Customer Reviews

I'm So Confused

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Richman's second Vapor album, I'm So Confused (1998), starts out on a lighthearted note with the jaunty "Nineteen in Naples" and a re-recording of 1986's "When I Dance." But then it quickly turns heavy as Jonathan, picking up where Surrender to Jonathan (1996) left off, continues to to address the end of his marriage in songs like "I'm So Confused," "Love Me Like I Love," "Hello From Cupid," "If She Don't Love Me," "I Can Hear Her Fighting With Herself," "The Night is Still Young," and "I Can't Find My Best Friend" (a song I cannot listen to without crying). Like the best songwriters (Bruce Springsteen, Tom Waits, Lucinda Williams, etc.), Richman relies upon concrete images ("the night is still young, and the bed is still cold") and plain-spoken phrases ("I can't find my best friend, and my life's just not the same") to tell his stories and infuse them with genuine feeling.

Much has been made of Ric Ocasek's glossy production and cheesy synthesizers. However intrusive these things may seem, though, they can't disguise the sadness in Jonathan's voice, which lends these songs extra weight. The disc only drags during a re-recording of 1979's "Affection," one of Jonathan's most emotional songs; here, he drains all emotion from it by smoothing out all wavers and breaks in his voice, fixing up some of the lyrics, and adding a goofy spoken bit toward the end. (These changes may make for easier listening, but the results are much less -- pardon the pun -- affecting.) I can see why he would want to resurrect this song, though: He may have lost the love of his life, but he wants to show us that it hasn't made him bitter and cynical; he still stands by his old word that love and affection are still worth seeking out. On a lighter note, the mid-tempo ballad "True Love is Not Nice" (a sort of precursor to 2001's "Couples Must Fight") and the rockin' "Lonely Little Thrift Store" rank among his finest recordings. (I love the cover image, too -- the gloomy color scheme, and Richman standing off-center as his handsome face looks deep in thought. Sad but pretty, like many of his tunes.)

Of the two old songs he's redone this time around; When I Dance works pretty good, while poor Affection which is one of Richman's finest songs, is almost ruined by producer Ric Ocasek's synthesizer cheese (which is unfortunately fairly omnipresent). On the new stuff Ric's synth is far more tolerable, and this adds up to one of the most consistently strong albums Jojo's produced in a long time. Sometimes confusion is infinitely better than certainty, still recovering from, and dealing with his divorce, while stepping into a whole new world of possibilities. There are songs here that are among the best things he's ever written or sung; The Lonely Little Thrift Store is one of the most perfect Jonathan Richman songs ever: concise verbal description/evocations in his tight rhyming rocking style over an almost Egyptian compulsively catchy stripped down (sounds like just J.R. and drummer Tommy Larkins on this) holy rock & roll (send this one out to Al Hoff). I Can't Find My Best Friend is the kind of song and emotion that's only possible to create or understand if your heart has been broken. I'm So Confused is auto-bio honest, pensive, edgy and one of the few places where Ocasek improves stuff by his presence, True Love Is Not Nice is a lovely country-synth bit of accurate observation and wisdom. On, Love Me Like I Love Jonathan says he wants "people to love me like I can love" and though it's one of the best songs here, I've just got to argue, that people can only love you or anyone on their own terms, that's all anyone can expect, isn't it? Hello From Cupid is a sweetly seductive soul-pop gem, while The Night Is Still Young is the same guy that wrote Roadrunner almost 30 years ago still driving around at night looking for something as simple as salvation, or in this case, a party he was invited to but can't seem to find. Thankyou Jonathan, (as the kids all say) you rock.

It's not as strong as its predecessor, the brilliant Surrender To Jonathan. Still,anyone who has been following Richman's career since the 70s already knows that any new release will contain at least a few songs that are catchy and charming enough to stick in your head ---permanently. This time,listen for the title track and The Night Is Still Young.This kind of innocence and humour is on the endangered-species list in pop. Docked a couple of stars for a haphazard approach and a below-average quota of memorable songs.

I will admit upfront that I am one of the masses that was exposed to Jonathan Richman via "There's Something...". It was suprising to see the other reviews posted that described the album as over produced. Perhaps since I came with no baggage that's not what I hear at all. "I'm So Confused" moved me more than any record I have heard in several years. Additionally it sounds great, even Ric Ocasek's subtle synth contributions. I can't stop playing this CD!

Good grief. If you don't already have a bunch of albums by this guy you need to whip out the credit card and make up for some lost time right now. This guy is even more amazing live. Just buy the album. They even have it on vinyl. Nothing but love. Except maybe for the synthesizer that sneaks in occasionally. ignore it.

With a few exceptions, I'm So Confused sounds like the musical diary of a man who is recently divorced or otherwise has lost the love of his life. This album has far more sad, melancholy tunes than the JR albums I've enjoyed over the last two decades. Though "Affection" is an old song for Richman, it takes on new meaning in the context of this album.

If you like sad and lonely, you'll like this. But even if you don't like sad and lonely, you'll like "In My Trance," "Nineteen in Naples," and "Lonely Little Thrift Shop."

Among contemporary singers of whatever genre, few teach about relating to other people, the world and oneself with the love, fragile charm and face-to-face directness which always characterize Jonathan Richman's work. This record will surprise neither his flocks of devoted fans like me, nor folks introduced to Jojo by recent tv/film appearances. The songs included are among his best (including fresh recordings of a couple of older tunes). For fans, a new record is inevitably compared with Jonathan's famously gracious live performances with drummer Tommy Larkin; This album withstands the comparison as well as any of his other studio albums with a band (with the exception of the 1986 masterpiece "It's Time For Jonathan Richman"). The backup here, featuring Bad Brains bassist Darryl Jennifer, adds propulsive energy. Ric Ocasek's lucid production is generally good, though his tentative, uninspired keyboard arrangements make a poor fit with some songs. Jonathan's songwriting and performances make "I'm So Confused" good enough to be essential listening for fans, and the most satisfying of Jonathan's recent albums. Newcomers, however, may not find this the very best place to start a Jojo record collection.

I never thought I'd use the words "Jonathan Richman" and "over-produced" in the same sentance, but that is the only way to describe this record. Part of the charm in most of Jojo's recordings is the simplicity, and that is sorely lacking on this album. The songs are all good-great, but for the first time, Jojo seems almost tentative here. A good example is on "Affection", a favorite of most fans in concert because of the extra flamboyance, as Jojo acts out an entire conversation right in the middle of the song. After making us wait most of the song to hear this little bonus on record, he simply stops and ends the song, just as he was getting started, though in concert this same song as gone on for perhaps 10 minutes (or more) longer.Having heard all of these songs (for that matter, having heard almost ALL of his songs) performed better in concert, the surprisingly obvious question comes up: Why not simply put out live recordings? Jojo himself is quoted as saying that he doesn't consider himself a recording artist, but rather a live performer who releases records of his songs, so why then the lack of concert material? Jojo, if you're reading this, please consider it!

While Jonathan Richman will never repeat the masterpiece that is the MODERN LOVERS first album( or anyone for that matter ),he will continue to make great music for us all and this new album is no exception. Too many people are screaming "over produced!" when refering to this album,these people need to get over.This is a painfully honest album,written by a man that has recently ended a long relationship. I think the production values compliment the songs wonderfully and in no way do they conflict with the mood they are trying to express.This album containes some of his most polished songwriting in years."When I Dance", I'm So Confused", "Love Me Like I Love", and "I Can't Find My Best Friend" have some of his most affecting lyrics ever!Buy this album...NOW!

Anything this man does is gold. Even the stuff that isn't quite as great as his other stuff. In other words, this thing is unconditional. It's like the love I have for my parents/family. I will always buy, listen to, and enjoy the heck out of anything this Jonathan Richman does. So sure, I'm biased, and this review is far from subjective, but if you haven't jumped on the Jojo band wagon yet, I'd say it's time for you to get started. I suggest "I, Jonathan" or maybe "Modern Lovers '88" for beginners. I'm sure you've probably heard or at least heard of the self titled "modern lovers" album that put him on the map (and if not, pick it up, it's as good as everyone says it is), but I for one, prefer the more (critics would probably say "less") grown up version of Richman. There's a sense of honesty and passion in everything the guy sings about. And if you can take off your rose colored glasses for a while, and just look at his stuff from an unjaded perspective, you'll see that this man is one of the best living song writers in america.
Dang I love Jonathan Richman.
P.S. "When I Dance" absolutely kills.