Because Her Beauty Is Raw and Wild
Jonathan Richman · 2008
45 min · 14 tracks · folk music
A whimsical blend of folk melodies and playful lyrics that capture the joy and absurdity of everyday life.
Top tracks — play these first
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Because Her Beauty Is Raw and Wild Start here — The title track encapsulates the album's essence with its infectious melody and celebration of unrefined beauty, setting the tone for Richman's artistic vision.
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No One Was Like Vermeer — This track showcases Richman's quirky storytelling style as he draws parallels between art and life, highlighting his unique perspective on beauty and inspiration.
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This Romance Will Be Different for Me — In this song, Richman reflects on personal love experiences with a refreshing honesty that blends humor and vulnerability, making it relatable for listeners.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album showcases Richman's whimsical style with playful lyrics and varied tempos, though it may not have widespread influence.
What we noticed
- Richman's vocal delivery is conversational and often playful, with lyrics that frequently employ humor and whimsy.
- Several tracks incorporate unconventional instrumentation, such as handclaps and simple percussion, which contribute to the album's lighthearted feel.
- Composition 25% of the score
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6/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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7/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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5/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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6/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- whimsical storytelling with charm
- steady mid-tempo for relaxation
- beach party ambiance and joy
- playful melodies for sing-alongs
Maybe skip if you
- prefer high-energy tracks
- seek intense emotional experiences
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Deep Cut — A solid entry in Richman's catalog, showcasing his unique style but not a standout for new listeners.
- Career context
- When Jonathan Richman released Because Her Beauty Is Raw and Wild in 2008, he was already an established figure in music, having gained fame as the frontman of The Modern Lovers in the mid-1970s. This album marked his return to a more intimate, solo style after years of exploring various musical landscapes, showcasing his simplicity and charm as a singer-songwriter.
- Stylistic neighbors
- The Modern Lovers· Lou Reed· Pavement
Tracklist
- 1 Because Her Beauty Is Raw and Wild Start here 2:34
- 2 No One Was Like Vermeer 3:04
- 3 Time Has Been Going by So Fast 2:49
- 4 Es Como El Pan 3:06
- 5 Our Drab Ways 3:25
- 6 The Lovers Are Here and They’re Full of Sweat 3:04
- 7 Le Printemps Des Amoreux Est Venu 2:37
- 8 When We Refuse to Suffer 2:19
- 9 This Romance Will Be Different for Me 3:25
- 10 Old World 3:25
- 11 Our Party Will Be on the Beach Tonight 4:08
- 12 When We Refuse to Suffer 4:02
- 13 Here It Is 4:32
- 14 As My Mother Lay Lying 3:05
What to play next
O Moon, Queen of Night on Earth
2010
Continues the whimsical tone with a blend of folk and playful storytelling.
Not So Much to Be Loved as to Love
2004
Sets the stage with similar themes of love and life’s absurdity.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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