Surrender to Jonathan!
1996 studio album by Jonathan Richman
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Surrender to Jonathan! is an album by the American musician Jonathan Richman, released in 1996.[1][2] Richman was the first musician signed to Neil Young's Vapor Records.[3] Richman supported the album by touring with a full band.[4]
| Surrender to Jonathan! | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | 1996 | |||
| Label | Vapor | |||
| Producer | Andy Paley | |||
| Jonathan Richman chronology | ||||
| ||||
Production
Recorded in Southern California, the album was produced by Andy Paley.[5][6] Richman recorded the album once he had enough songs, and during a break from his touring schedule; he does not record songs on a deadline.[7][8] Some of the album's songs were inspired by Richman's divorce.[9] Richman played an Epiphone Emperor guitar.[10] Richman used organ and horns on "I Was Dancing in the Lesbian Bar" and "Not Just a 'Plus One' on the Guest List Anymore".[11] "Egyptian Reggae" is a remake of an older Richman song.[12]
Critical reception
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |   [13] |
| Calgary Herald | [14] |
| The Encyclopedia of Popular Music | [12] |
| Entertainment Weekly | B[15] |
| MusicHound Rock: The Essential Album Guide |  [16] |
| (The New) Rolling Stone Album Guide | [17] |
The Chicago Tribune deemed the album "typically blithe" and "a thoroughly swinging dose of tuneful good cheer."[18] The Vancouver Sun opined that "Richman concocts more odd choruses from things most of us couldn't say aloud, let alone sing."[19] The Calgary Herald determined that Richman's "simple rock 'n' roll has become increasingly simplistic and his cute musings increasingly moronic."[14]
The Globe and Mail noted that Richman has "managed to reach [age] 45 without sounding a single cynical note in his life."[20] Stereo Review determined that the "songwriting here is more consistent than usual, bringing the usual half-classic/half-throwaway ratio up to at least 60/40."[21] Trouser Press stated that "Surrender" "is one of the most touching songs Richman has ever written."[22]
Track listing
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Just Look at Me" | |
| 2. | "Not Just a 'Plus One' on the Guest List Anymore" | |
| 3. | "That Little Sleeper Car" | |
| 4. | "French Style" | |
| 5. | "Surrender" | |
| 6. | "I Was Dancing in the Lesbian Bar" | |
| 7. | "To Hide a Little Thought" | |
| 8. | "Egyptian Reggae" | |
| 9. | "When She Kisses Me" | |
| 10. | "Satisfy" | |
| 11. | "Rock 'N' Roll Drummer Straight from the Hospy-Tel" | |
| 12. | "My Little Girl's Got a Full Time Daddy Now" | |
| 13. | "Floatin'" |