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Sometimes when a record is released it is immediately considered
to be a classic, but sometimes it really needs to sit on a shelf for
a decade before coming back out and reminding you just how good it
really is. Such is the case with The Lemonheads' It's A
Shame About Ray, recently re-released by Rhino Records as a CD/DVD
release featuring previously unreleased album outtakes and demo material,
as well as music videos and live performances.
When It's A Shame About Ray was released way back in 1992
there was little attention paid to the brilliant pop album put together
by this amazing little band. Even with the addition of Juliana
Hatfield from Blake Babies to the band's lineup, there
was not much hoopla surrounding the original release. The album's
true break came when the band re-recorded Paul Simon's "Mrs.
Robinson" and the album was re-issued with the additional track.
AAA radio caught wind of the brilliant cover and began to play the
hell out of the track. Album sales soared and the cutout bins were
avoided, even though thousands of copies of the CD are due to be traded
in on this fine Collector's Edition.
The original album is here in its entirety, including the great 90's
rock track "Rockin Stroll" that leads off the album. This
song is a brash statement on the state of rock in 1992, including
some fine fuzzy leads and throbbing rhythm lines; the sound is pure
early '90s. The title track is still one of the finest songs to ever
come out of Washington state, with its non-descript story about memories
and friendships. This track has some of the hookiest pop traits in
memory, including jangly guitars and solid drum tracks, and should
have been given its due long before the Paul Simon remake. The album's
other fine buried tracks are here, including the rushy, organ infused
"My Drug Buddy", the gritty throwdown of "Alison's
Starting To Happen" and, of course, the fine remake of "Mrs.
Robinson," which continues to be one of the cleanest mainstream
covers of all time. Included on the CD are a number of previously
unreleased demo tracks from the album, mostly acoustic guitar and
vocals only these tracks shed a little light on the true songwriting
genius of Evan Dando. The included DVD was actually released
some years back and features not only some of the most memorable music
videos from the early 90's, but also some devastatingly great live
performances from the band's Australian tour. Also included are some
great behind the scenes moments from the tour that really illustrate
just how much fun this young and great band was having at the time.
Do yourself a favor. Kick back and relax with a copy of this re-released
Collectors Edition of The Lemonheads' It's A Shame About Ray
and relive your glorious younger days to a beautiful soundtrack…
or, even better, crank it as you live your life and make new glorious
days. This is great music for great times in your life, memorable
and enjoyable as only the best pop could be.
-Embo Blake
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