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People tend to respect my opinions a little bit less when I tell them how much I like the Lemonheads. And while I do recognize that Evan Dando has, only in the most literal sense, traditionally been a bit of a poser and an unabashed pretty boy, I also maintain that he’s written probably two dozen of the best songs I’ve ever heard about being either a) bored, b) lovesick, or c) both at the same. Their first record in a decade might not significantly add to that number, but there are occasional reminders of Dando’s many strengths: his too-cool delivery, his simple but sturdy guitar-playing, and most notably, his ability to use smart arrangements to neatly frame all his best lyrics. The problem here is that not a whole lot of the lyrics deserve to be framed, while many never should have been included in the first place. It’s not a bad record, overall, but I’m still going to turn to It’s A Shame About Ray when I have to explain to people why they’re wrong for hating on them.
