Track Listing

1. Roadrunner
2. Astral Plane
3. Old World
4. Pablo Picasso
5. She Cracked
6. Hospital
7. Someone I Care About
8. Girlfriend
9. Modern World
10. Dignified & Old
11. I'm Straight
12. Government Center
13. I Wanna Sleep in Your Arms
14. Dance With Me
15. Someone I Care About [Alternative Version][Alternate Take]
16. Modern World [Alternative Version][Alternate Take]
17. Roadrunner [Alternative Version][Alternate Take]

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #113764 in Music
• Released on: 2003-08-05
• Number of discs: 1
• Formats: Extra tracks, Import

Album Description
2003 reissue of 1976 classic, that's unavailable domestically, features 17 tracks including 8 bonus tracks, 'Dignified & Old', 'I'm Straight', 'Government Center', 'I Wanna Sleep In Your Arms', 'Dance With Me', 'Someone I Care About' (Alternative Version), 'Modern World' (Alternative Version), & 'Roadrunner' (Alternative Version). Includes slipcase & foldout sleeve with extensive liner notes, photos & other memorabilia. Castle.

Customer Reviews

Long Overdue
This re-release on Sanctuary Records (UK) represents a near-complete collection of the 'original' Modern Lovers studio recording efforts. Its a shame that this band did not get an album completed in 1971/72 and get the fame that they deserved when they were still together. If you already have an earlier release of this record and are wondering whether to buy this one as well, here are some details to help with your decision. The first 9 tracks were released on vinyl in 1976, and were mostly from the 1971-72 recording sessions produced by John Cale. Tracks 10-12 were included on the Rhino CD release of the record in the 1980s, and are from the 73-74 session with Kim Foley producing. Tracks 13-14 were previously released on the "Original Modern Lovers" CD, and represent the best of the rest of the Foley sessions. Of the final tracks - and the only ones not previously released - on this re-issue, Someone I Care About and Roadruner are from the band's earliest demos, from early 1971 (Hospital, track 5 on the original record, also came from this session). These demos are a little rough, and lack some of the fire of the later recording sessions with Mr. Cale, but this earliest and longest Roadrunner still sounds great. Modern World is an early version from the 1972 John Cale sessions. Its interesting and edgy, but the '73 version clearly shows improvement. If the three previously unreleased tracks aren't enough to convince you to buy this disc, the liner notes alone may suffice. They are by far the most thorough description I've seen of the early Modern Lovers history, including details of the various recording sessions that make up this release.

Inbetween the Velvets & the Ramones
If you are looking for the missing link inbetween the Velvet Underground and the Ramones, buy this CD. There were a few essential bands from this time period - the NY Dolls, the Dictators and the Modern Lovers. Here, on their groundbreaking 1st artifact, the Modern Lovers rock with the stripped down essentials of serpentine organ, sparse guitar strumming, and basic drum beats. Jonathan Richman's wry lyrics propel them into rock history. The lyrics of "Pablo Picasso" are as funny as anything written by the Ramones. "Hospital" inspires the same "Is he kidding?" response. Surreal lyrics sung absolutely sincerely. Not for nothing did the Sex Pistols cover "Roadrunner." Quote Johnny Rotten, "How does this song start?" The reply, "1-2-3-4-5-6!" Classic! Hasn't dated one bit.

The greatest rock and roll album ever!
30 years after these tracks were recorded, popular music has still not caught up. This recording is the missing link between black and white music. Jonathan Richman was a direct descendent of the Velvet Underground while Jerry Harrison went on to turn the Talking Heds into Parliament/Funkadelic. This is the best packaging of the recordings available. It includes a half dozen previously unreleased versions. The finest gem is an absolute rave version of "I want to sleep in your arms." This disc is absolutely essential to any fan or historian of popular music.