The Modern Lovers (studio album)
by The Modern Lovers

Worth a listen for Pablo Picasso alone

One of the best albums at 76 year ? I listened all them albums and upset, only this album so great, others are very weak ?

From Brad1770 02/26/2023 08:18 | #294465

The quintessential magic lightning in a bottle album who’s influence has echoed through the past 50 years and is widely regarded as the missing link that connected the Velvets to modern rock

‘Modern Lovers’ as released in 1976 was in actuality as bunch of demos going back to 1971 / 1972 six of which were unsurprisingly produced by John Cale who Richman idolised. The original and classic track listing featured only nine tracks being “Roadrunner” (1) through to “Modern World” (9), however a 1986 reissue expanded that to twelve tracks with the excellent “I’m Straight”, “Dignified & Old” and the dripping with sarcasm “Government Centre”

This really is a remarkable collection of two chord gems so simple so obvious I always wonder why didn’t I think of that? Richman’s sarcastic lyrics are of course the standout here but Jerry (Talking Heads) Harrison’s Velvet-esque piano and organ runs a very close second

It really is a bit of a cliche, but honestly ‘Modern Lovers’ is a must for all music fans

Solid punk record

Album Rating: 81.33
(732/9)

1.Roadrunner. 80
2.Astral Plane. 71
3.Old World. 79
4.Pablo Picasso. 85
5.She Cracked. 79
6.Hospital. 98
7.Someone I Care About. 81
8.Girl Friend. 79
9.Modern World. 80

This is really The Stooges-like album and it sounds like a cleaner, less agressive Fun House also hearable are the influences pulled from Lou Reed vocal style and even The Doors instrumentals. Overall very punky and enjoyable.

From Jboy56 12/16/2021 13:40 | #277566

Albeit being a somewhat important album to some, but really this music is not for me for repeated listens.
But the 2nd listen today opened some vistas to the influences for this album are many: Doors, Jefferson Airplance, Dylan and Velvet Undeground. They still manage to make this product their own
I just doing the obligatory listen for my 1001 albums project. Revisit is possible, but not likely as so many good albums are in the queue. Fun, bizarre and punky

irreverent lilting punk strumming

From buzzdainer 06/25/2021 02:15 | #271010

Some years ago I was visiting Boston with a friend, and I remember him asking me who my favorite musical artist from Boston was. The obvious answer was Buffalo Tom, one of my favorite bands of all time. But if I had to come up with a #2, I think it would have to be the Modern Lovers. What I love about Jonathan Richman not only Richman's lyrical cleverness and wit, not to mention his surprisingly strong work on the guitar, but also the sense of place he establishes. This album just oozes the city of Boston: its intelligence and world-weariness, mixed with a genuine grittiness and even a kind of punk sensibility. Such an enjoyable, entertaining, often very funny record.

From junodog4 05/21/2021 01:45 | #269954

Hard to listen to this without be instantly aware of how influential it is.