Jonathan Richman - It's Time for... Jonathan Richman (1986 Alternative Rock)

Produced by Andy Paley, It's Time for... welcomes back to the fold former Modern Lovers guitarist Asa Brebner, resulting in a fuller and more lively sound than Richman has enjoyed in some time. Taking full advantage of Richman's sax-blowing acumen, the record sports a wistful early rock & roll feel: "Let's Take a Trip" and "Yo Jo Jo" are energetic rave-ups, "This Love of Mine" is a sweet doo wop ballad, and "It's You" is a joyous romantic romp. The highlight is "Corner Store," an impassioned plea against modernization.

AMG Review by Jason Ankeny

Jonathan Richman & the Modern Lovers (1977 Indie Rock)

Richman's second collection of Modern Lovers, over which he was billed (eventually, the group name would be dropped) had a lighter rock & roll sound than the first. In fact, as often as not, Richman played acoustic guitar. And his lyrical concerns had similarly lightened up, to the point of childlike whimsy on such songs as "Hey There Little Insect" and "Here Come the Martian Martians." But the focus was still Richman's unabashed vocalizing (the word "sings" is put in quotes on the back cover), giving the whole album an amateurish charm.

AMG Review by William Ruhlmann

Jonathan Richman - Rockin' and Romance (one more gem from the early JR era 1985)

While it is generally true that many of Richman's post-1980 albums are all but interchangeable, with their earnest naive cheerfulness, this stands as one of the best, if you like his schtick and need to make a choice. The production is sparse, accentuating the acoustic guitar and the doo wop harmonies (both male and female), with light but purposeful drums. Jonathan covers his usual terrain here: juvenilia ("My Jeans," "The U.F.O. Man," "Chewing Gum Wrapper"), cultural heroes ("Vincent Van Gogh," "Walter Johnson"), and optimistic paeans to the simple pleasures of life ("The Beach"). Heart-warming and melodic stuff that might well sound insipid in the hands of others.

AMG Review by Richie Unterberger

Jonathan Richman - Jonathan Sings! (Great Alternative Pop 1983)

Richman emerges as an incurable romantic on Jonathan Sings!, an infectiously sunny effort which stands among his finest LPs. Recorded after a long layoff with a new Modern Lovers lineup, Richman sounds thoroughly recharged, even extolling the simple virtues of "This Kind of Music"; among his other enthusiasms are kids ("Not Yet Three") and travel ("Give Paris One More Chance"), but his primary focus here is romance -- "You're the One for Me," "That Summer Feeling" and "Someone to Hold Me" are positively joyous in their lovestruck outlook.

1. That Summer Feeling
2. This Kind of Music
3. The Neighbors
4. Somebody to Hold Me
5. These Conga Drums
6. Stop This Car
7. Not Yet Three
8. Give Paris One More Chance
9. You're The One For Me
10. When I'm Walking
11. The Tag Game

AMG Review by Jason Ankeny

Jonathan Richman & the Modern Lovers - Back in Your Life (1979 College Rock)

Sweet, fun, and honest aptly describe this 1979 long-player by Jonathan Richman. And while some singers badly fumble at being innocently possessed, Richman keeps it all engaging with his unbridled enthusiasm, wit, and crack songs. This was Richman's first solo venture since forming the Modern Lovers in the early '70s, and the newfound freedom shows on loose doo wop rockers like "Party in the Woods Tonight" and such Sesame Street-issue nature odes as "Buzz Buzz Buzz"; the breezy tone is further plied on surf-toned instrumental "Lover Please" and a harmony and handclapping-rich "Lydia." But it's not all passing fancy, as Richman also waxes sincere and lonely on strong, yet often hushed sides like "Affection," "Emaline," and the title track, his terminally congested vocals and jangly guitar chords perfectly echoing the wistful sentiment. Recent Modern Lovers graduates: start here.

AMG Review by Stephen Cook