The Modern Lovers were an American rock band led by Jonathan Richman in the 1970s and 1980s. The original band existed from 1970 to 1974 but their recordings were not released until 1976 or later. It featured Richman and bassist Ernie Brooks with drummer David Robinson (later of the Cars) and keyboardist Jerry Harrison (later of Talking Heads).
The sound of the band owed a great deal to the influence of the Velvet Underground, and is now sometimes classed as "protopunk". It pointed the way towards much of the punk rock, new wave, alternative and indie rock music of later decades. Their only album, the eponymous The Modern Lovers, contained idiosyncratic songs about dating awkwardness, growing up in Massachusetts, and love of life and the USA.
Later, between 1976 and 1988, Richman used the name Modern Lovers for a variety of backing bands, always billed as "Jonathan Richman and the Modern Lovers". These bands were quieter and featured more low-key, often near-childlike songs as Richman drew on folk-rock and other genres. Of Richman's original bandmates, only Robinson was part of any of the other Modern Lovers incarnations.
Modern Lovers Live catches Jonathan Richman at the height of his candy-floss novelty period. The music is warm and mild, almost all of it derived from '50s and early-'60s models such as surf idioms and guitar instrumentals.
The lyrics are sweet and charming, sure to appeal to fanciful youngsters with visions of ice cream men and little dinosaurs in their heads. The only bothersome misstep here is the repeated encore reprise of the chorus to "Ice Cream Man," which extends well past the point of honest enjoyment. Sound quality and instrumental balances are excellent, and performances are low-key and winsome. While not an essential album in the Modern Lovers' canon, this sunny little platter is a fetching listen.
Tracklist
1. I'm A Little Airplane (2:43)
2. Hey There Little Insect (2:40)
3. Egyptian Reggae (2:40)
Written-By - Earl Johnson / Jonathan Richman
4. Ice Cream Man (8:11)
5. I'm A Little Dinosaur (1:47)
6. My Little Kookenhaken (3:23)
7. South American Folk Song (2:36)
8. New England (1:53)
9. The Morning Of Our Lives (4:53)
all songs written by Jonathan Richman except were noted.
Companies, etc.
Notes
Release Date: 1978
Genre: Rock, Pop
Style: Garage Rock, New Wave
Duration: 30:46
Label - Beserkley Records
Later, between 1976 and 1988, Richman used the name Modern Lovers for a variety of backing bands, always billed as "Jonathan Richman and the Modern Lovers". These bands were quieter and featured more low-key, often near-childlike songs as Richman drew on folk-rock and other genres. Of Richman's original bandmates, only Robinson was part of any of the other Modern Lovers incarnations.
Modern Lovers Live catches Jonathan Richman at the height of his candy-floss novelty period. The music is warm and mild, almost all of it derived from '50s and early-'60s models such as surf idioms and guitar instrumentals.
The lyrics are sweet and charming, sure to appeal to fanciful youngsters with visions of ice cream men and little dinosaurs in their heads. The only bothersome misstep here is the repeated encore reprise of the chorus to "Ice Cream Man," which extends well past the point of honest enjoyment. Sound quality and instrumental balances are excellent, and performances are low-key and winsome. While not an essential album in the Modern Lovers' canon, this sunny little platter is a fetching listen.
Tracklist
1. I'm A Little Airplane (2:43)
2. Hey There Little Insect (2:40)
3. Egyptian Reggae (2:40)
Written-By - Earl Johnson / Jonathan Richman
4. Ice Cream Man (8:11)
5. I'm A Little Dinosaur (1:47)
6. My Little Kookenhaken (3:23)
7. South American Folk Song (2:36)
8. New England (1:53)
9. The Morning Of Our Lives (4:53)
all songs written by Jonathan Richman except were noted.
Companies, etc.
- Recorded At – Island Mobile
- Mixed At – Ramport Studios
- Mastered At – Master Room
- Manufactured By – Beserkley Records Ltd.
- Distributed By – Beserkley Records Ltd.
Credits
- Art Direction – J. Blodgett
- Bass, Vocals – Asa Brebner
- Concept By [Lp Concept] – F. Neon
- Drums, Percussion, Vocals – D. Sharpe
- Engineer – H. Kilgour
- Engineer [Assistent] – R. Ash
- Guitar, Vocals – Leroy Radcliffe
- Mastered By – T. Bridge
- Mixed By – Mark Dodson
- Photography By – A. Boot
- Producer – Kenny Laguna, Matthew King Kaufman
- Tape Op – Butch Yates
- Typography [Lettering] – N. Port
- Vocals, Guitar – Jonathan Richman
Release Date: 1978
Genre: Rock, Pop
Style: Garage Rock, New Wave
Duration: 30:46
Label - Beserkley Records
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