Review of It's A Shame About Ray by David Roberts
From Q June 1992
With the current commercial and critical success enjoyed by contemporaries from Nirvana to Buffalo Tom, the abrasive guitars, parched, plaintive vocal, tight rhythms and melancholic verve of Boston modern rock veterans Lemonheads ought by rights to have found its moment. It's A Shame About Ray, the second major label offering from the outfit built around singer, guitarist, writer Evan Dando is their best yet. From the understated noise pop of Confetti to the appealing discordance of Rudderless to the warm, acoustic solemnity of My Drug Buddy, Lemonheads prove themselves masters at the pop art of taking a simple musical idea and maximising it to thrilling, melodious effect. With Lemonheads' former grunge excesses now streamlined by LA producers Robb Bros (Art Garfunkel, Rod Stewart), this album thrills at neighbourhood-waking volume.