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. ~ Stephen Cook