| features in: Album Chart of 1976 ● Album Chart of the Decade: 1970s |
The debut album statement from the 25-year-old Jonathan Richman finally arrived in the summer of ’76, six years after he had formed The Modern Lovers. He soon turned against the VU/Stooges inspired sound that they started out with, much to the chagrin of his bandmates and record label, and this lack of cohesion essentially sabotaged his own project mkI. Wiping the slate clean at the beginning of ’76, Jonathan assembled a whole new incarnation of the group which included original Modern Lovers drummer, David Robinson, along with former Rubinoos bassist Greg 'Curly' Keranen and Leroy Radcliffe on guitar. It turns out his preferred accompaniment for the romantic goofball lyrics was a light rockabilly vibe; alas, Modern Lovers ’76 are not a patch on Modern Lovers ’72, although they certainly have some bright moments. “Rockin’ Shopping Center” gets things off to a good start with lyrics that so off-the-wall that they can’t possibly be ignored: “If I were a shopping center, I'd sure be embarrassed, I know I'd never get a date, with some cute little building, like from Paris, Let's rock, Let's go”. The tone is set – you’re either with him or against him. “New England” is another goodie on side 1; a finger-clicking pop paean to the super-state that comes complete with an acapella break-down. It would get him onto Top of the Pops in Old England, 2 years later. “Lonely Financial Zone” emerges as my favourite, although its’ moody slowcore vibe is unrepresentative of the LP as a whole. Our man is still obsessed by those late-night neon-lights, although they don’t seem quite so alluring when you’re all alone late at night. Tweedom seems ever-present on side 2 with mixed results; “Abominable Snowman In The Market” (great), “Hey There Little Insect” (average) and “Here Come The Martian Martians” (quite good). Even more amazing than these titles is the folky rendition of “Amazing Grace” with which Jonathan closes the set. It’s exceedingly poor. The guy who delivered “Roadrunner” just last year seems lost, although I’m sure he will tell you that, actually, he’s found…
The Jukebox Rebel
12–May–2016
| Tracklist |
| A1 | [03:33]  Jonathan Richman and The Modern Lovers - Rockin’ Shopping Center (Jonathan Richman) Rock n Roll / Rockabilly |
| A2 | [02:22]  Jonathan Richman and The Modern Lovers - Back In The U.S.A. (Charles Berry) Rock n Roll / Rockabilly |
| A3 | [03:36]  Jonathan Richman and The Modern Lovers - Important In Your Life (Jonathan Richman) Pop |
| A4 | [02:22]  Jonathan Richman and The Modern Lovers - New England (Jonathan Richman) Rock n Roll / Rockabilly |
| A5 | [03:00]  Jonathan Richman and The Modern Lovers - Lonely Financial Zone (Jonathan Richman) Moodcore |
| B1 | [03:21]  Jonathan Richman and The Modern Lovers - Hi Dear (Jonathan Richman) Rock n Roll / Rockabilly |
| B2 | [02:25]  Jonathan Richman and The Modern Lovers - Abominable Snowman In The Market (Jonathan Richman) Rock n Roll / Rockabilly |
| B3 | [03:08]  Jonathan Richman and The Modern Lovers - Hey There Little Insect (Jonathan Richman) Rock n Roll / Rockabilly |
| B4 | [03:13]  Jonathan Richman and The Modern Lovers - Here Come The Martian Martians (Jonathan Richman) Rock n Roll / Rockabilly |
| B5 | [03:52]  Jonathan Richman and The Modern Lovers - Springtime (Jonathan Richman) Songwriter |
| B6 | [02:51]  Jonathan Richman and The Modern Lovers - Amazing Grace (Traditional, Jonathan Richman) Folk |
