While a large portion of Jonathan Richman’s fan base is undoubtedly still waiting with baited breath for the once incendiary singer-songwriter to return to the angst ridden, Velvet Underground informed intensity of his early work with the Modern Lovers, Richman continues down his own unique artistic path, happily unconcerned with the nostalgic wishes of his audience. Richman articulates this several times on Because Her Beauty Is Raw and Wild, most forcefully on the charmingly ragged “Es Como El Pan," where he expresses his desire to live for the moment and not to dwell over stale memories that he compares to “day old bread.” Despite the unassuming raggedness of the recordings here, Richman’s musicianship and songwriting skills seem to have reached a delightful peak. Watch as he effortlessly fuses the simple three chord pop of his early days with styles as diverse as Bossa Nova, Tejano Border music, and even French Pop. Fans who grumble that Jonathan Richman has become too precious in his old age are missing out on some of the best music of his career.