“The Lemonheads”
CD, Vagrant Records, September, 26 2006
This is the first new material from the "Lemonheads" in 10 years! Leader Evan Dando (vocals, guitars) filled out this version of the Lemonheads with some members of the Descendents (see "Milo Goes to College" for 1982 hardcore punk perfection and the groundwork for what became pop punk - and a record that greatly changed my life as a 16 year old) powerhouse duo of Bill Stevenson (drums) and Karl Alvarez (not Tony Lombardo on bass). Using the Descendents is pretty much always a wise decision for anyone looking to make a rock, power pop meets punk CD. There are some cameos as well on this CD. The one I most enjoyed was J. Mascis (Dinosaur Jr. guitar legend). I have to come clean, I lost track of most of what the Lemonheads were doing after their 1987 debut LP "Hate Your Friends" on Taang Records, which is a must own record. Whether or not anything after that is a classic, well, I suppose I will have to do a bit of research myself. Oddly enough, having been exposed to the Lemonheads first LP and now this new CD, I do wonder what is in between those bookends... as I would put "The Lemonheads" up as a nominee for one of the best of 2006. Somehow, I have read some lukewarm reviews of this record. I don't get that. I find "The Lemonheads" a refreshing, melodic, rock record that brings together the best of old "college" music, pop punk, "indie rock" and a familiar feel, into a CD that I can listen to repeatedly.
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