WHETHER Richman is happy to be remembered as a novelty act is unknown.

Having followed his erratic muse through two generations of whimsy, cute and downright wonderful - this boy/man is not made for changing as he reaches middle age.

Best experienced in concert, Modern Lovers Live captures Richman and his seminal band The Modern Lovers on their first UK tour in 1977. It features his best songs, New England and The Morning Of Our Lives - at once simple, delicious and profound - alongside his best known (Egyptian Reggae).

Only Ice Cream Man outstays its welcome - but is still a cool place for beginners to start. Why Richman's studio albums consistently fail is apparent from one listen to his latest. It has an off-the-cuff feel, woeful singing and song-writing that poorly reprises earlier material.

In other words, exactly the same as the in-concert experience, but without his personal charm. Only the title track, The World Is Showing Its Hand and Cosi Veloce are worth listening to more than once. Disappointing.

Updated: 08:55 Thursday, July 29, 2004