Varshons 2
The Lemonheads · 2019
9 min · 13 tracks · alternative rock
A lo-fi collection of covers blending melancholy melodies with the Lemonheads' signature alternative rock charm.
Top tracks — play these first
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Can’t Forget — This opening track captures the album's essence with its haunting delivery and reflects on themes of memory and longing that resonate throughout the collection.
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Speed of the Sound of Loneliness — Dando's rendition of this John Prine classic evokes an emotional depth that intertwines nostalgia with an understated arrangement, showcasing his vocal prowess.
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Round Here — Originally by Counting Crows, this cover stands out for its stripped-back interpretation that highlights Dando's unique phrasing and emotional nuance.
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Take It Easy — The inclusion of this Eagles song showcases the band's ability to reinterpret familiar classics while maintaining their own distinct sound, offering a fresh perspective.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album's lo-fi covers showcase Dando's unique interpretations but lack significant impact or innovation.
What we noticed
- The album features a consistent lo-fi production style across all tracks, giving it a raw and intimate feel.
- Each cover is reinterpreted with a slower tempo or stripped-down arrangement compared to the original versions.
- Dando's vocal delivery varies from subdued to more expressive, often emphasizing the melancholic aspects of the songs.
- Composition 25% of the score
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6/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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7/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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5/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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5/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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6/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Little footprint beyond its audience. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- nostalgic moments of reflection
- short bursts of emotional storytelling
- intimate melodies for quiet times
- fragmented pacing for varied attention
- pick-any listening for flexibility
Maybe skip if you
- prefer long cohesive albums
- seek high-energy engagement
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Varshons 2 is the Lemonheads' first album since their 2011 release, making it a significant return for frontman Evan Dando. By 2019, the band had undergone several lineup changes and Dando's personal struggles were well-documented, adding layers of depth to this project as they explored a variety of influences through the lens of their distinct sound.
- Stylistic neighbors
- The Posies· Teenage Fanclub· Matthew Sweet
Moments worth listening for
Where the writing does something specific.
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Speed of the Sound of Loneliness
The imagery shifts from external observations to internal reflections on solitude.
This transition deepens the emotional weight of the song, allowing listeners to feel the isolation more personally as the focus narrows.
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Can’t Forget 2:12
- 2 Settled Down Like Rain
- 3 Old Man Blank 3:36
- 4 Things
- 5 Speed of the Sound of Loneliness
- 6 Abandoned
- 7 Now and Then
- 8 Magnet
- 9 Round Here
- 10 TAQN
- 11 Unfamiliar 3:32
- 12 Straight to You
- 13 Take It Easy
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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