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Melody of Certain Damaged Lemons Image
Metascore
73

Generally favorable reviews - based on 8 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.4

Universal acclaim- based on 13 Ratings

Top Track

Hated Because Of Great Qualities
Secret, so sorry, but I forgot Secret, secret, we are bound to forget I was worried I might be rude to you So worried that I was It's a lie to serve... See the rest of the song lyrics
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 8
  2. Negative: 0 out of 8
  1. 80
    A distinctively dark, insinuating aesthetic of measured instrumentation and abstract lyrics. Rather than sinking all its resources in squalls of feedback and distortion, the band diversifies its portfolio by adding canny production tricks and keyboard noodling to its impressive resumé of guitar innovations.
  2. Word has it that the band had more studio time than ever before, and the result is a concept album which combines elements of Lennon-McCartney experimentation with elements of Yoko Ono eccentricity.
  3. 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.
  4. Blonde Redhead's biggest detractors focus on the group's uncanny resemblance to Sonic Youth. But while Melody of Certain Damaged Lemons won't exactly silence such suggestions, it does seem to move conscientiously away from the influences that have marred the group's previous work.
  5. Puncture
    70
    There's a predominantly love-song sound streaming though and through. There are honest-to-god numbers that color themselves well within the bounds of traditional pop standards, making it actually an easy listen--a departure for a band who made themselves synonymous with pushing the musical envelope. [#47, p.29]
  6. Certainly Blonde Redhead's most accessible yet.
  7. Simone and Amedeo Pace weave intricate musical patterns on a collection of songs distinguished by their fundamental lack of tunes. Aside from the exuberant frisson of This Is Not, the album staggers unsteadily between serene chamber pop, looping layered electronics and shouty, full-on hyperactive thrashy punk...

See all 8 Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 2 out of 2
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 2
  3. Negative: 0 out of 2
  1. Sep 14, 2013
    10
    One of my favourite albums of all time, I love the variation, the weirdness and the confidence in which it is executed. Blonde Redhead haveOne of my favourite albums of all time, I love the variation, the weirdness and the confidence in which it is executed. Blonde Redhead have not been better since than when they did this album, in my opinion. Expand
  2. BenjaminBunny
    Apr 1, 2004
    8
    Great! Four years on, I still play this one often. If you're a fan of experimental NYC post-punk, Japanese female vocals, or if Great! Four years on, I still play this one often. If you're a fan of experimental NYC post-punk, Japanese female vocals, or if you're a neurotic mess, you'll love this LP. Expand