, If I had a million $, Its all been done, One week, the old apartment) as are other less familiar (to me at least) gems such as Be my yoko ono, alternative girlfriend,and Bruce Cockburn's classic 'Lover's in a dangerous time'. For those of you who know just a little about the Ladies, this is a great intro disc to get to know them a little better.


This is a gift from God   June 20, 2002
7 out of 8 found this review helpful

I really disliked BNL because of their song One Week, which I just could not stand at all. When my Aunt offered to take me to see them I reluctantly agreed. To think that I almost didnt go! Their live show was awesome, and this disc is almost as good. I've had it since December and it hasn't left my cd player. All of the songs on here are excellent. The cd starts off with The Old Apartment, which I had never heard before and really drew me into the cd. Falling For The First Time, from Maroon comes next. While more mellow, the lyrics are still wonderfully whimsical and it makes for a very catchy song. Then my obsession, Brian Wilson comes. I have tried to find as many versions of this song as I can. The version on the Greatest Hits album is best however. Its live and powerful and emotional and it really is a good example of as Steven Page says "the energy of the live shows". The next 3 tracks I dont care for as much, but the Yoko Ono song always makes me laugh. Then its to "If I Had a Million Dollars", which is a classic but definitely not BNL's best song ever. After that comes Call and Answer, which really touched me the first time I heard it. Surprisingly these songs are very emotional and true which makes this cd brilliant. Its Only Me is new, and not one of my favorites but still very good. Jane is a song I detested at first, but after buying Rock Spectacle (live album), I've really come to like it. Lovers In A Dangerous Time is a highlite on this cd because its sound is so different and not really heard of in today's popular music. Shoebox and Its All Been Done are two great songs. The reason this music is so good is because the actual music can pull you in, and then if you listen to they lyrics you're blown away by their creativity depth and hilarity. What A Good Boy has to be one of my favorite BNL songs of all time. The live version on this cd is simply the best. Theres really no way to describe it. The album ends with the classic Enid, and a new track Thanks That Was Fun. Thanks That was Fun I enjoyed, but is not as much fun as the other songs. Ed Robertson has a tone to his voice that puts a dark spin on it, while the lyrics are also somewhat more depressing. Altogether I can't praise this cd enough. I dont' think reading a review can allow you to comprehend why this cd is so darn enjoyable! I would say go buy it...but thats just me. Any other BNL cds are great too...This cd will make a huge fan out of you, as it did with me!