Blonde Redhead – Melody Of Certain Damaged Lemons LP

Description

For a record produced byGuy Picciotto(Fugazi,Rites of Spring),Melody of Certain Damaged Lemonsis a surprisingly quiet affair. Rarely do the cuts onBlonde Redhead‘s 2000 release get much louder than an electric guitar. With their fifth record,Blonde Redheadfinally emerges from the shadows ofSonic 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 toRic Ocasekwith a new wave-inspired piece while the opening cut, “Equally Damaged,” and “Ballad of Lemons” suggest an influence fromDanny Elfman.Melody of Certain Damaged Lemonsmay not accurately reflect the full body ofBlonde Redhead‘s work, yet it presents an easy place to start. – All Music Guide