What’s up Sorry Staters?
Sometimes, I’ll somewhat involuntarily step out my front door and take a walk around my neighborhood to clear my head. This usually takes place around midnight or so, the streets are always empty, and I often wonder if my neighbors notice me creeping alone down past their houses. Maybe I’ll get a t-shirt that says “Won’t rob you.” I tend to listen to music on headphones while I’m wandering around. I wish I could say that my listening habits on these walks were more adventurous. Maybe this is why, as the years continue to pass me by, my brain continues to devolve into mush from lack of stimulation. I usually throw on albums that capture a certain mood and that are more than anything… “comfortable” to listen to. Lately, I’ve been listening to It’s A Shame About Ray by The Lemonheads to the point of ad nauseam. Like… a lot. Funny enough, unbeknownst to me and by pure coincidence, It’s A Shame About Ray just got reissued for its 30th anniversary. There’s a “standard” version and a “deluxe” version, both of which are way too expensive.
The Lemonheads are an interesting band. It’s A Shame About Ray is clearly their standout commercial success, but I was surprised to discover that their earlier releases on Taang! Records sounded more like a New England take on Husker Du or something, especially with the alternating lead vocals between Ben Deily and Evan Dando. But for whatever reason, there’s something uniquely special about It’s A Shame About Ray. It’s a decidedly softer and more light-hearted record. There’s sense of ease and breeziness, but with just a hint of melancholy buried underneath the surface. No more Ben Deily on this record, but I also just find Evan Dando to be such a magnetic, enigmatic character. I’m really not sure… was he a sad person? I’m not sure I think he’s like a genius or anything. I almost kind of find him frustrating, but also sort of accessible? As opposed to the posturing of grunge icons of the era, he seems like a pretty cool and genuine guy. He seems like a dude you could know that lives just down the street. His songs to me have more in common with like a Neil Young than say Kurt Cobain. There’s something about the easy, breezy, laid back mood of this record that really captures a true slacker’s spirit. But while maybe the songs on this album are not so bombastically lush and impressive, I think Dando writes songs that are beautifully poignant and understated. But seriously, the dude is so goddamn handsome in the traditional sense that what does he have to be depressed about? Wish I could relate. Sometimes I wish I was more intense and viciously, unrelentingly passionate. Unfortunately, here I am wandering around at night feeling lost and unmotivated, which is maybe why I’m gravitating toward this record. Lately, feeling more and more uncomfortable with my disposition in this existence as I meander around my neighborhood in the dark, I guess I do kinda feel like a ship without a rudder. I know, pretty corny.
In 1992, this record felt unfairly overshadowed by The Lemonheads becoming quite well known for the band’s cover of “Mrs. Robinson” by Simon & Garfunkel, which was featured in the Wayne’s World soundtrack. The other night, the first notes of “Rockin’ Stroll” kicked off right as I stepped out my front door. Then when I returned, almost like the record was timed perfectly for my midnight stroll, the quiet acoustic notes of “Frank Mills” faded out right as I turned the key to unlock the door and I cut off the music just before “Mrs. Robinson” would’ve auto-played as a bonus track. Seemed fitting.
Anyway, hope I didn’t bore you with my musings of 90s-fueled nostalgic melancholia. That’s all I’ve got this week.
As always, thanks for reading.
‘Til next week,
-Jeff