468. Lemonheads – “It’s a Shame About Ray”

Here’s an 18-year-old album that I’ve actually listened to a lot in the past few months.

The CD’s never gathered much dust since Dando and co created a wave of indie-slacker-pop back around 1992-3.  However, the recent ‘playing the album in entirety’ show in Melbourne got me listening to it with newfound intent.

And I was happy.  Still am.  This is album has never tried to be anything more than what it is – a slightly sloppy collection of folky power-pop built around some neat little riffs, some decent rhythms and some deceptively tight vocals.

Of course, this almost qualifies as an Aussie release, given that many of the strongest songs on the album came from the pen of Tom Morgan (of Smudge fame).  His approach gels perfectly with Dando’s, with both favouring the cascading vocal as pop hook.

The albums lacks a big single (my version doesn’t have the Mrs Robinson cover), yet each and every track is memorable.  From the baby stroller anthem Rocking Stroll to the infectious Rudderless, the portentious My Drug Buddy to the effusive Alison’s Starting to Happen, it’s a soundtrack to a sunny slacker lifestyle:

As I was typing this review, Australia just kicked their 3rd goal in the Asian Cup semi… I reckon Dando was equally chuffed when he recorded this album.  Or he should have been.

File under: Everybody loves Raymond