MOG Editorial Review

Former Modern Lovers frontman Jonathan Richman comes across as magnetic in these recordings, a strong showing of remarkably spare tracks and fun lyrics from one of rock’s most amiable performers. The sound of Richman in California with a full band for the first time in a few years, I, Jonathan is compulsively lovable. But what is its je ne se quois? Is it the way his retro-pop, garage rock-ish sound is updated and clean, but still played loose? Is it that his songs about lesbian bars, The Velvet Underground, and the need for more parties are delivered with hand claps, groovy vibes, and a starry-eyed ‘50s and ‘60s party feeling? Or is it his casually cool voice? Richman always plays it cool, maybe too cool to be called vital, but that’s the word for him on here. I, Jonathan is the kind of chlled-out, vintage party album that hits just the right spot.