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Jonathan Richman and the Modern Lovers: Rock 'n' roll with The Modern Lovers (Beserkley)

Paul Rambali, New Musical Express, 13 August 1977

A FRIEND of mine who has seen The Modern Lovers reckons they're the best band he's seen in about ten years, since The Who in fact. Jonathan Richman has that sort of effect on people. I hesitate to predict whether his quirky charm will have the same effect on the rest of you. I expect the odds are about even that he will reach through your better instincts and grab you by the heart, but I'm certain that whether he does or not depends very much on your first reaction. The first time I heard Rock'n'Roll With The Modern Lovers, I laughed myself silly. I bought it straight away. Nothing, not even Rich man's last totally eccentric vinyl foray and especially not 'Roadrunner', could prepare you for this.

Total word count of piece: 623

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