The Modern Lovers

Mick · **Posted:** Tue Apr 11, 2006 1:27 am

I haven't listened to them in ages but damn. Massively underrated and ahead of their time.

Elvis Fu · **Posted:** Tue Apr 11, 2006 1:29 am

Tonight I'm all

Elvis Fu · **Posted:** Tue Apr 11, 2006 1:29 am

alone in my room

Mick · **Posted:** Tue Apr 11, 2006 1:31 am

the ultimate in effortless vocal delivery. Better than Lou Reed.

KPH · **Posted:** Tue Apr 11, 2006 1:35 am

Ahead of their time? Hmm.

Mick · **Posted:** Tue Apr 11, 2006 4:49 am

KPH Wrote:

Ahead of their time? Hmm.

well at the start they were...they kinda didnt get any better with time. Still, The Velvet Underground were doing better stuff in a similar vein ten years earlier, i just think that the Modern Lovers are oft-ignored.

splates · **Posted:** Tue Apr 11, 2006 5:41 am

if you like them, get some G500 dude

they even covered Richman

Cotton · **Joined:** Mon Oct 25, 2004 6:12 pm **Posts:** 17155

splates Wrote:

if you like them, get some G500 dude

they even covered Richman

yeah but they sound like Richman on codeine.

Radcliffe · **Posted:** Tue Apr 11, 2006 12:41 pm

a mighty good leader Wrote:

KPH Wrote:

Ahead of their time? Hmm.

well at the start they were...they kinda didnt get any better with time. Still, The Velvet Underground were doing better stuff in a similar vein ten years earlier, i just think that the Modern Lovers are oft-ignored.

Just a couple facts, ma'am:

The Modern Lovers formed in 1970, so they were contemporaries of the Velvet Underground. Only one album was ever released by the original band; it was a collection of demos, most of them recorded in 1972 (though not released until '76).

The summer of love was long over, but in 1970 there was still a lingering aftertaste of hippies and flower power, as well as a movement towards the darker decadence that the VU had been using as subject matter. In the midst of all that, the Modern Lovers were unabashedly goofy and sang primitive, almost tuneless songs about being straight. Jonathon Richman would wear a white t-shirt with the words "I Love Life" scrawled across the chest. They were the exact opposite of the 1970 definition of a rock band.

Ahead of their time? As much as anybody ever is.

Kingfish · **Posted:** Tue Apr 11, 2006 12:51 pm

Is the import worth the extra 10 bucks?

long gone · **Joined:** Tue Aug 09, 2005 1:53 pm **Posts:** 3262

the redworm Wrote:

splates Wrote:

if you like them, get some G500 dude

they even covered Richman

yeah but they sound like Richman on codeine.

Mmmm codeine.

Senator LooGAR · **Posted:** Tue Apr 11, 2006 12:53 pm

Radcliffe Wrote:

a mighty good leader Wrote:

KPH Wrote:

Ahead of their time? Hmm.

well at the start they were...they kinda didnt get any better with time. Still, The Velvet Underground were doing better stuff in a similar vein ten years earlier, i just think that the Modern Lovers are oft-ignored.

Just a couple facts, ma'am:

The Modern Lovers formed in 1970, so they were contemporaries of the Velvet Underground. Only one album was ever released by the original band; it was a collection of demos, most of them recorded in 1972 (though not released until '76).

The summer of love was long over, but in 1970 there was still a lingering aftertaste of hippies and flower power, as well as a movement towards the darker decadence that the VU had been using as subject matter. In the midst of all that, the Modern Lovers were unabashedly goofy and sang primitive, almost tuneless songs about being straight. Jonathon Richman would wear a white t-shirt with the words "I Love Life" scrawled across the chest. They were the exact opposite of the 1970 definition of a rock band.

Ahead of their time? As much as anybody ever is.

So Sayeth Uncle Monger...

All I know is Roadrunner...which is awesomely awesome...I guess I should pick up the whole bugger?

Spade Kitty · **Joined:** Mon Oct 25, 2004 11:49 am **Posts:** 4401

I like the fact that David Robinson played the drums for them

never really much of a fan

Billzebub · **Joined:** Mon Oct 25, 2004 10:26 pm **Posts:** 6459

Senator NMI LooGAR Wrote:

All I know is Roadrunner...which is awesomely awesome...I guess I should pick up the whole bugger?

It wouldn't be the worst thing in your library. I had it in my Listmania.

Senator LooGAR · **Posted:** Tue Apr 11, 2006 12:59 pm

Billzebub Wrote:

Senator NMI LooGAR Wrote:

All I know is Roadrunner...which is awesomely awesome...I guess I should pick up the whole bugger?

It wouldn't be the worst thing in your library. I had it in my Listmania.

For some reason that is a really good response.

I have always meant to pick it up, just never have.

Kingfish · **Posted:** Tue Apr 11, 2006 1:04 pm

Senator NMI LooGAR Wrote:

I have always meant to pick it up, just never have.

oldbullee Wrote:

Is the import worth the extra 10 bucks?

Radcliffe · **Posted:** Tue Apr 11, 2006 1:14 pm

oldbullee Wrote:

Is the import worth the extra 10 bucks?

Dunno. What's on it?

Kingfish · **Posted:** Tue Apr 11, 2006 1:17 pm

Quote:

2003 reissue of 1976 classic, that's unavailable domestically, features 17 tracks including 8 bonus tracks, 'Dignified & Old', 'I'm Straight', 'Government Center', 'I Wanna Sleep In Your Arms', 'Dance With Me', 'Someone I Care About' (Alternative Version), 'Modern World' (Alternative Version), & 'Roadrunner' (Alternative Version). Includes slipcase & foldout sleeve with extensive liner notes, photos & other memorabilia. Castle.

Cotton · **Joined:** Mon Oct 25, 2004 6:12 pm **Posts:** 17155

I think the live album they put out (which is actually a combo of 2 live shows I think) called Precise Modern Lovers Order is better than the studio album. and the version of "Road Runner" on that album is my second favorite piece of recorded music in history.

Spade Kitty · **Joined:** Mon Oct 25, 2004 11:49 am **Posts:** 4401

oh I also love The Real Kids, and as I understand it the main dude was in The Modern Lovers for a cup of coffee

Billzebub · **Joined:** Mon Oct 25, 2004 10:26 pm **Posts:** 6459

"I'm Straight" might be worth ten clams by itself. Play it at Opa!.

Radcliffe · **Posted:** Tue Apr 11, 2006 1:34 pm

oldbullee Wrote:

Quote:

2003 reissue of 1976 classic, that's unavailable domestically, features 17 tracks including 8 bonus tracks, 'Dignified & Old', 'I'm Straight', 'Government Center', 'I Wanna Sleep In Your Arms', 'Dance With Me', 'Someone I Care About' (Alternative Version), 'Modern World' (Alternative Version), & 'Roadrunner' (Alternative Version). Includes slipcase & foldout sleeve with extensive liner notes, photos & other memorabilia. Castle.

Of those bonus tracks. "Government Center", "Dignified and Old", and "I'm Straight" are all included on my old Rhino Records re-ish, and that can be found for dirt cheap.

So the extra $10 for the import pays for 2 bonus tracks ("Dance With Me" and "I Wanna Sleep In Your Arms") and 3 alternate versions of existing tracks. The foldout sleeve and extensive liner notes might be worth some cash, but the Rhino issue had a decent set of notes and photos too.

Spade Kitty Wrote:

I like the fact that David Robinson played the drums for them.

Yeh, Dave Robinson (of the Cars) on drums, Jerry Harrison (of Talking Heads) on keys, and Ernie Brooks (of the Real Kids) on bass.

neuroboy · **Posted:** Tue Apr 11, 2006 3:12 pm

they got a number of shout-outs at the art brut show. . .

DumpJack · **Posted:** Tue Apr 11, 2006 3:16 pm

Senator NMI LooGAR Wrote:

Billzebub Wrote:

Senator NMI LooGAR Wrote:

All I know is Roadrunner...which is awesomely awesome...I guess I should pick up the whole bugger?

It wouldn't be the worst thing in your library. I had it in my Listmania.

For some reason that is a really good response.

I have always meant to pick it up, just never have.

I will send it to you tonight on AIM. Totally worth having.

Dick Meatwood · **Posted:** Tue Apr 11, 2006 3:35 pm

The import shouldn't be $10 extra. In fact, here it is on half.com:

http://product.half.ebay.com/Modern-Lov ... rZ44342179

Buy the one from casacaiman at the bottom. I order from them a lot.

Anyways, that's the version I have, and I think it's the only one that's in print. In fact, I think the older oen is going to be more expensive most places. And it probably doesn't sound as good as the newer import.

The Modern Lovers

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