For those of you not in the know, this is now the second release from Jonathan Richman & The Modern Lovers and which features the U.K. Singles Chart Top 5 hit, “Egyptian Reggae.”

While his desire was for his band to be more of an acoustic/harmony based endeavor, Jonathan was blindsided when his true debut was overtaken by a compilation of early recordings. Singles like “Roadrunner” and “Pablo Picasso” were in the forefront—but that did not deter Jonathan.

After original drummer David Robinson left, (eventually finding success with Hall of Famers, The Cars), Richman hired D. Sharpe, and the band recorded and released the aptly titled Rock ’n’ Roll With The Modern Lovers.

Now, one might wonder how “rock ’n’ roll” and album with songs titled “Ice Cream Man,” “Dodge Veg-O-Matic,” and a version of “Wheels On The Bus” is — but, Greil Marcus called it “the purist Rock and Roll album I’ve heard this year.” And, due to the U.K. fascination with the band’s perceived debut, “Egyptian Reggae” hit #5 on the singles charts!

The date is 1977. Revel in where the “real” Jonathan Richman story started, and how it evolves. The original releases are available on CD and LP, with a unique red colored vinyl variant available for independent retail. His true, Beserkley catalog is available once again. The way Jonathan intended.

1. The Sweeping Wind (Kwa Ti Feng)
2. Ice Cream Man
3. Rockin’ Rockin’ Leprchauns
4. Summer Morning
5. Afternoon
6. Fly Into The Mystery
7. South American Folk Song
8. Roller Coaster By The Sea
9. Dodge Veg-O-Matic
10. Egyptian Reggae
11. Coomyah
12. The Wheels On The Bus
13. Angels Watching Over Me

In truth, here on Rock ‘n’ Roll with the Modern Lovers, Richman branches out to Japanese music, a South American Folk Song, and even Egyptian Reggae, but the real highlight on Rock ‘n’ Roll is that ode to a totaled car, Dodge Veg-O-Matic; in my humble opinion.

Thus, and as you might well have expected, mixing traditional folk songs, with covers of Jamaican music and his own left-field jaunty compositions, Richman left audiences perplexed as to what future musical direction he was actually taking here on this recording.

Opening on some Japanese-embodiment within The Sweeping Wind (Kwa Ti Feng) and the raw, earthy Ice Cream Man, along next is the titular sounds found within Rockin’ Rockin’ Leprchauns, the atmospheric storytelling within Summer Morning, then comes the psych chanting and rhythms of Afternoon and then the veritably acoustic balladry of Fly Into The Mystery

Up next is the melodic bounce, ebb and flow of the contagious South American Folk Song and the hand-clapper Roller Coaster By The Sea, the aforementioned Dodge Veg-O-Matic, which are in turn followed by the brilliant Egyptian Reggae (an instrumental version of a track by Jamaican musician, Earl Zero), the album rounding out with the skip-pop-bounce of Coomyah, an upbeat, Rock ‘n’ Roll version of the kids song The Wheels On The Bus, everything coming to a close on the finger-snapping melodies of Angels Watching Over Me.

Official Purchase Link

Official Website

www.omnivorerecordings.com