It's A Shame About Ray (30th Anniversary Edition)

ディスクガイド等で90's USオルタナティヴ・ロックの大名盤として必ず挙がる、レモンヘッズの1992年作『IT'S A SHAME ABOUT RAY』がFIRE RECORDSより再発!

ニルヴァーナやパール・ジャムが巻き起こしたグランジブーム真っ只中の1992年、レモンヘッズの頭脳Evan Dandoはグランジのザラザラした焦燥感とジャングリー・ポップのキュートで儚い側面を本作で融合させました。コロンブスの卵級のアイデアに2～3分前後で纏め、カレッジ・チャート勢力のようにスパッ!とキレ良い内容は見事にヒット。オルタナ黄金期に新たな一撃を与えました。問答無用のタイトル曲、"Confetti"、ビートルズLOVEな面が出た"My Drug Buddy"、美メロ爆走グランジ"Ceiling Fan in My Spoon"と名曲オンリーの千本ノックを体感しましょう。

If Lovey captured Evan Dando as he found his signature blend of punk-pop, jangle pop, and folk-rock, Its a Shame About Ray is where he perfected that style. Breezing by in under half an hour, the album is a simple collection of sunny melodies and hooks, delivered with typical nonchalance by Dando. None of the songs are about anything major, nor do they have astonishingly original melodies, but thats part of their charm -- theyre immediately accessible and thoroughly catchy. Dandos laid-back observations of middle-class outcasts are minor gems. The heartbroken title track or "Confetti," the crushes of "Bit Part in Your Life," the love letter to substances "My Drug Buddy," or the wonderful "Alisons Starting to Happen," where a girl finds herself as she discovers punk rock, capture the laconic rhythms of suburbia, and his warm, friendly voice, which is offset by Juliana Hatfields harmonies, gives the songs an emotional resonance. Its a Shame About Ray was later re-released with a competent punk-pop remake of Simon & Garfunkels "Mrs. Robinson" added as a bonus track. As Dando approached stardom, the album was repressed again with the title of "My Drug Buddy" truncated to "Buddy." It was later restored to its original title. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine