Jonathan Richman to Woo Somerville Theatre

October 15, 12:47 AMBoston Indie Music ExaminerSean Willis

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Regardless of your personal musical preferences, I will make this simple statement: you should go see Jonathan Richman at the Somerville Theatre on Oct. 17th--you will not regret it.

If you're familiar with Richman then you need not read anymore; you already know his proto-punk origins, debonair aura and entrancing style of performance. The man knows how to dance and, quite frankly, there's no denying his ability to woo any crowd with nothing but an acoustic guitar and a little percussion. 

His playful pop songs will lull you out of your cynical trenches. Sure, the economy is steadily dropping and the political debacles seem to get worse and worse, but Richman's strumming and swinging will certainly let your mind wander to a fantastic place full of simple joys. Who couldn't use an injection of simplicity in a time when the word "multi-tasking" plagues our agendas and anxiety is prevalent among the masses? 

So stop trying to be cool or hip or whatever it is your aiming for and try and enjoy yourself with some good ol' raw pop. If you still need convincing and you're a New Englander you should take notice that Richman is a patriot at heart as well. Songs like "New England" and "Government Center" will ring home with the Bostonians and you'll giggle at the absurdity of songs like "Pablo Picasso."

Did I mention he's in Something About Mary?