Customer Reviews

Baby I'm Bored

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

To call ex-Lemonhead Evan Dando a lightweight talent is to overpraise what's most interesting about him. From thrash beginnings to hot-stepping atop the pop marketplace, Dando was the least committed of potential rock stars. He was a slacker by trade and by spirit. His charm had its roots in the same aloof guilelessness of thousands of other beautiful boy/men. So when his star crashed and burned on the back of his addiction, it was safe to assume that he'd go the way of all other minor 90's non-stars. Yet here he is with his post-rehab solo release, Baby I'm Bored, an alt-folkie now with the same detached approach he brought to punk and pop. But with one major caveat: these 12 casual tunes, faltering and confused as they are, feel like the true statement of a recovering addict's grasping consciousness. This slacker, as one throwaway suggests, is "Waking Up". His hold on the sober world is still fuzzy. One thing's certain, and he makes it clear in the first song - whatever happens from here on out, he has no intentions to "Repeat" his addiction. Wish him luck, and a rollicking band when he hits full stride.

If you like the mellow songs in the Lemonheads catalogue, then chances are you will love this cd. The cd sounds like a more modern Lemonheads with less hard-rocking and more singer-songwriter vibe (akin to Ben Kweller). The album is wonderful all the way through, unlike many of the spotty Lemonheads albums. Although I am a huge Lemonheads fan, I have to say that this cd is the best thing that Evan Dando has put out so far.

While some have been critical of this album for numerosu reasons, mainly that it is post-recovery, I still find everythign Evan Dando touches to be gold. The songs are pure musical perfection, and Evan still holds the same brilliant musical spirit as ever before. I have listened to Evan for many, many years, and a bad Dando album is till 100 times better than anythign else for me. I love it, and think it is a great album. "All my Life", and "In the Grass Wine Colored" are classics, to be sure. No matter what Evan sings, I find myself unable to shake it from ny head many hours later. Thanks, Evan, and keep writing. I have been through addicition, drug years, punk/power trash, etc, right there with you, and out the other side I am glad to have musicians like you blessing my ears.

I first heard Baby I'm Bored at a listening station at a record store. I did not know Evan Dando had a solo album out and, since I was a casual fan of the Lemonheads, I thought I'd give it a try. I was so impressed by what I heard that I bought the CD that day. The first track "Repeat" had me hooked. It is an excellent, catchy track. Definitely the best track I've heard by Dando/Lemonheads. Another favorite of mine is the pleasant "Rancho Santa Fe." "Waking Up" is an interesting track. At first I didn't know what to think of it except that it was different. It has a vocalist (Royston Langdon?) moaning (not sexual, more like just "waking up") while Evan sings to a piano. The more I heard it the more I liked the addictive piano and clapping beat. Evan also sings songs that touch on his former drug-ridden lifestyle that almost killed him; "Why Do You Do This To Yourself?" and "All My Life" ("All my life I thought I needed all the things I didn't need at all").

The CD booklet states that "This record sounds better played loud." I disagree. I think it is good quiet, background music. The tracks are very laid back (with exception of "Waking Up"). They are almost country with their slow, acoustic guitar sound, especially the tracks penned by young phenom Ben Lee, "Hard Drive" and "All My Life." (Lee wrote a tribute to Dando in the 1990s called "I Wish I Were Him" which Evan covered). The album still rocks with tracks like "The Same Thing You Thought Hard About..." As a casual Lemonheads fan, I do not think this CD strays from what Dando has done in the past. It has the familiar stoner vocals and acoustic licks. Without hesitation, I recommend this Evan Dando comeback album to any Lemonheads fan.

Music can find its best voice after some time away. Dando's solo cut is a clear indication that creativity and musical communcicative power can be even better captured in a recording following a hiatus. The unique character of Dando's vocals conventionally demands listener attention, and with "Baby I'm Bored", this is even more so than previosuly.

The ever-present tone of the album is one of self-reflection and perhaps almost personal testimonial. Tracks 8 through 10 reveal this most plainly by their titles. Yet there are tracks with the eclectic (i.e. folk, country, alternative garage band) sound typical of Dando's songs. "Hard Drive" and "In the Grass All Wine Colored" are superb tributes to the single-lined songs of long ago that can still convey so much to the listener.

"Repeat", "My Idea", and "It Looks Like You" offer colorful, fresh, and catchy melodies. "Waking Up" is a fun gem offering a sound from the sixties and seventies with the piano keyboard coupled with hand-clapping and prominent bass guitar solo line. Langdon's backing vocals add much character and funk additionally.

"Baby I'm Bored" therefore offers a pleasing variety of songs and styles that fill the 12 tracks. It seems certain that Dando created this album with renewed spirits and enthusiasm for making music. The musical honesty and directness of communication undoubtedly characterize the nature of Dando's newest and excellent project.

Seems that the older he gets the mellower Evan Dando gets. Seems like the older I get the mellower I become in my musical tastes. So this is a match made in heaven right? The songs are great, the lyrics are as good as ever for Mr. Dando (something he is very underrated for), but I find myself missing some of the thrash. It's the same longing that I have for missing going to clubs, drinking till 2 am, and attempting to meet women. This would get 5 stars from me if it didn't have Dando's name stamped on it. Unfair? Perhaps. If you think this add a star in your mind because it is worth that extra star for the music, emotion, song writing...Often in music you can't go back to what you were and if you don't go back your "core" fans leave you. My recommendation is that if you like some of his mellow music on is last Lemonheads discs you'll really dig this. If you just liked his stuff in general you'll still like this. If you're looking for "Mrs. Robinson", well I think she has aged quite a bit.

It's fair to say that this is not the Evan Dando of old. Not quite. This is his first solo album, excluding the 'Live At The Brattle Theatre' classic, and those expecting breezy country-tinged alt-rock-pop (whew!) of old may be dissapointed. Initially.
Evan has been away for seven long years and it is inevitable that things will change in such a space of time. The final Lemonheads album hinted at this direction but this is darker, the voice is more ragged and bitter-sweet, the country influence is more prominent and 'gnarled' is probably a good word to use.
'It Looks Like You' and the opener, 'Repeat' both start with an acoustic flourish reminiscent of old but then head off into previously uncharted territories. In particular, 'It Looks Like You' ("...got some explaining to do.") begins very trad. country but then the chorus harmonies of "Whoooo" come in and a perfect pop masterpiece takes shape.
'Rancho Santa Fe' is the first classic moment however. Distorted guitar fretwork and that voice, an older, more contemplative voice crooning "Fly away to...Far away to the night..." and the feeling that this is a mature Evan Dando. And that that is strangely right.
But there are many such moments.
'Hard Drive' really shows the understated genius of the man. Each line begins "This is..." and then Evan tells us what he is about at that particular time. Like the town he's living in, the faith he's leaning on, even the chord he's strumming now. Just stuff. Just life.
'Shots Is Fired' is a great non-grammatical title and the song itself does it justice. "There are a million things you never get to do...".
'The Same Thing You Thought Hard About Is The Same Thing I Can Live Without' is not only the song title of the year but a great song into the bargain. I love the way the rockier version fits perfectly here in the same way the acoustic version fitted perfectly on the 'Live At The Brattle Theatre' release. As I said, there is a kind of genius at work here...
'All My Life' illustrates perfectly the reflective Evan Dando. "God knows what I thought I'd do/ I just ripped my own sweet heart in two..." and "All my life I thought I needed all the things I didn't need at all...".
But, and it's a big but, the best is saved till last. A simple refrain, simply strummed chords and acoustic feeling. " I'm in the grass all wine coloured, wine coloured grass...". Over and over. Like it's the most profound, emotional revelation possible. Heartbreaking beauty. Over and over. Like a prayer. Like life.
Facing up to life's complexities is never easy. But never has it sounded so engaging. In short, this is a great album. And you should buy it.

This album is without a doubt one of the best things to come out this year... The album sounds a lot like his past band the lemonheads but has a different groove to it... This one might be hard to pick up because not many stores are carrying it which is a shame because someone with no talent like madonna is on the shelves.... just don't let this one pass you by, it's anything but boring.......

This album is laid-back in the best kind of way. Gets better upon repeated listens.

I have been a Lemonheads fan since the 90's when It's Ashame About Ray came out. After a long hiatus I discovered Evan's Solo disc and bought it hoping for some of the same magic that had drawn me in to the Lemonheads - what I got was a delightful surprise. Not only is this album excellent, but it pushes listeners into different genre's of music. Heavily country influenced, Dando writes songs that are crafted in his usual style, and played on an acoustic guitar.

Fans of the Lemonheads looking for punk rock will be disappointed, but any fan of good music will certainly want to hear this album. I am not a country fan but I love this album. You should also check out his Live at the Brattle album for a beautiful solo concert and of course the self titled Lemonheads return.