Lemonheads

London Kentish Town O2 Forum

This is some kind of magic.

Wistful sometimes, full-blown and rockin’ more often, I do not recall Evan Dando’s Boston band Lemonheads ever sounding this mighty first time around. Maybe it’s the presence of Chris Brokaw (Come, Codeine) on incendiary harmony-drenched guitar. Maybe it’s the packed Forum lustily singing along to near-hits Down About It, It’s A Shame About Ray and the incredible cover of Mike Nesmith’s Different Drum.

Maybe it’s the presence of Bevis Frond guitarist Nick Saloman for a series of somewhat bewildering guitar duets? It’s odd. Dando clearly fancies himself as an interpreter of other people’s songs – witness his band’s latest collection of cover versions Varshons 2 – but most of the sublime moments tonight come when his band rips full-throttle into his own songs, barely pausing for breath. Punk, as reimagined by The Replacements and their ilk, as wonderfully realised by Lemonheads. Stove (from 1990’s Lovey), a plaintive Rudderless (from 1992’s It’s A Shame About Ray), songs that to us present were all major hits, the soundtrack to lovers and fights and drug abuse and plane rides going nowhere.

It is only when Evan drops the band and starts playing seemingly another concert altogether – one where he plays interminable covers of Frogs songs – that our attention drifts, sharply and brilliantly brought back into focus by Bit Part and Into Your Arms.

Evan, you are still our heartthrob.