Reviews (page 3 of 8)
Favorite tracks: Roadrunner, Pablo Picasso, Hospital Pretty much exactly the kind of music I like. A lot of the songs sound like they're making it up as they go - which I love!
The Modern Lovers sound timeless in the best way. Honestly, if someone told me they recorded this in a home studio last week, I’d believe them. There’s a raw, effortless charm to it - light, fun, and full of that restless energy that clearly went on to inspire bands like The Strokes. Even their Spotify photo (aside from one member) could pass for any indie group from the past 30 years. I was surprised to realize I already had one of their live tracks, “Egyptian Reggae (Live),” in my library, and this album has the same kind of offbeat joy. It’s an easy listen that still feels fresh decades later.
“Astral Plane” captured the charming essence of how simple this bands successful formula was. Slightly funny, blunt, almost just a talking delivery at times. “Hospital” was a great little story as well as a good time for a mood/tempo switch. John Richman at the helm here comes off as deeply passionate and just so plainly human. He sings about very real-life things/feelings very plainly but with a great deal of love. James Murphy, New York based frontman of LCD Soundsystem, has talked about being an artist that borrows/steals from greats from the past - I’m so sure that he got a bit of his delivery from listening to “I’m Straight” on this record. The similarities are prominent. This might be the best proto-punk album I’ve heard so far. It’s a bit unfair to say that, as an uneducated American who doesn’t know all that much about the full picture of punk in the cultural zeitgeist. But that doesn’t change how much I enjoyed this album after not expecting much of anything from it. 4/5!
Definitely getting Ramones vibes. This album hit.
I like the unfinished feel of this.
I’d never heard of this band/album, but it was really enjoyable! Sounds ahead of its time. Not everything worked (“Girlfriend”), but for the most part it was a lot of fun. I can see myself revisiting this one. Favorites: Roadrunner, She Cracked
First time listen and very much enjoyed the droning fast passed punk/rock. Like the vocals also.
I actually really enjoyed this. Was a bit like stranglers/velvet underground vibe.
Great punk driving beat.
I only really knew Roadrunner and Pablo Picasso but the rest of the album was great.
Jonathan Richman is sui generis and this is our introduction.
Some of the reviews for this album are completely insane. How can you not love this? 4.5
Just nice rock
Solid punk album. This is what I’m here for!
Enjoyed listening to this.
Only realized 70% of the way through the album that the band wasn't British. Pretty interesting album I thought - at first, it just seemed like decent classic rock radio fodder, but it was funky and I probably will listen to it again. Love the drums
A bit shocked to see all the low reviews for this record. I fuckin' love it. It's sassy and fun and a bit goofy and sardonic. The songs are catchy enough. Good stuff from Richman et al. 4/5
Fantastic, they've always had the sauce
I had never actually listened to this band before. They’re solid!
I struggle with rating this, as the music for the time and the influence makes me want to give it a 4.5, which I'd round up to 5 for this scale. However, I also feel a lot of the music is unrefined, and that feels like a solid 4 to me. I'm amazed, though, that I never knew "Pablo Picasso" was originally by The Modern Lovers, as I never heard it before hearing David Bowie's version. ...And if you write a song good enough for Bowie to cover, especially at that stage in his career, that is really something. I'm going to give it a 4, as it is is rough and just doesn't hit the heights I even think it could. I want to somewhat compare it to Big Star, who put out an album that is almost perfect and was refined, even for a bunch of kids from the midwest getting no attention.
Roadrunner 4 Astral Plane 3.8 Old World 3.8 Pablo Picasso 4.2 She Cracked 3.7 Hospital 4 Someone I Care About 4 Girl Friend 3.6 Modern World 3.8 Score:3.877777778
To me, this album is being in your late teens and starting to have fun on your own terms for the first time in your life. And it's just nice to have a goofy album with songs that you can shoutalong to with your friends and feel a good place for that day
Nice.
Clearly a love letter to Velvet Underground, but this is pretty fun. Not a new album to me, but I think it could be considered a classic.
Such a quirky delightful album that captures the wide-eyed innocence of art-scene proto-punk. Fits in great with Talking Heads and Velvet Underground and lays the groundwork for alt-rock for decades to come.
Very enjoyable punk album
Well, I gotta admit, I'm embarrassed. When my group got this album, it was July 30th. I can't remember what was going on that day, but for whatever reason, I didn't get to it then. Maybe I just didn't feel like it, or maybe I was too busy tryna deal with the dang backlog that'd been burning a hole in me for a while — I'unno. In any case, into the backlog it went, where I promptly forgot about it. It wouldn't be until August 5th, then, long after taking care of that day's 1001 Albums pick, that I'd actually sit down and listen to the album. And once I finally got done with it, I figured, "Well, once I finish reading these few comics, I'm sure I'll form an opinion about it that I can write down." Then I forgot about it. Cut to today: August 19th. Now, sure, there have been other albums in my backlog that've been stinking up the place longer (lookin' at you, Coldcut), but consider: I haven't heard any of those yet. I have heard THE MODERN LOVERS. And yet... I'unno, I just couldn't think of anything specific I really wanna say about them. I suppose I could start with the general statement that I don't think they're bad. I mean, the voice honestly doesn't bother me like I know it has some people. It's not one I haven't heard in punk before, and it's probably because of this album it's popped up often enough elsewhere for me to get used to it. Then there's the Doors-y organ: some people've used it as a means to call these guys "The Doors at home," but, like, come on. I'm not gonna sneeze at good organ, and Doors-y organ is **good** organ. And in general, this album has a lot of good garage and proto-punk material. Re-listening to side one as I type this, I can tell you it's a good time. If I can figure any reason why it took me so long to get around forming an opinion about this album, it might just be a sense of "It reminds me of other stuff I'd wanna listen to first." Like, at some point in the second half of the album I was sinking into such a mood of "It's fine" that I started wishing I could just be listening to The Doors or, I'unno, The Clash instead. Like, as good as this album is, there is a sort of "wow" factor that I feel like is missing from it. And that's not me knocking it for not being complex; there's an appeal in that. I'm just not able to listen to these songs and think of them as anything more than just "good." Y'know? Ultimately, I just can't say I'm too impressed by this. Sure, I enjoyed my time with it more than I didn't, and I'm not gonna knock it down a point just because I wasn't blown outta my seat... But I don't think I can act too surprised that it took me as long as I did to write this review. Like, if it weren't for the framing device it allowed me... Yeah. Well, that's another album off the backlog, anyway. Time to go continue putting off Coldcut.
Not much to say. Just some good stuff here. 4.5 bumped down to 4.
I’m at a 4.5 that I’ll bump down to a 4, though I’d love to leave it there. The top review on this site calls this album “unoriginal, uninspired, gutter trash”, and I have no idea how that could possibly be the takeaway after listening to this. It’s “un” a lot of things – it’s unpolished, it’s unusual, and it’s undeniably a little awkward… but I think those are all strengths for the album. Jonathan Richman’s vocal performance here can be summed up by two words in my mind: “weird earnestness”. He has hesitations, he doesn’t sound super confident, and it feels like he’s one mumble or stutter away from making a track fall apart. Is it intentional? I’m not entirely sure, but whether it is or not, it does add a charming sense of earnestness to the whole album. For my brain, I can imagine a guy standing on a stage, performing live for the first time in front of his peers & friends, and being *absolutely scared shitless*… but still getting through it. The band around him kills it; not a single bad instrumental on this thing, and for being recorded in 1971, this does act as a pretty good preview of the punk scene to come in the years afterward. There are really high highs on this album – “Pablo Picasso” & “Hospital” are standouts for me in particular, and as an entire 35 minute package, I can’t really say there’s a bad track here. So, why the bump down to a 4 then? There’s 3 tracks in my mind where the “weird earnestness” just didn’t fully click for my tastes – “Old World”, “Girlfriend”, & the closer, “Modern World”. It’s not because the vocals or instrumental don’t work, but it’s because the lyricism just feels a little too ambiguous in terms of intent, compared to the rest of the album. This album’s strength is his earnestness, and it works mostly because these are well-written tracks that make themselves incredibly clear in meaning, intent & tone. When you add a little bit of ambiguity, then his vocal hesitations, while still good, act as more of a lack of commitment to his beliefs, and that muddies the waters a little bit. They’re still good tracks to listen to, and they don’t shake the album that badly, but having 3 of them is enough for me to bump this down from a 4.5 to a 4. Make no mistake though; this is anything but “unoriginal, uninspired, gutter trash” – for 1971 & 1972, this is pretty original, decently inspired, and far from being trash. It’s an album I highly recommend, and I’d be at an easy 5 if the writing on those 3 tracks were cleaned up just a little bit. Hell, I’ll probably be at a 5 in the future anyway if even one of those tracks clicks nicer on a future listen. It’s a really enjoyable album, and I really did like it. It’s no less than a 4 to my ears, and it deserves to be on the list. Pretty good stuff.
He's has a really pretty loose relationship with tuning in his singing, doesn't he? But I guess that's just rock'n'roll, baby. 4/5 no further notes.
I liked this way more than i thought i would. Makes me cringe in the best way. The sounds match the cover. Love it. Can dance in a basement to this. FOUR
I’m in love with Massachusetts.
Really great stuff! Tight songwriting, killer instrumentation, and a surprisingly punk-ish sound for something recorded in the early 70s (albeit not released until '76).
Was expecting to hate it from reviews but I was jammin’! Really enjoyed almost all of it (except Girlfriend). The dude’s voice wasn’t as bad as I was expecting, maybe because sounding kinda drunk works well for rock music? Some awesome guitar parts.
Cover 4 Velvet Underground meets the Doors. Like it more then I thought I would. Good album. Great even.
Maybe it just evidences my slow moving brain, but I was expecting this to be a New Romantic band. Probably just because Lovers is in the name. It’s not that though, it’s a real nice and gritty garage rock album. I was pleasantly surprised from the get go, and that interest didn’t waver for the rest of the album. Modern Lovers are a band I’d never even heard of before today, but I quite enjoyed this. It also sounds far more modern than it is. This album is almost 50 years old!
I love all the JR I know, but I've never listened to this album in full. really good, really fun
This is obviously great but all of my favourite Jonathan Richman stuff is from the next album and on, still great though
I've enjoyed versions of these songs and this album for years. Well-liked here. Easy rating....
Starts like an album by British punk rockers but they are actually American and bring something unique to the table that reconnects to the 1950s. Saying that they're Proto-Punk diminishes this tradition a bit.
I enjoyed this a lot. I associate Jonathan Richman with much simpler, sillier songs so it was interesting for me to hear him get dark. A couple songs had too much organ and tiptoed into Doors territory but they thankfully didn’t cross the line.
Unique sound
Any band who rhymes Picasso with asshole is alright by me, but I can't help feel the producer on this album who isn't John Cale should have wasted less time trying to emulate him.
Sterke 4’er, et meget solid debutalbum. Jonathan Richman er heilt unike. Blir du fascinert av hans verden, så er det ingen vei tilbake
Good ol’ fashioned underground rock.
Väger mellan tre å fyra. Tycker förstås det är rätt bra. Men saknar låtar som griper tag i en liten extra. Men som tidigare tycker jag helheten är tillräckligt bra. Så det blir en fyra. Skulle absolut kunna lyssna mer.
Kände lite osugen när det tredje 70-talsalbumet på rad dök upp, men gillade denna. Inget mästerverk men tyckte det The Doors:iga soundet ihop med sångarens stil fungerade bra ihop.
Nearly 50 years old and this still sounds great. A fantastic slice of American proto punk/new wave
Good old rock n roll
음.. 너무 러프한데 그당시에 파격적인건가? 근데 계속 듣다보니까 묘하게 좋은거같다. 이 프로그램의 장점이다. 24시간 동안 다음앨범이 안나오는 것의 의도인가..
Ég er aðdáandi.
This band definitely has a Velvet Underground sound. While some might be disenchanted with the singers style and voice, I liked it. It lent itself to what they were doing with the music. My expectations weren't high thinking that this should be a top tier band so I liked what they were doing and I liked their energy and vibe. 3.75/5
Pretty decent album. I'm adding the group to my listen list.
I like this, very Velvet Underground although can see why the half spoken vocals are not to everyone's taste. It's alt rock though and suits the songs. The guitar playing is quite unique and doesn't sound like many other bands even in the proto punk days. Not 5* because Girlfriend was a poor track. Mostly liked the rest though and might return to this
Although I am familiar with The Cars and Jonathan Richmond, this was totally new to me and I can see why it is revered - a bunch of demos from 1972 which sounds years ahead of most other rock from the era. It's not completely to my tastes but I thought the lyrics were funny and the production was very punchy.
Strange, apparently these were actually recorded in 1971&72 which is interesting how late it was released after recorded. The vocal style I don't really think had really been done, where he's just kind of rambling more than singing. Some parts are funny, its got that like Talking Heads random, making fun of government/corporate/upper-class life lyrical style. Feels like Television in the way that they could be a punk band but aren't really (I guess this is before actually but the point still stands), musically speaking. Favourite songs: roadrunner, Pablo Picasso, someone I care about, modern world, government center, I wanna sleep in your arms. Overall around 7/10
81% Best: Roadrunner; She Cracked; Hospital; Modern World Must-Hear? Maybe
Great energy. Will spin again. Punky, rocky sleazy.
Wow this is such a solid 1970s sound. I think once I realized I was listening to psychedelic rock I was more open to the songs, which are silly and weird. But I guess this also classifies as proto-punk? It's a lot to get this right on the tail of Iggy Pop. Anyway, I fully laughed at "Pablo Picasso." What a perfect encapsulation of the self-righteous ridiculousness of a young person. My parents would have been preteens when this album came out and I wonder what they thought of this group, or if they listened at all. I could imagine my dad being into them, but maybe they were too weird? I think I'll ask.
A little same-y sounding, maybe that's just the singer, but otherwise a great album! Pablo Picasso was probably called an asshole at some point
This was fucking cool
Album 736 of 1001 The Modern Lovers - The Modern Lovers (1976) Rating : 3.75 / 5 Nice proto-punk. Listened twice and the 2nd time got me. Great album. Former Velvet Underground's Jonathan Richman is out front and brings a great mix of humor and angst.
This is great. Don’t know why I expected it to be boring, but it felt very fresh, engaging throughout the whole thing, and very phun. Really enjoyed it. Glad to have heard it. 4/5
Super fed, lyder som en forløber for meget af min yndlings-indie! Mega forud for sin tid (specielt efter jeg så at den her optaget i start-70erne????)
4/5. Britpop mixed with Television and Elvis Costello. Surprisingly they go very well together, with lyrics reminiscent of the Talking Heads, weird and strange yet to the point, and the great rhythm work by the band. I wouldn't say it's a classic like the reviews say but it was pretty good. Much more fun to listen to than solo Lou Reed, who is a clear inspiration here. Best Song: Roadrunner, Pablo Picasso, Modern World
Roadrunner gets regular play. And I have personally called Picasso an asshole. The rest is a good vibe.
This is such a gem. There would be no Violent Femmes without this record. There is no 80s college radio without this. There’s no Wesley Willis. Such a fun version of punk. Such unvarnished lyrics and singing style. Very raw, but also personal and tender. Underneath it all, it’s rather romantic.
Yes! I came to this album late but loved it from the beginning. Such straight talking. Super cool.
3.5/5
Roadrunner Pablo Picasso She Cracked Girlfriend
Another album/band I wasn’t aware of, this 1001 challenge is awesome! I loved this album. I didn’t realise that Pablo Picasso was their track, it was covered by David Bowie on the Reality album, I almost prefer their version (almost). The right combination of energy, rawness, music and what sounds like lots of alcohol. Loves it. Pablo Picasso was never called an asshole!
The things you learn in this challenge! M.I.A covered part of Roadrunner in her track Bambo Banga - who knew?! This is what I really love about the challenge, the weird music crossovers! I actually quite enjoyed this one, although at face value it feels like its just another mid 70s blah-rock-whatever, I felt like it had more of the pre-punk and pre-alt-rock sounds. A very laid back and casual approach, sounding a little like a drunk version of the Doors.
Pretty great garage sound with punk energy and new wave quirkiness! A lot of stuff about girls though.
Quite the sound for an album recorded in ‘71-‘72. Love the proto-punk/garage sound and the songwriting never ceases to be fresh and fun.
3.5 stars. Driving rock and roll that helps open the door to punk. Standouts "Someone I Care About" and "Roadrunner".
I enjoyed it and would definitely go back to it. Sounds like Steppenwolf to me. Pablo Picasso - Modern World but the album is globally good and consistent
So very modern, so very loveable, so influential. A real singularity. A great storyteller and a band that never falls to go the whole 9 yards. And yes so simple, too.
Liking it so far, great guitars., love the keys. Lou Reed vibes. I can see why album was so influential to punk rock.
I immediately enjoyed this. sloppy and amateurish in the best ways. "Roadrunner" and "Pablo Picasso" are definitely the peaks but every song's got something fun or interesting about it
9/10 Absolutely nothing wrong with a proto-wife guy album, pumped full of raw and fun ass Punky Garage Rock jams with contempt for cleanliness and conformity. Tunes that would prove to be pretty essential in developing and inspiring Indie, New Wave, and Post-Punk to come in pretty significant ways, not just in sound but spiritually. These very rough and awkward love songs written with a ton anxiety and a lot of heart proved to be an absolutely essential archetype in Rock music for the coming decades. Without this you wouldn’t have a Julian Casablancas, Archie Marshall, Will Toledo, Alex G, a bunch of emo nerds, a Rivers Cuomo, and you may wish that most of the people I mentioned are dead but that’s not the point! The point is that this record captured the hearts of the youth in a way that remains today, it’s the weird attraction of messy hair, baggy eyes, the anxiety riddled shithead slacker who blurts out his unfiltered emotions is just an undeniably hot person, and I would love to be his girlfren. Shoutout women (this guy gets it) https://imgur.com/a/aZUJa7G
To hear the influences of artists down the line is really cool, even if this comes off as unpolished and juvenile at times.
8/10
Nueva obsesión del momento
Pretty good. Reminds me of baby driver for some weird reason.
Nuts that this was recorded in 72, truly. I hate to say it but they gave me the word right there in the band name: this is so modern! Sounds like Parquet Courts at times, Violent Femmes vibes too, it’s so stripped down and cool!
early punk goodness
Here's a solid little album right here. The Modern Lovers is another band that only made one album, but I would say that this album has the praise and impact to warrant its inclusion. The talent behind this album is very respectable. The band's vocalist, Jonathan Richman, definitely has an interesting voice, but I liked it well enough. The band's members also includes people that would later join more iconic bands like David Robinson from the Cars and Jerry Harrison from Talking Heads. That's cool! The instrumentation is quite solid. This album's vibe has a sort-of proto-punk vibe going for it with a dash of the Velvet Underground. The Velvet Underground comparison is fitting as many of the album's songs were actually produced by John Cale! Neat! Anyways, the album itself is pretty good. I like the sound, the writing is solid, and the songs are good. I wish I could say more. Low 4/5. I'm feeling generous today.
Great.
The guy from There’s Something About Mary put out a good punk album in the 70s
The Modern Lovers was a fun upbeat album that had a retro and modern feel to it, much as I think was wanted by the vocalist. His voice sounded similar to current alternative rock bands like The Strokes and Carseat Headrest. I found myself thinking about how much the time has changed since this album was released in the 70s, and how the band must’ve felt the same way regarding the 50’s, as they mentioned in one of there songs. I thought this album was fun and I enjoyed listening to it.
I liked this album. I had know idea it was produced by John Cale. Very cool!! Art, rock, pop and punk. What more could you want. Favourite song: Hospital Least favourite: all songs are good Album artwork: nice cover
inizialmente mi ha molto colpita, sono dei suoni che volevo proprio sentire. Una canzone particolarmente bella che mi è piaciuta è “Astral Plane”. Poi non mi piacciono proprio tutte (tipo dance with me), ma nel suo insieme è un bell’album.
Raw Proto-Punk rock and roll music, keys remind me of the Doors and vocals are a little Lou Reed. First time hearing them and really enjoyed it
This is exactly why I am doing this project. What a great album that I probably would not have discovered on my own. I’m not sure if it is satirizing Lou Reed’s Transformer or if I am just reading into things but if so that just adds to the entertainment that this album provides.
Klein, nerderock med artige naive tekster og litt driv. Proto-weezer. Digger det
All the reviews that are like "they're trying too hard to sound like Velvet Underground" don't get it, that's a feature not a bug! This album was not what I expected going in (with no knowledge of The Modern Lovers), but I really enjoyed it! It's got good energy and the sound is consistently one I like. I feel like you can hear their various influences, but they do also have their own sound, and they're having fun lyrically.
Prog?
Already had 3 songs from this album in a playlist with The Velvet Underground and Talking Heads. Pretty good recipe.
Awesome.
Really enjoyed this! Would be great on a Sunday arvo!
That was fun. Their resemblance to the Velvet Underground is obvious, but they also had some Violent Femmes vibes. I was surprised that I already knew Pablo Picasso from somewhere. My teenage self would have loved this album.
I enjoyed this. Reminded me of Velvet Underground, or even a bit of D-Squad. Good voice and interesting lyrics; occasionally the latter bordered on too repetitive, but the writing was generally fun.
Liked it - creatively interesting and certainly pretty good for the time. Not my absolute favourite but very solid for sure.
Yes. So good. Real pioneers of alternative music.
A nice project showcasing a band that could have been. A nice blend of Velvet Underground and Talking Heads, this serves as a nice bridge between those to all time great bands.
Never heard of this band, but before starting I checked out the reviews. Top reviewer gave it one star and said: "The vocals are like a drunk / strung out Jim Morrison, just slurring his words and not giving a shit." I was immediately excited and not disappointed. The reviewer was spot on with the comment, but dead wrong with the rating!
Apathetic sway And gently shredding guitars Pairs well in punk rock
I didn't like this album. Its lyrics were like mush to me. I didn't like the song either, nor did I really think it went that well with the lyrics. Overall, I don't really recommend this album.
I give it 4 out 5 because like the beat kinda hypes me up but don't like that's a love music because I don't like love music I like the instruments that are use d. I recommend it for people that like love music. I understand the lyrics a little bit but its mid over all.
have you ever heard a song and it ever reminded you of a game that's what I thought of when I heard the album astral plane because it kinda reminds me of a song that is on the GTA 5 radio I like this song because it has instrument use and it reminds me of a game I used to play this song is good because it could give you nostalgia or something else different than what I thought so far I recommend listening to this album
The Modern Lovers were a small but important stepping stone between the New York art rock of the Velvet Underground and the abrasive London punk rock of the Sex Pistols. By combining the sounds of straight talking lyrics of Lou Reed, the droning experimentation of John Cale, and the post-rock n roll energy of the Stooges, they recreated this proto-punk classic. The Modern Lovers struggled a lot and never released anything during their original run. Aside from this one album, released after their first breakup, their discography consists of various compliations of unreleased songs. 'Roadrunner' stands head and shoulders over the rest of the album and is easily their best song. The rest of the album is interesting and has some high points as well. But if I'm being honest, it's not as good as any of the groups that came before or after them. It makes the Modern Lovers a controversial cult band, highly sought by collectors but never able to achieve a very big audience. Despite that, there's a lot to take from this album and its place in music history. Side note to the band: Picasso most certainly was an asshole.
Einfach, hörbar, gut!
looking at the reviews this one divides opinion, I was firmly in the "this is shite" camp until half way through the album (Someone I Care About) and then I started to really appreciate how good it is, 2nd listen confirmed this. damn good album
Love this album. I'm a Jonathan Richman fan and somehow I don't think I've ever listened to this all the way through. 'Modern Lovers '88' is one of my all time favorites, and this one is a nice counterpart, more energetic and youthful.
I had only heard the song 'Roadrunner' before listening to this album. I like this style in short bursts, but it started to feel repetitive by the end. Bonus points for being funny in parts and for mentioning lots of Massachusetts stuff, though. Favorite songs were: 1. Roadrunner 4. Pablo Picasso 8. Girlfriend 7/10
I'm in love with Massachusetts! Great start to the album. I liked the overall sound and vibe and loving Massachusetts-ness of it. Something about the overall lyrics makes me think he might be kind of a creeper? But then I looked him up on Wikipedia and he has a masonry business where he makes pizza ovens which seems pretty rad so he's probably a cool dude.
This album kicks off with him declaring his love for MA, then he goes on to sing about Stop & Shop. What an amazing song. I am seen. "Roadrunner" is a great song. I have learned that it's the namesake for the new-ish venue Roadrunner in Boston. "Pablo Picasso" has dope instrumental. I like this song a lot. "Someone I Care About" and "Modern World" are other honorable mentions. This is a really fun album. I don't love his voice and styling of singing that much, but its paired well with some really excellent guitar/drums. 7/10
4.2 - I love Jonathan Richman, but I think he's best being his weird self. I hope we get some of his solo stuff, I feel like he was a bit tied down. Still great though
I hear everybody that you know is more relevant than everybody that I know. Fave Tracks: Pablo Picasso, Someone I Care About 3.7/5
The doors, the stones, violent femmes and a man who either is super drunk, congested or both. 7/10
this is not the modern lovers album i grew up listening to but it DID spur a lengthy revisit to their discography at a particularly reflective & emotionally fraught moment in my life, and for that, random number generator, i am thankful
yep yeah I can listen to more of this
Like Johnathan Richman alot...This one has some of my favorites I'm Straight and Pablo Picasso.
This one was all over the map. Some really good, some not so much. Sometimes it sounds like the Doors, sometimes Velvet underground. 'Girlfriend' is a low point on the album. All that said, there was some pretty enjoyable and interesting stuff overall.
B-
Didn’t realize they were a Boston based group. The singer is literally from Natick. Wonder if that’s how “roadrunner” venue got its name. Would have bet my life these guys were British. These guys have the British punk rock feel I love so much, and yet they’re from the same burbs as I. Also a lot of talk about velvet underground on their bio but not sure how they’re connected. Origins aside, big fan of the album.
Brilliant
A fun rock album, I have to admit I wouldn't remember it as much if it wasn't because of the insane lyrics of Pablo Picasso
Really cool album. Never would have guessed that it came out in the 70s if I had heard it blindly
There’s an enjoyably hypnotic quality about this that grew on me more and more as it went on
This was a very nice experience! Another time, a band I had never heard about with all the energy of punk music but without the exaggerations that were commonplace in the 80s (and maybe 90s). Even the slow pieces were great to listen to. It's a bit longer for my full appreciation, but plenty enjoyable.
A lot of the songs are in the same key leading it to sound samesy throughout but I do enjoy the songs on their own. Very influential to music that I love
The singing is more talking but it has a great beat, almost reminds me of a mellower version of Cake.
Gear: Meze 109 PRO Artwork: 💜+ Mix (2003 Expanded Edition): 💜+ Musik: 💜= Wertung: 💜💜💜(💜?!)/5
Rock without the posturing. It is a nice evolutionary look at how American punk and new wave began. The first side is spectacular the second side is more interesting as a look back to how Richman started.
Sure, it's art school kid music, but at least it's the fun art school kids who like to party
This was a fun listen. You can tell they were inspired by the Velvet Underground, and that TML inspired bands like Violent Femmes and Dead Milkmen. Wish I had discovered this album in the early 80s when I was in my punk/New Wave phase.
British 70s. We like that
Whilst the vocals are at times a bit droning, the melodies are infectious and I found myself jamming out to the tracks regardless.
I'm not going to dislike an album that has the lines "Some people try to pick up girls and get called assholes/This never happened to Pablo Picasso"
Quite Good
good stuff, like the velvets, not as good
I'm in love with the first track. It feels like an indie movie. The rest of the songs are pretty to really good. I can't explain it, but all of these belong in a movie soundtrack. This album really surprised me. I've never heard of the Modern Lovers before. I don't know how. They're really good and they sound like they would've been revolutionary for their time. 4/5
Loved this before-its-time alternative sound that made me think of so much 80s college music. As a fan of "Pablo Picasso" from the Repo Man Soundtrack, I'd never known it was a cover. And a "fifties apartment building" being sung about in the seventies made me laugh.
I knew Roadrunner and Pablo Picasso but the rest was new. I enjoyed listening late in the evening with the lights down low. They fit my mood.
Good music that I can’t recall after I listen to it… still gets a 4
Enjoyable background alt
A very good but not great album. Opens with an all time classic but nothing else is quite that strong. The album sets the tone for future pop/punk indie rock.
Very fun listen
Never heard of them. Good stuff. New wave punk maybe? Not sure but it's not rock and not punk. It's both with a hint of new wave to mellow it out.
I knew Roadrunner from the Sex Pistols cover, but had no idea where it had originally come from. I figured I would detest this album, but it was actually really good. It's like a missing Velvet Underground album, but with some other influences leaking in, like a bit of the Doors here and there. I get that this is a bit of a mash up, rather than a proper album, but it's still entertaining and worthy of four stars. It's not perfect, and there's a few dull moments towards the end, but it's generally on point.
I cant tell if its parody, Tasting this "blind". After a few tracks I find it reassuringly consistent so i trust it, and it starts to do it work on me. A gumshoe mod party vibe, playing either the musical ancester or descendants of about 2 decades of good post Blues Brit Pop. fairly tight and clean, and I like it, ironically I think. He has a charming sly smirking swagger, the main singer. It needs another listen .... moody, and its has an certain 'digitus impudicus' insolence and attitude a certain irrisistable self awareness I cant fathom yet Great one liners. Cant beleive I dont know them from some soundtracks>>>> So for now: "un certain regard". Sensing a slow burn ...
Been a while since I've heard this one. Opens strong with Roadrunner, which straddles some boundary between pop, punk, and psychadelia. The last part I attribute to the strong presence of organ, which gives great service. All around jam. I love the whole concept of Pablo Picasso, built on this mythology that Picasso was irresistible and therefore was never called an asshole for trying to pick up women. Love the dryness of this song and the jammy nature of the instrumentals. She Cracked is a jam as well. I found myself drumming along for the entire song. Rest of the album jams as well, but I had it in the background. All around solid album and a rare one where I didn't even notice when it bled into the extended tracks. If I could give half stars, this is a perfect 4.5. Not enough gusto to give it a perfect 5, so I'll settle for a 4.
Just from the first couple minutes I already like this punk rock more than most. I think it's the keys (shoutout Jerry Harrison from Talking Heads). After a whole listen this is def some better punk than I expected. Really loved the instrumentals, and sometimes his voice fit perfectly with the music, other times not so much -as is punk.
Fantastic! “Pablo Picasso was never called an asshole … not like you.”
In another example on this list how most popular reviews are based on the name recognition of the band, The Modern Lovers a Punk, Post Punk, New Wave blow to the eardrums you experience the full onslaught of punk through all kinds of range. Yet not being as recognizable as the Sex Pistols, Clash, Television, Devo, PiL and more you get relegated to negative reviews from folks that don't recognize the impact this album has played on modern music. Songs like RoadRunner are essential to the genre(s) and require this album to net a solid 4. 4/5
I really liked this. Yes, it's clear that he loved The Doors and The Velvet Underground, but most of this was recorded in 1971 - who better for him to have loved? I'm on record here as saying that the NYC drawl style of singing can drive me a bit mad, but it worked with the overall sound. I liked the sense of urgency and honesty and thought it was cool.
Great album! Reminds me a lot of Television. Hard to imagine this album came out in the 70s. Reminds me of early punk/new wave with almost a touch of indie rock
I hear touches of modern indie rock mixed in with The Velvet Underground. it sounds fresh. Enjoyable!
I’ve always loved this album and I love Jonathan Richman. He’s forever young and always making me think, reflect and laugh. Such a fun album with many highlights. For me it’s all about GIRLFREN “girlfriend” and “roadrunner” which has been on many of my jogging playlists.
Still sounds good almost 50 years later
This is such a gem. There would be no Violent Femmes without this record. There is no 80s college radio without this. There’s no Wesley Willis. Such a fun version of punk. Such unvarnished lyrics and singing style. Very raw, but also personal and tender. Underneath it all, it’s rather romantic.
1976 Protopunk Standouts: Roadrunner, She Cracked, Hospital, Astral Plane, Pablo Picasso, Someone I Care About, Modern World, I'm Straight Fantastic: 4/5
I'm a Jonathan Richman fan, but I mostly listen to the music he made after Bermuda made him realize how stiff he was. I haven't listened to this album in a few years. I'm excited to return to the Astral Plane today. Such a fun listen - and basically everyone in the group went on to make even more awesome tunes.
I like Jonathan Richman a lot. I like the loose nature of the music. I like how he’s silly but in a fun way, not a novelty. You can definitely hear the Velvet Underground influence on this album. But I love Velvet Underground so I am ok with it. This album also has a proto-punk sound to it. I again struggle with the five star rating system. This album is a pure joy but I don’t think it’s one of the best albums of all time. To me a 5 star album should be one of the best albums of all time. In a ten star rating system this would be a 9.5. Easy. This is a 4.9 in my book.
Sounds fresh even after so many years. Simple songs performed with sincerity, and such a contrast to much the bloated country rock of the same era.
How can you argue against a song that has Massachusetts, 128, the Pike, and Stop n Shop? The only thing they don't have is Dunks. They remind me of the garage bands. Uncomplicated. Unrelenting. Unforgettable. But yeah, really good.
Pretty damn fun. Pablo Picasso and Hospital stand tallest for me, but the it's a really enjoyable rock vibe that doesn't stray into very many of the cliches of the time. The music is still enjoyable today and has a strong garage vibe. The guitar, and bass on Pablo Picasso are exceptional. The song just drives! I enjoyed my time with Jonathan Richman and the Modern Lovers.
Sounds like a 60's throwback. Good album....pretty chill.
Roadrunner and Girlfriend are all-time great songs. The rest of the album is similarly great but not as revelatory.
From the opening this grabbed me and had me enthralled throughout. A great gem of an album. Made the year I was born. It’s always weird to think a great album has been around for the entirety of my existence and I’d never heard it before. Until now.
4.75
I was a little distracted while I was listening but I remember liking most songs but disliking a few. It probably warrants another listen but from what I recall, overall I did like it enough to listen again.
Pleasantly surprised...definitely enjoyed this!
It will not enter my favorite list, but it is good. Liked to hear it.
Familiar with many of these songs, but hadn’t heard album in its entirety. A classic.
The doors vibes
Really liked the vibes of this album, and was pleasantly surprised by their sound. I would listen to it again nice good time.
One of the defining albums from when the US new wave scene started evolving. Down the same alley as Lou Reed, Iggy Pop, Blondie, Talking Heads, Television. Love it!
This is probably a great album to listen to while stoned. I enjoyed it more than I expected.
I liked this a lot. Never heard of them before but massive velvet underground vibes which is always a good thing.
This grew on me as I went through the album. It's rough and unrefined at times, but there is a sincerity that shines through.
Sounds really timeless. Probably the earliest example I've found of contemporary alternative rock. Then came Joy Division, then The Smiths, then the rest is history! 1st listen 3.5/5
Good feels
Un gran album de rock alternativo que se inspira bastante en los sonidos propuestos por John Cale en The Velvet Underground, razón de la por qué los produce. Con letras irónicas, inteligentes y un sonido punk cercano al New Wave, el debit de The Modern Lovers sigue sintiéndose fresco y energético. Realmente una entrada refrescante en esta lista.
Featuring future members of Talking Heads and the Cars (Jerry Harrison and David Robinson respectively), the only album by the Modern Lovers is a jittery, jaded rumination on 70s youth culture. A signpost of what was to come in the decade ahead.
Very nice American rock. Cool vocals - one of those slow almost speaking instead of singing once. Favorite song of the album is Girlfriend, which has super nice strings and piano.
This is a pretty dang fun album IMHO. Not amazing or anything, but fun. Call it a 3.5.
his lyrics are so funny, the singer has a british quality to him even if he isn't, I found the themes to just be brought together so well by the musical attitude and vocal performances
Really great listen. 4/5
Pretty decent. I can see how this influenced a lot of what came after in late 70s. Rating: 4.3
I didn't have high hopes from reading some of the top reviews, but I really dug this!
Solid proto-punk album. Has a lot of good songs on the album but in all honesty there was nothing that would make me think this album is life-changing in any way. Still really good but sort of par for the course in the genre, it is just a really good example of that garage rock/proto-punk sound. If you like that sound you will like this. 9/10
Great
Yet another album I haven't listen to since the early 1990's. I had forgotten how good and influential it is, with its proto punk feel. Also you can hear the influence of the Velvets instrumentally and the Stooges vocally on the record. Standout tracks; Pablo Picasso, Hospital, Someone I Cared About. However I was never a fan of Roadrunner. Gets low 4
I hadn't heard this before, but it's clearly an incredibly influential record. A lot of it feels 30 years ahead of its time.
so singular
top
Enjoyed this. Will come back to
Liked it more than I thought I would
great punk album
This was one of the most stupid albums I’ve heard in a long time - and I mean that in a good way. The singer wasn’t that good, but the songs were sooo weird and interesting. I definitely didn’t like all of them and probably won’t listen to it much, but it’s definitely an album I’ll remember. I also read that one of the members were later part of Talking Heads, and while this doesn’t reach their heights, you can definitely see where some inspiration came from. With lines like “Well some people try to pick up girls And get called assholes This never happened to Pablo Picasso”, how can you not like it.
Thoroughly suprised by this one. It's like a The Doors if they decided to be a punk rock band instead. The lyrics are quirky and unexpected like "Someone I care about" which is a song about only wanting a serious relationship and nothing else. It felt original, fun and catchy, I still got Roadrunner stuck in my head.
Surprisingly good!
Guay. Me recuerda a Evan Dando
Solid garage rock from back in the day
4 stars
This is like an over achieving high school garage band, but you can tell there is tons of potential here. Fun lyrics, fun music. Great Boston references too. Never thought I'd hear "Massachusetts" used in a song.
The parts dont really add up to anything, but the sum is very pleasant indeed
Really enjoyed this album actually. Had a good blend of proto-punk but also just easy garage rock listening. With just enough charm and art to pull it altogether. The lyrics ramble but are also meaningful. Favorites: Roadrunner, Astral Plane, Someone I Care About, Pablo Picasso Least Favorites: Girlfriend,
I had heard this one before and was happy to see it as the selection for the day. I really like this one. I was surprised to see some of the other reviews - a lot of people really hate this one. I guess his voice is kind of love it or hate it.
This album was hard to rate. I really enjoyed it, during actually listening I felt anywhere from a 3 to a 5. I’ll settle on a 4 then. Great rock, there was also some punk elements that really made me enjoy this album. TBz 1. Hospital 2. She Cracked 3. Astral Plane 4. Roadrunner
Not surprised to hear that this was produced by a velvet underground alum. Simple, but still fresh. Doesn’t totally feel like it’s pushing any envelopes, but still very solid
as with all velvet derivatives, this doesn’t do the original projects justice but is still quite good. missed the discordant violin, though.
This is an album I think I used to like more than I do now, but Roadrunner and Dignified and Old are still worth the price of admission.
"Roadrunner" is one of those songs I know from multiple sources but could never name the band if you asked me, but just a good, solid Velvet Underground like track. Astral Plane feels like they are channeling The Doors. Pablo Picasso is another fun and weird track that feels like The Ramones would have had fun covering it. Overall a short, tight, fast and solid album.
Not bad tbf
This album seems like a nice bridge between the Velvet Underground and all of the alternative rock artists that came of age in the 1980s. This makes sense, given that a member of the Velvet Underground produced much of the album The Modern Lovers and especially Jonathan Richman, have a weird sensibility to them, but it works with their happy-go-lucky musical style. The first song, Road Runner, is an absolute classic. 4/5 The production could be a little cleaner, but I can't really hold that against them, since a lot of the album was recorded as demos
Such a great timeless album. Pablo Picasso is easily my favourite and RoadRunner is very enjoyable.
Scuzzy fun. All the people making unfavorable comparisons to the Velvet Underground are reaching, if you ask me. While the VU comprise a spectrum of sounds, The Modern Lovers take only one of the shades of that spectrum and run with it, and the same is true of basically all garage rock, surely? Fave track - "Pablo Picasso" has long been a favorite, but "Roadrunner" is awesome too....
Real great. Will be returning to this one!
One, two, three, four, five, six Roadrunner, roadrunner Going faster miles an hour Gonna drive past the Stop 'n' Shop With the radio on I'm in love with Massachusetts And the neon when it's cold outside And the highway when it's late at night Got the radio on I'm like the roadrunner Alright I'm in love with modern moonlight 128 when it's dark outside I'm in love with Massachusetts I'm in love with the radio on It helps me from being alone late at night Helps me from being lonely late at night I don't feel so bad now in the car Don't feel so alone, got the radio on Like the roadrunner That's right Said welcome to the spirit of 1956 Patient in the bushes next to '57 The highway is your girlfriend as you go by quick Suburban trees, suburban speed And it smells like heaven, I say Roadrunner once Roadrunner twice I'm in love with rock and roll and I'll be out all night Roadrunner That's right Well now Roadrunner, roadrunner Going faster miles an hour Gonna drive to the Stop 'n' Shop With the radio on at night And me in love with modern moonlight Me in love with modern rock & roll Modern girls and modern rock & roll Don't feel so alone, got the radio on Like the roadrunner O.K. now you sing Modern Lovers I got the AM (Radio on!) Got the car, got the AM (Radio on!) Got the AM sound, got the (Radio on!) Got the rockin' modern neon sound (Radio on!) I got the car from Massachusetts, got the (Radio on!) I got the power of Massachusetts when it's late at night (Radio on!) I got the modern sounds of modern Massachusetts I've got the world, got the turnpike, got the I've got the, got the power of the AM Got the, late at night, hit 'em wide, rock & roll late at night The factories and the auto signs got the power of modern sounds Alright Right, bye bye!
Good in the car
Hard to believe this was recorded in 1971 and 1972. It still sounds so fresh, and provided the template for the punk, new wave, and indie guitar bands for the next 40 years.
Groovy as ever
It’s a good album. Lovely to hear Jerry Harrison before he made it big(ger) with Talking Heads!
Punk but not quite punk yet
Fun album, recognized Roadrunner from School of Rock with Jack Black
The album as a whole is better than any individual song. Sounds like it could have been recorded last week- the timelessness of the sound was surprising.
Classic proto punk
This band kind of struck me as the lovechild of The Doors and The Velvet Underground, and I love it! Jonathan Richman is an amazing frontman and pens down some great lyrics! And the band is great too, the keyboards in general have a huge presence presence in the songs. Roadrunner is a standout track, but my personal favorite has got to be the beautiful Hospital and its haunting vibe! Such a unique album! Favorite lyrics: - I go to bakeries all day long. There's a lack of sweetness in my life. And there is pain inside. You can see it in my eyes. Key tracks:Roadrunner, Astral Plane, Pablo Picasso, Hospital 8 out of 10
Very punk sound! Tinge of blues sensibilities, very cool, not my thing.
Saw JR & the Modern Lovers over 30 years ago and what good memories this album brought back. Aside from the fantastic Road Runner, many of the tracks reveal an eclectic mix of influences (garage rock, Springsteen, rock n roll, pop) as well as a proto-punk and new wave elements too. Repays repeated listens
This influential proto-punk record is a not bullshit riff filled album full of bangers. Roadrunner and Pablo Picasso are the clear highlights here, but all the album flows super well and is short and sweet. The production is clear as hell and the melodies are on point. I completely get why this album receives such high praise. 8,5/10
I don’t mind not amazing singers so I quite liked this 4/5
Some really great tracks on the this album roadrunner, Pablo Picasso and Astral Plane. However too many songs sound like 2nd rate Velvet Underground songs, not much originality. Good album to listen to but nothing groundbreaking to make it 5 stars
I'm a huge fan of the song Roadrunner. There's some other good stuff on here but overall the record is pretty mixed. "I'm straight" is a real low point. I'll probably go 4 stars just on the power of Roadrunner.
Really enjoyable album with some great songs. Roadrunner is amazing, of course, but other good stuff on this album too.
Proto-strokescore
What a talent. This is perhaps not JR in his purest form but probably his most powerful and punkiest. "Pablo Picasso" and "Girlfren" (sp?) contain all-time indie one-liners. The songwriting and nasal delivery and oddball content are all delightful and totally original. One recognizes this is not for everyone (just the voice or willful weirdness will put off many), but it's certainly singular and, speaking personally, very much one's thing.
Timeless music. Some songs sound 80s/Violent Femmes.
If I were a Richman…
Twisted genius at play here- convention breaking, wild and untamed. Richman’s slurred vocals and the rough musical aesthetic make for an aggressive and alienating listen yet compelling at the same time.
Strongly reminds me of Velvet Underground, Lou Reed, and then, later, a lot of 90s lo-fi indie rock. I have always liked Jonathan Richman's music. Although I wouldn't want to listen to him everyday, there is something really refreshing about his simple, upbeat songwriting and delivery. In a world of jaded, cynical artists, he is so - not jaded. This is cool and different. I can see why it's on the list. It's not going to be one I'll be listening to frequently, but I am glad I heard it.
sounds very Clashish. Good stuff
Alright sometimes repetative but unique.
Very first wave. Two thumbs up.
Kind of a crossover between Velvet Underground, The Doors and New York punk from the 70's. Of course it's good! Jonathan Richman sounds like an addicted crooner that longs for its past glorious days. Awesome.
This album was released in 1976, but the fact that it was recorded in 1972 makes it all the way more impressive. It's my first time with the Modern Lovers and I'm stunned by the honest delivery of Jonathan Richman. At that time, glam rock and high pitched singers ruled the scene and he's just there, playing it humble and doing his job. Their proto-punk organ/guitar driven sound is also very nice, hard to believe it was made early 70s.
Very pleasant surprise.
entretenido
Jonathan Richman is great. A groundbreaking album for its time.
Pablo Picasso.. never got called an asshole
Bijzonder modern voor 1976
Prefs: Roadrunner, Old World, Pablo Picasso, She Cracked, Hospital, Someone I Care About, Modern World Moins pref: Girlfriend
She cracked, I'm sad, but I won't.
Good Boston references and some good tunes
Good album!
Loving it
This record and this band take on almost mythical stature, which I'm sure that's how Jonathan Richman prefers it. At the end of the day though these recordings that were pulled together to make this record are an excellent snapshot of an otherwise short lived and unrealized sound. Richman has always been changing and not wanting to even perform any older songs all that often. These songs are edgy and have that proto punk driving force and their influence is far felt 50 years later. It's an incredible recording and we should be thankful it exists.
Not too bad with vocals that match the same pitch and way as of “suicidal tendencies “ but more funky with defiantly back music that carries the same and flat vocals so can be a decent listen if your not paying attention
Jonathan Richmond gives us a glimpse in to his perpetually adolescent brain. Essentially the invention of geek rock. The fact some of these songs were from 1971 shows how ahead of his time he was. Though I'm pretty sure Picasso was called an arsehole at least once in his life. Best Tracks: Roadrunner; Astral Plane; She Cracked
Pretty damn cool.
I actually liked this one. Not like groundbreaking but fun with a sorta outsiders sound, bit velvet underground/ violent femmes. I'd heard bits and bobs from richman before but I liked taking the time to listen to the album. Good!
Why have I never heard of this before?
Jonathan Richman is the Nathan Fielder of rock music
It was an enjoyable listen I wish I listened to it more closely but I’ll definitely listen to it in the future.
A little punkish, but also pretty melodic with songs like Hospital. Roadrunner & Pablo Picasso are pretty cool songs too. I've never heard of this band before this so it's always interesting to be exposed to a brand new sound. I may have to look up what else the guitarist for this band has done because I like the tone and emotion behind the guitar specifically.. Pretty weird sounding record but I enjoyed it a lot. Like a more evolved Velvet Underground without the pretentiousness
A proto-punk 70's album, somewhere between 1960's The Doors and 1980's Black Flag. A good listen!
Shout out to my university friend Steven who put me on to Kurt Vonnegut and The Modern Lovers in the 90s. I've loved them ever since.
Guay. Me recuerda a Evan Dando.4
Tää on kyl upea levy. Ainutlaatuinen kerrassaan. Joskus annan vielä vitosen, nyt 4.5/5.
Tykkäsin tästä kyllä, Roadrunner varsinkin todella kova biisi. Sanotaan 3.5, pyöristyy neloseen.
John Richman’s carefree attitude and vocals mixed with proto-punk and at times even blues instrumentals make this album really ahead of its time. He paints a picture and tells a story with each song, bringing the listener along for the ride whether they want to or not. I especially love how they were indie before indie was even a thing and how you can already hear the beginnings of the “emo” and “angsty” sound that wouldn’t be popular until decades later. I like the subtle diversity in instrumentals , with Roadrunner being a classic rock n roll track, She Cracked being more punk and heavier at times, Hospital and Girlfriend with their almost R&B-Esque auras, and I’m Straight sounding very bluesy. I’d also like to note that he was everything you WOULDN’T expect a punk band to be almost rejecting the idea of being put in a specific box, the definition of real punk music. Talking about respecting women and not wanting to just bone random girls in Someone I Care About and admitting he’s sober and doesn’t care for smoking pot and doing drugs in “I’m Straight”??? I mean, this guy truly didn’t give a single fu*k about seeming “cool” and I can really respect that. Listened to: 07/8/22 Favorite Songs: Roadrunner, Pablo Picasso, She Cracked, Modern World
Enjoyed. Roadrunner is a treat. proto punk fun
Garage proto punk
An album to take you back in time. Pretty much a classic. The band should have been given an Iggy Pop and the......whatever they wanted to call themselves credit though. Theyre as much a part of it's success as Iggy.
Hard album to rate. In a vacuum, I would give it a 5 for being perfect at what it does, but when you compare it to other albums, I would say it rates below some of my high 4s. I suppose that makes it a 4 with the caveat that I don't think this album could have been made better. It is quintessential and perfect in its moment, but it is a "small" album. It doesn't have the ambition that would make it a 5 for me, great though it may be.
I don't know why. But I love this band so much. Jonathan's voice is just odd. And great. I've listened to I'm straight for days on end. And know the lyrics by heart. Fantastic.
Voice doesn't quite match the music. Lyrics are on the young side. Pleasantly surprising.
Folk Rocky vibe to it. Beginning of the album is extra good, falls off a but towards the end in my opinion. But overall good sound and good vocals
Rock despullat i cru però amb cançons imaginatives i honestes. Una llàstima que la banda no donés més de sí, perquè Richman en solitari mai s'ha apropat a l'aconseguit en aquest disc. 'Pablo Picasso', 'Roadrunner', 'Hospital', 'Modern World'... un molt estimulant conjunt de temes
Fuck Pablo Picasso, SHACK gets called an asshole all the time. i've started to listen to this album loads of times and very rarely get to the end. it falls off a cliff after pablo picasso, but there are a couple of belters early on.
Who ate all the pies? Who ate all the lies? The fat bastards will never find love in the dark. They will never be allowed. They will never be happy. Eat another pie, you fat bastard.
Очень похоже на творчество групп The Doors, The Velvet Underground, Talking Heads. Необычная музыка. Прикольная.
Muy buenos !! No los conocía !!!
Going faster miles an hour
Jonathan Richman borders
New for me, quite liked.it
Four stars An all-time classic, and an album which still holds its own many years after it was released. As is usually the case with those classic albums, I won't write a full-blown review here given that others have already written wonderful stuff about them and there's not much I can add that I feel could be relevant and interesting. "The Modern Lovers" is just a timeless gem for anyone who has even a remote interest in post Velvet-Underground rock, not to mention proto-punk, here recorded more than five years before the word " punk" reached our collective consciousness. Go and listen to it a.s.a.p. Number of albums left to review or just listen to: more than 900, I've temporarily lost count here Number of albums from the list I find relevant enough to be mandatory listens: approximately a third so far (including this one) Albums from the list I *might* include in mine later on: another third Albums from the list I will certainly *not* include in mine (many others are more important): the last third Albums I might not be the best person to judge, but that I will probably include in my final list: 2. That, I remember.
Really interesting album, albeit slightly too long. I've heard Roadrunner before but couldn't have identified the band previously. Very cool sound. Hospital, with its erratic mismatched timing, is a very good song. Enjoyed this a lot
Interesting
I don't really know what proto-punk is, since I absolutely hate punk and hated the last proto-punk album we've had as well. But I thought this one is actually pretty awesome. For a debut album it always sounds extremely confident and straight-lined. I should also add that the rating is based only on the 9 tracks of the original album. I also listened to two of the bonus tracks and those were 2 star songs at most. So I guess also kudos for knowing which tracks to include and which to exclude...
Pretty good, catchy and varied, and before a lot of the things it sounds like (which shows its influence). Roadrunner, astral plane, and she cracked were my top tracks
Hospital is such an amazing song. This album generated a pretty amazing station with a lot of my favorites and a lot of what will be new favorites.
Quite liked a few of the songs
Best thing about this project is discovering gems like this. I've heard a couple of these songs before, but never listened to the whole album. It's a glorious mish-mash of Velvet Underground, Iggy Pop, Talking Heads, and a bunch of other proto-punk and early alternative stuff. Excellent. 4 stars.
Will listen again for sure
I love this album to death the music, the humble smart style of Jonathan just amazing
Skeptical at first, but actually got really into it. Feels a bit like mumble rock :D