 Barenaked Ladies |
 Mike Doughty Band |
 Barenaked Ladies |
|
Story and photos by Andy Argyrakis The Allstate Arena seemed like a somewhat unlikely sight for Barenaked Ladies these days, especially since the band's a few years past its commercial prime. Despite the lack of a major label push, the group had no problem filling a respectable amount of the venue thanks to its die-hard supporters and continuously expanding marketing tactics, which not only include the physical and digital release of the brand new Barenaked Ladies Are Me (Desperation) but also through USB flash drives, ring tones and in multi-track formats for remixing and streaming. The
group even went so far as to have fans contribute to
its latest music video "Wind It Up," with the contest
winning entry being broadcast at www.bnlmusic.com.While the new material was certainly a priority on the current tour, the Ladies were sure to incorporate ample amounts from the past fifteen years, including vibrant renditions of the sing-a-long "The Old Apartment" and the quirky "Too Little Too Late." Indeed dueling vocalists Ed Robertson and Steven Page have always written from a tongue in cheek perspective that was also apparent throughout the sunny new song "Bank Job" and the always witty "Barenaked Rap," which the band created on the spot based on a day of Chicago sightseeing. Another laugh out loud moment came with a slapstick chorography skit that featured the guys poking fun at the boy band craze (which is luckily completely dead these days). However, the group was more than just a mixture or overt and couched comedy, also unveiling many vintage influences of groups from yesteryear. Much of the Are Me album crossed the classic stylings of the Beach Boys and a general swath from the surf era, while the older "Brian Wilson" is still one of the band's most endearing that subtly tipped its hat to the legendary songwriter. The fresh cut "Wind It Up" and the Stunt standard "It's All Been Done" were loaded with particularly meaty melodies, recalling long lost visions of summer for the windy city. Even though it was one of the band's biggest hits, "One Week" hasn't aged all that gracefully and came across somewhat silly when compared to the more astute selections. Fan favorite "If I Had $1000000" was also a little too long winded for its own good, though at least no one could accuse the players of shortchanging the crowd. By the time they finished the finale ballad "Call and Answer," the set clocked in at a generous, career spanning two hours and fifteen minutes. Opening act the Mike Doughty Band turned in about forty-five minutes, but like any arena endeavor, had a hard time connecting with latecomers rushing to find their seats. The one time front man for Soul Coughing and his three piece band also followed the Ladies' humorous tradition, often cracking worthwhile jokes between sets, including what types of objects and body parts they'd be willing to sign at an intermission meet and greet. The troubadour and his band played most of last year's Haughty Melodic (ATO), though a colorful cover of Kenny Rogers' "The Gambler" was the closest they came to hitting a sweet spot. |
 Mike Doughty Band |
 Barenaked Ladies |
 Barenaked Ladies |
 Barenaked Ladies |