Rating:
Genre:
Rock
Release Date: 06/06/2000
For a record produced by
Guy Picciotto (
Fugazi,
Rites of Spring),
Melody of Certain Damaged Lemons is a surprisingly quiet affair. Rarely do the cuts on
Blonde Redhead's 2000 release get much louder than an electric guitar. With their fifth record,
Blonde Redhead finally emerges from the shadows of
Sonic Youth's post-punk legacy by avoiding the expected detunings, distortions, and shrillness of the genre. The three-piece manages to create a record that is subtle, tuneful, and sublime. On
"Loved Despite of Great Faults," instrumentation mainly consists of acoustic guitar, piano, and percussion rather than an assault of power chords, yet the mood of the song is just as effective. While the record may be quieter, it still manages to move in several different directions.
"This Is Not" tips its hat to
Ric Ocasek with a new wave-inspired piece while the opening cut,
"Equally Damaged," and
"Ballad of Lemons" suggest an influence from
Danny Elfman.
Melody of Certain Damaged Lemons may not accurately reflect the full body of
Blonde Redhead's work, yet it presents an easy place to start.
~Yancey Strickler, All Music Guide
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