It's A Shame About Ray
The Lemonheads
1992
Album Summary
It's a Shame About Ray is the fifth album by American alternative rock band the Lemonheads, released on June 2, 1992. The album was produced by the Robb Brothers. At the time of principal recording, the band consisted of Evan Dando (lead vocals, guitar), Juliana Hatfield (bass, backing vocals) and David Ryan (drums). Though not originally on the album, the band's cover of Simon & Garfunkel's "Mrs. Robinson" was added to the album in later pressings after it had become a major worldwide radio hit, and it features a later lineup of the band with Nic Dalton on bass.
WikipediaIt's a great example of early 90s alt-rock. It really is. Only problem is I can point to a dozen bands that sound exactly the same from the same era. But, for what it is, it's good and deserves a place on the list.
They're Pavement if Pavement didn't want to live the high-stakes art life and retired to the suburbs, strumming polite tunes in the unborn baby's room-cum-study, dolefully reflecting on what could have been. Basically, the Jason Bateman character in Juno.
If playing the same song over and over again qualifies you for the 1001 list, then baby, I’m in!
Day 38 of Albums You Must Hear!! When I was a kid, I loved Lemonheads. Not the band, the candy. I would buy them almost every day, I loved the sour centers! This assessment isn’t about candy, however, it’s about a band from the 90’s that were also called Lemonheads. I wasn’t familiar with this band before now, or their album released in 1992, titled It’s a Shame About Ray. From the very first song, Rockin Stroll, I instantly knew I would like this band. Evan Dondo, band creator and singer, has a great voice that does a fantastic job of staying in its own lane, without trying to wow the listener.. The melodies throughout this album are great! Lemonheads remind me of other bands of the 90’s that had more commercial success, and while I don’t know the story behind this band, it seems Lemonheads had a shit ton of unfulfilled potential. Title song, It’s a Shame About Ray, is very catchy and a well executed diddy. Kitchen is a song that could’ve been the show tune of a great 90’s sitcom, and I mean that as a compliment. (I also love the bongos on this song). The biggest song for Lemonheads was their cover Simon & Garfunkel’s Mrs. Robinson. I actually remember hearing this version back in the day and loved it then and still love it now! (It was featured in Wayne’s World 2 and later on, in The Wolf of Wall Street). To be honest, I actually prefer the Lemonheads version to S&G’s, the rock drums and electric guitar riffs give it so much life, almost surfer music-ish. Shaky Ground is a very personal song that I suspect is about drug use, maybe something else? I’m really glad I got to experience this album, it is a definite 100% must hear! If you’re a fan of The Lemonheads, please tell me which album to listen to next from them, I plan on hearing more from them! Please share your thoughts, memories, and opinions!!
More to them than just Mrs Robinson. I liked the easy tunes with lyrics that were deeper and darker
You really hit my sweet spot today. This was my absolute favorite album in '92-'93, one I still pull out to hear from time to time. It's a perfect little musical gem of that moment in time, one that has held up beautifully over the past 30 years. This album is full of edgy power pop, with a great mix of melodic, bittersweet toe tappers and muscular, energetic rockers. It has those ragged, grungy edges that made it fit in so well in its time. There is a nice interplay of jangly and jagged guitars burning at the edges that keep any of these songs from getting too pretty. The mood of the album goes a level deeper than most power pop, with a strangely cheerful malaise, conveyed through some wonderful, catchy hooks and thoughtful lyrics. It never gets overly dark or dour though. Some of Evan Dando’s lyrics may hint at dissatisfaction and restlessness, but the more pensive and personal songs like “Rudderless” or “Confetti” live easily alongside songs that are just pure fun like “Rockin Stroll” and “Alison’s Starting to Happen.” Dando delivers the lyrics perfectly, with a warm, sometimes slightly wistful and bittersweet vocal. He doesn’t convey the detachedness or irony of some of his contemporaries, so the lyrics come across as very heartfelt. Juliana Hatfield’s brief vocal appearances are like a little lemon zest on your pasta, bright and unexpected. I find myself really enjoying "Hannah & Gabi" today, which wasn't a song I gave much thought to in ‘92. It’s actually one of the best songs on the album, and probably the best musically executed song on here. The slide guitar on that song is really gorgeous. I did not know until today that it was the amazing Jeff "Skunk" Baxter playing on that song. Every song on here is terrific, with no filler. The flow of the album is crisp and concise, clocking in at around 33 minutes if you include “Mrs. Robinson.” The Simon & Garfunkel cover that was added to later versions of the album is doesn’t add a thing, but still sounds pretty great. The cover of “Frank Mills” from Hair is actually very sweet and engaging. Fave Songs (All songs, from most to least favorite): Confetti, Hannah & Gabi, Rudderless, It's a Shame About Ray, The Turnpike Down, My Drug Buddy, Rockin Stroll, Kitchen, Alison's Starting to Happen, Bit Part, Ceiling Fan in My Spoon, Frank Mills, Mrs. Robinson
I'm really liking this. Good power pop, nice melodies. I've not heard this before, except for their take on Mrs. Robinson.
Definition of "meh". When your most famous song is a cover of a song from a movie maybe you're not that good
Underwhelming 90's alt rock. A bit jangle pop-y. Not my style, frankly. There are some catchy bits for the most part it just doesn't leave much of an impression on me.
This album made me feel like I was strolling down an aisle in Homebase, searching for the most commonplace of plumbing items, only to get distracted by colourful plastic kitchen appliances. It reminded me of the toys you find inside a Kellogg's cereal bag that make you feel simultaneously grateful and offended by their audacity to send you yet another piece of plastic for your lifelong it-could-come-in-handy hoarding pile.
Loved this one! felt like a time machine to the kind of music I used to listen to, but somehow never these guys!
One of the first handful of albums I ever bought with my own moolah and I've still got a huge soft spot for it. It's pretty much perfect in its own early '90s slacker pop kinda way. Although I really wish they had left it alone and not tacked Mrs. Robinson on the end in an attempt to shift a few extra units.
90s goodness. I’ve heard of this band but never actually listened to their music. I love it!
I love Evan Dando so, so much and this album is probably his best. The inclusion of Frank Mills from Hair, the musical makes me extra warm inside.
A complete joy and a personal favourite. The threshold between teenage and adulthood on one CD.
Great laid-back indie pop. I think it might be worthy of the golden 5 out of 5! Hook laden singalongs. Continually came back to this album through the 90s. Pity that Evan Dando started taking himself so seriously...
I'm only about 5 songs in but this is the most 90s rock album I've ever heard in my life. If you asked a computer to make an amalgamation of all 90s rock bands this is what it would spit out. This is right up my alley, never heard of this band but really digging it and added a few songs to my playlist. One thing I always do when a band I've never heard of comes up on this list is try and figure out which song is that one song that I've definitely heard before; super easy in this case.
5 stars immediately. Sentimental favorite. Way too many memories attached to this one to pretend. But also I think these quickie songs hold up - catchy as all shit and taking you to some unusual places - at least for music made in '92. If you like this and have never listened to their album 'Hate Your Friends', give it a try.
I have a real nostalgic fondness for this record. In 1991, I moved out of home and into the inner city of Sydney, hanging around Glebe and Newtown and seeing gigs at the Annandale Hotel, working in a grungy record store. As it so happens, Evan Dando was also hanging around Glebe and Newtown and the Annandale Hotel (I would see him there pretty regularly around that time) and hanging out with local musos and people who worked in record stores. and he wrote this album about that. The sound, the songs, the people in it, the videos, all reflect that time. the tunes are great, all the songs are really short and leave you wanting more. Celebrity never did Evan any favours, and he never hit this peak again. I love this record, because it is a cracking listen and because it reminds me of a special time in my youth. (I also had a crush on Alison, from the song Alison's starting to happen. She worked at another record store and played drums in a band. She was really cool, and really starting to happen).
Anyone turned on to Lemonheads with Lick, Lovey, and the Favorite Spanish Dishes EP pointed to IASAR coming once Dando had the right lineup and songwriting partners. Hatfield’s backing vocals add some sweet, sometimes sad, texture to Dando’s singing. This is a perfectly crafted indie-pop album. It’s a road-trip sing-along record that can be played on repeat. Except for one thing… when I got the CD back in the day it didn’t have the Mrs. Robinson cover. I prefer that version. It wasn’t a necessary add and it’s inclusion diminished the album a bit.
First off the title track is one my favorite songs of all time, it finds its way on so many of my playlists. Confetti and My Drug Buddy are great tunes as well. While it was overplayed as shit back in the 90's, Mrs Robinson is still a good cover. Last thing Juliana Hatfield's backing vocals are awesome this album. It's probably a 4 star album but I'll give it 5 stars based on the title track and the fact it reminds of being 20 again.
This was probably the best album in their progression towards more mellow tunes. At the time it was probably an album by a traditionally grunge band that your parents wouldn’t mind you putting on. Loved it at the time and still remember all the words.
Good album, it gave off that early 90s grunge rock vibe. I need to listen to more 90s alternative rock albums.
Flashback for me. Found myself recalling some great tunes and lyrics. Singing along very happily!
A personal favourite, with great backing by Juliana Hatfield which adds so much to these songs
very very good alt rock album, it is nothing special but the songs are catchy well written and does not bog down
While I know this isn't an amazing album, it's like a big warm blanket for me. I listened to it A LOT in the 90s and listening to it for this put me instantly at ease. It speaks to a specific time in my life. My first instinct was to give a 5 because of how it made me feel, but after thinking about it more it needs to be a 4.
Decent ‘shoe-gazing indie’ as Karla calls it, but nothing to get too excited about apart from the Mrs Robinson cover which is great
A fun and jaunty album. Very simple and enjoyable. Favorite song: The Turnpike Down, Hannah and Gabi
A pretty enjoyable album and it grew on me the more I listened, despite the fact that only a few tracks really stood out for being distinctive. Of those that did, Bit Part was a really sad song with clever lyrics and Confetti was really catchy. A 3.5 stars but I’m generous and will round up.
It's pretty good. I don't know, it's not my favorite. But I enjoyed the time we spent together.
not bad, some cute little songs there. very nice cover to boot. I liked it, mrs. Robinson is WEIRDLY out of place though.
Classic 90's "pop-rock". Obviously Mrs Robinson the most well known / loved track here (and for good reason - a great cover) but the whole album is full of gems.
Dit is echt jeugdsentiment. Gast kan echt wel goeie liedjes schrijven. Beetje jammer alleen dat ie zo vaak dronken op het podium staat.
Jaa, super! Die andere van de lemonheads is eigenlijk nog beter, of daar heb ik iig betere/meer herinneringen aan..
A fun throwback to my immediate post-college years, this album is nothing complicated but filled with immediately catchy pop-rock songs in the vein of early-ish Goo Goo Dolls. The album gets going right off the bat with "Rockin Stroll" and those first four songs in particular are great. My personal favourite is "Rudderless" in that it stays relatively contained until that very end double time chorus gives a great release. If there's a negative, Evan Dando's voice gets a little tiresome for me (would have liked Juliana Hatfield to sing a few tunes - would have made this album even better, mixing it up a bit) but the good thing is that it's a short album :) that closes with a banging cover of "Mrs. Robinson." Again - nothing specialized but highly recommended. 7/10 4 stars (ranked based on the original release. I'm not a fan of the "extended" album / demos - so if you're in the same boat stop playing after "Mrs. Robinson" (Apple Music))
I had a lot of fun with this one! Pretty solid! Glad I listened to it. A lot of good tracks. The "Mrs. Robinson" cover was VERY unexpected, but as a big Simon and Garfunkel fan, I greatly appreciated it. Overall, a very good album.
A proper power pop album chock full of good tunes. Evan Dando knows his songcraft. A bit druggy, a bit slack but a joy, nonetheless.
I really liked this one. If Nirvana was a cup of black coffee. You know, the kind where there's inevitably some grounds at the bottom. If Nirvana's that, this cup of tea. It's by no means a happy album but it's got a calm melancholy you can take refuge in.
Jeez that artwork alone is enough to transport me back to 1991. Rare for a band to launch with a cover and then be able to back it up with their own material but Lemonheads did it. My favourite kind of indie pop-production standards don't have to be abandoned just because it's indie pop. A genuine treat to listen to the whole album.
Very solid and enjoyable. Not a lot of absolute bangers, but the album is solid from start to finish and has a great alternative vibe.
When the most memorable song on an album is a last song cover, you might think it's an awful album. But this one is fantastic. For some reason, I love the song Frank Mills and the change of tempo/tone throughout the song.
Based on the name and the Mrs Robinson cover I always assumed the lemonheads were a punk band that toned it down for the cover. Looks like they rocked it up for the cover. Been really enjoying this album. Stand out tracks - Bit part Mrs Robinson Allison's starting to happen It's a shame about Ray
This one was good. I've never heard The Lemonheads before but they seemed to lay the groundwork for a sound that was copied over and over again in the 90s
It's a shame about Evan Dando.. pretty boy Evan was the rage and the scorn of 90's music. Unfortunately, I was a consumer of the later feelings and didn't really appreciate him until after the Lemmonheads heyday. My girlfriend "Beefdog" had this CD and I remember listening to it a lot when we first moved in together. It grew on me and so did the Lemonheads. I know Paul Simon HATED the Mrs. Robinson cover but I think it's the best and most fun track on this album. Great album. It is quintessential early 90's granola rock when Evan Dando was a smoldering Adonis and the ire of Seattle grunge.
Начало альбома более энергичное и интересное, под конец приходили мысли о выключении. Альбом хороший, но я заскучал
I don't really need to re-listen to this because I'm never not listening to it in my head. "Rudderless," "Allison's Starting to Happen," "Ceiling Fan in my Spoon," "Frank Mills," the Simon & G-Funk cover... it's everything that I want from this type of music, in that it's perfectly imperfect and constructed with the utmost simplicity needed to lodge itself in my brain. Evan Dando is probably an awful human being, but fortunately I don't have to date him. Also, “Nursery Cryme ” by Genesis. That’s the one to listen to instead of the one that was on this list.
Really tuneful jangly indie that leans almost into power pop territory. None of the songs outstay their welcome, so each is like a technicolour splash in the ol' auditory canal. Nothing stood out, which is perhaps a strength - ie, everything here is of a consistent high quality
This is a good album but I don't think it's as important or innovative as people thought at the time.
Pretty good! Had only ever heard Mrs Robinson but was pleasantly surprised with the rest of the album
I was surprised by how much I enjoyed this album. It seems to have predicted the rise of early 2000s alternative rock and I even heard the seeds of pop punk in there as well.
Love the lemonheads, but this is my first time with this album. Love the title track, Evan Dando's signature vocals are great as usual, and there lyricism and pure pop/punk reminiscent of cotemporaries Greenday but I feel they have a more artful/literary bent with songs that tell real stories. Love "Rockin Stroll" "My Drug Buddy" "Alison's Starting To Happen" and the McCartney like "Hannah & Gabi" lovely album rightfully on this list. A 4 from me.
-That riff in "Rockin' Stroll" sounds like "The Trooper" by Iron Maiden -I totally interpreted the lyrics of "Frank Mills" to say that George Harrison was a drummer ("He was last seen with his friend, a drummer / He resembles George Harrison of The Beatles") -Pretty nice alternative rock
I enjoyed. Could hear many bands in them that they obviously have influenced. But did get a bit samey after a while.
Typical early 90s alt/college rock. If I was a couple of years older, I probably would've been really into them. As it is, it's a good album, one I'm glad I listened to, and one I'll go back and listen to again. I'm sure they were on a bunch that I can't think of at the moment, but I can just see in my head the number of indie/Miramax movies from the 90s that would've used some of these songs on the soundtracks.
I only knew them from the two singles that were everywhere. This was a good listen. Some quality 90s pop/rock.
Most of it was really good, but it dropped off in the end for me. I prefer Simon and Garfunkel's version of Mrs. Robinson over this one, but it's not bad.
an alternative rock album with clear punk/postpunk influences, lyrics are well written and the mrs robinson cover is great
This is something I will be listening to again, adding to my collection. I knew a couple of tracks, most obviously the cover of Mrs. Robinson which apparently wasn't even on the original release. Did not know Julianna Hatfield was part of this as well. Always loved the album Become What You Are by her...so this is just a nice add on.
I only vaguely recalled this one. It’s really enjoyable. I also was unaware that Juliana Hatfield was the bass player on it.
Really 90s alt-rock. Fun to listen to and each song is nice and short which is always a plus. 3.5/5
Never heard about these guys before. Nothing really special and I probably won't revisit it. But I enjoyed this as a very solid alternative rock album. Fun to listen to and not too abrasive for background listening while working. 3.5 rounded up.
Evan Dando and his beautiful head of hair knows how to craft perfect pop songs. He's proof that all of us gorgeous people can be talented, too. Bonus points for the appearance of the underappreciated Juliana Hatfield, and that terrific cover of Mrs. Robinson.
Have not listened to The Lemonheads a lot, but I liked this album, especially the title track. Nice, clean guitar work and vocals, sometimes that is all you need. The album rocked, but i did I appreciate the acoustic and slide guitar that appeared, however minimally.
an album that for some reason makes me happy. pure 90s vibes. some tracks are a bit repetitive, but I love it.
I've always said that if I had to choose a single decade's worth of music to listen to, I'd go with the '90s. This record is just one example of why. Is it much different from a lot of other albums during that time? No, but so what! The more the merrier, I say! My only qualm is that most songs are too short, barely two minutes long so by the time you fully get into the track, it's already over. Weird choice but okay Lemonheads. You're still good in my book. In fact, better inject the title track, Rudderless, My Drug Buddy & The Turnpike Down directly into my veins!
I really like drug buddy, and there's some other decent stuff, but not all of it hits. I'll give it a 4 because of how much I like its best stuff
I thought this album was pretty good, though maybe a little repetitive as far as albums go, and maybe saying something that my favourite song was a cover. Favourite: Mrs. Robinson
This is a hidden gem in my eyes. I hear many different genres being incorporated in this record. Alternative rock, folk, punk, even some emo tinges (see: Bit Part). I really enjoyed this album and I can hear influences on bands like the Foo Fighters, Nirvana, and Modern Baseball.
i heard this once or twice a few years ago when i had a bit of a period of listening to this early 90s alternative almost-grunge type stuff. it's not bad, but is a bit samey. a bit whiney in spots. 3/5.
The clear highlight of this album for me was the Mrs Robinson cover and also "Rudderless". There were a few other really good songs, but it also fell into that alt-rock sameys that Elastica also hit for me. Not quite as memorable as I hoped even after attempting two listens.
Tuttu levy vuosien takaa. Tätä tuli popiteltua joskus lukio/opiskeluaikoina aika paljonkin. Rempseätä punkpop-menoa jossa ei turhia ylimääräisiä kikkailuja juurikaan esiinny. Hyvä levy, mutta ei todellakaan mitään vallankumouksellista. Mukavaa nostalgiafilistelyä kuitenkin!
Reminds be a bit of a less energetic Blink-182. Overall a good listen, and I feel like I can see some influences from this kind of sound in modern stuff.
I’m certain I would love this if I got into it in the nineties. But I didnt so now it meh.
Yeah, fine. Standard alt rock type stuff. I didn't listen to it at the time, so it doesn't have any nostalgia value for me. Fave track - "Mrs Robinson", and I know it's technically a bonus track, but sue me!
Wasn't sure about some of these, a bit whiney american but really loved all the stripped back demos at the end. Not sure if these are supposed to be on the full album but there you go
Geht gut rein, perfekter daydrinking Soundtrack, "punkig" genug zum saufen, mellow genung zum entspannen. mir hats gfallen was die aus earm Zintrona grent nauszupfelt ham, subbrgeil. Leider nicht unbedingt ein Album das ich so hören würde. 3.5*
Muy años 90. Tengo buenos recuerdos de algunas de estas canciones pero no es un disco para tener como imprescindible. Lo mejor la versión de Mrs. Robinson que se añadió en ediciones posteriores del disco. Lo buenos es que es cortito y se oye en un suspiro. (las versiones Demo del Remastered las podéis obviar)
Only song I had previously heard was their Mrs Robinson cover. If this came out 10 years later, I would have been a big Lemonhead
I remember Evan Dando being a running joke during the last days of the weekly printed music press. I've no idea why and know nothing more about the Lemonheads. This album was ok. Not pushing any boundaries and not a great deal of variety, but enbenjoyable enough guitar pop rock album.
Never really caught the hype for the lemonheads at the time.....although I'd have been 12 when this album came out. Listening back, it's alright...... but I can't see it being particularly notable for any reason
Sounds a bit dated after all these years. Reminds me of my sister listening to it whilst full teenage angst.
Enjoyed the album. The cover of Mrs Robinson doesn't quite sit right with me though. Mostly because it isn't part of the original album and was only added because it was a popular. Added to that, the band's frontman doesn't even like the song or Paul Simon, and Paul Simon doesn't like the cover. What a shitshow 😂 It's clearly the biggest song on the album, except it isn't really on the album is it? 6/10
I would class it as Teenager rock, easy listening for me.. However, It is very simple and predictable, so I think is only ok. Very vanilla, but good Vanilla. 3/5
Punk... Não sei se há algum gênero musical mais genérico. O álbum em si não é mau, até é bastante catita, mas não consigo com Punk, não consigo achar piada nenhuma a isto. A melhor cantiga é o Frank Mills. Nota:5/10
The only Lemonheads song I knew was the cover of Mrs.robinson (which is a banger) good to hear some others
Fun, typical 90s indie-pop rock. Of note, their cover of Simon and Garfunkel's 'Mrs. Robinson' was the first alt cover that was a significant hit. All of the covers today whether good or bad are because of this.
Pretty decent alternative rock album. Definitely stands out from those of the 90's since it's not as grungy. It takes up roots in the punk genre while adding acoustic guitar flare. The first half of the album has most of the good tracks, by the end of the 2nd half everything starts to feel stale. It falls in the space between stud and dud. Favorite Song: It's A Shame About Ray Least Favorite: Ceiling Fan In My Spoon
31st August 2021 Listened in the morning and while waiting for jen to go to Costco to buy stuff for Cox, Dan and ailis coming round for dinner. I'd heard of the lemonheads from people like Edith bowman but didn't realise they were nirvana style grunge. I liked it.
Definitely is a 90s album. It is a decent album. The only song I knew was a cover song.
Classic 90's jingle-jangle guitar pop rock. This is music that could only have come out of that decade. Melodic, and nowhere near as dark as some of the music that was massive at the time. Evan Dando has such a knack for a tune. Gonna have a listen to their other albums now:-)
-Never heard of this band -Gives off a nostalgic vibe that I like -Who is Ray? -Favourite songs are Confetti, My Drug Buddy, Mrs Robinson
Beaucoup d'album dans ce genre dans la liste. Pas mauvais mais pas vraiment une révélation ni un de meilleurs dans la liste 3
A good solid, rocker. I almost took a star off of the rating for the intro to Bit Part though (annoys me every time I hear it). Great cover of Mrs. Robinson at the end too. Always loved the chords at the intro to Rudderless. A few tracks that I'm not crazy about (Turnpike Down, Bit Part and the Ceiling Fan in my Spoon song) but I'd say a solid 3.5 rounded down to 3. (it was that intro!)
Huge fan of this period of rock but not sure what is so amazing about this album. For sure there were a lot of bands with the Lemonheads sound after this album came out (especially in Canada) but I don't know if that was due to their inspiration or because these guys were what record companies were looking for then. I actually went back to this album over the summer thinking there's gotta be more to the band & album than their Mrs. Robinson remake. And there is but it's not earth shattering. It's melodic and catchy, with liberal arts grad school lyrics, and takes folk rock to alternative heights. But nothing overly memorable.
The vocalist sounds a LOT like Pat Dinizio of The Smithereens (that's not a bad thing). It's too bad most people think of the "Mrs. Robinson" cover; these songs are catchy. But that just might be the vocals for me.