Album of the Day

Originally a Boston hardcore band, The Lemonheads soon began adding pop to their punk, and by the time of their 1993 Atlantic album were close enough to the mainstream that a 25th anniversary cover of “Mrs. Robinson” wasn't such a stretch. That popular single was quickly added to pressings of IT'S A SHAME ABOUT RAY, but the collection's original 12 songs were nothing to sneeze at - the title track, “Confetti,” “Rudderless,” “Alison's Starting To Happen” and “My Drug Buddy” offer addictive hooks and clever lyrics courtesy of guitarist/vocalist (and alt-rock pin-up boy) Evan Dando, bassist Juliana Hatfield and drummer David Ryan. The Lemonheads' breakthrough release and likely their best, IT'S A SHAME ABOUT RAY is a 1990s touchstone that retains its appeal decades later, and we'll give it another spin now to wish Evan Dando a happy birthday.