The Modern Lovers (1976) pick 3 favorite tracks

[pcqgod]

Now here is an album brimming with pure, brilliant songwriting, I think. For the poll I used the track listing from the 80's version I'm familiar with. I believe there are more recent reissues with even more bonus tracks, which are fair game here.

[Charlie O.]

I picked "Astral Plane", "Hospital" and "Modern World", but that was hard.

My excuse for not picking "Roadrunner" is that there are at least two other Richman versions of the song that I prefer (if only for the middle bits):

[Your Friendly Neighbourhood Postman]

Road Runner, She Cracked, and 'Girl Fren', for me.

I have the first vinyl pressing, it says Home Of The Hits (but not Beserkley), and it was distributed by Playboy Magazine.

One day, it'll fetch $ 0.50, I am certain of that.

[Rayge]

I have the first vinyl pressing, it says Home Of The Hits (but not Beserkley), and it was distributed by Playboy Magazine.

One day, it'll fetch $ 0.50, I am certain of that.

What's the catalogue number on that? HH1910?
I'll give you a couple of bucks for it

One for sale on discogs in just VG condition for 140 euros

[toomanyhatz]

Nice to see "She Cracked" Getting the love it deserves.

Went with that, "Astral Plane" and "I'm Straight."

I was scared "Roadrunner" would (pun intended, I guess) run away with this one. I love it, but it's near the bottom for me, not the top.

Runners-up: "Dignified and Old" and "Hospital."

[Your Friendly Neighbourhood Postman]

I have the first vinyl pressing, it says Home Of The Hits (but not Beserkley), and it was distributed by Playboy Magazine.

One day, it'll fetch $ 0.50, I am certain of that.

What's the catalogue number on that? HH1910?
I'll give you a couple of bucks for it

One for sale on discogs in just VG condition for 140 euros

Jeez - didn't know that. I take it you're not joking... mine is near mint.

Since the pressing run wasn't large in numbers... I must look it up tonight, when I'm home!

[Rayge]

I have the first vinyl pressing, it says Home Of The Hits (but not Beserkley), and it was distributed by Playboy Magazine.

One day, it'll fetch $ 0.50, I am certain of that.

What's the catalogue number on that? HH1910?
I'll give you a couple of bucks for it

One for sale on discogs in just VG condition for 140 euros

Jeez - didn't know that. I take it you're not joking... mine is near mint.

Since the pressing run wasn't large in numbers... I must look it up tonight, when I'm home!

nope, no joke – https://www.discogs.com/sell/release/1169502?ev=rb

[yomptepi]

I have that too. And the first press on the next one.I always assumed they were worthless.

[Your Friendly Neighbourhood Postman]

What's the catalogue number on that? HH1910?
I'll give you a couple of bucks for it

One for sale on discogs in just VG condition for 140 euros

Jeez - didn't know that. I take it you're not joking... mine is near mint.

Since the pressing run wasn't large in numbers... I must look it up tonight, when I'm home!

nope, no joke – https://www.discogs.com/sell/release/1169502?ev=rb

Am considering what to do with my new-found riches...

...maybe dial a phone sex number tonight and spend a long time on there?

[pcqgod]

I picked "I'm Straight," "She Cracked," and "Hospital." "Roadrunner" is only about my 5th or 6th favorite song on it. I actually enjoy "Government Center" more.

[PresMuffley]

nope, no joke – https://www.discogs.com/sell/release/1169502?ev=rb

I never bought from discogs when I collected only e-bay, but I didn't notice any info on how long the record(s) have been up for sale. I doubt there are many who would care to spend such an amount on this, so I'm gonna also assume it's either been listed for a while or will be.

[Rayge]

..

[Rayge]

nope, no joke – https://www.discogs.com/sell/release/1169502?ev=rb

I never bought from discogs when I collected only e-bay, but I didn't notice any info on how long the record(s) have been up for sale. I doubt there are many who would care to spend such an amount on this, so I'm gonna also assume it's either been listed for a while or will be.

but they do list previous sales and four copies were sold last year (in varying conditions) for 100 Euros or more.

It's not as quick as ebay (although it can be, as several of the rarities I've put on there have sold within hours), but it's a lot less hassle, far cheaper for the seller and fewer wankers bidding. Plus it's truly international. Hardly any of the sales I've made have been in the UK.

[naughty boy]

I thought 'Old World' would do better. Love that one.

Was 'Government Center' on the original release? I thought it was an extra on the CD...

[Goat Boy]

Dignified and Old always gets me. There is something really quite touching about that one

[PresMuffley]

nope, no joke – https://www.discogs.com/sell/release/1169502?ev=rb

I never bought from discogs when I collected only e-bay, but I didn't notice any info on how long the record(s) have been up for sale. I doubt there are many who would care to spend such an amount on this, so I'm gonna also assume it's either been listed for a while or will be.

but they do list previous sales and four copies were sold last year (in varying conditions) for 100 Euros or more.

It's not as quick as ebay (although it can be, as several of the rarities I've put on there have sold within hours), but it's a lot less hassle, far cheaper for the seller and fewer wankers bidding. Plus it's truly international. Hardly any of the sales I've made have been in the UK.

Ah, I didn't notice the previous sales bit. I never had any problems buying on eBay. Peru Ubu's debut arrived smashed once but the seller quickly refunded my money even though I hadn't purchased insurance. I never bought outside of the US because shipping was much higher and never sold. This was over 10 years ago, maybe things have gotten worse there.

[Charlie O.]

Was 'Government Center' on the original release? I thought it was an extra on the CD...

That, "I'm Straight" and "Dignified And Old" were all added for the late-'80s Rhino reissue(s).

[naughty boy]

Ah - OK. Thanks!

[The Write Profile]

Man, looking at that list I can't find a single track that is less than good, and the best things on it are some of the greatest rock 'n' roll ever. So it's a tough one, but I'll go for these three.
"Roadrunner": Well, yes, it's the obvious choice but there's a reason for that- it's relentless. From the searing organ part to Richman's excited, awestruck vocal to that beat that just keeps on giving, it's one of those songs where everything falls into place.
"Pablo Picasso": I like the underhand feeling of menace on this track- it's probably the most Velvets-like thing on the record and it harnishes a sharp, repetitive groove.
"I'm Straight": Well, it's just about the finest anti-drug song ever, and it's all down to that really detached vocal ("This phone call concerns...Hippy Johnny"), and the way it crawls to that final chorus. There's something really defiant about it that sets it apart.

But really, I could've picked six or seven other tracks on the record quite easily.