It's a Shame About Ray (Expanded Edition)

iTunes Review

When It’s a Shame About Ray was originally released in 1992, its twelve original tunes barely clocked in at half an hour. It’s quick, casual, tossed-off nature only enhanced its charm at a time when bands were over-eagerly padding 80-minute CDs. Soon after the album’s release, the Lemonheads cover of Paul Simon’s “Mrs. Robinson” became a modest hit and was appended as a bonus cut to the original album. Now, a b-side “Shaky Ground” and nine demo recordings have been added as well. At first, it’s odd to think these tunes could be more stripped down. The album versions of the masterful pop of  “My Drug Buddy,” “Ceiling Fan in My Soup,” “Bit Part” and the title track all excelled in what felt like bare small-band fashion but these rudimentary demos break things down even further, offering a more intimate look at Evan Dando’s performance abilities (Dando is the one recurring member of the Lemonheads). His effortless grace with a melody makes these tunes deceptive. They may be short, slightly hazy and deliberately vague, but they remain strong and enduring a decade and a half later.