Review of It’s A Shame About Ray By Andrew Perry
From Select 1992
Born of Boston’s post-hardcore scene, Lemonheads began life six years ago as a fairly furious punk band. Three years later, they made a debut for East West in 1990 which was far more lavish in texture and gentle in mood. Unfortunately, the American college market has since has its goalposts shifted…
When their fifth LP begins with the brisk ‘Rockin’ Stroll’, suspicions are that this group – or rather, sole mainstay member Evan Dando – is like one of those lizards that change colour with the climate. He’ll fit his craft to current trends. But the remaining eleven tracks soon show that to be a one-off. This is by far the best Lemonheads LP.
Dando’s a songwriter of sensitivity and whimsy – more Ray Davies than J Macsis – and he doesn’t need a surfeit or grunge to thrill the ear. ‘My Drug Buddy’ is a cracking tune. Even if they are a tad faster, ‘Alison’s Starting’, ‘Rudderless’, ‘Bit Part’ and the title track are just as lively and produced with apt smoothness. There’s the requisite quirky cover – a gorgeous version of ‘Frank Mills’ from the musical Hair – but by then you’ve heard enough to know Dando’s the main man.