Utopia (1982)

Canadian import

Note: this release was originally purchased as a 2 LP set, later replaced by this CD.

At some point in late 1982, I was over at my buddy Jim's house watching MTV. Those visits happened frequently in 1982-83, especially on weekends as dates with members of the opposite sex were few and far between at that time. The unusual video for Feet Don't Fail Me Now appeared at some point and while I didn't care much for the video, I couldn't resist that hook. I bought this Utopia album on our next trip to the Houston record stores, which probably didn't happen too much after we saw the video for the first time. I didn't love the album at first. I guess I was expecting different - I mean, just look at their New Wave outfits on the cover! But I only found a little bit of a New Wave vibe; this album was a pastiche of different grooves and rotating lead singers. Plus, the format was odd: the first LP was "normal" with 5 tunes on each side, then there was a second LP (listed as a "5 track bonus LP" in the ad below) that had the same 5 tunes on both sides. It's the kind of inconvenience that puts off a lazy, 16 year old nudnik. Add to that the wide variety of styles and young Mark didn't spin this one very often.

That was then, this is now.

I eventually came to love the thing and play it often. Indeed, my enjoyment of Todd Rundgren's work has only increased over the years. And while this is decidedly a group effort in which all band members make considerable contributions in songwriting, production, and lead vocals, Rundgren is first among equals.

Press of the time:

• Rolling Stone (★★★½): "With enviable ease, Rundgren and Utopia use simple melodic devices to trigger a dominolike succession of core riffs, crack rhythms and chorus hooks."
• Billboard: "this could be the band's biggest in some time."
• CashBox: "a bevy of upbeat tunes geared for hook-conscious listeners."
• Stereo Review: Best of the Month. "A Nearly Perfect Set of Well-Made Pop Songs"

Album chart peaks:

• US Billboard 200: #84
• Billboard Rock: #23
• CashBox: #93
• Rolling Stone: #55

Tracks: Let's rank 'em! (excluding the bonus track, the Dance Mix of Hammer In My Heart)

1. Feet Don't Fail Me Now
2. I'm Looking At You But I'm Talking To Myself
3. Neck On Up
4. Hammer In My Heart
5. Bad Little Actress
6. Forgotten But Not Gone
7. Princess Of The Universe
8. Chapter And Verse
9. Say Yeah
10. Libertine
11. There Goes My Inspiration
12. Private Heaven
13. Call It What You Will
14. Burn Three Times
15. Infrared And Ultraviolet

As you could probably guess, this album plays much better on a single CD than on 3 different LP sides. Despite the MTV airplay, the aforementioned Feet Don't Fail Me Now only managed to climb to #82 on the pop chart. I love that hook as much now as I did when I first heard it. The other single released from the album was the Hammer In My Heart, which didn't reach the pop chart at all, but managed to get to #31 on the rock chart.

Videos for Hammer In My Heart and Feet Don't Fail Me Now - along with You Make Me Crazy from the 1979 album Adventures In Utopia - appeared on a "Video 45" tape titled The Utopia Sampler.

Personal Memory Associated with this CD: see above

Todd Rundgren - Healing (1981)

"I think [Todd Rundgren] writes great religious music. He just doesn't have very many members of his church."

- Daryl Hall, Musician magazine, April 1982, p. 49

I was completely unfamiliar with this album until I came across the title while putting together an interactive list of every album on the Billboard Rock Albums Chart, March 1981 - September 1984. I'm guessing it is currently out-of-print as I had a some difficulty tracking down a copy. Critics called the work 'mystical' and 'spiritual' but skirted around the fact that this album is a prog-rock song cycle about the coming, life, and resurrection of Jesus Christ or, at the very least, a Christ-like character (right down to a baptism image for the cover art). Well, it's obvious to me that's the case, your mileage may vary. But even if I've completely missed the mark, there's no denying it's a concept album about the human condition. To wit:

1. Healer - "Rejoice, rejoice, rejoice because the healer comes"
2. Pulse - "I'm not afraid of the sound that calls me on like a siren singing in another world. Here comes a change."
3. Flesh - "The law is the law for no man wrote the law. They who would change the law just abuse it."
4. Golden Goose - "They say, he's got a special gift but I don't envy him at all."
5. Compassion - "Get down on your knees, pray to heaven for compassion."
6. Shine - "They are not ready but the hour is close at hand"
7. Healing, Part I - "Listen for the sound...it's the breath of life"
8. Healing, Part II - "Where you are going, you cannot take your body"
9. Healing, Part III - "Be a guiding light. Let the cry that you've uncovered set the world aright"

Sure, I'm just cherry-picking lyrics here, but I think it sufficiently supports my thesis. This ain't no album about girls, cars, drinking, rockin', and break-ups.

Musically, it's a Rundgren album with all his familiar chord progressions and cadences. A one-man show, there's lots of synths, drum machines, and an uncharacteristic (I'm guessing) saxophone sound that is oddly soothing. I'm sure Rundgren considered this to be an experimental album, but what Rundgren album isn't? Unlike its successor, The Ever Popular Tortured Artist Effect, this album isn't an easy listen. In addition to the moody, atmospheric pieces, we get some xylophone counterpoint and synthesized polka sprinkled among the tracks. I have to be in exactly the right mood, turn off the phone, sit quietly, and actively listen (preferably with headphones). Fortunately, it is one of those album that rewards multiple listenings and I encourage you to invest the time.

Press of the time:

• Trouser Press: "50-plus minutes of oozing, unfocused music"
• Billboard: "eccentric rhythm patterns on side one and a mellow, moody three-part suite called "Healing" on side two"
• CashBox: "A hypnotic, technically brilliant tour de force."
• Record World: "will be welcomed by fans and AOR radio."
• Rolling Stone (★★★★): "psychologically calming and intellectually invigorating"
• Stereo Review: "I still can't find the slightest hint of a connection between what he does and music."
• Smash Hits (6 out of 10): "What makes [Rundgren] a winner is his flair for a gorgeous, graceful tune and his consistently silky and listenable musicianship."

Album chart peaks:

• US Billboard Top 200: #48
• Billboard Rock: #15
• CashBox: #51
• Rolling Stone: #21

Tracks: The most obvious pop tune is track 5, Compassion, which charted at #48 on the new Billboard Rock Tracks chart.

I'm not sure if its just the actual music or just the suggestion of the suite title, but what was side 2 (tracks 7-9) is a suite titled Healing and I'll be jiggered if I don't feel oddly calm when it finishes. The Rolling Stone quote above about being "psychologically calming and intellectually invigorating" certainly hits the mark for me.

The original vinyl release of Healing included a bonus 7" single featuring the tracks Time Heals and Tiny Demons which are included here as tracks 10 and 11. Having a separate single was a good idea as the album finishes with the Healing suite and that's enough. Then if you (or, more likely, the record company execs) want a pop single, you've got that option. Time Heals was released as single and peaked at #107 on the Billboard 'Bubbling Under' chart and #18 on the above mentioned rock tracks chart. Rundgren created a promotional video made for Time Heals, which was the eighth music video to air on MTV during its launch on August 1, 1981. The song is great and the video is fantastic, particularly by 1981 "concert video in a foggy warehouse" standards. Heavy concept with Rundrgren putting himself into all sorts of paintings, including those by Dali and Magritte.

Personal Memory Associated with this CD: Longtime readers of this blog are aware that I buy a large number of used CDs. This disc was no exception - purchased via alibris over a year ago. I've never had a problem buying used CDs until this one hit my mailbox. Before I even opened the package, the smell of cigarette smoke was undeniable. I quickly dismantled the packaging, discarded the nicotine-stained jewel box and began airing everything out. For several weeks, I tried various remedies to rid that smell from the inserts and disc including baking soda, Febreeze, and coffee grounds. After at least a month of efforts, things finally became tolerable but I still stuck a dryer sheet in the new jewel case before closing it up. Now I don't notice the smell so much, but man-oh-man. It doesn't matter to me if you choose to smoke, but please don't do it around out-of-print CDs! Think of the children! I hope that's the last time that particular scenario presents itself. If not, at least now I've got a plan of action.

Previously revisited for the blog:
The Very Best Of Todd Rundgren (1997)
The Ever Popular Tortured Artist Effect (1982)

The Very Best Of Todd Rundgren (1997)

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)

Todd Rundgren - The Ever Popular Tortured Artist Effect (1982)

Note: this release was received as a gift as an LP, later replaced by a CD.

In 1982, Rundgren was unhappy with his record label, but was contractually obligated to deliver a solo record. This explains the record's cynical title and the fact that it only runs about 35 minutes. Rundgren threw together some songs that he quickly wrote, produced, and on which he performed all instruments. He reportedly disavows this album, but I think it's great and I'm glad I picked up a CD copy before it went out-of-print.

Press of the time:

• Rolling Stone (★★★½): "Here's hoping there's more where this came from."
• Stereo Review: "when he's right there's no one else like him."
• Trouser Press: "It's so thoroughly, melodiously pop that it's almost too easy."
• Billboard: "For the faithful only."
• Musician: "more accessible than some of Rundgren's wayward epics but it's not pushover entertainment."

Album chart peaks:

• US Billboard 200: #66
• Billboard Rock: #30
• CashBox: #60

Tracks: You know the ubiquitous hit, Bang The Drum All Day. There's also a bad cover of the Small Faces' Tin Soldier and a Gilbert & Sullivan parody entitled Emperor of the Highway. Those three are the worse songs on the CD. The other 6 tracks are fantastic, forgotten pop tracks. I'd have to say that my favorite is probably Drive because I find myself singing that song to myself more than any others.

Personal Memory Associated with this CD: My LP copy of this release was given to me by my friend Jim. Jim bought a lot of albums in the early '80s and turned me on to a lot of music I would not have heard otherwise. He bought this LP and, it not being what he expected, gave it to me. Knowing Jim, he would probably would rather stick an icepick through his eardrum than listen to this music now, but I'm grateful that he exposed me to a wide variety of music.