Evan's Above

Back in the early nineties, The Lemonheads, fronted by the charismatic Evan Dando, were one of the most interesting bands around. Unfortunately, they didn't really manage to hold on to their success and faded away, amidst tales of drugs excess and substandard album releases.

The good news is that Dando is back. He is touring without his band, and rumour has it that he is scouting for a solo deal. Tonight unfortunately, he is not willing to play many new compositions, explaining that he prefers to record them first.

He opens his set with 'It's A Shame About Ray', a perfect popsong that was the title track on The Lemonheads' biggest selling album.

He then follows with most of the tracks from that album, together with the best of the rest from his band's extensive back catalogue. There is no denying Evan Dando's talent. A gifted songwriter, he always had the perfect vocal warmth to carry off his often quirky lyrics.

Unfortunately, things never quite take off.

Dando doesn't quite seem at ease going solo. He rushes through many of the songs, and never really gives them the passion that is necessary to make them work.