The Lemonheads – The Lemonheads
Ah, summer has finally arrived. As adults, we quickly forget the wonderful exuberant feeling of summer vacation. Three months to do any thing we want, or nothing at all. I’ve always pictured summer vacations as depicted in the cult classic Dazed and Confused. No school. No schedule. No responsibilities. To celebrate this temporary freedom from boredom, one must have a great album to serve as the primary soundtrack for these glorious days. The Lemonheads self-titled album fits the bill perfectly. Ah, summer has finally arrived. As adults, we quickly forget the wonderful exuberant feeling of summer vacation. Three months to do any thing we want, or nothing at all. I’ve always pictured summer vacations as depicted in the cult classic Dazed and Confused. No school. No schedule. No responsibilities. To celebrate this temporary freedom from boredom, one must have a great album to serve as the primary soundtrack for these glorious days. The Lemonheads self-titled album fits the bill perfectly.
The band’s first release in nearly a decade features Evan Dando and former Descendants Karl Alvarez and Bill Stevenson delivering power-pop rock with a California laid-back style. Dando’s voice is perfect for creating a slacker state of mind for those long, lazy days of bliss. The infectious hooks of songs like “Become the Enemy,” “Pittsburgh,” and “Poughkeepsie” are punchy anthems that start your flip-flops flicking. Perhaps the lyrics of “Let’s Just Laugh” sum up the mood of the album as Dando sings, “Let’s just laugh / We can never do anything about anything anyway.” I can’t think of a more appropriate mantra for summer vacation.
Despite the surfer-punk sound, the album does have a bit of a dark side featured on the cheating “Baby’s Home.” Through its alt-country sound, Dando delivers a surprisingly violent ending. Of course, Dando’s slacker voice makes it tough to fully take him seriously as he sings, “And although my heart’s hurtin’ / My shotgun is workin.'” Die-hard country music fanatics would be so proud.
The Lemonheads is simple and safe music that will fill up your summer days as you ponder what or what not to do next.
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