Trust me #70
Stove by The Lemonheads
Released in 1990, Lovey by The Lemonheads offers a rewarding glimpse into the world of Evan Dando before his life changed with the release of It's A Shame About Ray in 1992.
After Lovey, Dando travelled to Australia to hang out and write the songs that would form breakthrough album It's A Shame About Ray and follow up Come On Feel The Lemonheads.
Lovey is a bit of a mixed bag, but it contains two absolute gems in the shape of Ride With Me and Stove. Evan's talent for storytelling, vivid and emotive descriptive lyrics, unique guitar skills and flowing melodies really shine through. I was going to write about both songs, but decided to go with Stove.
Stove is sensational songwriting, with Dando telling of his heartbreak and guilt at replacing his old stove. Starting at a furious pace with crashing drums and driving guitar, Dando just about keeps up.
There is no time to waste, you immediately get the true feeling of Dando needing to talk to someone; he sings of the gas man coming to take out his old beloved stove and replace her, the every day conversation about the guys past and his pride of his son being at University and this 'of the moment' update sits alongside Evan's pangs of regret at throwing out his stove.
The gas man came, took out our electric stove
I helped him carry her
He told me he had been a prize fighter once
Shuffled her through and out the door
We walked back in, talked 'bout his boy at UVM
And we began, to out the new stove in
But I miss my stove, she's all alone
Call it love, she's been replaced
I miss my stove, she's all alone.
She's right out front and looks a mess
Unwanted guest, we lied to her
I miss my stove
Feels sad I guess
There is a melodic guitar break allowing things to slow right down, as if Dando is sadly reflecting, he then launches back into full on confessional therapy mode, guitars back on full blast.
I know I shouldn't think about it anymore
'What's the point?' you say
But I'm reminded each time I walk out my door
My stove is gone to stay
There is then a burst of the first verse and chorus before an instrumental, that becomes increasingly fast paced, sees out the final 58-seconds of the song.
Evan continues to play Stove live to this day. Acoustic, it is a lullaby to an stove, with a full band, The Lemonheads romp through it at pace. Either way, the longing and love for the stove remains all too clear.
A live acoustic version was released as one of the b-sides to the It's A Shame About Ray single. There is extra tenderness and reflection when Dando strips the song right back to the bones.
No comments:
Post a Comment