The Best Album You've Never Heard: William Shatner's Has Been

William Shatner is a genius. Decades after being the dreamy, overacting captain of the Starship Enterprise, William Shatner's second career of self deprication has finally hit its stride. Last year's winner of the Emmy for Best Supporting Actor (Boston Legal) and sometime gameshow host (Show Me the Money) and Priceline.com pitchman has teamed with the likeliest of bedfellows for Has Been one of the most interesting albums of the year. Though the album was finished in 2001, he is just now beginning to promote it.

Rocker Ben Folds, who teamed with Shatner once before for "In Love", a track for Fold's first solo album 2001's Fear of Pop, co-wrote all the original tracks with Shatner and produced the LP which features appearances by Aimee Mann, Joe Jackson, and Henry Rollins among others.

While it is difficult to take this album seriously at first, the straightforward pop style is meticulously crafted, clever, and most of all enjoyable. Far from the novelty album one might expect, Has Been is emotionally and lyrically complex. From a cover of Pulp's "Common People", a lament for a wasted chance as fatherhood, to Shatner's Western themed address to his often vocal critics, it is clear that everyone on this album made it because they wanted to not because there was a political message, existential crisis, or pitch for a Peace Prize nomination. Has Been is the most pleasant musical surprise in a long time. - Highly Recommended

Listen - Common People
Listen - That's Me Tryin' (Feat. Ben Folds & Aimee Mann)

Barenaked Ladies take a step forward: Are Men

The problem with the Barenaked Ladies is, that just when they look like they are ready to settle into their place as an average, straightforward, unremarkable pop band, they do something interesting. Are Men, the latest album in their now two decade long career, is just that: interesting.

Technically Are Men is not a new album. This collection is part of the same recording session as the lads' previous album Are Me. Though there are similarities between the two, Men is livelier, and more energetic than Are Me. Longtime fans will be glad to know that many of the tracks, "Running Out of Ink" for example, on the album are done in the simple, guitar driven, clever lyric style to which they've grown accustomed. What is interesting are the risks.

First, the band makes an unapologetic foray into politics with "Fun and Games". Scathing and clever, it is as brash a statement as any war protest song ever was, complete with New Orleans jazz band at the bridge. Also, Are Me implements musical layering and tonal work which is another first for Ed Robertson and the boys. Tracks such as "Another Spin" or "One and Only" combine vocal work and harmony reminiscent of Brian Wilson or late Beach Boys circa Pet Sounds or Endless Summer.

The latest album demonstrates that while the Barenaked Ladies are still a reasonably straightforward, pleasant rock group, they are capable of creating interesting, sometimes captivating works and are far from finished. Not a perfect album, but still worthwhile. - Recommended