Melody of Certain Damaged Lemons
by Blonde Redhead
Metascore
73

Generally favorable reviews - based on 8 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 8
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 8
  3. Negative: 0 out of 8
  1. AllMusic
    80
    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.
  2. Ink Blot Magazine
    80
    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. Spin
    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.
  5. New Musical Express (NME)
    80
    It's as though all the contrariness of Blonde Redhead's angular past has dissolved into a fascination with pop ('This Is Not'), '60s soundtracks ('Melody Of Certain Three') and naked piano ballads ('For The Damaged', featuring one of The Black Heart Procession on the ivories) without sacrificing any of the heart-stopping dynamics or confessional psychodramas.
  6. Pitchfork
    78
    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.
  7. 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]
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  8. Nude As The News
    65
    Certainly Blonde Redhead's most accessible yet.
  9. Q Magazine
    40
    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...

Awards & Rankings

75
#75 Best Album of 2000

User Reviews

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User Score
8.4

Universal acclaim- based on 13 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 11 out of 13
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 13
  3. Negative: 0 out of 13
  1. Forest90
    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.… Full Review »
  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.… Full Review »
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