Barenaked Ladies about to record new album, target late spring release

TORONTO – Three years after releasing “All in Good Time,” it’s time once again for the Barenaked Ladies to head back to the studio.

Frontman Ed Robertson has confirmed that the Toronto band is set to begin recording a new album this week, with the goal of releasing something by late spring.

“(It’s) awesome,” he said with a laugh when asked Wednesday for details on the new material, before noting that the band had cooked up about 27 new songs.

“Honestly, I’m really proud of it.”

“All in Good Time,” which opened at No. 3 on the Canadian charts, marked the band’s first album following the departure of co-founding singer Steven Page in early 2009.

That record featured a stark, mostly monochromatic cover that suited a moodier set of material than some might have expected from the wry quartet.

Robertson didn’t tip his hand as to the direction of the new songs, but he said the band planned to work with a bevy of producers.

They’ve already recorded a song with Mark Endert — best known for collaborations with Madonna and Maroon 5 — and also plan to work with Toronto singer-songwriter Howie Beck, multiple Juno winner Gavin Brown (who has produced Metric and Billy Talent) and Grammy nominee Greg Wells, who has helmed material by Adele, Katy Perry and Celine Dion.

Given that the 42-year-old Robertson is also collaborating on a song with Canadian astronaut Chris Hadfield, it’s shaping up to be a busy winter.

“Lots in the works,” he agreed.