Rundgren is a very talented songwriter/engineer/producer. He is one of those under-appreciated musicians that will do as he pleases without regard to the label executives, which has definitely hampered his commercial success. He's also written some fantastic pop songs of the type that get better with each listen. Which means this solid compilation from Rhino gets better every time I hear it. In addition to his solo work, the compilation includes three songs recorded with the Rundgren-led group Utopia. We're treated to everything from hit ballads (Hello, It's Me) to Big Star-ish power pop (Couldn't I Just Tell You) to soft rock (Love Is The Answer) to R&B (The Want Of A Nail) to 5 PM radio staples (Bang The Drum All Day) to arena rock (The Very Last Time). Also included is a overlooked gem of a track from 1985's A Cappella album which was a remarkable, unusual, innovative piece of arranging and producing. If you want to familiarize yourself with Rundgren's work (and you should), this is a good place to start. And then hit repeat.
Peak on the US Billboard Top 200 chart: Did not chart
Tracks: Proof positive that chart position doesn't necessarily reflect quality.
| Song | Year | Hot 100 |
| We Gotta Get You A Woman | 1970 | 20 |
| Be Nice To Me | 1971 | 71 |
| I Saw the Light | 1972 | 16 |
| Hello It's Me | 1973 | 5 |
| Couldn't I Just Tell You | 1972 | 93 |
| Just One Victory | 1973 | |
| A Dream Goes On Forever | 1974 | 69 |
| Real Man | 1975 | 83 |
| Love Of The Common Man | 1976 | |
| Love Is The Answer (Utopia) | 1977 | |
| Love In Action (Utopia) | 1977 | |
| Can We Still Be Friends | 1978 | 29 |
| The Very Last Time (Utopia) | 1980 | 76 |
| Bang The Drum All Day | 1983 | 63 |
| Something To Fall Back On | 1985 | |
| The Want Of A Nail (w/Bobby Womack) | 1989 |
Missing Top 40 hit: Good Vibrations (#34, 1976)
Personal Memory Associated with this CD: None
Previously revisited for the blog:
The Ever Popular Tortured Artist Effect (1982)
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