Rating:
Genre:
Rock
Release Date: 08/25/1998
Run Time: 73:44
While the
proto-punk genius of
the Modern Lovers' first records is well known, not so publicized is their short-lived tenure as a live band. The live treatment has mixed results on
the Modern Lovers' repertoire;
Jonathan Richman has two types of songs: the fast-and-furious rockers (
"She Cracked"), which benefit greatly from the live setting, and the slow-burning love songs (
"Hospital"), which are not as well suited. Also, the sound quality leaves something to be desired; at times
Live at the Long Branch sounds like a bad bootleg rather than a soundboard recording. But despite these detractions, the band does perform great renditions of all their would-be hits.
"Roadrunner," "Girlfriend," and
"Pablo Picasso" are all represented here, along with a dead-on cover of
the Velvet Underground's
"Foggy Notion," which threatens to trump the original. Though it has its weaknesses, this is a mostly solid record that makes a perfect belated apology from the
rock gods for all those
Jonathan Richman solo records.
~Ari Wiznitzer, All Music Guide
;)
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