Todd Rundgren (Official Thread)

[IWasaCamera]

Haven't created a thread in a while so here's one for American pop savant Todd Rundgren who penned 4 consecutive gems in the early 70s. Known as somewhat of a stylistic synthesist, he leaps from art-rock to Motown to power pop breathlessly, particularly on his two sprawling masterpieces Something/Anything? and A Wizard, A True Star. His earliest releases are a tad more concise but certainly worth a shot too if you dig tuneful 70s pop. If memory serves me right, I've already discussed Rundgren with Todd briefly in the past so that should be enough of an endorsement. Discuss, discover, whatever.

http://www.progreviews.com/reviews/images/TR-Runt.jpghttp://www.progreviews.com/reviews/images/TR-tBoTR.jpg
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_3f4ubapmyzo/Rs94Wk3MFTI/AAAAAAAAAWM/DoRadEMAGGU/s320/se.jpghttp://pds.exblog.jp/pds/1/200904/28/75/b0171175_011225.jpg



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[kearn1tm]

Great artist.

[KingJohn_654]

I like With a Twist, i used to listen to it in the car with my dad all the time. I especially like the version of "Influenza" on the album.

[Illadelphia]

When I was in 8th grade, I had a teacher who had an unnatural obession with Todd Rundgren. He wore a Todd Rundgren shirt every Thursday (He owned at least 50) and sometimes he would dedicate an entire class to this strange fixatioin. He would make us play Todd Rundgren trivia, all the while watching his limitless collection of Todd Rundgren dvds...

[KingJohn_654]

When I was in 8th grade, I had a teacher who had an unnatural obession with Todd Rundgren. He wore a Todd Rundgren shirt every Thursday (He owned at least 50) and sometimes he would dedicate an entire class to this strange fixatioin. He would make us play Todd Rundgren trivia, all the while watching his limitless collection of Todd Rundgren dvds...

thats awesome.

[kearn1tm]

His three albums with Nazz were pretty keen too.

[Illadelphia]

thats awesome.
It was truly something to behold.

[xJesusFreakx]

That song in the video sounds pretty rad, and that description sounded pretty alluring, so I guess I'll have to check those albums out sometime soon. (Great, as if I weren't behind enough on music I need to check out. On that note, Todd, if you see this post, what were those two threads you posted the other day that I said I wanted to check out more? I've forgotten them already.)

[FeynmanWannabe]

Not only was he a great artist in his own right but he also produced Skylarking. :thumbup:

[IWasaCamera]

His three albums with Nazz were pretty keen too.
Nazz and Nazz Nazz are delightful. Nazz III doesn't quite stack up, probably because of Rundgren's absence.

What's your favorite of his solo releases?

[kearn1tm]

Nazz and Nazz Nazz are delightful. Nazz III doesn't quite stack up, probably because of Rundgren's absence.

What's your favorite of his solo releases?

I didn't know he wasn't a part of Nazz III (then again, I've listened to that release the least).

As for my favorite Rundgren album, Something/Anything is one of the few concept albums I dig in general and my preferred work of his (with The Ever Popular Tortured Artist Effect a close second. Though it was a rushed effort to fill his label's contractual obligation, it's a very subtley funny album and I dig it).

[kearn1tm]

On that note, Todd, if you see this post, what were those two threads you posted the other day that I said I wanted to check out more? I've forgotten them already.)

I'm not sure which ones you're referring to but these are the last few artist threads I've created:

Bajofondo (Tango Club)
http://www.absolutepunk.net/showthread.php?t=1362061

Bell Biv DeVoe
http://www.absolutepunk.net/showthread.php?t=1443532

Jorge Ben
http://www.absolutepunk.net/showthread.php?t=1389701

Nicola Conte
http://www.absolutepunk.net/showthread.php?t=1443751

Sunny Rollins
http://www.absolutepunk.net/showthread.php?t=1334641

The VSS
http://www.absolutepunk.net/showthread.php?t=1389721

[xJesusFreakx]

I'm not sure which ones you're referring to but these are the last few artist threads I've created:

Bajofondo (Tango Club)
http://www.absolutepunk.net/showthread.php?t=1362061

Bell Biv DeVoe
http://www.absolutepunk.net/showthread.php?t=1443532

Jorge Ben
http://www.absolutepunk.net/showthread.php?t=1389701

Nicola Conte
http://www.absolutepunk.net/showthread.php?t=1443751

Sunny Rollins
http://www.absolutepunk.net/showthread.php?t=1334641

The VSS
http://www.absolutepunk.net/showthread.php?t=1389721

Looks like you found the two and bumped them. I'll go ahead and make note of all of these, though. Thank you.

[IWasaCamera]

I didn't know he wasn't a part of Nazz III (then again, I've listened to that release the least).
Quite similar to Squeeze in the circumstances surrounding it, in that everyone just bailed and the record was left in incapable hands.
As for my favorite Rundgren album, Something/Anything is one of the few concept albums I dig in general and my preferred work of his (with The Ever Popular Tortured Artist Effect a close second. Though it was a rushed effort to fill his label's contractual obligation, it's a very subtley funny album and I dig it).
Something/Anything? is indeed brilliant. My personal favorite is A Wizard, A True Star. Such a jarring record, but with soulfulness and pop sensibilities at every turn.

[StreetSpirit76]

This is probably the best rec I've ever gotten on this site, so thanks a lot Vinh (?).

Will be picking up Something/Anything first based solely on this:

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[KatieKutthroat.]

I really like what I've heard from him, but I haven't listened through an album yet...what should I start with?

[IWasaCamera]

This is probably the best rec I've ever gotten on this site, so thanks a lot Vinh (?).

Will be picking up Something/Anything first based solely on this:

ejC0JklYZtE
I am Vinh. Vinh is me. Hope you enjoy the album.
I really like what I've heard from him, but I haven't listened through an album yet...what should I start with?
Generally speaking, I'd probably recommend the first two full-lengths (Runt, Runt:The Ballad Of Todd Rundgren) to begin with. The following two records are a tad more daunting, but certainly still accessible if you'd prefer to dive right in.

[StreetSpirit76]

I am Vinh. Vinh is me. Hope you enjoy the album.
Ha, I thought so. Thanks again.

[KatieKutthroat.]

Generally speaking, I'd probably recommend the first two full-lengths (Runt, Runt:The Ballad Of Todd Rundgren) to begin with. The following two records are a tad more daunting, but certainly still accessible if you'd prefer to dive right in.

Alright, thanks.

[cshadows2887]

Just discovered Something/Anything. Holy shit. What a record. All I had heard prior to that was "Bang the Drum All Day" which I can't stand. Where should I go if I want more of the former and less of the latter?

[IWasaCamera]

First four full-lengths are delightful. Since you already dig Something/Anything?, give one of the other three a try.

[cshadows2887]

Will do. Thanks for the rec.

[fuberghadi]

Honestly, why is this man not in the hall of fame. I've heard nearly all of his music through the years (my dad's been a fan his whole life) and I've found it profound and landmark from a fan's, songwriter's and a musician's standpoint.

[IWasaCamera]

Probably because the HOF is a piece of shit.

[cshadows2887]

Still haven't gotten around to listening to more, but I'm in a "Can We Still Be Friends?" mood due to some life circumstances, so BUMP.