Jun 6, 2008

Taking 'Snacktime' break

Barenaked Ladies eat up children's music departure

By Paul Freeman / Entertainment Writer

It shouldn't be surprising that Barenaked Ladies created a children's album. The witty Canadian band's 20-year career has been filled with joyful ditties. The group has benefited from a wondrous, wide-eyed quality.

"I don't think it's necessary for everybody," singer/guitarist/songwriter Steven Page said. "Nine Inch Nails probably wouldn't be so good, if they had a childlike innocence and sense of fun. That might be a bit strange. But it totally works for us."

The new album, "Snacktime," contains 24 lively tracks, including "Food Party," "Here Come the Geese" and "Louis Loon."

"It was a huge blast to make. We knew we were making a kids' record, but had no idea what it was going to sound like. We all knew we owed it to ourselves to make a good one," Page said.

Once the band got together and started playing all the songs to each other, it was like a weight had been lifted. "We just relaxed, enjoyed it and didn't worry about what people were going to think of it," Page said. "When you make your regular albums, you're always a little bit worried about what people's reactions (will be), how it's going to compare to your other material. But with a kids' record, all you're trying to do is entertain children. You rely on your wit, your energy and the things that your children like, as well."

Page has three sons, ages 7, 9 and 11. "When they heard that dad was making a kids' record, I'm sure they thought it was terrifying. They were afraid it might be too babyish or too cheesy or whatever. I had to put in jokes that I knew they would like and styles of music that I knew would appeal to them," he said. "They also got to sing on a couple of songs. Of course, once they were on it, they were huge fans."

Page played classical music for the boys as they were growing up. "But the first thing I remember my son reacting to, as a baby, in the car, was Green Day," he said. "Kids love punk rock, '50s rock - straight ahead, three chords and a fast beat. So the song "Allergies" on this record fits that style.

"Now, of course, there's things like Guitar Hero and Rock Band that are introducing kids to the music of the past. All of a sudden, on their iPods, there's stuff like Guns N' Roses next to the Clash. I would have never imagined those side by side. But for the kids, it's all just rock music that they like."

Barenaked Ladies tried to make children's music that parents would like, as well. "We've all taken enough long road trips with our kids to know they want to hear the same thing over and over again," Page said. "Some of those kiddie records are just terrible. There are novelty records, that, at first you think are kind of funny, but to hear them over and over - no thanks."

"Snacktime" features short songs with lots of variety. They won't wear the listener out regardless of attention span or number of plays. For Mom and Dad, there are clever pop culture references.

"It's not a result of focus groups or market research. We're just still out there being ourselves," Page said. "When we do children's shows, a lot of what we say is for the parents, people of our age. They enjoy the irreverence of it."

Barenaked Ladies doesn't talk down to kids. "It drives me crazy, some of these songs that assume kids are idiots or have no taste," Page said. "Kids know what they like when they hear it. As a parent, I never talk to my kids like they're morons. So I could never stomach music that treats them that way."

Many of the band's past hits, such as "If I Had a Million Dollars" and "Another Postcard," appeal to kids.

"That's something we've noticed over time, that our fans were starting to bring their kids to shows. Although perhaps some of the language and subject matter are not always appropriate for kids, the general sense of fun and togetherness and everything else really is," Page said.

From birth, Page accepted music as a source of family fun and togetherness. His dad was a drummer.

"We listened to a lot of music, everything from '60s folk stuff to jazz and the popular records of the time. It went from the Beatles to Oscar Peterson to Peter Paul & Mary and Pete Seeger."

Page believes music is important to a child's development, even if they don't become performers.

"It's not just about learning to play. It's about learning to use art to express yourself and to understand other people's expressions, too," he said.

While maintaining his status as a rock star, Page is cognizant of his responsibilities as a parent. "Anybody who has a career that makes them travel a lot finds themselves in that challenge. You've got to strike that difficult balance between making your career move forward - satisfying your own sense of self - with being around and attentive and part of your kids' lives," he said.

"I don't know anybody who's managed that perfectly. But when I am around, I'm around my kids pretty steadily. You just have to make sure you make the best of the time you have with them."