Stunt cover

Stunt

Barenaked Ladies · 1998

60 min · 15 tracks · alternative rock

A playful blend of catchy hooks and witty lyrics wrapped in acoustic and pop rock sensibilities.

Top tracks — play these first

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    One Week Start here — This track stands out as the band's signature hit, showcasing their unique blend of rapid-fire lyrics and infectious melodies that propelled them to mainstream success.
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    It's All Been Done — The song features a catchy chorus and humorous storytelling, encapsulating the band's playful approach while reinforcing their songwriting prowess.
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    Call and Answer — With its introspective lyrics and emotional resonance, this track highlights the band's ability to balance light-heartedness with deeper themes of communication and vulnerability.
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    Alcohol — This track offers a satirical take on drinking culture, combining clever wordplay with an upbeat sound that exemplifies the band's geek rock identity.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

60 /100
Treeline
Higher than 66% of albums we've rated

The album showcases strong songwriting and production but has some uneven pacing in its latter half.

What we noticed

  • Several songs feature playful call-and-response structures, particularly in 'One Week' and 'It's All Been Done', which enhance their memorability.
Composition 25% of the score
7/10

the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics

Craft 20% of the score
8/10

production, performance, arrangement

Durability 25% of the score
6/10

whether it rewards returning to it

Distinctiveness 18% of the score
7/10

whether it sounds like itself

Sequencing 12% of the score
6/10

running order, pacing, length

Influence 6/10

Significant within its genre. 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, catchy song bursts
  • playful and humorous vibes
  • conversational and relatable themes
  • balanced mix of energy levels
  • ideal for lighthearted moments

Where this album fits

In the catalog
Breakthrough — This album marked Barenaked Ladies' commercial breakthrough with major chart success.
Themes
quirky humor· 90s pop culture· acoustic storytelling
Career context
Released on July 7, 1998, 'Stunt' marked Barenaked Ladies' commercial breakthrough, following their 1996 album 'Gordon,' which established them in the U.S. market. By this point, they had gained significant visibility with their quirky sound and humor, solidifying their place in the alternative rock scene.
Stylistic neighbors
They Might Be Giants· Guster· Ben Folds Five

Tracklist

  • 1 One Week Start here 2:49
  • 2 It’s All Been Done 3:26
  • 3 Light Up My Room 3:36
  • 4 I’ll Be That Girl 3:33
  • 5 Leave 3:23
  • 6 Alcohol 3:43
  • 7 Call and Answer 5:48
  • 8 In the Car 3:53
  • 9 Never Is Enough 3:23
  • 10 Who Needs Sleep? 3:44
  • 11 Told You So 4:21
  • 12 Some Fantastic 4:16
  • 13 When You Dream 6:48
  • 14 She's on Time 3:22
  • 15 Long Way Back Home 4:39

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata