Jonathan Richman: Surrender To Jonathan : Music Reviews : Rolling Stone

Album Reviews

A serious Jonathan Richman record might seem like a contradiction in terms. But Richman has never been less than sober when singing about love or the lack thereof; it's the naifish gargle in his voice and the sticky cling of childish whimsey in his writing that undermine the otherwise arresting adolescence in Richman's understated malt-shop rock. "Surrender to Jonathan!" is classic perplexing Richman in that regard. "I Was Dancing in a Lesbian Bar" is a damp gag even by his eccentric standards. There is also a lot of guileless, touching hurt and hope in songs like "Surrender" and "Not Just a 'Plus One' on the Guest List Anymore," appropriately set to elemental garage-pop-combo arrangements.