Barenaked Ladies Rock New Approach

By Melissa Castellanos

Barenaked Ladies may have had a tumultuous year, with the departure of singer-guitarist Steven Page, but there is one thing that it didn't lose along the way -- its sense of humor.

The Canadian band, known for its upbeat and feel-good music, such as "One Week," "Pinch Me" and "If I Had $1000000," is taking a slightly different direction this time as a four-piece band with the release of their new album, "All In Good Time."

But have no fear the band isn't completely abandoning their quirkiness and funny lyrics.

"I think people have always perceived the band as kind of old-ball, goofy. There has always been a lot of humor involved in what we do, certainly in our videos and in the shows and stuff, but we have always had other sides, darker sides," Ed Robertson (guitar/vocals) told CBSNews.com. "Music - you've got to process a little more and I think that we lead with that this time, which is different for us, but it feels good."

The band, made up of Robertson (guitar/vocals), Jim Creeggan (bass/vocals), Kevin Hearn (keyboard/guitar/vocals) and Tyler Stewart (drums/vocals) has been bringing the hits for over two decades now.

Stewart points out to CBSNews.com that sometimes the band's more serious songs often get buried in its catalog or aren't played as much during live shows. So this time its unleashing that side a little more.

"We really feel that we have the opportunity to explore the entire palette that is Barenaked Ladies," Stewart said.

Barenaked Ladies' extensive "palette" has brought unique opportunities along the way. One could say that the stars have aligned for the fun-loving band who wrote and recorded the theme song to the hit CBS' hit show, "The Big Bang Theory."

When asked if the band would want to guest star on the popular, science-based TV comedy, Robertson and Stewart say they'd jump at the chance.

"It's high time, we did though…it's time that they have a rock band on "Big Bang Theory," Robertson said.

"Why don't we play the band that makes out with that hot babe who lives next door," Stewart chimed in.

"I got an idea, none of us can decide who is most in love with her so we all have to make out with her and see," Robertson joked.

Joking aside, Robertson actually has a background in science.

"I am actually a science geek from way back; I hosted a science show in Canada for a while, so I think I would fit right in," he said. "I am a big fan of cosmological theory and exactly why we are here. We could talk about quantum mechanics to stellar mechanics."

"I am bald and I have glasses," Tyler joked.

"All in Good Time" marks the band's eleventh studio album and its first as a new four-piece band. The Barenaked Ladies has garnered eight Juno Awards and multiple Grammy nominations and sold more than 14 million albums worldwide. The band also released an album of children's songs titled "Snacktime."

As for the split, former singer-guitarist Steven Page reportedly left the band because he felt like his contributions as a songwriter were being diminished by a five-way collaboration. (He was also arrested for drug possession in July of '09, but the charges against him were dropped.)

The band will embark on a U.S. headlining tour, which kicks off May 10 at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, TN. Ingrid Michaelson will join the tour on May 10-15 as well as Serena Ryder on May 16-June 5.

"It's really going to be fun to play live. We are looking forward to going out and playing these songs," Stewart said.
By Melissa Castellanos