3.5/5
Flightplan.
It's been more than 'One Week' since we last looked into the Barenaked Ladies (a sentence that really won't fly these days), But after once telling us what they'd do if they 'Had $1000000', the Scarborough suburb of Toronto stars are back from Ontario, Canada, 'In Flight'. Their 18th album and first since 2021's 'Detour de Force' (somebody 'Pinch Me'). Ed Robertson and the harmonies of his band that Beatle Paul McCartney "right on" co-sings are back to bring the good times, but also to question their own mortality as a band in this music scene and life itself. Sometimes you need more than a few dollars and a million reasons like Gaga to stay. But here's your one good reason not to quit the show.
In an absolutely huge New Music Friday headlined by Diddy's first project decades, Nas concluding yet another trilogy with 'Magic 3' and Corinne Bailey Rae giving us the biggest left-turn and album of the year. This record 'In Flight' after last week's 'Layover' with V of BTS (sorry for the lateness in our boarding) hits just like the superb songwriting of the new Pretenders and Thirty Seconds To Mars break-up albums. Albeit differently as love faces the idea that, "that's life" as the Chairman of the Board once couldn't deny it. But at least they're 'Lovin' Life' whilst it's far from the rearview on the opening track and single. Sure singing, "One minute we're here, the next one we're not/The clock is tickin', better use what you got/It's armageddon, and we're gettin' it on/Because the world could end before the end of this song/There'll be darker days, there'll be hell to pay/But until then just keep breathing," is a little "corny", but all the goodness in life always is. Don't be stamped down by those saying so. They just want to keep you there.
There's still 'Enough Time', even if they'll be 'Fifty For A While', like fellow Canuck, Keanu Reeves still kicking ass as 'John Wick', at least with Chapter 4's 'Consequences' finally coming out this week in Japan. These two standout tracks are stellar when it comes to songwriting. Just like 'One Night' of "Dim the lights, clear the floor/Takе another record off the shеlf/Make a little space/Don't we owe it to ourselves?/God knows I need this night/Buckle up and hold on tight, don't let go," of love before the mourning comes. 'What Do We Need?' This and "Not a lot I'm pretty sure that we could get by on half as much as we got/Where will we be after the spotlight fades?/We're gonna have to learn to live in the slow lane," because the destination is nothing without an enjoyable journey. 'Just Wait'...and take it all in. Breathe, like the release of a 'Waning Moon' above this long and winding road Macca used to talk about as you drive. "The moon is up and it's waning/I'd guess about a half remaining/The stars are out and they're shining/Fading in and out, reminding," compelling couplets and vivid verses for the chapters and the best in this Barenaked catalogue, ladies and gents.
Laying it all down so you 'Wake Up' and 'See The Tower' in all its beauty, like Huey of the Fun Lovin' Criminals once said, 'The View Belongs To Everyones'. Enjoy it before the sunset forgets. You're far from 'Too Old', whatever decade you're pushing, no daisies for this chain. "It's just a little white lie from a little white guy/And it never really made much sense/Put a little more time into meter and rhyme." For those who are 'Clearly Lost', now you see, like the tower. Or 'The Dream Hotel' that checks you into "New York, it's fabulous/So beautiful this time of year/A DJ's playing good music/Bubbles float up to the chandelier." Or the pay heed cautionary tale of, "We work ourselves into a rhythm/And then I gotta go/We don't have to wonder what the problem is/We already know/No one should have to sleep alone so much/No one should work this hard just to keep in touch/No one, no one as loved as you are should not feel loved enough", for the life on the road of a band on the run who have now been pulled over. Saving the best for last, it all culminates in the compelling closer 'The Peace Lady' in all her beauty. "Growing up in Toronto/I'd ride with my parents wherever they'd go/She was always there above the DVP/Holding her peace sign for all to see", riding past what is now lost, but forever riding shotgun in memory. 'In Flight' may be the most important album of the week amongst this half-dozen worth of big names. Life is a short flight, but don't keep your heads in clouds. It's not the end of the world. Instead, admire the view and remind yourself that like Thirty Seconds To Mars said, it's beautiful. What a way to go. TIM DAVID HARVEY.
Playlist Picks: 'Enough Time', 'Fifty For A While', 'The Peace Lady'.
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