One Week
Barenaked Ladies · 1998
18 min · 5 tracks · alternative rock
Eclectic melodies weave through clever lyrics, blending whimsical storytelling with an upbeat acoustic rock sensibility.
Top tracks — play these first
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One Week (remix) Start here — This track showcases the band's signature blend of catchy hooks and humorous lyrics, encapsulating the playful spirit that defined their sound during this period.
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The Old Apartment — Reflecting themes of nostalgia and longing, this song contrasts upbeat instrumentation with reflective lyrics, demonstrating the band's ability to balance light-heartedness with depth.
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Brian Wilson (live) — This live rendition highlights the band's energetic performance style and pays homage to their influences, illustrating their connections to classic rock history while retaining a contemporary twist.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The single showcases clever songwriting and varied tempos but lacks strong cohesion across its tracks.
What we noticed
- The second track, 'The Old Apartment', shifts to a more reflective tone with a slower tempo and narrative-driven lyrics, contrasting with the opener.
- The live version of 'Brian Wilson' includes audience interaction and extended instrumental sections, adding a different texture compared to studio recordings.
- The final two tracks, 'Be My Yoko Ono' and 'Alternative Girlfriend', maintain an upbeat tempo but incorporate varied instrumentation and lyrical themes.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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6/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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5/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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6/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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4/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Defined its genre or moment. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- short energetic bursts of fun
- catchy sing-alongs with friends
- playful irreverence in lyrics
- quick listen for casual moments
Maybe skip if you
- long immersive listening experiences
- slow, contemplative musical journeys
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Breakthrough — This single solidified their reputation after the success of 'Stunt'.
- Themes
- late '90s nostalgia· humorous storytelling· mainstream breakthrough
- Career context
- Released on September 22, 1998, this album marked a significant moment in Barenaked Ladies' career as they were transitioning from their breakthrough album 'Stunt' in 1998. Following the commercial success of 'Stunt', which featured hits like 'One Week', the band was solidifying their presence in the mainstream music scene while continuing to explore their quirky and diverse musical style.
- Stylistic neighbors
- They Might Be Giants· Guster· Ben Folds Five
Tracklist
- 1 One Week (remix) Start here 2:53
- 2 The Old Apartment 3:30
- 3 Brian Wilson (live) 4:46
- 4 Be My Yoko Ono 2:46
- 5 Alternative Girlfriend 4:21
What to play next
Maroon
2000
Continues the upbeat acoustic rock vibe with more mature themes and catchy melodies.
Stunt
1998
Sets the stage with similar eclectic sounds and clever lyrics that lead into 'One Week'.
If this landed
Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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