Baring their best for history

Though the band has had widespread popularity for more than a decade in Canada, it's only a few years ago that folks on this side of the border thought of "Barenaked Ladies" as anything but a porn site. So it seems odd that the band would already be creating a greatest hits CD.\nBut "greatest hits" is a term loosely defined where Barenaked Ladies' new album is concerned. The 19 songs on this disc give listeners a representative sampling of the band's history, but these aren't necessarily the hits listeners are used to singing along with on the radio. \nKnown for their improvisations, the band is best in concert. It's weird hearing the studio versions of classic songs which end up sounding kind of bland, especially after the live album, Rock Spectacle. In terms of hits, look for those on Rock Spectacle. This compilation is made up of mostly what are probably BNL's favorite songs, including a few classics (at least "Be My Yoko Ono" made the cut this time). But they bring together some tracks found on albums since Rock Spectacle and elsewhere, such as "Shoebox" and "Get in Line" which have previously only been found on sitcom soundtracks. \nThe disc has two new tracks, "It's Only Me (The Wizard of Magicland)" and "Thanks That Was Fun," which blend into the mix. But you have to wonder why BNL wasted space on their greatest hits CD with such unrecognizable, so-so ditties. With the name "Disc One," BNL is obviously planning a sequel -- maybe they considered these two a taste of what's to come.\nThe best part about the collection is the booklet of commentary about the band's history and music, especially lead singer Steven Page's little stories about each song on the disc. From him we learn that "It's All Been Done" was written just so the band could have a song with "woo hoo hoo" in its chorus. And of course Page pleads with fans to stop throwing macaroni and cheese during "If I Had $1,000,000" at concerts.\nThis album is OK, and only true fans will know all the songs. As far as greatest hits, you might be better off just downloading your own "hits" mix -- you'd just miss out on the commentary.\nRating: 6