Reviews (page 5 of 8)
Pretty upbeat and I enjoyed the songs.
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
Meh. It's bland British rock where the guy can barely sing and rambles on and on. Annoying overall. 2/5
Pablo Picasso was never called an asshole
2.0 - Weak
Das 1976 veröffentlichte Album "The Modern Lovers" der gleichnamigen US-amerikanischen Band gilt als einflussreiches Werk des Proto-Punk und Garage Rock. Die Aufnahmen entstanden bereits zwischen 1971 und 1973 in Studios wie Intermedia Sound in Boston und A&M Studios in Los Angeles. Die Band bestand aus Jonathan Richman (Gesang, Gitarre), Jerry Harrison (Keyboard), Ernie Brooks (Bass) und David Robinson (Schlagzeug). Ihre Musik ist geprägt von minimalistischen Arrangements und direkten Texten. Herausragende Stücke des Albums sind "Roadrunner", "Pablo Picasso" und "Hospital". "Roadrunner" wurde später von den Sex Pistols gecovert und gilt als Klassiker des Genres. Insgesamt stellt "The Modern Lovers" ein bedeutendes Album dar, das den Weg für spätere Punk- und New-Wave-Bewegungen ebnete. Es verbindet rohe Energie mit introspektiven Texten und bleibt ein Meilenstein der Rockgeschichte.
Lou Reed with none of the charisma.
I discovered & then got really into this album ~15 years ago. It's still awesome. Songs for regular dudes.
Musically the album is good. But the lead singer really ruins it with his bad voice. Favorite track: hospital other picks: roadrunner, pablo picasso, i wanna sleep in your arms
Joaa, ganz nett
Not my preferred genre
Is there a reason for this album to be on here other than the fact that John Cale produced it? Just go listen to VU. Better use of your time and you won't have to listen to the nightmare that is Pablo Picasso.
Great album to illustrate the evolution of music styles; you can hear the vaguely Punk Rock style turn toward a more Alternative-y version of itself. Sometimes there are hints of it being even more ahead of its time. But also many of the songs don't work for me, so from my subjective perspective it gets 3 stars.
I love this record. I wish it had come into my life earlier than it did so I could have had longer enjoying it than the poor few years that I have.
Well, some people try to pick up girls And get called assholes This never happened to Pablo Picasso He could walk down your street And girls could not resist his stare and so Pablo Picasso was never called an asshole I can really get behind this message. You don't have to be good looking, you just have to be an artist. And, that can be cultivated. Artists have to have confidence.
Awesome! Need on vinyl!
Pretty good, reminds me of television but not as interesting guitar playing
Pretty mid
I've always like Jonathan Richmans voice and he's obviously a talented storyteller and songwriter. I mean I can just picture Picasso cruising around in his El Dorado and all the girls swooning over his hard stare and never callling him an asshole. The guy must have been on something really strong! Or maybe he just wanted someone who rhymed with asshole. Fidel Castro got lucky. 3½ for me. Though some of the songs failed to hit the mark so downgraded to 3.
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.
Wikipedia says this album is Proto-Punk / Garage Rock / Art Rock - it's doesn't really haven't the energy of Punk or Garage. I remember hearing the opening track (and single) "Roadrunner" being played on the radio and thinking that it was amateurish - it still sound slike that today, almost 50 years later. The rest of the tracks aren't any better. And Jonathan Richman sounds so miserable which is how I feel after listening to this.
What a banger. Roadrunner is a killer song to start a record with and from this song on the journey starts. Perfect sebum with a perfect length.
My first thought was how a band could open an album with a cover song. Then I learned they recorded the album long before the 1979 release, and it was the pistols covering them.
>The Modern Lovers >actually very dated and not that loving What did they mean by this?
Yes! I came to this album late but loved it from the beginning. Such straight talking. Super cool.
Didn’t like his voice and overall very very meh
5/10
Stupid music. Let’s just talk our way through songs. No talent.
Solid album Standout songs: Roadrunner Pablo Picasso
3.5/5
As a middle aged man it's hard to get too excited about an album full of songs about wanting a girlfriend. It was fine.
I love Jonathan Richman and I love teenage delusion
Roadrunner Pablo Picasso She Cracked Girlfriend
Tempted to give this a 5 to balance out the 1 star reviews. If you gave this a 1, you haven’t listened to enough on this list.
Liked the one Bowie covered, Pablo Picasso, though his version is far superior.
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.
These songs were fine but forgettable. Totally average for what I imagine the era would get you, which makes sense if it’s true this sat unreleased for several years. 2.5/5
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.
.-.
eeehhh
Fun little rocker. Kept me interested through out
3.5 stars. Driving rock and roll that helps open the door to punk. Standouts "Someone I Care About" and "Roadrunner".
70s at its core but nothing really stands out for me most of the album “Pablo Picasso never got called an asshole” Favourite track: Pablo Picasso (the only song I really enjoyed)
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
Went in with very low expectations and I guess I liked Roadrunner more than I thought I would. Very simple chords, and it continues in a similar vein for a couple tracks, with what sounds like organ (Mellotron?) supporting. Weird semi-spoken vocals on some songs like the offbeat Hospital. Girlfriend and Modern World might be the next best songs on here with something approaching catchy riffs. Not for me - it does at least sound pretty good with distinct instruments and a chunky rhythm section, but I don't like the songs or vocals enough to come back to this.
The main vocalist has a very distinctive voice which I think could be divisive but I found it was enjoyable. I was surprised at how modern it sounded for an album from 1972. Some songs sounded like Pulp, which I enjoyed.
The Doors, Sex Pistolas fusionados, es una simbiosis del rock en buena direccion
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.
naja, nicht wirklich. dann aber via Roadrunner und das (miserable!) cover der Sex Pistols doch noch irgendwie verstanden, weshalb das album für die rockgeschichte wichtig ist. und vielleicht besser als beim ersten durchhören.
Kannte ich nicht, aber ist herrlich erfrischend.
Best Boston album of all time
Music ok, lyrics not so much
Nope! Couldn't make it through this.
Very mediocre
is it over?
Tried to listen twice and have no memory of it either time.
nothing to see here
Maybe a 4, trying to review things retroactively
No
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
I am Straight sounds like Marcy Playground, earlier cuts sound like a hybrid of The Doors and VU, it could've been more influential if it was released in 1972 instead of 76. The group that recorded this album went to greener pastures. How strange is that Mr Cale released a cover of Pablo Picasso before the band had their album out https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Nf5aOrL3sc Other than that, it did not move me. Jerry Harrison (Talking Heads) - keys Ernie Brooks (David Johansen) - bass David Robinson (The Cars) - drums Jonathan Richman - vocals, guitar 4/10
this is the meeting-that-could-have-been-an-email of albums
There’s something about The Modern Lovers that just works for me. It’s raw, it’s weirdly charming, and it’s got that perfect mix of punk energy and off-kilter storytelling. This album feels like proto-punk at its absolute best—before the genre was fully formed, but still carrying all the restless energy, sharp wit, and stripped-down instrumentation that made punk what it became. It’s got that garage-band simplicity, but the songs are packed with personality and a sense of urgency that I love. This album nails the attitude of early punk. Jonathan Richman’s lyrics blend sarcasm, sincerity, and a weird wholesomeness. Instead of sneering rebellion, he offers awkward honesty, romantic frustration, and a nerdy love for Boston and old-school values. It shouldn’t work, but it does. Tracks like “Roadrunner” and “Pablo Picasso” mix deadpan humour with real emotion in a way that feels truly unique. Speaking of “Roadrunner”—what a song. It’s one of the best punk songs ever written, and I’ll stand by that. The simple, two-chord structure, the driving rhythm, and Richman’s monotone, almost spoken delivery make it feel like the Velvet Underground sped up and stripped down to its essentials. It’s repetitive in the best way, building and building until you’re completely sucked in. It’s a song that makes you want to get in a car, roll the windows down, and just go. The album’s guitar work is raw and minimalistic, like the Stooges or early Velvet Underground—tight, punchy riffs with no frills. “Old World” and “Someone I Care About” showcase jagged garage-rock energy, while “Astral Plane” adds an eerie, detached feel, enhancing the album’s strange charm. The production is also exactly what it should be. It’s lo-fi but not muddy, keeping that live, unpolished feel while still allowing every instrument to stand out. The keyboards add a quirky, almost robotic texture that gives the album a weird but cool dynamic. It’s simple, it’s direct, and it fits the sound perfectly. The Modern Lovers feels both ahead of its time and timeless—raw, weird, and full of personality. The guitar work, deadpan vocals, and dry humour make it stand out, even among punk classics. Some tracks falter, and the production is thin, but it hardly matters. Proof that punk is about attitude, not just aggression. 4.7/5—an absolute classic that still feels fresh.
It's called The Modern Lovers because modern bands loved it at some point to make music that is loved more. Not really a diss but uhh yeah I'll take the modern stuff thank you.
Very much a *listens to the The Velvet Underground once* album. I adore it on that level, so clearly hearing the influences and even pushing it forward. Feels like such a labor of love. It also kinda feels a bit proto-emo in a way that tickles my brain with the awkwardness in a lot of the lyrics. I think it's pretty easy to see how this influenced a ton of people and how it sounds ahead of its time. A bit new wave at times and the organ reminded me of Sterolab's Super Falling Star for some reason. I feel I'd fuck with it more if the lyrics didn't feel so aggressively straight that I start yearning for Rivers Cuomo.
what's good is good, what's bad is bad, sorry paz.
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
70s rock - not horrible, but definitely not my style, and kinda boring.
A slog to get through, some of the tracks sounded unfinished and almost as if they were demos, e.g. Girlfriend which was particularly grating. There are some slightly better songs such as Astral Plane which had a real Doors vibe to it, but on the whole just a confusing album with no real identity. Favourite tracks: Astral Plane & Government Center. Not one to revisit. 2/5
There is nothing particularly good here but it is not the worst album on this list. 2 stars or D.
The Modern Lovers, proto-punk with a Warhol Factory connection via vocalist Jonathan Richman. "Roadrunner" an ode to the adolescent thrill of driving the Mass Pike with the radio on and hanging out at Stop N' Shop, nothing this infectious has been written about the power of Massachusetts since The Standells loved the "Dirty Water" on the bands of the River Charles and declared Boston their home despite the curfews at Women's college dormitories. "Astral Plane" has Velvet Underground inspired stuttering guitar and keyboard noodling, but meeting your lover on the Astral Plane otherwise you'll go insane is not gritty the Heroin vistas of a leather-clad poets and poseurs. "Old World," is an affirmation of loving parents, arcades, the 1950s and the old world, like a proficient version of the Shaggs "Who Are Parents?" "Pablo Picasso" is probably the best garage rock song about the surrealist painter that rhymes Picasso with "asshole." ("Pablo Picasso never got called an asshole....not like you"). Although Jonathan Richman would top this Modern Lovers track with "Vincent Van Gogh" from his Rockin' and Romance album. I associate the Modern Lovers with Big Star, both late 1970s guitar bands with unique subject matter and niche popularity. "She Cracked" about a girl who eats garbage and does drugs while Richman eats healthy and stays home. Punk that overlaps with twee pop finds its origins with this album. "Hospital," proof that the Modern Lovers can produce something other than propulsive rock, begins as a slow and somber organ dominated dirge and eventually it has a tangential tempo shift while Richman contemplates the ambivalence of loving a self-destructive girl, but he's in love with her eyes and walking down scary streets while crying, perhaps this is his Sister Ray, except he is "straight." "Someone I Care About" is the anti-sex and drugs rock song about wanting a serious relationship not a "cocaine-sniffing triumph in the bar." "Girlfriend" another art nerd ode to love with tongue in check allusions to Them's Gloria and the Shangra-Las ("G-I-R-L- F-R-E-N"). "Modern World" loves the USA and dropping out of BU, but hates cigarette smoking girls. Beat Happening would reduce this style of punk to two chords or less and talk about "Hot Chocolate Nation" and eating Bananas in Pajamas, but Jonathan Richman still has a jam punk sneer under the geek earnestness. Bonus tracks aplenty: "Dignified and Old" hating yourself because the girl you love won't call you back, but one day you can be dignified and elderly together. "I'm Straight" ponders why hippie Johnny is always stoned if this world and the girl he is with is so beautiful (Minor Threat eat your heart out). "Government Center" imagines having a rock hop to disrupt the monotony of bureaucracy, making all the secretaries feel better when they put the stamps on letters and ledgers.
I typically look up the track listing of each album, and make my judgement based on the original track listing. If it’s good, I might continue onto the bonus tracks, alternative takes, demos, etc. I knew by about the 3rd song I would not be exploring beyond the original 9 tracks.
Another introduction to me. Sounds like a worse copy of "The Doors". I prefer the David Bowie version of "Pablo Picasso" but having the original version here plus a few more o.k. tracks ("She Cracked", "Modern World", "Dignified An Old") sums up to a weak three stars vote. 2,5
Buen disco, admiradores de la Velvet
As the book blurb says - very Lou Reed inspired. It was Just ok.
To hear the influences of artists down the line is really cool, even if this comes off as unpolished and juvenile at times.
Nerd Bedroom rock - my mates loved this at the time, but passed me by. I can hear the Velvet Underground influence in parts, but this is not even remotely "cool"
A favorite of mine, and it has been for 30 years. No need to say more.
8/10
Very average, but average is not bad
I am from Massachusetts. I love this album.
irritating and superficial imitation of jim morrison without an ounce of his wit and lyricism. what are we even doing with this album. it’s an album like this that really makes me lose faith in this 1001 list. who was inspired by this album. just because members broke off and started joined good bands and the sex pistols covered a song is that enough to be considered “influential” ?????????? listening more. I like Hospital. more melodic and less stupid Doors stuff. oh as I’m listening it got creepy. “when you were a little girl I get jealous of your old boyfriends” wtfff I thought we were being vulnerable for a sec it’s over who cheered
I’m so tired of British trash like this being considered good. “I’m Straight” is a whole song about not smoking weed??? Maybe if you did you’d actually write good music. Fuck, I’m jealous of anyone who’s never listened to this trash.
I’d rather eat deep-fried drywall than listen to one more bland British dude try to create original music.
Some mid 70s rock that delivers about what you'd expect it to. It's good, probably somebody's favorite, but just ok to me.
This is garage rock for refined-cultured-educated types. One's fully down with any record that name-checks not just Picasso, but also Gauguin and Boston's MFA, and then misspells "girlfriend" just for fun. So much longing so expertly couched in sweet and well-owned irony that it somehow comes of as sincere. Way more substantive, with darker shadows ("Someone I Care About," "Hospital") and sharper edges ("Dance with Me," "Modern World") than one recalls and not so novelty-jokey as as some of JR's later works tended to be. Plus, original-distinctive as hell, totally knowing (but not too archly so), and awfully good fun besides. Rounding up for the truly unique, and tightly controlled vision and pulling it off with near-perfect execution -- a minor miracle, in other words, like all the best records (and indeed, art).
"Girlfriend" might be one of the worst songs I've ever heard, the rest of the album is better, but not that much better.
I prefer when Jonathan Richman is dancing in the lesbian bar (aouh aouh)
Decent grooves but gets a bit tedious with Jonathan's singing. I liked Dignified as a stand out. 2.5/3
The singing was not the best part of the album. The music was all right, but the talking/singing was not something I am a fan of, but I know it's appealing to some. It is great music for just chilling with a 70s vibe.
Can’t say I get it. Seems like Suicidal Tendencies covering deep cuts of The Doors.
Liked half the songs easily, great groove and lyrics on some but the singing and repetitiveness is too much and annoying as hell.
Nueva obsesión del momento
This band and album was completely new to me. Proto-punk apparently. Reminded me a little of Sex Bob-Omb (Scott Pilgrim). A raw, juvenile US garage band. It was ok, but won’t be added to my favourites list.
Really enjoyed the first few songs but it just went on a bit too long. However I have had roadrunner roadrunnaaAAA stuck in my head for a day so well done.
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!
Neat and fun but also kinda annoying to me
this was pretty fun but also a bit boring i thought at points ... but i had a good time
Jonathan Richman is a love or hate kind of guy. I tend to enjoy his goofier, less self serious songs. This record is a bit more traditional when it comes to the songwriting. It’s not a bad listen per se - but not my first choice of Richman albums.
Kojarzyć się może z The Doors albo The Strokes. Wokal momentami jakby niezbyt trzeźwy i czysty. Do przesłuchania i zapomnienia, ale uszy nie krwawią. Mocne 6/10, jedną nogą ponad przeciętnością.
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.
I have a soft spot for things that are somewhat proto-punk like this. The singing is done pretty bland and uninteresting, but it fits the aesthetic pretty well. The relatively simple riffs and playing is done really well and I find the songs to be very engaging, even if the things that are sung about don't always make sense.
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.
Started out pretty cool, but at some point it started to drone on too long. RIP Anthony Bourdain tho. 3/5 Highlights: Roadrunner Astral Plane
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
Remarkably British sounding album from a non-British band.
I've heard this before. Among the various "lead singers who can't sing" I put Jonathan Richman near the top. But this album is a bit inconsistent. I think the Modern Lovers come into their own a little later on. But this is the only album from the "classic" Modern Lovers lineup, and it turns out to have been pretty influential. I can only give it 3 stars...just too inconsistent to rank higher. Soft 3 stars.
The doors dupe
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
9/10
Prototype for a number of punk, alternative and indie records to follow. Still sounds ahead of its time. Just a big sneering grin across its face.
I didnt know that Jonathan Richmand was the front man. Sounds like a bored velvet underground though
Sounds like someone doing karaoke to The Doors.
Spartan, almost perfunctory garage rock with odd psychedelic tinges. I'm not sure I knew these recordings were intended as demos but it makes perfect sense. In its own way, without meaning to be, it's a masterpiece.
So here’s the thing, I can hear the influence of this band in about 100 bands that came after it. I think my only problem with this album, is that it seems very unpolished. Plenty of bands around the same time we’re doing similar things, but had a much more polished sound. While I can hear the influences, this album is not for me.
too british
"Roadrunner" was on a compilation album I had as a kid so I had high hopes for this. Sadly, the new wave vibes of that particular track were not evident on the rest of the album which was a unholy mix of The Doors (who I never liked) and Elvis Costello (who I do like, but has been on this list far too often already)
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?
Half the time I can’t tell if they’re being intentionally simplistic or just tired.
Now I know where Roadrunner is from and that the original was not by the Sex Pistols. Apart from that track nothing here to inspire me.
This was fine. It sounded very raw. It reminded me a little bit of The Ramones, and a LOT of the Strokes. Or I guess I should say now that The Strokes sound like these guys.
Felt like I'm in the studio with my friend's high school band
Already had 3 songs from this album in a playlist with The Velvet Underground and Talking Heads. Pretty good recipe.
Vocals are off putting but grew on me, they were kinda cooking near the end of the album Still pretty good though
What a cool and stripped down proto punk album. So great! And extra points for Jerry Harrison.
Middle of the road. Sounds like a mash-up of several 60s bands. Nothing special to see here, folks.
I guess the guy who made this list really likes albums with bad singers and mediocre music. This one has the added benefit of bad lyrics too! This is not an album you need to listen to before you die. I listened to it and it added no value to my life whatsoever!
Awesome.
At the start thought I was going to struggle getting through this, but got used to the downer non vocals, and started hearing those influences on the indie bands i used to listen to.
God I am sick of 70s music. I might abandon the website if this is just going to be an overview of the 70s. The vibe is OK but the lyrics are quite poorly written. The "modern lovers" ? more like the "pre-pubescent lovers". The whole album seems juvenile, like listening to a kid in primary school trying to articulate love and relationships. I'm going to stop it 8 songs in. Why tf does anyone "need" to listen to this album before they die?
I wanted to like this album more than I did. That's probably because I've got some friends who speak highly of Jonathan Richman, but I get the feeling I just like his later stuff better. This album feels like a promising starting point, not a blast out of the gate. The suburban take on Velvet Underground was hit-or-miss for me. I think the faster ones worked better for me - Roadrunner and Astral Plane will get into my rotation. The slower ones often felt a little unfocused, slipping past dispassionate right into low energy. Unfortunately I found songs like Pablo Picasso, Someone To Care About, and I'm Straight downright creepy, and not in a good way. Turns out I'm less scared by Lou Reed singing about heroin than a suburban boy trying to be Lou Reed singing about how hard it is being a Nice Guy. These didn't sound like songs about people, they sounded like songs about somebody who wants roles filled in his life. I had trouble shaking the feeling that this album sells a lot of fedoras. Maybe I should take a cue from "Girlfriend", which I think lets us in on the joke a little. You can't make your refrain "G-I-R-L-F-R-E-N" and not have a sense of humor about your Heavy Deep and Real feelings. TL;DR: liked the garage rock, miss me with the art rock.
The Modern Doors, amirite?
shoutout massachusetts!!! i had heard Roadrunner before because my cryptography professor in college had the URL encrypted as an answer for a homework assignment. overall the album isn’t great, boring/bad instrumentals with an annoying voice. Hospital was a nice outlier - lower key than the rest of the album and more emotional.
An alright album but not really my style.
Sounds like The Doors with a very slight touch of proto-punk. I like The Doors, and I like Punk. I don't like this. They are basically imitating two interesting expressions, riding them of all that makes those influences brilliant — the charisma of Jim Morrison, the virtuosic playing of Ray Manzarek and the punky energy.
Really enjoyed this! Would be great on a Sunday arvo!
#403. This one is a bit shit. Quite difficult to actually get through the whole thing. 2/5: I want to forget about this. Song added to playlist: Roadrunner I've created a playlist on Spotify that consists of the best and/or my favorite song from each of the albums in this book. This list can be found here if you are interested: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7MAXDGLWlwLkFLb8veGfkA?si=FqkQQPgZTFWG0jAUJXLFZA&utm_source=copy-link
# 362 : I don't love it, I don't hate it. It does get better with each listen, Kind of bland, and sounds like an amateur band that I could go see in the local pub. Not bad, but not good either.
I've heard this before. Among the various "lead singers who can't sing" I put Jonathan Richman near the top. But this album is a bit inconsistent. I think the Modern Lovers come into their own a little later on. But this is the only album from the "classic" Modern Lovers lineup, and it turns out to have been pretty influential. I can only give it 3 stars...just too inconsistent to rank higher. Soft 3 stars.
Not too bad.
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.
Underwhelming...the songs started sounding the same after a while.
3.0 2x
favourite song - pablo picasso favourite lyric - well we've known each other from other lives / i want to see you today / but i'll prove my knowledge of what's inside / when i intercept you on the astral plane cover - 4/10 overall album - 2/5
There were moments where I was thinking, okay, as a Talking Heads fan, I can get behind some of this. But it’s not Talking Heads and I was over it quickly.
Crap
Not my favorite but you can see how it shaped punk and grunge
Cake’s weird stepbrother. Roadrunner rules.
The whole album was extremely fun to listen to. The link between the Velvet Underground and 90s/00s indie.
Big velvet underground vibes on this album, which isn’t a bad thing. Good album can see how it influenced a lot of the punk music that would quickly follow, worthy of this list, will I come back to it, I’m not so sure.
Extremely boring.
Liked it - creatively interesting and certainly pretty good for the time. Not my absolute favourite but very solid for sure.
Day 59 - Oct 29, 2024 I hate punk, and I could not finish the album. 1/5
галимы джаз 3/10
Very very very standard. Idk why it is on the list. Not that it is bad, but is it one of the best albums ever? I can't see it.
Too tame for punk, too punk for mainstream
Yes. So good. Real pioneers of alternative music.
Firmly in the 'warrants further exploration' bracket. Deos lots of interesting things ... possibly some droney boring things too. Lots of influences. Sounds like the Fall, or even something like Parquet Courts. Intriguing.
A good proto-punk album. Shame the band lost a few members (to The Cars and Talking Heads) and could never quite match this effort again.
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.
Listened to the original release first, found it quite good. Thinking "yo, I should check out the bonus tracks then" I listen to Government Center and it's one of the worst songs ever songed Hospital is very nice tho
forgettable is the highest praise I have for it
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
Roadrunner saves this album from middom 2 beeps out of 5
hudba, ze které jdou cítit drogy. Nic revolučního, ale fajn.
Do you like rock music? Then this album is for you.The only thing I like about this album is just the beats. The lyrics are decent I guess but I do not like the guy voice. I do not recommed this album jest because of the guys voice.
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
i think that this song is talking about some world where he could talk with with some girl in his dream state?. this could not be it, but anyways, i don't like or hate this song, but i see how people would like this album because it could be relatable.
1st song-its pretty good I like it cus it is cool and very clam to 2nd song- its so clam to I really like it so much 3rd song-
Ok, this album is okay. In my opinion, I don't like this album, but I feel like it's okay. I don't like the lead singer's voice. But I do like the instruments in the background. I feel like his voice is too monotone or something; maybe it's because I can't understand what he's saying. But I absolutely LOVE the guitar and the drums in the background. I recommend that you listen to this album, but the instrumental version, and not with the lyrics.
Do you like music? This album is for you. The rhythm of the bass is really catchy. The singer does get a little repetitive. But it's worth it. They sing about love and stuff
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.
The singer has a unique singing style amd voice. It makes for an interesting listen
My guess is these dudes hung out with Morrison, Bowie...Lou Reed? First listen, and I dig it. Sort of like spoken word.
Rock bands from the 70s and 80s is really hit or miss with me and this album is a miss. Usually I can find at least a few songs from every album that I like even if they wont be added to any playlists. That wasn't the case here. the songs are just to slow and repetitive.
Einfach, hörbar, gut!
Loved a few.
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
no
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 have some memorable moments with the Modern Lovers, the highlights of which I will list below. - Jonathan Richman is a friend of a friend (Ted, who Stijn knows), and I have met him a couple times. He is a strange fellow, and generally delightful. He answered my question about some lyrics. - When I moved to New York, Roadrunner came on just as I was crossing the Manhattan bridge into the city came on the radio. It was a great soundtrack for what felt like the beginning of a new chapter. - Later that year when I was sad and living in New York, I listened to Hospital way too much, and it was very good wallowing music. - I love hearing these songs as a connection to the Boston music scene of yesteryear. Apparently the Velvet Underground were huge in the Boston underground scene, and Jonathan Richman was there connection in town. I would kill to have been at those shows. Basically I love this album, and Jonathan Richman's solo work. Hospital is my favorite song on the album. Its a wild blend of mournful and humorous, which is a very rare balance to strike. Album cover: (A)
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
Decent but unspectacular.
I didn't enjoy this at all, feels like a bad knockoff of a bunch of other things.
bleh
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
Terrible album. I get that it’s trying to be anti establishment but without the energy of punk. The vocals grate. Did not enjoy this
..
The music was not bad, but I wasn't a fan of the singing. Too moody or something.
Catchy, but it didn’t really stick with me. The highlights were really good but the rest of the album was not very memorable. Highlights: Old World, Pablo Picasso, I’m Straight
Another one I don’t understand. Someone’s drunk karaoke uncle. 1*
Imagine if you will: a band featuring members of The Cars, The Talking Heads, and David Johansen’s band, fronted by the troubadour from There’s Something About Mary. And that’s literally The Modern Lovers. These were supposedly all demo recordings, never meant for public consumption. But there are some bonafide bangers on this record. Roadrunner was made famous via a Sex Pistols cover. But this original version is the superior take on the song. And Pablo Picasso was, of course, never called an asshole. A lot of different versions of the album were released over the years. So not every version contains I’m Straight, which is sad for people who don’t own those versions of the album. Is it the first straight-edge declaration in rock music? I believe it is. The whole thing is a fascinating document. It sounds like a band accidentally inventing punk and new wave, while looking through the lenses of the Velvet Underground and The Doors. And the whole thing is gloriously uncool. Just wonderfully out of step with the time when it was written and recorded. Or any time really. I can’t think of any era where a mass public elevates something like The Modern Lovers. It’s too personal, too sensitive, too specific. And of course that’s what makes it great. And it’s exactly why this album should be better known by the public at large.
ok
3.5
Big nope to this one, just a less interesting version of other things we have done.
This had ingredients I'm familiar with but an end result that took me from curiosity to indifference to outright hatred. Tempted to give it a 1.
Like if one of the replacement ramones who was super into the doors and velvet underground tried to make the most annoying album they could
This man was not singing; he was speaking. I was not a fan of his voice, and the songs were just OK.
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
Yeah you know how sometimes when you like a genre of thing except for a couple of fairly notable examples? It's not like anyone has ever said "oh like The Modern Lovers?" when I'm describing my music taste, but it would be reasonable if they did, and I really hated this album. I don't think it's a one but it's a 1.5 hanging on to a 2 by the skin of its teeth. The production is so sparse that I actually noticed words, and the words were like "ugh I miss the 1950s" and "Pablo Picasso got all the chicks because women can't say no to hot men with hot cars" and if they weren't cringe they were rhymey.
Good
Quirky. “Pablo Picasso” was hilarious. I became aware of this song by David Bowie covering it on his 2003 album REALITY.
Sadly I found little redeeming qualities. The vocal style ruins the album for me.
Didn’t get much of it listened to but I can hear some things I Ike. Can hear some other bands possibly taking influence from this group
I didn't hear what others are finding in this one. None of it grabbed me in a positive or negative way. After it was finished I put it back on since I had no attachment and didn't know what to review it. After the second listen I'm in the same place.
Could tell right away that this was influenced by The Velvet Underground. It's a fine listen. Did not like the Pablo Picasso song. Some of the other song lyrics aren't great. Like 1960s rock creeping towards punk.
Like Johnathan Richman alot...This one has some of my favorites I'm Straight and Pablo Picasso.
Eh
This was fucking dreadful 1 ⭐️
4/10. Nothing particularly memorable.
Kinda boring
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.
Despite being very vocal about loving VU madly, this is somehow very much its own thing, although you can here the influence to a degree. The feel and energy of this is great, playful, odd and in its own little world. She Cracked and Pablo Picasso are both as good, if not better, than Roadrunner. This also works as an album, consistent and coherent without getting repetitive. Fabulous.
Roadrunner is the dumbest rock 'n' roll start to an album. I like dumb rock 'n' roll. Elsewhere and the energy can't be matched. The album has its moments. Someone I Care About has a great buzz about it. The Strokes are clearly fans.
groundwork foundation of what would become 80s styled 'laid-back' rock. pretty cool
I've been familiar with the song Roadrunner forever, but I've never actually listened to anything else by the Modern Lovers. There's a cool energy they capture in that opening track that the rest of the album doesn't quite ever rise to again. It made for a decent listen though, and I'd probably put this on again occasionally.
Started strong, dipped in the middle, but then I liked it again by the end. Interesting history too. 3.49/5
B-
If you told me this was a loving parody of this kind of album, made by the Hippos in the late 90s, I'd have never questioned it. Still, there are a couple songs on here that I like unironically.
That sounds like a bored Franz ferdinand. There is no point listening to that.
Man was that ever a boring slog to get through. Not quite 1 star bad but I considered it
The Modern Lovers huh? Never heard of them. Reminds me of The Doors. It was okay it definitely had that 60s sounds but mixed in with some newer sounding sounds. I'll give it 3 stars
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.
Early punk that sounds like it’s got some Cali surf influence to it. I liked it. It was goofy but good. Probably a fun band to see live. The singer sounds drunk and the drummer can really play. Otherwise it was pretty straightforward.
Local band. Another group that was heavily influenced by Lou Reed and the Velvet Underground. I did enjoy it but I prefer the VU
Much of this sounds, as so many bands do, like a descendant of Lou Reed. So I grew up in Boston where Roadrunner was a bit of an FM (WBCN) anthem. I never listened to the whole album but its quite astounding considering it was produced in 1972 and at the forefront of the Punk movement. While it mostly has the sound and crude vocals and sparse production of Punk, the themes seem anti-Punk in their lack of raw emotion, love of parents, wanting of girlfriend and someone to care for, being straight, and generally loving life. In the end it has some value, especially considering its context, and there are good songs. But it does get tiresome, particularly the vocals.
Seeing a lot of bad reviews for this but I’m enjoying it. It’s a little quirky, obviously in the vein of Velvet Underground and Talking Heads. Not as sophisticated or intricate, but worth a listen.
Best cool, maar pakt me ook niet echt. Paar lekkere nummers.
A proto-punk gem. Great songs, fascinating attitude. No wonder why it stood the test of time. 4.5/5
This band reminds me a bit of The Doors.
Really torn on to what to rate this album. Everyone regards it very highly. I do not find it terrible, but do not find it terribly engaging. There seems to be no uniqueness in the songs themselves. If one is not paying close attention to this album they seem to blend in to one song. A couple songs not longer sound "edgy", and instead come across as dated. Worth a listen, but there is no spot reserved in my library for this 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
Alright, but the tunes can get a bit repetitive and lacking in some creativity
Sometimes boundaries can only be pushed by someone with unfettered confidence and a complete absence of introspective tendencies, so for that we must be grateful for teenage rockstars. But it doesn't make me want to listen to this guy drone-sing the same 4 notes as if it's the most brilliant poetry ever written.
Can't believe I never heard this before. Will need to give it another listen. Pretty solid overall.
p356. 1976. 2 stars. The bastard new wave children of The Velvet Underground. At the time this was revolutionary - a whole generation realised that if these guys could pick up a guitar and make a record, so could they. Having said that, this hasn't aged well, and it has too much filler - one classic track does not make for an album of essential listening. Additional points deducted for Jonathan Richman's nasal whine.
Really cool album. Never would have guessed that it came out in the 70s if I had heard it blindly
While nothing really grabbed me, it has some important historical value as a listen and definite influential in context to other groups that came after The Modern Lovers.
There’s an enjoyably hypnotic quality about this that grew on me more and more as it went on
++: Old World, Pablo Picasso, She Cracked, Hospital, Modern World +: Road Runner, Astral Plane, Someone I Care About -: Grirlfriend 7,9/10
Ich weiss nicht, wieso das überhaupt aufgenommen wurde. Und ich meine dabei nicht nur aufgenommen in die 1001 Alben, sondern vor allem auch aufgenommen auf Tonträger. Es wär nicht besonders interessant, es war zu lange und vor allem war es auch nicht so gut. Die Stimme des Sängers ist extrem eintönig. Ich hörte es mir ohne Erwartungen an und wurde dennoch enttäuscht.
Whatever you call this genre is what I just dont care for. Flat vocals with serviceable instrumentals with no charm. I got annoyed by this one pretty quickly, Old World made me take a break. Just too much droning nonsense, although it sounds like they had fun making it.
I’ve listened to this album 3 or 4 times over the past 15 or so years trying to get it. I see it on “best of” lists all the time and it’s constantly praised as this phenomenal rock album. I don’t get it. It just sounds like a band who really wanted to make a Velvet Underground album but forgot to add all the weirdness and experimentation that makes VU so unique. They can all play their instruments well enough and my wife was bobbing her head to it so that’s worth a couple stars I guess
Not a fan. Honestly? Like of ALL the music in the world. This is one album that I REALLY should to listen to? There’s soooooo much better classic punk in the world in fact I’m gonna go listen to some right the fuck now thanks bye.
Pretty generic 70s stuff to be honest
Oh man Jonathan Richman is a hero of mine and this is an awesome record as well as a trail blazing one in its own right. Not necessarily Jonathan Richman best song but of course he hadn’t yet landed in Bermuda for his epiphany. From the bopping perennial Roadrunner, to Picasso and down to closer the Modern World this is a perfect record in my book.
this just isn't interesting.
Sounds like a garage band's version of the Doors recorded in their garage - although there is definitely no Jim Morrison here... A couple of entertaining tracks on the disc - my favorite was "Pablo Picasso" - something about that track pulled me in to their vibe.
A solid punk album with some pretty cringe lyrics, though some of the slower songs like Hospital provided an eeriness that gave a nice balance and made it a bit less predictable
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
I need a G-I-R-L-F-R-E-N
The singing is more talking but it has a great beat, almost reminds me of a mellower version of Cake.
Interesting mix of The Stooges and Talking Heads to my ears at first, then gets a bit annoying and instrumentally didn't grab me
Velvet Underground influence? Check. Motorik style drumming? Check. Punk attitude? Check. This one’s a winner to my ears.
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.
whatever
July 4, 2024 HL: "Hospital", "Roadrunner", "Someone I Care About", "Dignified & Old" (bonus) I like the organ, thanks Jerry Context is important; if this was recorded when it was released (1976), it feels like awkward trend-chasing. Knowing that it was actually recorded as early as 1971 makes it surprisingly Modern! Despite its similarities to 90s alternative & its likeability, if we're talking about marble-mouthed proto-punk music, it has stiff competition in this list. Like, if I had a choice between The Modern Lovers, vs Lou Reed, or Iggy Pop, or New York Dolls, or Television...
An era in a bottle.
nothing special
👎
Budget version of stuff I like. Man some songs this dude really makes you want to hit skip.
Sure, it's art school kid music, but at least it's the fun art school kids who like to party
The music is generic at best. The lyrics and singing are terrible. How someone's garage band made it to this list of beyond me.
It's kinda fun.
I love the fact that having the ‘radio on’ is such a rallying call for the Anthemic opener Roadrunner, because this is a set of songs that wouldn’t ever see the airwaves in any way. This isn’t at all a bad thing. This is a pretty Dorky project, taking it’s cues from the Velvets and The Stooges musically but introducing some of the comic book and pop culture references that cropped up in later Punk bands like Ramones, Blondie, and The Cramps. It’s a bit of a marked difference from the Velvet Underground, whose most up to date cultural references were little known Austria-Hungarian Novella’s from the 1870’s. But the Dorkiness actually works pretty well in it’s favour, because the sort of people who love the Velvet Underground are also likely to appreciate the importance of those sorts of ephemeral media like comics and TV as an insight into the zeitgeist of the time. Nobody is ever gonna touch Lou Reed for the mixture of high and low art that he manages to achieve with his lyrical style. And Jonathan Richman is no Lou Reed, which is the only big problem of the album. He knows what he’s going for, but he never quite manages to achieve it. But in failing, he manages to set the template for the lyrical themes that Indie Rock would attempt in the decade following the album’s release. Suburban isolation, relationship failings, teenage angst, cars and TV and Radio and all that jazz. Lou Reed’s lyrics worked because the specificity to his scene and the people in the factory gave everything an Epic quality, and the reason Epics work is because of their universality. Jonathan Richman’s scene is more mundane, and it never manages to attain that epic quality, but suburban specificity is still something, and still something that people can understand. And for it’s ambition alone, this deserves 5 stars
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.
Surprisingly enjoyable. Echoes of the Doors, Roxy Music etc
Eh, not really anything that special. Not really any songs I like in particular. It wasn’t terrible though.
British 70s. We like that
Entdeckung! Woher kennt man Egyptian Reggae?
Mega gut!
Whilst the vocals are at times a bit droning, the melodies are infectious and I found myself jamming out to the tracks regardless.
Grating voice - gave up
It was fine. The vocals were a little weird, and some of the songs a bit chaotic. But it was fine.
# Playlist Track - Roadrunner. # Notes - Vocals are really poorly held on this one. Really struggled to get to the end. - The ballad "Hospital" is especially atrocious.
could i write poetry to this? n