Reviews (page 6 of 8)
This is decent American power pop. If you're into Pavement, Dinosaur Jr etc this will probably appeal to you. The title song and their Mrs Robinson cover are quite nice. Spotify features some demo versions and the acoustic version of Ray is a pleasant diversion.
ok
Another band I really didn't know, but I found myself really wrapped up in this album. It was very emotional and reminded me of my post adolescent years in New Jersey.
mr robinson bop
Lekker rustig lekker chill
En el seu moment sonava retro, ara sona taan '90s... Va ser el disc amb què es van donar a conèixer al gran públic, sobretot gràcies a la versió de 'Mrs Robinson'. Em quedaria amb el seu següent treball, que va ser la seva consolidació, però el peculiar estil de la banda i la personalitat d'Evan Dando, un dels personatges de la década, ja es deixaven notar aquí en tot el seu esplendor
Definitivamente la mejor es Mrs. Robinson pero el resto de las canciones se mantienen alrededor. No es que sea necesariamente mala pero creo que a disco le falta esa pizca de algo para parecerme muy bueno. Sólido 3.
Disquito noventero, con tintes como de Foo Fighters o Alice in Chains y en algunos momentos demasiado relax. Sin pena ni gloria junta su 3era estrella.
Weird sound, it does not have good quality
Early 90's alternative has not aged well. This is fine but really boring.
Hard to think of something good or bad to say about this album. It's a really solid three. Not even a 3.01 or a 2.99. Dead on balls 3.0.
It's a decent alt rock album from the 90s.
Even Dando's voice is rather bland and nothing special, and the music is pretty much the same from song to song - with a few exceptions. Track 13 Mrs Robinson - best track on the album. Track 14 Shaky Ground - Short but enjoyable. Throw the rest of the album away and keep Mrs Robinson!
Music isn’t catching me
Det var helt okej rowk music
Prefs: Rockin' Stroll, It's a Shame About Ray, Alison's Starting To Happen, Ceiling Fan in My Spoon, Frank Mills, Mrs. Robinson Moins pref: My Drug Buddy
Pretty good 90 alt rock
I didn't remember who The Lemonheads were, but I did recognize their cover of Mrs. Robinson. I'm not sure what it says about you as a band as it pertains to this challenge when you're by far most known for a cover song, but hey. This was definitely a good example of the 1990s alt rock sound. That said, it was also pretty generic and I feel like there are better examples of 90s alt rock from bands who were pioneers in this genre. Overall, though, most of the songs on this album were still fun, enjoyable listens. I'd rank this higher than a 3, but less than a 4...ultimately still closer to the 3 mark, I guess.
Solid 90s vibe
I don't remember much about this but I think it was fine?
Had heard of the Lemonheads, but never really paid attention. It's good stuff.
Decent album. It could grow on me after a few listens.
Pleasant and inoffensive but nothing special or groundbreaking. It brings back pleasant memories of the early 90s. This is often included in best 'alternative', 'independant' or '90s' albums but it's sad that the height of the album is a cover that was only sewn on when it became a hit.
I like them best when acoustic. Felt major Costello vibes at times. Overall, liked it fine but it doesn’t excite me.
Thoroughly enjoyable, nothing much that's eye-opening or inventive. Early 90s radio. Mrs. Robinson cover is pretty good. If you're wondering what other song sounds like "My Drug Buddy"... took me a while, but I think it's Dirty Work by Steely Dan.
I think some of the reviews here saying all the songs sound exactly the same is quite the exaggeration, unless sticking to one genre constitutes as that nowadays. Songs were enjoyable if a little simple, but sometimes something more lighthearted is good. I may be bias though, my parent's showed me Lemonheads at a young age, so I may be going easy on it.
Well, when I think early '90s movies, this pretty much could have been the soundtrack to any of them. Straightforward alt jangle Pop/rock.
As far as the main selection of the album goes, it's pretty middle of the road. It doesn't do anything amazing or mindblowing, but it's not doing anything terrible, either. However, it really picks up with the acoustic and demo tracks into a much more interesting and beautiful sound. But it feels weird to rate an album so highly based on bonus tracks, so, 3/5.
Mrs Robinson cover was good. Cant remember what movie that was in. I like the punk/ska feel to this album.
I wasn't familiar with The Lemonheads before although I think I've heard their cover of Mrs. Robinson before. I think I can describe this album bast as a typical 90's indie rock album. They don't have that 'unique' sound. Makes me feel like putting on some R.E.M. of Counting Crows, because that's what I associate this albums music with. It has that feel of 'overthinking life/tough life choice moment' you see in series/movies sometimes which is complimented with a slow indie rock ballad like song to close the scene. That what I think off when listen to these song. Not bad, but not awesome either. I think I prefer the Crows or R.E.M. instead tbh.
Interesante estilo, no es mi preferido pero pasé un buen rato y me llevo algunas canciones para tener en el repertorio de canciones "arriba"
Mediocre and generic.
bleh, fine. A bit flat. "Its a shame about ray" was probs the highlight, i know thats boring AF but so was this album.
Nice album with a tremendous version of "Mrs Robinson". Classical 90's rock sound.
OK background album, first few songs are best
Mrs. Robinson is the banger of this album. The rest feels very garage band with a few pop punk crowd pleasers sprinkled in.
Its a shame is too good
I didn't find anything remarkable about this album. Just a middle-of-the-road, alternative rock album. The cover of Mrs. Robinson was the best track, and it wasn't close.
Rant time. No disrespect to the Lemonheads—after all I’m giving this album 2 more stars than Tubular Bells—however, I’d argue that Tubular Bells belongs on this list more than this album, despite the fact I’d listen to the Lemonheads over Tubular Bells any day. I say this after having investigated what is and, importantly, is not included in the 1001 albums list from the book. So… this over several missing albums? No. This over several over-represented artists on this list? Yes. Rant over. Thank you Mr Dando.
Not heard of the Lemonheads before but really enjoyed the unapologetically 90s vibes
Pretty boring album. The only song that stood out was a Simon amd Garfunkle cover of Mrs. Robinson.
Wasn't convinced on first listen but second and third time around I really enjoyed it. Good summer vibes.
Great album, with a really lovely energy
I enjoyed this album very much.
Other than Shame about Ray and Mrs. Robinson, lots of same sounding music.
Rating: 6/10
Sounds like any generic 90's band that you'd expect to find in the soundtrack of a bad movie, but that's not necessarily a bad thing.
Du punk rock ok, sans plus
Might be worth anther chance but sounded fairly basic on first run through
early 90s alt rock. every song very similar and guitar remains dull throughout. not particularly memorable and no song in the album tries anything new or experimental. best song in the album is a cover. would not listen again 2.8/5
Pretty decent set of songs. They go by real quick though not everything gives off a lasting impression. Surprisingly the singles for this were not my favorite, and instead some of the deep-cuts caught my attention more.
I saw the Lemonheads open for Dinosaur Jr last year. I think it was to advertise for the 30th anniversary of this album actually. I thought they sucked except for the drummer. That drummer was crazy whoever it was (I bet it was a random guy to fill in). There was a middle-aged fanboy there, and I thought "geesh is this the type of forgotten 90s bands people talk about that appeal to this demographic?" Well, I actually appreciate them much more listening to this album in its entirety. Alternative rock is a broad genre that became mainstream in the 90s, but this actually came a bit too early, even before grunge took the whole market, so despite fitting in with the aesthetic, it more so aligns with a power-pop movement that was happening the same time, which would soon evolve into pop punk. I'm pretty sure it aligns with this movement not just because the vocals and melody sound like power-pop, but because there's a jangly guitar that matches adjacent alt rock 80s bands like REM and Replacements. Wikipedia labels it as grunge, and I could see some signs of it with the distorted guitar and deep bass, but I theorize that mostly follows from popular noise rock acts like *cough* Dinosaur Jr, Sonic Youth, or the Pixies. Genre discussion aside, it's a pleasing listen difficult to despise. There are a lot of duds, but on the bright side the songs are short (nearly half are under 2 minutes), so if you tire of an idea, just wait another minute. I can't tell if I like or dislike Juliana's contributions. I like the slide guitar happy tropical sound in "Hannah and Gabi." The mood is cheery in general, but it gets heavier in the last few tracks. I like the style and it has its highlights, but I wouldn't consider them influential or essential. Favorites: It's a Shame About Ray, Rudderless, My Drug Buddy, Bit Part
It's nice, reasonably inoffensive, no particularly strong feelings either way. The songs Triple J used to play back in the day were the best ones on the album.
Pretty generic but actually quite fun
No doubt this was made in the early 90s. Fun cover of Mrs. Robinson, otherwise not very memorable.
The Mrs. Robinson cover slaps
100% 90's Alt-rock album.
The Lemonheads (and Evan Dando) always show up on lists of super influential early 90s bands. While I feel the music is decent, I don't find anything about it particularly interesting or captivating. I also can't STAND Mrs. Robinson...such an overplayed song. Overall an average record. 3/5
decent 90's alternative
Perfectly ok.
American Brit pop, which is odd as a concept! Good, but not great, with the title track and the cover of Mrs Robinson being the most immediate tracks. Plenty of other decent songs too though. One other thing: the audio quality of some of the bonus tracks sounds like a cassette taped from a vinyl record that had been left in the sun - so much hiss and pop!
Ok, it's nice to listen to 3
very 90s sounding. Other than the 2 songs I recognize from radio play in the 90s, it all sounds very similar.
I thought this one was pretty good. The songs here are pretty basic stuff, but well-made. There's some nice solos on here, particularly on 'confetti' and the title track. Overall I think this one is a three stars. It's good, but the songs aren't really adventurous or inventive enough to warrant anything more.
Pretty good chilled out pop tunes! Quite enjoyed this one!
Who let the lemonheads into the room
quand la vie te donne des citrons, fais des chansons pas dingo par contre des bonnes reprises oui j'ai bien aimé Frank Mills
I like this album 3/5
Genre: Power Pop 3/5 This is the most album-ass album I've heard all week. A 90s rock album that does everything, and sounds like everything, which has preceded it. There is truly nothing very interesting, except for some fun chordplay from lead guitarist/singer Evan Dando, but the vocals are bland, and the production is as stale as ever. This album could pass off as the CD the band who plays at the bar down the street made. A good album by the band who plays at the bar down the street, but that's really about it. Certainly does not feel like an essential listen, and not one needed to be listened to before death, but it was peppy, inoffensive, and made me tap my foot. All you can ask for in a "power pop" record. Even one as remarkably dull as this.
Kitchen Spicy but not liquor, funny how the fruit and the radio come out at the same time. So it's a shame about Ray, isn't it? A great soft rock / nearly punk album release at the beginning of the growing hip-hop songs and trash metal albums, being now for 3 decades a record lost in time and space. I think that people are never satisfied, "songs too long (too short in this case)", "too many tracks on the album", "it's a shame because the tracks are the same" and stuff like that. 1992 was great year of music and certainly Lemonheads were one of the lost boys that hope people listen to, but they were focused in other names, well, it's a shame about them…. B-
Decent. 6/10
Was ok. Not very memorable
Nice. nothing special.
I am not familiar with THE LEMONHEADS’s music, but I am aware of their existence After to listening to IT’S A SHAME ABOUT RAY, the album on the whole is pleasant enough to listen to, but it is average Alternative Rock. In 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die, IT’S A SHAME ABOUT RAY is the only album included. Rate Artist: THE LEMONHEADS (3.0) Rate Album (Year): IT’S A SHAME ABOUT RAY (1992 Original) (4.0) Rate Album (Year): IT’S A SHAME ABOUT RAY (1993 Japanese) (4.0) Rate Album (Year): IT’S A SHAME ABOUT RAY (1993 Rhino Collector’s Edition) (3.5) Ranking of THE LEMONHEADS - IT’S A SHAME ABOUT RAY songs No. Title Length Ranking 01) "Rockin Stroll" 1:48 09.0/10 02) "Confetti" 2:47 07.0/10 03) "It's a Shame About Ray" 3:08 08.0/10 04) "Rudderless" 3:21 08.0/10 05) "My Drug Buddy" 2:52 08.0/10 06) "The Turnpike Down" 2:34 08.0/10 07) "Bit Part" (studio version) 1:52 09.0/10 08) "Alison's Starting to Happen" 2:00 08.0/10 09) "Hannah & Gabi" 2:41 08.0/10 10) "Kitchen" 2:55 09.0/10 11) "Ceiling Fan in My Spoon" 2:00 07.0/10 12) "Frank Mills" 1:45 06.0/10 Original 1992 Release 95.0/120 = 7.92 / 2 = 3.96 Re-release bonus track 13) "Mrs. Robinson" 3:45 07.0/10 Bonus material 14) "Shaky Ground" (B-side) 1:49 06.0/10 15) "It's a Shame About Ray" (demo version) 2:57 07.0/10 16) "Rockin Stroll" (demo version) 1:49 08.0/10 17) "My Drug Buddy" (demo version) 2:47 07.0/10 18) "Hannah & Gabi" (demo version) 2:27 07.0/10 19) "Kitchen" (demo version) 3:13 08.0/10 20) "Bit Part" (demo version) 1:55 08.0/10 21) "Rudderless" (demo version) 3:21 07.0/10 22) "Ceiling Fan in My Spoon" (demo version) 2:18 06.0/10 23) "Confetti" (demo version) 1:16 06.0/10 Rhino 1993 Release 172.0/230 = 7.48 / 2 = 3.74
The Lemonheads’ “It’s A Shame About Ray” kind of sounds like the bridge between Elvis Costello and emo. And yet it's perfectly tolerable. Not special though. The addition of the “Mrs. Robinson” cover in the reissue might have given the album the special honor of highest percentage of songs named after people. But I still don’t know about Ray. What was such a shame??
When Evan and Juliana are singing together I perk up. There voices blend well (Drug Buddy). Bit Part is good. Energy to write more depleted.
Decent alt rock. Very '90s
It's alright, for being a genre that I don't enjoy too much
Second half of the album made it. Possibility to be great but first half is very forgettable
Fun flashback
Lighter punk feel. Easy listening for the style of music and a couple of the "hits" on this album.
Thoroughly enjoyable, nothing much that's eye-opening or inventive. Early 90s radio. Mrs. Robinson cover is pretty good. If you're wondering what other song sounds like "My Drug Buddy"... took me a while, but I think it's Dirty Work by Steely Dan.
Good energy. 5/10
Pretty solid! Very straightforward alternative rock, these guys aren't just a one-hit-wonder.
It's pretty good, solid 3
This is for you Mrs. Robinson
Similar vibe to Learning to Fly
7/10
Wat makkelijk verteerbare pop-punk. Niet erg memorabel album. De 'Mrs Robinson'-cover zou het album een sterretje meer geven, maar aangezien ik enkel rekening houd met de originele versies, blijft het maar op de middelmaat
This was one of the first CDs I owned but I don't particularly have a ton of nostalgia for it. Kinda surprised it's on this list.
It's ok. Actually liked the demos better than the produced tracks. Pretty standard 90s alt-rock.
3/5 interesting but no
Outside of the cover of Mrs. Robinson which I've heard many times, I found this album to be pretty generic. Nothing really stuck out. Not bad, but also no reason to listen to again. 3.
Really liked the Demo versions of the songs. The album versions sound like someone told them to make the songs as generic as possible.
No sabría bien qué decir de este disco. Pensé que iba a ser malísimo y nada que ver. La tapa es sugiere ese pensamiento.
Hi: Ceiling Fan in My Spoon, Allison Is Starting to Happen Lo: Rudderless, Frank Mills, Mrs. Robinson Ever heard of the 90's? oh you have? Then have you heard that song with the not-too-crunchy guitar, not-too-whiny voice singing about a girl he likes or his friend that does drugs or some everyday random observation...and it's short and punchy...You know the one right? It's basically every 90's alternogrunge, Dinosaur Jr, Buffalo Tom, most of the Reality Bites soundtrack, or spinning in Rachel Greene's Discman. I don't know if the Lemonheads invented the sound, but one listen and you know exactly what decade it is, because it perfectly encapsulates the whole decade, either because it's the template or it's just so generic. I don't know...There are some serious clunkers on this album. Rudderless sounds like a skipping record, Frank Mills is a meandering lukewarm attempt, and I have never been a fan of the Mrs. Robinson cover...On the other hand, It's a Shame About Ray isn't a shame at all, it's soulful and sappy. Alison is bouncy and enjoyable...Ceiling Fan is catchy, pointless, and fun. 3 stars.
The compositions are the same. Such teenage pop punk. Music for jumping. But behind the general rhythmic uniformity, there are interesting instrumental inclusions. The Best - Ceiling fan in my spoon
This type of pop-rock is a secret pleasure of mine.
not amazing not bad, one banger
Mag das Album sehr, bin mir aber nicht so sicher warum das auf der Liste ist. War das im Musikjahr 1992 wirklich einer der größten Würfe? Evan singt jedenfalls schön, und Juliana Hatfields Präsenz finde ich ebenfalls sehr angenehm. Immer wieder auch interessant das Wissen um die allumfassende Fertigkeit der Protagonisten (auch schon damals) und ihren doch so freundlich und nett erscheinenden Output. Ach so, recht stümperhafte Produktion auch, ist mir erst jetzt aufgefallen.
Not bad. Great Mrs. Robinson cover
Good album, not really my genre
I thought it was fun and I like the music I did an absolutely love the singing but I don’t like it overall it was a good beat and yeah
Mixed emotions.
1992...yep.
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.
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.
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!)
Beaucoup d'album dans ce genre dans la liste. Pas mauvais mais pas vraiment une révélation ni un de meilleurs dans la liste 3
-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
3.5
rudderless çok güzel ama keşke kapak picsarttan yapılmış gibi gözükmese
Ne dusunecegimi bilemedim bu album hakkinda
Saved Prior: None Off Rip: Confetti, Rudderless, Bit Part, Alison's Starting to Happen, Hannah & Gabi, Kitchen Cutting Edge: None Overall Notes: I cannot for the life of me come up with one single reason why this album is here. Negligible cultural impact, negligible musical impact, negligible chart success. It's fine music, nothing really to complain about musically and I can see how critics would eat this up I guess. Dozens of albums get this amount of critical acclaim every year and yet this one gets on here. I would accuse them of bribing their way in but they didn't sell enough fucking units to do that. It blows my mind that this inconsequential good-mood grunge gets a spot on this list. I understand that this is a pretty harsh review for something I'm about to give 3 stars (it is a good album and I do genuinely like this genre of music) but this still feels like a wasted spot.
Not bad
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:-)
Definitely is a 90s album. It is a decent album. The only song I knew was a cover song.
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.
pretty bland honestly
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
it's fine, not outstanding i would say
swift and straight to the heart. I like it although I think int not that relevant.
Sort of washed over me not offensive not great just there in my ears.
Bastante promedio
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.
it's alright
An interesting blend of 90s pop & country sensibility.
its a shame about this album
A mediocre rock album, although with no definite faults. 7.0/10
Not bad. Simon and Gar can suck it
It was good, but nothing special. Pretty average rock.
Nice to have something that really screams "90s".
The only Lemonheads song I knew was the cover of Mrs.robinson (which is a banger) good to hear some others
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
Liked this a lot.
Nice inoffensive, stuff with a couple of classics with a small ‘c’
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
.
American slacker fun.
I liked it, but it's pretty generic 90's alt rock.
Grungy rock type stuff. It’s alright
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
Sounds a bit dated after all these years. Reminds me of my sister listening to it whilst full teenage angst.
Good energy and a great alternative style cover as the showpiece
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
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.
Quite enjoyed this, seems like a bridge between grunge and american pop punk
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
Pretty chill album might listen to again. Picked a good couple of songs
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)
3 - cooler than expected
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*
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
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!
I’m certain I would love this if I got into it in the nineties. But I didnt so now it meh.
Good, would listen again
It was fine
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.
Fico ruim nao
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!
it was ok
It's a goodun but not wholly memorable
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.
90s indie/college rock. Power pop. Sounds like Elvis Costello
Cool one, like it
“Californian” commercial rock
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.
It's a shame this is on the list. It's just 90s rock with lethargic vocals. Nothing at all is standout. It doesn't make me feel anything. There's no dynamism, no variety, just bleh. It's listenable but has zero edge, a backing track to a lazy summers day.
Spiritually Australian?
Utterly forgettable alt rock with a certain sleazyness to it that really wears itself out after a few songs. Uninspired and bland, but not offensively bad at least. The Mrs. Robinson cover is certainly there I suppose, it's definitely a song... That can honestly be said about most songs on this album. They're just kinda there. 2/5.
Felt like some mediocre 90's alt rock. Not bad, but also not great. I don't know The Lemonheads but if this album is an indication they found their lane and stuck to it. Most of the songs were very similar with a lot of down-the-middle choices. I stuck around for the added Mrs. Robinson cover which I realized I was already familiar with and was yet another mediocre production. If you were into the 90's alt rock scene, or following Boston bands specifically maybe Lemonheads did something to stand out but 30 years later I got nothing. Any individual song on this album isn't bad, but it does little to wow me in any way. The whole thing was kinda wimpy and sappy but maybe that was just the style at the time. When the album wrapped it was forgettable so I won't be surprised if a couple years from now I don't have any recollection of listening to this album. 1.61 stars
Another one hot album. Generic 90s alt band trying to sound punkbbut sounds like every other generic 90s alt band thats trying to sound punk
I never really got the Lemonheads. They're fine but they don't blow me away.
far too long with this ....why do we need 3 versions of most songs
A perfectly acceptable pop album, but not for me.
Very 90’s. I’m not sure how this band got so popular back then. This whole album was so bland. This is the band playing in the background of a teen house party in a 90’s movie. Even worse, I had to suffer through all the songs a second time but the DEMO version.
I know the name Lemonheads, and for some reason, I know the name of the lead singer, Evan Dando. But I'm not sure I know any of their songs. I must have heard or seen them on MTV back in the 90's. I assume they are that kind of '90s softish rock that was popular back then. I also noticed Juliana Hatfield plays bass in this album. I remember the Juliana Hatfield Band, or Trio, from around this time as well. I'm not sure I remember a song of theirs, either. This album came out in June 1992. Regardless, I'm going in blind, just like I like it. I also like that the album is just 12 songs, with each song under or around 3 minutes, and several under 2. That gives me punk vibes, which would be cool. Track 1 is Rockin' Stroll. Okay, the guitars are acoustic feeling, though an electric guitar is being played. Hatfield's bassline is very '90s-sounding, though that could just be the production style back then. The band is a trio with David Ryan on drums, but near the middle part of the song, I hear an organ playing, just adding another layer. There is no guitar solo, though an electric guitar shows up in the second half of the song to play a nice rock riff. The song seems to be about a kid in a stroller whose mom is taking for a "rockin' stroll." The point of view is interesting, but the song isn't that great, really. Track 2 is Confetti and it's another song that sounds like just acoustic guitars are playing, but there is at least one electric guitar. I really didn't hear an electric guitar until Dando played a neat little Ace Frehley-like solo in parts. It's weird, the Lemonheads seem to be really good at making the sound of electric guitars disappear on a song. Not sure that's a good thing. This song sounds kind of like the first song. The lyrics aren't crazy interesting. I'm not sure what caught critics' ears. The music isn't bad, in fact, it's good, but I've heard other bands do it better. Track 3 is It's a Shame About Ray and this was the first single off the album. The single made the top 30 on the Billboard 200. I like this song. It still sounds like it's an acoustic song, but there is a nice guitar riff in places. It kind of gives me a Cheap Trick vibe, musically. I also feel a bit of Foo Fighters during the chorus, maybe a slow version of Monkey Wrench. They get in and get out in 3 minutes, which is nice. I will give Dando credit. He knows how to say what he needs to say and do so efficiently. That was a knock I had on Kid Rock when he decided the hip-hop grift had played out, and he moved on to the country music grift. Old Bob Ritchie couldn't figure out how to end a song. He writes 5-minute songs that need to be 3 minutes long. But when you're not a natural songwriter, you don't know those things and apparently never learn. Track 4 is Rudderless, and the opening riff has some dissonance in it that is intriguing. Hatfield gets some time to shine singing backing vocals. Oh, that middle section is really good. Maybe the best part of the album. I really liked this song. Track 5 is My Drug Buddy, which they retitled as Buddy because I guess kids didn't know about drugs in 1992. The adults had to keep kids from finding out about drugs, and one good way was changing the title of this song, rather than just talking to their kids about drugs. That way, when little Johnnie starts doing drugs, parents can blame the Lemonheads rather than bad parenting. Good thinking, adults. The title was changed back to My Drug Buddy after a little time passed. The song starts out with an organ that plays a melody that sounds like Steely Dan's song Dirty Work, so I already love this track. The song is about a dude who loves the girl he does drugs with. Simple. I assume she just loves doing drugs with him. But he seems to be too afraid to truly find out if he has a chance with her, so he just keeps doing drugs with her. It's kind of a sad song, really Track 7 is Bit Part. The song is nothing special, really. But the lyrics are quite funny. The guy singing just wants a bit part in this girl's life. He's not asking to be the main star or even a supporting actor. He'll take a bit part. Just a little more than a stand-in. Dando is quite the poet, but the music is just that poppy rock music that was huge on the radio and MTV at the time. It's almost folk rock. Never been my cup of tea. Track 8 is Alison's Starting to Happen. This song is fun as hell. It's about the blossoming love of a guy for a girl named Alison. Alison doesn't know it yet, and maybe he's a bit stalkerish. The song has some great sounding guitars. It's the first song that sounded like a pure rock song with electric guitars. I think it should have been a single. Probably my favorite song on the album. Track 9 is Hannah & Gabi, and speaking of Steely Dan, Jeff "Skunk" Baxter, guitarist for Steely Dan and the Doobie Brothers, plays slide guitar on this song. This song is very country-sounding. Baxter's slide sounds like a lap steel guitar, which makes it country to my ears. It's a nice, mellow song. I really like it. Track 9 is Kitchen, and it sounds like the 90s through an R.E.M. filter. It gets better when the bongos come in midway through, but otherwise, it's just 90s rock. Track 10 is Ceiling Fan in my Soup. This is a rock song. It's very punky. The lyrics are weird. I'm assuming the song is about mental illness. The singer says he feels like a bent fork tine. That's a great line. The song is quick and pretty good. Track 11 is Frank Mills. The song sounds like Dando with an acoustic guitar, just letting it rip for one take. There is also someone in the room playing percussion, but the percussion instrument seems to be someone's chest or back being patted by someone's hands. The song has goofy lyrics, which Dando seems to be able to crank out at will, but it's not anything particularly memorable. Track 12 is a cover of Simon and Garfunkel's Mrs. Robinson. It was the second single off the album, though it wasn't originally on the album/ It was added as a bonus track in later pressings as their version of the song became a worldwide hit. The song was recorded for an anniversary tribute to The Graduate's soundtrack. Now that I hear this, I think I remember it from that time. The song was in the top ten on the Billboard Modern Rock tracks. Nic Dalton played bass on the song instead of Hatfield, as she was already out of the band by the time of the recording. The song is an all-time classic, and while the Lemonheads don't really change much, just the addition of chugging guitars and rock drums is a huge change sound-wise. I can see why this was a hit. It's a great song. Dalton's bass really stands out, too. I have to say, while there were some good songs on here, I'm still kind of surprised it's on the list. Maybe I'm thinking too small, and 1,001 albums are a lot more than I think. I guess I'm thinking these albums should be 5-star bangers, and this is a 3-star alrighter, at least to me. If you want a great example of what 90s rock radio sounded like, minus the Seattle sound, then this album is a good one to listen to. Otherwise, it just didn't blow me away.
I liked the combo of Bit Part in Your Life and Alison’s Starting to happen. Overall not for me but this must have gone so hard if you were 15 in 1992 and liked skateboarding and were in love with the weirdest girl in your class and considering becoming a stoner. There is sweetness throughout and I can see why people like them but musically it did not Excite me and I think I am prejudiced against (some) American Things.
I think the Mrs Robinson cover really skews this album. The rest is fine to bland - but damn it they did a great job on that cover
This was mostly bland alt rock, with few interesting aspects at all.
only not giving this 1 star because of mrs robinson
..
Way too generic for my liking. Shockingly so. Beyond the title track and Mrs Robinson cover there's just nothing to remark on. At least the songs are concise, but there's a noticeable lack of any signature stand out moments to keep me engaged
[album #13] just boring. The mrs robinson cover was so bad. the rest of the album wasn’t awful but there was nothing special imo. 2/5
Boring
Personally I didn’t really like this album except rudderless
90s alt pop-rock movie b-roll soundtrack
I had a great opening line for this review; “I didn’t give a fuck about The Lemonheads then and, having listened to this, I don’t give a fuck about them now,” but that’s probably too harsh. It sort of grew in me. It’s not as egregious as Travis in being MOR wank. It reminds me of 90s / Gen X / Slacker vibes, which is nice. I feel like I am in the film Ghost World or something. But it’s also a bit boring. Nice but dim. Fine. Whatever. (Which, at least, is an attitude which befits the vibe.)
Alright.
Just no for my taste
Sobrevalorado
Sounds like the background music for a early 2000 sitcom. Pretty mid overall.
Fun but forgettable, probably won't listen to it again
Lemonheads spelades mycket i Hassan vill jag minnas. Collegeradiorock snarare än indie och på det hela taget ganska ljummet. Men dom ska ha kredd för att dom aldrig försöker vara särskilt tuffa. "Mrs. Robinson" har jag nog hört oftare med LH än originalet, så det är såhär jag tror den ska låta. Men den ingår ju faktiskt inte på USA-original cdn. Titelspåret, "Confetti" och "Alison..." tycker jag rätt bra om men det stannar typ där, det är för mycket 90talets radiovälling för min smak. Om man man röka morötter blir det en tvåa
Har för mig att man gillade Lemonheads när det begav sig. Kanske inte den 90-talsindie som gått hårdast i stereon därefter. Men visst här finns en del trevligt att lyssna på. Som titelspåret och My drug buddy. Som helhet håller det emellertid inte. Man ligger rätt ofta farligt när den förfärliga amerikanska highschoolindien. Eller som i the Kitchen som blir mycket signaturmelodin till Vänner.
I’ve always thought that if they hadn’t done the Mrs Robinson cover, then this album would have never gotten any interest given the rest of it is just a drab lifeless version of everything that was way better than it at the time. Also, his voice just sounds like Elvis Costello. Hope that’s spoiled it for a few people. You’re welcome….
ok
It’s an ok early 90s rock record. Kind of sounds like a mix between REM and British rock from that era. 2.6/5.0
It’s not a good sign when the best song in the album (by far) is a cover. Although Mrs. Robinson was pretty peppy and fun - enough to pull this out of 1 star territory. Otherwise it was pretty bland. For mid 90s pseudo indy sound, let’s just do Alanis or Barenaked Ladies. Even Counting Crows in a pinch.
Very boring one. You can’t say it’s no good, but is this a must listen one? Ask yourself.
Its an ok album but I find it to be too jangly and safe for my tastes. I do give them credit though by managing to combine grunge with pop punk, sort of like Silverchair meets Ramones. I am familiar with Mrs Robinson which is an ok song but that's about it. Didn't know it was a cover though.
Es un rock pop con algunas melodías pegajosas No hubo más que destacar del álbum, no es malo en si, simplemente no sobresale en su gran mayoría desde mi humilde perspectiva
The music is upbeat and jangly, the singing has a kind of emotionless/flat delivery, and it just doesn’t work for me. - In spite of my tepid feelings toward the album, I wound up listening to the bonus demo versions at the end, and I preferred their grittier, lo-fi sound. In the end, it wasn’t too bad - just bland. 2.5
Catchy and kinda charming I guess, but man is it same-y. Kind of like your useless stoner buddy. Good in small doses but lacks much real appeal.
This is just fine? Like non offensive but not interesting at all. "Mrs. Robinson" was basically the most interesting thing on here, and it's never good when the best song on the album is a cover.
Flojito, debe haber al menos 1000 discos que suenan exactamente igual.
Would be a great Tumblr profile, maybe even a good substack writer, but the melodies are just generic. Great lyrics that I wish someone made a somber recording (not the way they did Mrs. Robinson) Drug Buddy is very solid, though Favorite track: Drug Buddy
Too poppy punk
Maso
The kinda songs you skip in a Tony Hawk game
Meh
This isn't bad per se, but it's pretty boring. It's like a pastiche of the most forgettable parts of 90s rock: non-descript electric rhythm guitar, like someone had bleached all the tone from whatever amps they used in post, with someone who can't quite sing pretending to sing/talk at the same time, drums that may as well have been programmed, and song structures that feel like they were written to be tv/movie opening/credits backing. I really have no idea why this is on here.
Not for me
Лучшая песня: Ms Robinson Худшая: Все остальное Очередная безликая музяка с ленивым вокалом чувака, которого будто заставляют петь. Даже кавер на Саймон и Гарфанкел звучит уныло
Не совсем поняла, что этот альбом в принципе делает в подборке. Достаточно базовое гитарное звучание, неужели один -единственный кавер на Саймона и Гарфункеля имеет такой вес? Плюс были сложности в прослушивании первой половины альбома из-за проблем со связью. Вторая его часть с демоверсиями тех же треков показалась душевнее что ли
2.08
Eh
It’s a shame about remembering this album after it ends. 4/10
Overall, not a bad album, it was alright having it in the background, but maybe a little bit meh listening to it nowadays.
This album was fine. It sounds good, but it didn’t do much to grab my interest and was just kinda there.
Listened halfway through to my way to work and I still don't get this pop punk stuff, it's way too sanitized and boring to me, probably 2 stars
- ..... meh. -
Vocalist sounds sedated.
Breezy indie rock from 1992 that sort of drifts by without much of an impact. A cheeky cover of Mrs Robinson by Simon & Garfunkel is by far the best thing on here with the rest of the tracks being a case of diminishing returns with dour lyrics about taking drugs, homeless teens and cheating in relationships, over the top of jangly guitars. Giving this two stars for Mrs Robinson alone
mh nicht so gut gealtert na ja ...c
2.5
picks: it's a shame about ray, mrs.robinson
It's jangly, it's harmless, it's simple and it's fine. I don't understand why it belongs on this list.
Good on the more acoustic, chill and slow songs, but not something I would probably come back to. Low rating probably due to the comparative context of this list. I think theres probably better stuff in the 90s that could replace this one. Interesting to listen something new though
Bland, powerless
It was not very memorable for me
Son todos los temas iguales
didn't like it then, don't like it now
meh
Dreary.
Was alright, and I agree it is a shame about ray.
Should have heard this when I was 12. It is pretty catchy at times but I don't connect with it on any kind of meaningful way.
eh, it was fast. Basement album
I had to listen to this before I die??
For a band from the 80's with such a sour and wry name this record comes across as very earnest and pleasant. More like The Minty Antacids. I do hear some Hüsker Dü in there, but leaning more toward sappy steel guitar and Monkees wholesomeness. It's a nice band, but the demons possessing me revolted. I know it's just me, but I needed a blasting, bombastic palate cleanser after half an hour working up to dry heaves.
more music you'd hear in a 90s teenage coming of age movie
1/23/26. Just meh, thought a lot of the songs went nowhere but still sounded okay. To my ear, it's REM with Scott Weiland as the front man with a straightforward pop sense.
It's alright! Very inoffensive, but very samey and like...I mean inoffensive in a derogatory way haha. I did like Shakey Ground though, and the woman's rage intro at the start of Bit Part.
One great cover, the rest soso
Every song on this album was the same. I don't get why this needed a full album. That 1 song wasn't bad, but I was hoping for something more than that.
stale, so so stale
pretty okay. kind of nothing special, but like my ears weren’t hurting after listening rating: 4.5/10 fav track: mrs robinson (not even by them)
Some of the most generic “alternative” music I’ve ever heard.
I bet this album would rule if you grew up hearing it a lot. To my new ears though it’s boring - nothing really surprising in chords, song structure, melody, production. Might prefer Sepultura to this. This week I saw a video of Third Eye Blind playing “Graduate” live back in the 90s, and I’ve been replaying that self-titled album a lot. That’s a 90s album that ticks those boxes. Incredible album, so many hits, and looking at the other contemporary albums in this list, a crazy omission.
Dull
Fint nok. Meget 90er.
Decent but generic 90s white guy soft rock
Really didn't like this era of music. Seemed like Grunge Lite and everything sounded the same from so many bands. Lost interest in listening to music during the early 90s due to this.
Nothing got me going in this album. It was dry from start to finish. Mrs. Robertson was the only song kind of ok. But even then.
Jangly early 90s rock. Meh.
Jangly guitars are go! Sounds very of its era now. Not very original to be honest. Just sounds like any number of bands from that time. It’s decent. Not really doing much for me. 2.5 rounded down to a 2
nothing
2.5 sounds like the soundtrack to some sitcom like Friends.
'I'm still aware of little, but I'm gonna try'; 'It slipped my mind that I could use my brain.' The Lemonheads makes short and catchy tracks that unite the lyricism of Elvis Costello w/ the slacker poses of Pavement. Yet, their catchiness never catches fire, and as one song starts to bleed into another, Evan Dando's voice dawdles and exasperates more and more. It's a shame - I dig their ethos of simplicity and curtness - but they simply don't explore enuf for me to bother: their enervation spells out an indifference even the grandest slackers don't assume. Their cover of S&G is, in fact, the best 3 mins on the record, which says a lot about their inability to invent a serious or memorable sound. The nineties had a whole lot to offer better than this.
The only reason I am not rating this as a "one-star album" is that it houses one of the greatest cover songs ever recorded. Pretty forgettable.
This is shockingly dull. Not much to say, but I really cannot see how this is different from any of the other poprock acts of the 90s-00s. I guess it's useful as an example of what was going on? This is a 2 at best. And only because it's not actively offensive to my ears.
Very bland and mediocre.
Aggressively mid. 2/5 Highlights: My Drug Buddy Frank Mills
This is ok but it's a bit bland. The songs all have a very similar jangly, strummed guitar style and tempo. I didn't hate it but I didn't find it remotely memorable I had time to give it another listen, which i don't normally do, but thought it was worth a go and I then decided to downgrade from 3 to 2. It didn't grow on me at all
Generic '90s indie pop with no grit nor flesh.
Exactly what you expect from 1992 indie rock. There are tons of bands and sounds like this. It's annoying. Very similar songs, jangly indie pop and lacking the emotional centre of grunge. Sounds like depressed suburbs teenagers. Best song is a cover which is always a yikes
2,5/5 i found it boring overall
This kinda woulda sorta shoulda rocked. Dave Grohl clearly loved it and incorporated the best parts into the Foo Fighters.
Ok, but all the songs sound the same 2/5
It's a shame about the blandness. Two-chord wannabe grunge that can't even commit to electric guitars.
Saturday morning cartoon music.
It’s rock ‘n roll with no emotion. The music is decent but there’s nothing to connect with; The remake of Mrs. Robinson might be the only exception there. A couple of the songs (like Rockin’ Stroll and My Drug Buddy) should never have been recorded. They sound like someone broke out a guitar while sitting around a campfire and this was the result. One and done for me. I’ll never listen to this album again.
This keeps to the predictable patterns of 90s alternative. I like Juliana Hatfield’s other work fine, but there’s really nothing exciting or exceptional here. And, for the love of whatever you consider holy, why give us multiple versions of the same songs? I know it’s the ‘deluxe edition’, but do I really need multiple shots at a song like My Drug Buddy? Was there a deeper level to the story about waking up and calling your dealer to get the same drugs you got yesterday that I missed the first time? I didn’t think so. I would humbly offer that, no, we didn’t need multiple versions of that song on this album and probably not the other eight either. It’s a shame about ego.
Kinda generic indie rock sounding stuff. Meh. Two stars. Bad singer.
Day 82 This is fine but one I’m unlikely to ever return to bar a couple of songs. 5/10 Highlights My Drug Buddy Bit Part
Albummet falder ikke indenfor min musiksmag. Jeg kunne forestille mig at nostalgi kunne have en større indvirkning og der er nogle sange der er gode.
3 is nice enough 4 nice. 5 aswell but a bit repetitive 9 my favorite so far 10 my least favorite so far Unfortunately It's not great Not at all Not so nice to say, but I completely forgot about it once it was over. But it's not offensive in any way... It's a flat
Not great. Mediocre songs, Mediocre playing. Absolutely nothing interesting. Nothing exciting. Nothing memorable. For me I can't offer anything better than a 2
Just okay
Their fifth album. Indie Rock. Every song is the same middle of the road blandness. The vocals aren't great either. The album is...just...boring.
Not interesting
Enjoyed this, but nothing stuck with me. I feel like there may be other things in this band's discography I'd like more. Oh also, fucking hate their Mrs. Robinson cover. It's on the same level as that Alien Ant Farm Smooth Criminal cover. Not even kidding.
I feel like I'm listening to a bunch of stoners (who used to perform as a youth group band 4-5 years ago) try to write music that sounds punk, but not quite nailing it. Can't say I hated listening to It's a Shame About Ray, but I didn't really enjoy it either. It's certainly not essential listening material in my book. Separately, I noticed that the Lemonheads' top song on Spotify was their cover of "Mrs. Robinson" and that it was on this album – I didn't want my first impression of the iconic song to be a cover, so I decided to listen to the original and mildly spoil Simon & Garfunkel's Bookends album (which is on this list) in the process. I later realized that the cover isn't actually a part of the original album and that I could have just not listened to the bonus tracks. My bad on that one. Highlights: Confetti, It’s a Shame About Ray
What is the point of this. Music this absolutely bland and should should at least have a good vocalist.
It has that '80s rock feel, yet it's not hard to listen to and sounds familiar to the ear. Even within the same album, it features tracks with distinct atmospheres.
Not really
Scrubs ass music
The Lemonheads were swimming against the tide of grunge in 1992 with this album. It lacks the emotional weight, fury and aggression of grunge and that's a welcome deviation. However, save for the title track and an absolutely cover of Simon & Garfunkels 'Mrs Robinson' there is little worth remembering about this album. It's all decent but nothing special. Top Track = Mrs Robinson
Tiesin bändin ja keulahahmon nimeltä. En oo ikinä kuunnellut heitä. Enkä kuuntele jatkossakaan. Tää levy oli mun korviin tasapaksua poppia, mitään ei jäänyt mieleen, eikä oo mun kuppi teetä. Ainoa menevä biisi oli ”Mrs. Robinson”-coveri.
Damn they felt rebellious, they even said "tit" once Soft punk for Christians
Meh
Super generic. Not that great
I don’t know. Must listen? Their version of Mrs Robinson took all the menace out of it. The rest of it is fine. Quite ok even. But hardly essential…
Very boring run-of-the-mill indie rock. Very hard to justify this being on the list but something like The Beatles' Let It Be not being on the list. 2.0/5.0: Disappointing
Starts off quite high energy and interesting and sort of just fades into boringness. Forgot I was listening to it multiple times and really wanted to like this one. Rudderless stood out to me. Won’t listen much again and certainly wouldn’t recommend.
2.1 - Mal wieder ein Album, bei dem ich nicht verstehe, wie es auf die Liste gekommen ist. Kein Hit, nur Einheitsbrei, gerade gut genug, um nicht geskippt zu werden. Highlights: It's a Shame About Ray
Pure 90s jangle rock. Other people did it better though. Just made me want to listen to gin blossoms.
Mediocre middle of the road rock. Quite boring and featureless
na not my taste
65