FDF Volume 2 Issue 183: The Lemonheads -Come on Feel The Lemonheads

By: March

Album - Come on Feel the Lemonheads
Artist - The Lemonheads
Key Players - Nic Dalton - bass. David Ryan - drums. Evan Dando - guitar, vocals, piano
Produced By - The Robb Brothers and Evan Dando

Release Date - October 12, 1993


What caused me to blow off the dust? - This actually is/was a reader request. I need your help sometimes readers! Big thing I try to do is actually "own" the cd of course (how can I forget about it if I don't own it) and I am trying to not repeat bands/artists. So, thanks to a reader for this suggestion!

Overview - This was the sixth full length studio album from Boston formed band "The Lemonheads". Actually adding "the" occurred with this record in 1993. With this record the band would have their highest chart position coming off (what the band didn't care for) "It's a Shame About Ray" that had the radio hit/cover "Mrs.Robinson". The band would be among the more popular alternative bands of the mid 1990s and front man Evan Dando would become and unlikely sex god finding his was in to People Magazine and gracing the cover of Spin magazine for a "sex" issue. The band would go on hiatus in the late 90's and reform about 10 years later.

FDF Comments (aka the songs) - Dando comes right up on the opening of "The Great Big No". The opening track shows off some great vocal harmonies and a tight backing band. Dando has a certain vocal tone that is easy to get used to. On this, and many tracks Juliana Hatfield offers up vocal support. There is a quick guitar run before the band hits back into the verses and they set the tone for a good pop/punk record. The second track "Into Your Arms" is probably the most well known track on the record. Opening with the single guitar before the drums and an over dubbed guitar chime over the top. The song is a mid-tempo track, but offers a bubbly back beat and harmony. Once you hear it you'd see it as being a strong single for radio air play. "It's About Time" opens up with strong guitar work and Dando comes right up vocally. The band really does have a mellow/melodic side to them. Hatfield is more up in the mix on this track and you really can hear her presence as she harmonizes well with Dando. "Down About It" is the first real "rocking" track. More from the musical standpoint. The vocals are still catchy and driven, but the music stands out as the band seemed to have shed acoustic/mellower electric guitars. "Paid To Smile" returns back to the more mellower side of the band of the earlier tracks. Dando is comfortable with his voice and he doesn't really seem to over extend himself. His vocals can be hushed at times, or pushed, but he never gets out of his comfort zone with regard to vocal range. We get a pedal steel on the intro to "Big Gay Heart". The song was released as a single, but I have no idea where the song could have been played. The subject matter is a little off color that is for sure. In brackets under the song title it reads (Against Violence). Not sure if they are trying to be funny/sad/ironic. Not really sure. Ryan opens up "Style" with a ferocious drum beat and the band all drops in. Dalton is on the bass and up in the mix and feeling more a part of the overall sounds for the first time. His bass lines to this point have not been lavish, he pretty much keeps a solid bottom on the tracks, but you just hear him more on this track. The tempo remains on "Rest Assured" with Dalton and Ryan once again seeming to have a more active role. Dando seems to hit some vocal range he is a little uncomfortable with, but he pulls it off. It is a straight up rocker that keeps a solid time. The band has been careful to not have guitar solos it seems, so any guitar run is usually pretty quick and to the point and not overly technical. The drums rumble over the intro to "Dawn Can't Decide" and Dalton shows off some of his chops (funny how I was just saying I hadn't heard much). The vocals are right up, the band never does any long set up to get to the vocals, usually hopping right to it. There are some strong female backing support as well. Belinda Carlisle from the Go-Gos offers support on "I'll Do It Anyway". The band runs a series before Dando comes in. The guitars are bright, with some real chime to them. Carlisle adds great support singing the bulk of the chorus right along with Dando. According to the liner notes the song was written for Carlisle and it great she gets to really unload on the track. The line of support continues when the one and only Rick James helps out on "Rick James Style". It is a slower and dark sounding track where they repeat the line "I don't want to get high, I don't want to not get high". The lyrics seem to repeat and James is not present for the first few minutes of the track, but comes in big on the chorus shouting "Style". He is a bit more present after that first run, but repeats his "style" line once more and the song ends. "Being Around" has a more twang feel to it from the start. It feels like a bit of an "alt-country" vibe with the lap steel coming back up in the mix. Sneaky Pete is very strong on the steel once more and the song itself is shorter than most on the records. Another mellow track comes in "Favorite T". Acoustic guitar and a lone solo voice open up the dark track. Dando is in fine voice for this style of track. A few piano chords seem to be tossed in there as well but the track keeps tight with the solo guitar and voice. "You Can Take it With You" has a poppy opening and quickly gets rocking. The vocals and music are both urgent and its nice to have the band to a rocking groove and it also quick and to the point. The final track listed on the record is "The Jello Fund " the track is about 2 minutes long and it is a solo piano piece. If you leave the cd player alone for 2-3 minutes a hidden track "Lenny" begins. It is a straight up, jammed out rock song with false endings, and it is a rough jam as lyrics are botched. It is not a bad tune but sort of not needed..and they do it again at the 7 minute mark of the track.

Where are they now? - The band is together with Dando as the focal point. Dalton continues to work in the music business. I wasn't able to find much on Ryan though. The last Lemonheads record came out in June of 2009 and it was an album of cover songs.

FDF Personal Comments (aka the Live experience) - I've never seen the band live.

Links
Official band site here and myspace page is here.


Curious? Check out some MUSIC!

mp3s have been removed.

Dawn Can't Decide
Into Your Arms
The Great Big No

Tracks taken from "Come on Feel the Lemonheads" that you can buy it for cheap money
here.

Disclaimer - For the most part songs listed you can find on iTunes or your local cd shop. The idea is to give you a little taste of the music. Please support the artist buy purchasing some of their work. Songs are posted for about 1 week but can and will be removed at the request of the artist, band, band management etc. If you are one of those persons contact me via the email link in the profile and they will be removed as soon as we are made aware of the request.