This is 24 Hrs late, but courtesy of the fabulous Jimmy Shaw, I had my socks blown off last night at Massey Hall in Toronto.  METRIC were absolutely on fire as they burned through a tight set of angular and catchy songs, mostly from their latest album - Fantasies.  I've seen this band grow and develop over the years, and have always been blown away by Emily's stage presence and the ridiculously tight rhythm section of Jules on drums and Joshua on bass.  Joules is one of the most inventive drummers out there, with propulsive, funky beats almost always highlighted by off-beat hi-hats and cool accents. I always felt that METRIC are a stellar live band, but it's so great to see them perform what are easily the best songs of their career so far. Fantasies is full of incredibly rich songs, both lyrically and melodically. Two songs for me are battling it out for the fictional Pop Song Bridge Of The Year Award - Twilight Galaxy and Collect Call. Both we're performed immaculately last night, with Emily in great voice, moving through the slippery bridges with confident panache.  What more can I say - I love Metric - and I urge you all to check out Fantasies.  Big thanks again to Jimmy and the Band for an amazing night.

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Holy Crap - that's finally it! After 19 days of work shopping and arranging and 37 days of recording, we're finished the heavy lifting on this, the 12th Studio Album from Barenaked Ladies. It's been both challenging and incredibly rewarding over the past three and a half months. We've undertaken our first recording as a 4pc, changed up our management, and we even got out to play a bunch of rock shows for y'all. As of today, the super-genius Mix God who is Bob Clearmountain has completed 12 songs out of the 18 we recorded and we absolutely love the way they're sounding. It's actually kind of Bittersweet right now, as we wrap up things at Jimmy C's and get ready for a few weeks of R&R ('cept Kev, who never stops). I'll miss the collaboration and the joyous unity of these sessions.

I'll also miss cooking for my band and MPW, Keith and Kenny - our awesome assistant engineer. I kinda approached the last few meals of Tychow like they were feasts of accomplishment. Yesterday was slow - smoked BBQ Brisket with sides of Tangy Pit beans, Braised Collard Greens, and Crunchy 'slaw. Wednesday I did Tandoori BBQ's Chicken with Turmeric Rice, Gently Stewed Beets and Spinach with Ginger and Green Chillies. I think we may have started a tradition with this cooking thing. It's great to have everyone around the table, enjoying home-made food after toiling in the Music Mine all day!

What sweet slavery though, cause this has been the best workplace environment ever for this band. Uncle Tyler highly recommends doing a job you love, with dynamic and exciting people who are committed to each other and to creating great things. That's what this process has been like and as my main man George Gershwin once said, It's nice work if you can get it...

Though all that work sure made me tired:

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 When I first joined Barenaked Ladies in 1990, we had a residency at a Toronto Club called Ultrasound Showbar. It's long gone, but we remember it here.

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 Thanks for a great night, Milwaukee.  Our Summerfest show totally rocked because of you.  There really is nothing like playing outside in the summer - even if it's under a giant expressway!  We played three new ones last night: How Long, Summertime,  and Another Heartbreak - all of which you seemed to enjoy, based on the reception, and the feedback we got at the signing after the show. I particularly enjoyed Kevin's random lyrics in IIHAMD, and the awesome rock and roll, above-head-claps during the vocal breakdown in Wind It Up.  A very invigorating night for BNL.  Summerfest, you do indeed Rock. Next up Muskegeon MI.  Bring on the M's!

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