Modern Lovers - Modern Lovers [1976]

OK, let's get this out of the way. There are certain albums I bang on about, that I love. This album is one of them. So maybe this is Part #1 of the ongoing series of "Mark's Cult Classics". Or maybe not.

It's here anyway, and from the count in to Roadrunner to the last bars of Modern World it's a stone cold classic. It's had the reissue treatment a few times, with the odd extra, but it's offered here as the originally released 9 tracks. As it should be I think.

This album was released in 1976, 2 years after the band had split. It comprised 8 tracks recorded with John Cale in 1972 and one recorded in 1971. None of the tracks were intended for release, but as demos.

The Modern Lovers tale of underachievement is told elsewhere, but in these 9 songs the band achieved more than they knew. On one piece of vinyl and 34 minutes 51 seconds they made something approaching garage rock AM radio perfection. If Iggy was the godfather of punk, Jonathan was the weird uncle.

Richman wanted to change direction, and did, contributing to the split of the band. He still produced some great music, but not of the same ilk as these tracks. Jerry Harrison went on to be a member of Talking Heads.

Wind down the windows, turn up & enjoy:

Side one
1. Roadrunner
2. Astral Plane
3. Old World
4. Pablo Picasso

Side two
1. She Cracked
2. Hospital
3. Someone I Care About
4. Girlfriend
5. Modern World

When you get out of the hospital, Let me back into your life