The Lemonheads- Varshons (The End Rec)
Despite The Lemonheads gaining huge success with a cover of 'Mrs. Robinson' in 1992, I would have never expected to hear a full record of covers from Evan Dando and company. But here were are, 17 years later, and Varshons is just that- The Lemonheads covering a variety songs, inspired by Butthole Surfers' Gibby Haynes. Turns out Haynes and Dando used to trade mix tapes in years past and it only seemed logical Dando and his rotating cast of players would take it one step further.
Produced by Haynes as well, Varshons features a couple unexpected celebrity players (Liv Tyler and Kate Moss) and the covers vary from GG Allin, to Gram Parsons to Wire to Leonard Cohen. Naturally, The Lemonheads put their own twist on each song, taking already great songs and in some cases making them more memorable. The first half of this disc is not unlike a punk/country mix, with Dando's familiar and smooth voice. But things change pretty quickly by the seventh track, which is a dance song with Kate Moss on vocals. Not soon after that you get some Hendrix style guitar, adding more suprises with each track.
Like any good mix tape this is an eclectic collection of gentle rockers, dance/electronica, country tinged pop and even some classic rock moments. The Lemonheads will probably be forever known for their guitar driven power pop ala 'It's A Shame About Ray', and though there are traces of this on Varshons, ultimately this is much different approach for Dando.
Like most things The Lemonheads have done, you're either going to love this or hate it... I'm with the former, myself.
