Yahoo! Music Album Review

Released on 25/09/06
Label: Vagrant

A self-titled album twenty years into a career usually means one of two things: (a) oh dear, someone's run out of ideas, or (b) the artist in question is effecting an almighty shake-up and attempting to get back to the original spark of inspiration after an extended sojourn in the wilderness.

Given Evan Dando's reputation as a burnt-out space cadet who last made any sense sometime in the mid-'90s, you'd imagine this would be an embarrassing case of the former. But from the second you press play and "Black Gown" careers into earshot, all youthful guitar thrum and breezy pop melody, two heartwarming minutes of effortless charm and energy, it's clear that the one-time John The Baptist of grunge has finally scraped together enough spare change to get his mojo back from Cash Converters.

And hurrah for that. Featuring the rhythm section from hardcore legends The Descendents, and some sublime noise from J Mascis on two tracks, The Lemonheads 2006 may not be breaking any new creative ground, but they couldn't sound in ruder health. On form, Evan Dando has always had an endearing, instinctive way with a simple pop tune, and there's plenty of those herein.

"Pittsburgh" zips along with a sunny sense of naivety, like Husker Du in a buoyant mood. "Poughkeepsie" combines a light, almost jaunty touch with Dando's lean-on-me vocal, while "In Passing" drips with cheery romance. In the past, it's been difficult to reconcile how Dando sounds - the older brother you can trust - with how he's acted - the horny goat you definitely can't. But now he appears to have checked back in from his decade-long walkabout, you can start to believe that, perhaps, he wouldn't try to seduce your maiden aunt if you left them at the bingo together - and the songs benefit hugely as a result.

Too much maturity and the album would be bogged down in worthy adult college rock "Let's Just Laugh", for example, is fine for a moment of relief, but an entire album would be like wading through treacle - but "The Lemonheads" strikes the perfect balance between boundless energy and emotional dignity. "Becoming The Enemy" introduces prime Elvis Costello to the joys of volume, while the brilliant "Baby's Home" - in which Dando's narrator catches his wife in flagrante, resulting in the hilarious pay-off: "Although my heart is hurting / my shotgun is working / and it packs one hell of a surprise" - could only have been written by someone with experience and a wry sense of humour.

Throw in the dream team pairing of J Mascis letting fly on "No Backbone" - oh, let the noise rain down! - and you have a very welcome return. As Dando himself sings: "If it ain't fixed, don't break it". A grifter's argument for sure, but on this form, it's hard to fault.

    by Ian Watson