I am 64 and have been a big Todd fan since the mid 1970s. The albums I keep coming back to are Something/Anything, A Wizard a True Star, Todd, and.....side 2 of Initiation:) About twice a year I put on some good headphones, lie down, and just totally trip out(drug free) on A Treatise on Cosmic Fire. To me it feels like some sort of journey through the formation of the universe. I have never heard anything quite like it. I guess I am an outlier:) Thanks for doing the video. I really enjoyed hearing your take on his albums.
Nearly Human is one of my fave albums of all time, not just for TR. The fact that that thing was recorded live is amazing, and the tour that followed (which I was able to fortunately attend in Boston) was incredibly done.
@@AsItShouldBePodcast Actually, IIRC, he recorded it in a performing arts theater or church somewhere near San Francisco, due the ensemble size and the acoustics.
And by the way my favorite Todd record is A WIZARD A TRUE STAR , first heard it on 8 track on a Craig stereo in our Airstream while smoking weed, CHANGED MY LIFE
@@AsItShouldBePodcast I was just saying recently to a friend what separates Todd from many of his contemporaries is that he has a great album in this millennium which is Liars. An example in my opinion is I'm a big fan of Neil Young's earlier work but can honestly say I cannot find anything in his body of work in the last 20 years plus that I'd want to listen to much less resemble a "liars' type achievement.
@@lawrencebarkin7581 Boom! Exactly like Neil Young! Like Todd, Neil has usually done different things from album to album. And like with Todd, sometimes I can follow him, sometimes I can't.
You really don't like The Night the Carousel Burned Down? This song is gold to me! Listen again and note how he evokes the dying machinery with pace and pitch!
I heard that track in the Virgin Megastore in Glasgow in 1980. It was what prompted me to ask the sales clerk who the artist was. And that was my start as a Todd fan.
I enjoyed this review so much. I first clicked onto this page and saw 46 mins, I though I don't know, is kind of long. But I started listening anyway. Turned out to be really great. It's really nice to listen to a review by a total fan with deep knowledge of the artist and love of there music. You where spot on with your rankings. Thank you for your review, really entertaining. I'm a original fan, liked Todd since 1973. Growing up with and buying his albums as they where released along the way, I thought I knew all about Todd, but you schooled me. Loved it.
Thank you so much! I always think the same thing when it comes to length of the videos. I think, I can't imagine anybody sitting through one of these videos for this long. But if I make them shorter then there's so much that gets left out. In the end, I just let them be as long as they need to be (within reason) and hope for the best. Thank you again for your comments.
A "faithful" Todd fan since 1974. "Something/Anything" was my first impression of him. From that point on I've gotten my hands on every Todd and Utopia album. I love his songs.
Too bad you cut off this list at 1991. I'd put Liars in his top 3, if not #1. The songwriting is just so excellent on that record. And I'd put a few of his later albums pretty high, too, such as No World Order, The Individualist, and Arena. Personally, The Individualist, like Healing did 15 years before, saved my life when it came out. True, his last 3 records have not been that good, but by now, Todd can do whatever he wants and I'll probably see him live at least once a year.
I love that Todd does different things on almost every album. It's interesting and exciting but sometimes it also means he goes places where I just can't follow him. Liars is also a favorite of mine. It would certainly rated very high on my list. Arena took some time but it's grown on me.
Couldn't agree more! All fantastic albums. No World Order gets crapped on a lot but I personally love it! As far as his last 3 albums go Global has grown on me quite a bit and White Knight has some great songs as well, Cheers.
The Ever Popular Tortured Artist Effect is a great album! Drive is such a fantastic song and should have been a massive hit in my opinion. Great positive song with a driving beat. Should have been all over the radio! Great video!
Thank you! Yeah, that album had a few strong single possibilities. Hideaway, Drive, Don't Hurt Yourself could've been a "Can We Still Be Friends" type radio hit. Yeah, very underrated LP.
Yeah buddy tom Evans here, it's oct 6th watched your rankings on Todd rundgren albums excuse me But what happened to (back to the Bars) double live album I'm 60inthismonth12th next week I saw Todd live in Cleveland Ohio,,,,ps I'm from Canton raised in alliance Ohio that Year was1979or1980 I remember that album still have it and love ❤️ it what a trip that night ha personally I wondered why not#1thankyou again sincerely Tom Evans OHIO GO🎼🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶 ROCK ON
Cool! I'm glad you like Drive. Saw him do that live and it was really cool. They are not all consistent, but Todd is probably my favorite, got it signed in 08 Take care!
Nice! You know, I don't think I've ever seen him do Drive. When we were on the New Cars tour I had him sign my "Todd" LP as well. May not be my very fave TR LP but it was an aesthetic thing. That's the best 70s album cover for an autograph. Thanks for subscribing!
Good job and I enjoyed it. I saw Todd once, Dec 2013 Canyon Club in LA and got to go backstage where I autographed him a mini disc (from my 50 states in 50 days) months earlier, disc golf trip and even asked Todd if I could give him a hug, I didn't plan it, nothing creepy, I just wanted to show him I appreciated his work, so there you go , he said yes. My first introduction to his music besides Radio hits was Utopia's RA in 1979 my Senior Year in High school in Whittier, CA with Mike and Nancy fellow Farrells Ice Cream Palor co- workers, which set me on a find Todd music well into the 2000's. ty Becky Sorrelle Grutell for taking me to the concert.
Fan of Todd’s since 1971. Saw him at Island Dream in Toronto 1975. Met him and he let me take pictures on stage. Great guy. I think you pretty much nailed it.
Hi Paul.. I’ve been listening to your podcasts .. great btw .. and only just discovered the you tube stuff!! Great to hear all your enthusiasm for music .. it’s always welcome and informative 😎
Subscribed. Thanks for the ratings and detailed critique on each. I'm largely in agreement with where you position each LP. I'm missing a few I had not generally listened to, so needless to say it's off to the vintage record store today! In addition, I checked out your other channel; love The Sleaves! You had an early Peter Gabriel (Genesis) & Davey Jones thing going! Really like your newer Alice Cooper covers too! Keep up the great work! Thanks.
@@AsItShouldBePodcast Had a few I wanted after your review. Was able to find a U.S. First Pressing of Runt on AMPEX in mint condition along with a mint A Cappella. Looking for Initiation & The Ever Popular Tortured Artist Effect. I have most of this on CD and Cassette but recently purchased a turntable and loving the vintage analog sound!
Fantastic video, I really enjoyed your stories about the albums and what they mean to you. I have two of his albums, Something and Wizard, so this is will be of great help in negotiating his catalogue. I've heard some of Initiations but unlike yourself am looking forward to the second side. That 'Born To Synthesise' reminds of those demonstration albums you used to get showing off how tasty stereo sounds :)
Thank you. :-) But yeah, definitely take my comments with a grain of salt because your take on these albums may end up being miles away from mine, as I'm sure you realize.
Nice video Paul ! Big Todd fan here . I must admit I am into his more experimental stuff . His Todd LP I is my favorite.It changed my life when I was 14.
At 17 I saw the RA show live and it was quite the experience. I kind of followed him from afar as I got into my 20’s and beyond, but have really caught up since the RUclips age. Interesting take on things you have here. Your top two are my top two, but I still need to delve a little deeper.
All right I am a brand new subscriber maybe only clicked on your channel because you were reviewing Todd Rundgren albums but I’m gonna check you out with some of your other videos keep up the good work I love ever popular tortured artist effect High school science teacher told us if we liked that runt Todd Rundgren s music he would give us a failing grade. Todd grew up In the Philadelphia suburbs in upper Darby pa. . My high school science teacher had a locker next to Todd’s and was angry that Todd and his family bilked the upper Darby school to the tune of about 3.000$ The Rundgren Family took the upper Darby school district to the Supreme Court in a fight over the length of their sons hair guess what upper Darby lost the Rundgren family won.
Ooh! Interesting! I guess Todd must've been enduring some harassment from the faculty at school over his hair. I'm kind of amazed he won that considering when it was.
@@AsItShouldBePodcast he has donated musical instruments to the school district through his spirit of harmony foundation. I have bee told by a cousin who taught in Todd’s high school years later. When Todd came to the upper Darby school board in the 1980S and volunteered to play at the senior prom for free. the school district said thanks but no thanks. 3.000$ was a lotta 🍞 in 1960s. His family stated he must have long hair for his image image and appearance in his high school band called Money 💰. Kids in Pennsylvania public schools have been forced to wear uniforms recently but thanks to the Rundgren families fight over hair length that had to be decided in the Supreme Court kids can have any length and crazy hair style they want .
I like your comment about Tin Soldier. Yeah, kind of Faithful-y 😊 It didn’t even really register with me in my early experience with Tortured Artist, but then again, I hadn’t been enlightened as to the brilliance that was the Small Faces. (I was sort of a meathead that wanted to hear more from the Bang on the Drum guy😊) I like Emperor of the Highway, but I do like silly bombastic things.
Interesting. I kind of grew up listening to TR, (older brothers), so got into him at a younger age, but your list isn't far from what mine would be. I probably would have had "Healer" and "Tortured Artist" a lot lower on the list, and "Acapella" a lot higher, but in general I would agree with most of your assessments. Totally agree on the "half albums". I also got off the train at "Nearly Human" and '2nd wind".
Love the podcast Paul. Totally agree with the top 3, although S/A would just nudge the top spot for me. Looking forward to delving in to the other shows. Be great to hear and see your thoughts on ranking Bowie and Neil Young.
Thank, Robert! I may have said this in the video but if S/A was distilled down to a single LP with just the biggest bangers then it would easily be my #1. In fact it would be unbeatable. Maybe I'll do a video where I trim S/A down to a single LP. That would be a fun exercise. There will be Bowie and NY videos at some point but no doubt I'll do only partial discography dives in both cases. Especially NY. His output since after Silver & Gold has been a bit rough in my opinion.
I met Todd at the only Namm show not in Anaheim, it was in New Orleans , he was doing a Fairlight DEMO I heard this crazy sounding music way in the back , then I realized it was alternate mixes of Healing , it took me a while but I love his use of Theme and Variation on Healing and now is one of my Favs
Nice! Yeah, as mentioned in the video I'm really liking Healing much, much more lately than when I was younger. Some of his stuff you really have to go in deep to get on board. Wizard, as weird as it is, is much more immediate.
@@AsItShouldBePodcast never thought of it but you're right , I loved Wizard a True Star immediately really , but Healing a little longer, Healing kinda revealed itself to me on a long road trip after listening over and over , it's a very personal record but I truly love it now , once again its use of theme and variation is brilliant and like Wizard u have to listen to the whole thing thru, but yea I love Healing and it is a very Healing work if u listen
Liars is a great later period Todd. I agree with you about 2nd Wind. I recommend that you check out Todd Rundgren’s Johnson- his take on the music of Robert Johnson, Global and Arena.
I’m subscriber #91! You are very worth of a subscription. I’m a 68 yr old Todd fan, love his music In much the way you do. Have a lot I’d like to say, but will leave it at this question, how can I hear the music from your band that toured with him?
Thank you so much, Peter! The band was Persephone's Bees. Very, very different from Todd or The Cars. We were on Columbia at the time and our manager submitted us to The New Cars for consideration. Elliott Easton personally chose us, which was a huge honor. If you google the band name or maybe type it in here on RUclips you'll find some stuff. Front person/songwriter was a Russian woman, the guitarist is her husband. I was the drummer. Thank you again!
Has anyone told you that you really look and even sound alot like Alice Cooper? I would say right around 1972-73. You really have his voice and even mannerisms. It's downright eerie.
There was a UK release on CD of both versions of Runt by Edsel records. I didn’t bother with it as Runt is my least favourite early Todd album. Unlike you I much prefer Ballad. There are s some albums I agree with you on and some I disagree. For example I really enjoy the progeny meandering bits of Todd such as Spark of Life. It reminds me on the stream of consciousness nature of AWATS. However, I am very much enjoying listening to your reflections.
Yeah, I put that at 11 out of the 13 in the video. My least favorite of the early albums. "Long Flowing Robe" and "Boat on the Charles" are my favorite tracks on that one. One of his best album covers though!
I place a primary break between rock and pop for his albums. For rock, I would start a person with; Wizard, Todd, Another Live, No World Order, and Liars. There's certainly more. For pop, I would start a person with; Runt-Ballad, Something/Anything, Hermit, Tortured Artist, and Nearly Human. I also place Healing highly, but that may belong in another venue. Some might like to check out his 70s prog, or other more particular directions, too. He's like, "genres are for other people".
Something/Anything was the first LP I bought with my own $. About 11 or 12 y.o. Been a fan since. And it is one of, if not my favorite LP ever. Right up there with Goodbye Yellow Brick Road. And I do prefer Ritalin Todd to Mescaline Todd, and absolutely love Hermit Of Mink Hollow.
Yeah, that's another later LP I like quite a bit. Quite a switch after Liars. I love that he often makes an entirely different album from his last. That sometimes means he goes somewhere I can't (or won't) follow but it always means you can't count him out forever because almost anything is possible for the next one.
I liked 2nd wind a lot, it's one that I like to clean my house to, lol. The reason I like that is it's unlike anything else he's done prior and since. Agree about nearly human, a couple cool songs, but the album overall is ehh. Never really go back to that one. I've never liked The ballad of Todd Rundgren... It was basically like him just going through the motions to release an album. I dig what you said about Acapella, on point. A lot of good music on there, Johnee Jingo is one of my all-time favorite songs of his TBH. I disagree with the born to synthesize comment because it really was spot on. He was showcasing his absolute ability to take ANYTHING and synthesize it into some amazinnngggg. Faithful is cool for what it is. When I show some more mainstream friends of mine Todd I might show them some of the covers to show how talented he is at doing ANYTHING. The new material on it is amazing though, I agree with you on that. Healing is one of my all-time favorite albums. It's a perfectly made album. Ever popular tortured artist effect is OK. There are some good songs, and the album is OK, but it's another album that I rarely go back to. Todd Todd, ughhhh... Good album. Not one I revisit often, but still an amazing album. Runt has some great songs. It's a very fun album. I gotta get you a woman is a fav of mine for sure. I wouldn't put it on nearly as high as you, but it's obvious you really just like the catchy cool songs. Can't complain about the last two choices, it's a very tough choice between the two. Loved the video brother!! I hope you listen to the albums after 2nd wind... There are some REALLY good ones (In order) Liars, No World Order, The Individualist, Global, One long year, White Knight
Here is how I would order his top 5: Todd Faithful Initiation AWATS Something/Anything Hermit is too depressing, and the others just don't do anything for me at all. His "Half Todd" albums are better than a lot of his "whole Todd" albums.
Oh interesting. Do you like those "Half Todd" LPs as whole, though? Are you into the covers side on Faithful and the side-long Treatise on Cosmic Fire track on Initiation?
@@AsItShouldBePodcast I love the Cosmic Fire side of Initiation. I don't much care for the covers side of Faithful, though. And if I were ranking all his albums, including Utopia, 1 and 2 would be Utopia, Anther Live and then Utopia - ahead of all his solo albums.
I really can only think of Todd and Utopia in terms of songs, since there is a lot of unevenness to most albums. I am about the same age as you and would go see Todd play The Ritz (now Webster Hall) all of the time in the late 80s & early 90s, standing as close to the stage as I could, hoping to touch his hand. (He was always good about that.) I was an indie rock chick, spending most of my time at Maxwell's in Hoboken when that was at its peak, but still loved the classic rock and top 40 pop I grew up on. I think Todd has written some truly awful songs that are wonderful. The cringe-y "Mated" (Utopia) is a great example of that. But I don't think he could ever tell the difference between his truly masterful stuff and the good garbage. He's one of those kinds of artists.
'Todd' - is maybe my favourite often. Experimental in many places yes, but hey - there is no prog on it! This is not Utopia at all. I don't blame you for not knowing what prog is..... hehehe p.s. I always felt that there was this 'third party symbiotic' thing between Laura N. and Carole K..... I always thought that Tapestry was Carole ripping the influence back. But lets face it, Carole took waaaay more from Laura there, than Laura ever took from Carole. Where does Todd fit in all this? Well......
@@AsItShouldBePodcast I was born in the '70s grew up in the 80s I kind of know about cameras without The flash back then they were super cheap in the old days. although now that I'm 42 years old my memory fades I am getting old lady amnesia 😁😄
Liars should be on this list (I know, you cut off the "newer" albums), and fans tend to rank Mink Hollow much higher and Tortured Artist Effect much lower. No love for Ballad of Todd Rundgren? Really?
@@AsItShouldBePodcast Yes, I am impressed at your trickery, especially since I figured you didn't have any kind of more expensive software or anything.
I guess you skipped Back to the Bars because it's sort of like a greatest hits album being it's live and all. That tour was the first time I saw Todd live at 17 at the Bayou in Georgetown, Washington DC. I borrowed my roommates ID to get into the show. Utopia was his backing band at this stop on the tour. My friends and I were so blown away, that we immediately went out on the sidewalk and bought tickets from a scalper to go right back in and catch the late show. They played a double header that night.
I am 64 and have been a big Todd fan since the mid 1970s. The albums I keep coming back to are Something/Anything, A Wizard a True Star, Todd, and.....side 2 of Initiation:) About twice a year I put on some good headphones, lie down, and just totally trip out(drug free) on A Treatise on Cosmic Fire. To me it feels like some sort of journey through the formation of the universe. I have never heard anything quite like it. I guess I am an outlier:) Thanks for doing the video. I really enjoyed hearing your take on his albums.
Thanks David! You know, I'm not so sure you're an outlier in the case of Treatise. A lot of Todd fans seems to love it.
Nearly Human is one of my fave albums of all time, not just for TR. The fact that that thing was recorded live is amazing, and the tour that followed (which I was able to fortunately attend in Boston) was incredibly done.
It really is a stellar achievement in terms of recording. It's quite a band he had stuffed into that studio.
@@AsItShouldBePodcast Actually, IIRC, he recorded it in a performing arts theater or church somewhere near San Francisco, due the ensemble size and the acoustics.
@@thegood9 That makes more sense. I just remember the photos inside the CD booklet looked like a cramped studio, but that's just my distant memory.
And by the way my favorite Todd record is A WIZARD A TRUE STAR , first heard it on 8 track on a Craig stereo in our Airstream while smoking weed, CHANGED MY LIFE
That's the only Rungred album I've ever listened to. Is there any better?
I agree about Liars, I'd put it right at the top of the Todd list , and also near the top of my all time favorite albums list
That album was a very pleasant surprise
@@AsItShouldBePodcast I was just saying recently to a friend what separates Todd from many of his contemporaries is that he has a great album in this millennium which is Liars. An example in my opinion is I'm a big fan of Neil Young's earlier work but can honestly say I cannot find anything in his body of work in the last 20 years plus that I'd want to listen to much less resemble a "liars' type achievement.
@@lawrencebarkin7581 Boom! Exactly like Neil Young! Like Todd, Neil has usually done different things from album to album. And like with Todd, sometimes I can follow him, sometimes I can't.
Yes Liars is a very solid album
That "Todd" album cover is my favorite picture of him ever ...so fucking cool ...and perfect hair
Ah! Interesting. I've never heard anyone else's opinion on this. So that photo does have its fans!
I agree. That is a great photo!
@@rc51bigdaddy Ah, I may be in the minority here.
Mine too - have always loved that photo
You really don't like The Night the Carousel Burned Down? This song is gold to me! Listen again and note how he evokes the dying machinery with pace and pitch!
I heard that track in the Virgin Megastore in Glasgow in 1980. It was what prompted me to ask the sales clerk who the artist was. And that was my start as a Todd fan.
I remember he performed this one live when i saw him in Adelaide (Australia) in 2018
I enjoyed this review so much. I first clicked onto this page and saw 46 mins, I though I don't know, is kind of long. But I started listening anyway. Turned out to be really great. It's really nice to listen to a review by a total fan with deep knowledge of the artist and love of there music. You where spot on with your rankings. Thank you for your review, really entertaining. I'm a original fan, liked Todd since 1973. Growing up with and buying his albums as they where released along the way, I thought I knew all about Todd, but you schooled me. Loved it.
Thank you so much! I always think the same thing when it comes to length of the videos. I think, I can't imagine anybody sitting through one of these videos for this long. But if I make them shorter then there's so much that gets left out. In the end, I just let them be as long as they need to be (within reason) and hope for the best. Thank you again for your comments.
A "faithful" Todd fan since 1974. "Something/Anything" was my first impression of him. From that point on I've gotten my hands on every Todd and Utopia album. I love his songs.
AS IT SHOULD BE!!
Too bad you cut off this list at 1991. I'd put Liars in his top 3, if not #1. The songwriting is just so excellent on that record. And I'd put a few of his later albums pretty high, too, such as No World Order, The Individualist, and Arena. Personally, The Individualist, like Healing did 15 years before, saved my life when it came out. True, his last 3 records have not been that good, but by now, Todd can do whatever he wants and I'll probably see him live at least once a year.
I love that Todd does different things on almost every album. It's interesting and exciting but sometimes it also means he goes places where I just can't follow him. Liars is also a favorite of mine. It would certainly rated very high on my list. Arena took some time but it's grown on me.
Liars is my favorite album of the past 20 years.
Couldn't agree more! All fantastic albums. No World Order gets crapped on a lot but I personally love it! As far as his last 3 albums go Global has grown on me quite a bit and White Knight has some great songs as well, Cheers.
@@toddfan3263 Thanks! Yeah, there are definitely gems on all of the later albums. Let's Do This is a fave from White Knight.
I would say that Liars is the album you can suggest a non fan to listen to - good and varied songs, great production, good lyrics and overall theme
The Ever Popular Tortured Artist Effect is a great album! Drive is such a fantastic song and should have been a massive hit in my opinion. Great positive song with a driving beat. Should have been all over the radio! Great video!
Thank you! Yeah, that album had a few strong single possibilities. Hideaway, Drive, Don't Hurt Yourself could've been a "Can We Still Be Friends" type radio hit. Yeah, very underrated LP.
Yeah buddy tom Evans here, it's oct 6th watched your rankings on Todd rundgren albums excuse me But what happened to (back to the Bars) double live album I'm 60inthismonth12th next week I saw Todd live in Cleveland Ohio,,,,ps I'm from Canton raised in alliance Ohio that Year was1979or1980 I remember that album still have it and love ❤️ it what a trip that night ha personally I wondered why not#1thankyou again sincerely Tom Evans OHIO GO🎼🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶 ROCK ON
@@thomasevans9702 Maybe he didn't include it before it wasn't a studio album? Not sure but it is a fantastic live album for sure!!
Thanks for your take and perspective. AWATS was such a mind blower when I bought it in '73 because I liked the cover
Cool! I'm glad you like Drive. Saw him do that live and it was really cool. They are not all consistent, but Todd is probably my favorite, got it signed in 08 Take care!
Nice! You know, I don't think I've ever seen him do Drive.
When we were on the New Cars tour I had him sign my "Todd" LP as well. May not be my very fave TR LP but it was an aesthetic thing. That's the best 70s album cover for an autograph.
Thanks for subscribing!
my man Todd needs to be experienced from the 60s forward. he has made so much quality music!
I wholeheartedly agree Paul. A WIZARD is his best. Imo.
My honorable mentions are: something anything and faithful.
Good job and I enjoyed it. I saw Todd once, Dec 2013 Canyon Club in LA and got to go backstage where I autographed him a mini disc (from my 50 states in 50 days) months earlier, disc golf trip and even asked Todd if I could give him a hug, I didn't plan it, nothing creepy, I just wanted to show him I appreciated his work, so there you go , he said yes. My first introduction to his music besides Radio hits was Utopia's RA in 1979 my Senior Year in High school in Whittier, CA with Mike and Nancy fellow Farrells Ice Cream Palor co- workers, which set me on a find Todd music well into the 2000's. ty Becky Sorrelle Grutell for taking me to the concert.
Seeing Todd in a club! Amazing!
I really enjoyed your film and the thoughts and views you have shared with us all here. Thanks.
Thank you!
Fan of Todd’s since 1971. Saw him at Island Dream in Toronto 1975. Met him and he let me take pictures on stage. Great guy. I think you pretty much nailed it.
Hermit keeps growing on me more and more over the years. I hear ya. Lower than A Capella? amazing. I enjoyed this, even if I have different opinions!
Great analysis of Todd albums. I’d say you nailed it.
Thank you!
Hi Paul.. I’ve been listening to your podcasts .. great btw .. and only just discovered the you tube stuff!! Great to hear all your enthusiasm for music .. it’s always welcome and informative 😎
Thank you! :-)
Subscribed. Thanks for the ratings and detailed critique on each. I'm largely in agreement with where you position each LP. I'm missing a few I had not generally listened to, so needless to say it's off to the vintage record store today! In addition, I checked out your other channel; love The Sleaves! You had an early Peter Gabriel (Genesis) & Davey Jones thing going! Really like your newer Alice Cooper covers too! Keep up the great work! Thanks.
Thanks so much! Which Todd LPs were missing for you?
@@AsItShouldBePodcast Had a few I wanted after your review. Was able to find a U.S. First Pressing of Runt on AMPEX in mint condition along with a mint A Cappella. Looking for Initiation & The Ever Popular Tortured Artist Effect. I have most of this on CD and Cassette but recently purchased a turntable and loving the vintage analog sound!
@@dCaddyshk Once the vinyl bug gets you, that's it! ;-)
Fantastic video, I really enjoyed your stories about the albums and what they mean to you. I have two of his albums, Something and Wizard, so this is will be of great help in negotiating his catalogue. I've heard some of Initiations but unlike yourself am looking forward to the second side. That 'Born To Synthesise' reminds of those demonstration albums you used to get showing off how tasty stereo sounds :)
Thank you. :-) But yeah, definitely take my comments with a grain of salt because your take on these albums may end up being miles away from mine, as I'm sure you realize.
@@AsItShouldBePodcast Sure, different perspectives make it all the more interesting :)
Nice video Paul ! Big Todd fan here . I must admit I am into his more experimental stuff . His Todd LP I is my favorite.It changed my life when I was 14.
At 17 I saw the RA show live and it was quite the experience. I kind of followed him from afar as I got into my 20’s and beyond, but have really caught up since the RUclips age. Interesting take on things you have here. Your top two are my top two, but I still need to delve a little deeper.
All right I am a brand new subscriber maybe only clicked on your channel because you were reviewing Todd Rundgren albums but I’m gonna check you out with some of your other videos keep up the good work I love ever popular tortured artist effect High school science teacher told us if we liked that runt Todd Rundgren s music he would give us a failing grade. Todd grew up In the Philadelphia suburbs in upper Darby pa. . My high school science teacher had a locker next to Todd’s and was angry that Todd and his family bilked the upper Darby school to the tune of about 3.000$ The Rundgren Family took the upper Darby school district to the Supreme Court in a fight over the length of their sons hair guess what upper Darby lost the Rundgren family won.
Ooh! Interesting! I guess Todd must've been enduring some harassment from the faculty at school over his hair. I'm kind of amazed he won that considering when it was.
@@AsItShouldBePodcast he has donated musical instruments to the school district through his spirit of harmony foundation. I have bee told by a cousin who taught in Todd’s high school years later. When Todd came to the upper Darby school board in the 1980S and volunteered to play at the senior prom for free. the school district said thanks but no thanks. 3.000$ was a lotta 🍞 in 1960s. His family stated he must have long hair for his image image and appearance in his high school band called Money 💰. Kids in Pennsylvania public schools have been forced to wear uniforms recently but thanks to the Rundgren families fight over hair length that had to be decided in the Supreme Court kids can have any length and crazy hair style they want .
Did he keep his locker full of weeds? Maybe he was dumb Larry?
I like your comment about Tin Soldier. Yeah, kind of Faithful-y 😊
It didn’t even really register with me in my early experience with Tortured Artist, but then again, I hadn’t been enlightened as to the brilliance that was the Small Faces.
(I was sort of a meathead that wanted to hear more from the Bang on the Drum guy😊)
I like Emperor of the Highway, but I do like silly bombastic things.
Ha! Well, I'm sure Todd wasn't complaining about people wanting to hear more from the Bang the Drum guy. Cha-Ching!
I think I'm the only Todd fan on the planet who has A Cappella at the top of their list....
Hah! You never know! It's definitely an underrated one.
Interesting. I kind of grew up listening to TR, (older brothers), so got into him at a younger age, but your list isn't far from what mine would be. I probably would have had "Healer" and "Tortured Artist" a lot lower on the list, and "Acapella" a lot higher, but in general I would agree with most of your assessments. Totally agree on the "half albums". I also got off the train at "Nearly Human" and '2nd wind".
Thanks! It's expected that many won't agree but it's always nice to hear from somebody who does. 🙌
"just the proper Todd solo records", thank you & agreed (though I'd include the first 2 Utopia albums before it imploded)
I like the Utopia albums but wanted to treat them as separate entities.
the poster in todds lp shows he knows people how many people did that poster menshion
I really enjoyed this video and have just subscribed to your channel. I’m off to watch your Prince video now 😊👍🏻
Thanks you, Christian!
Hermit is my favorite. Incredible songs.
I strongly suspect I'll have my day with that album. I feel it in my bones. It'll suddenly click.
So, basically, just the solo Bearsville stuff.
Love the podcast Paul. Totally agree with the top 3, although S/A would just nudge the top spot for me. Looking forward to delving in to the other shows. Be great to hear and see your thoughts on ranking Bowie and Neil Young.
Thank, Robert! I may have said this in the video but if S/A was distilled down to a single LP with just the biggest bangers then it would easily be my #1. In fact it would be unbeatable. Maybe I'll do a video where I trim S/A down to a single LP. That would be a fun exercise.
There will be Bowie and NY videos at some point but no doubt I'll do only partial discography dives in both cases. Especially NY. His output since after Silver & Gold has been a bit rough in my opinion.
I met Todd at the only Namm show not in Anaheim, it was in New Orleans , he was doing a Fairlight DEMO I heard this crazy sounding music way in the back , then I realized it was alternate mixes of Healing , it took me a while but I love his use of Theme and Variation on Healing and now is one of my Favs
Nice! Yeah, as mentioned in the video I'm really liking Healing much, much more lately than when I was younger. Some of his stuff you really have to go in deep to get on board. Wizard, as weird as it is, is much more immediate.
@@AsItShouldBePodcast never thought of it but you're right , I loved Wizard a True Star immediately really , but Healing a little longer, Healing kinda revealed itself to me on a long road trip after listening over and over , it's a very personal record but I truly love it now , once again its use of theme and variation is brilliant and like Wizard u have to listen to the whole thing thru, but yea I love Healing and it is a very Healing work if u listen
Liars is a great later period Todd. I agree with you about 2nd Wind. I recommend that you check out Todd Rundgren’s Johnson- his take on the music of Robert Johnson, Global and Arena.
Oh yeah, I saw him do TR's Johnson live. He did an opening set of the Johnson stuff when he was doing the Wizard LP live in its entirety.
I’m subscriber #91! You are very worth of a subscription. I’m a 68 yr old Todd fan, love his music In much the way you do. Have a lot I’d like to say, but will leave it at this question, how can I hear the music from your band that toured with him?
Thank you so much, Peter! The band was Persephone's Bees. Very, very different from Todd or The Cars. We were on Columbia at the time and our manager submitted us to The New Cars for consideration. Elliott Easton personally chose us, which was a huge honor. If you google the band name or maybe type it in here on RUclips you'll find some stuff. Front person/songwriter was a Russian woman, the guitarist is her husband. I was the drummer. Thank you again!
Woah how are you 51? Thought early 30s.
Great video btw! glad youtube recommended after searching Todd vids for a couple days
Thank you! :-) But yep, I am indeed 51.
TR Number ONE album: HEALING.
My favourite too. Have you seen the DVD of the live performance of this?
Has anyone told you that you really look and even sound alot like Alice Cooper? I would say right around 1972-73. You really have his voice and even mannerisms. It's downright eerie.
Thanks. Yes, I've definitely gotten that comment here and there. ;-)
Check this out for more on the subject.
ruclips.net/video/X1voQ4Mdc2o/видео.html
@As It Should Be wow that's "Killer"
There was a UK release on CD of both versions of Runt by Edsel records. I didn’t bother with it as Runt is my least favourite early Todd album. Unlike you I much prefer Ballad. There are s some albums I agree with you on and some I disagree. For example I really enjoy the progeny meandering bits of Todd such as Spark of Life. It reminds me on the stream of consciousness nature of AWATS. However, I am very much enjoying listening to your reflections.
I guess I missed it but was Runt, The Ballad of Todd Rundgren listed?
Yeah, I put that at 11 out of the 13 in the video. My least favorite of the early albums. "Long Flowing Robe" and "Boat on the Charles" are my favorite tracks on that one. One of his best album covers though!
@@AsItShouldBePodcast Thanks Dude. Great video!
@@roberthale2268 Thank you!
Runt is epic!
Bee Bee B’You’ll is the pronunciation of her name.
I place a primary break between rock and pop for his albums. For rock, I would start a person with; Wizard, Todd, Another Live, No World Order, and Liars. There's certainly more. For pop, I would start a person with; Runt-Ballad, Something/Anything, Hermit, Tortured Artist, and Nearly Human. I also place Healing highly, but that may belong in another venue. Some might like to check out his 70s prog, or other more particular directions, too. He's like, "genres are for other people".
Something/Anything was the first LP I bought with my own $. About 11 or 12 y.o. Been a fan since. And it is one of, if not my favorite LP ever. Right up there with Goodbye Yellow Brick Road. And I do prefer Ritalin Todd to Mescaline Todd, and absolutely love Hermit Of Mink Hollow.
Ha! Agreed! Ritalin Todd over Mescaline Todd any day!
Wait, then why did you make Mescaline Todd #1 over Ritalin Todd? 🤔
@@kurthertel4299 Woops!
@@kurthertel4299 Getting my drugs mixed up... ;-)
@@AsItShouldBePodcast happens to the best of us. Now I'm old enough to get the legal ones mixed up.
We are terrified of the truth
todds wizards lp i have the cover is a different cut lp cover trimmed cover nice thankyou
Ever listen to Arena? It’s a great guitar driven sing-along rock album.
Yeah, that's another later LP I like quite a bit. Quite a switch after Liars. I love that he often makes an entirely different album from his last. That sometimes means he goes somewhere I can't (or won't) follow but it always means you can't count him out forever because almost anything is possible for the next one.
COURAGE!!!!😁😁😀😀😀🎸🎸🎸🎤🎤🎤🎼🎼🥁🥁🥁🍺🍺🍺
Listening since 1967 en Phila
11th grade....Garage band..Money..Woody Truck stop Th 2nd Fret on Samson st. Have heard n seen SINCE
25:50 Todd does not like this album, Says he just threw it together and he's not proud of it. Fans really like it
I liked 2nd wind a lot, it's one that I like to clean my house to, lol. The reason I like that is it's unlike anything else he's done prior and since.
Agree about nearly human, a couple cool songs, but the album overall is ehh. Never really go back to that one.
I've never liked The ballad of Todd Rundgren... It was basically like him just going through the motions to release an album.
I dig what you said about Acapella, on point. A lot of good music on there, Johnee Jingo is one of my all-time favorite songs of his TBH.
I disagree with the born to synthesize comment because it really was spot on. He was showcasing his absolute ability to take ANYTHING and synthesize it into some amazinnngggg.
Faithful is cool for what it is. When I show some more mainstream friends of mine Todd I might show them some of the covers to show how talented he is at doing ANYTHING. The new material on it is amazing though, I agree with you on that.
Healing is one of my all-time favorite albums. It's a perfectly made album.
Ever popular tortured artist effect is OK. There are some good songs, and the album is OK, but it's another album that I rarely go back to.
Todd Todd, ughhhh... Good album. Not one I revisit often, but still an amazing album.
Runt has some great songs. It's a very fun album. I gotta get you a woman is a fav of mine for sure. I wouldn't put it on nearly as high as you, but it's obvious you really just like the catchy cool songs.
Can't complain about the last two choices, it's a very tough choice between the two.
Loved the video brother!! I hope you listen to the albums after 2nd wind... There are some REALLY good ones (In order) Liars, No World Order, The Individualist, Global, One long year, White Knight
Here is how I would order his top 5:
Todd
Faithful
Initiation
AWATS
Something/Anything
Hermit is too depressing, and the others just don't do anything for me at all. His "Half Todd" albums are better than a lot of his "whole Todd" albums.
Oh interesting. Do you like those "Half Todd" LPs as whole, though? Are you into the covers side on Faithful and the side-long Treatise on Cosmic Fire track on Initiation?
@@AsItShouldBePodcast I love the Cosmic Fire side of Initiation. I don't much care for the covers side of Faithful, though. And if I were ranking all his albums, including Utopia, 1 and 2 would be Utopia, Anther Live and then Utopia - ahead of all his solo albums.
I wonder if you did go to the recording “session” if you would’ve had a different perspective. I appreciate your candor though.
I really can only think of Todd and Utopia in terms of songs, since there is a lot of unevenness to most albums. I am about the same age as you and would go see Todd play The Ritz (now Webster Hall) all of the time in the late 80s & early 90s, standing as close to the stage as I could, hoping to touch his hand. (He was always good about that.) I was an indie rock chick, spending most of my time at Maxwell's in Hoboken when that was at its peak, but still loved the classic rock and top 40 pop I grew up on. I think Todd has written some truly awful songs that are wonderful. The cringe-y "Mated" (Utopia) is a great example of that. But I don't think he could ever tell the difference between his truly masterful stuff and the good garbage. He's one of those kinds of artists.
"Todd has written some truly awful songs that are wonderful" Brilliant statement!
Would you be able to review the Albums by the Rock Band Little Angels please, they were awesome
SHOULD HAVE AT LEAST HONORABLE MENTIONED RICK DERRINGER WHO PLAYED ON BOTH "SOMETHING/ANYTHING" AND "A WIZARD A TRUE STAR" LP'S
Dang me
Derringer played bass on the Initiation record also. Great riffs!
Top 5 for me are AWATS, Healing, Something/Anything, Hermit of Mink Hollow, A Capella. Not really a massive fan of anything after Nearly Human.
'Todd' - is maybe my favourite often. Experimental in many places yes, but hey - there is no prog on it! This is not Utopia at all. I don't blame you for not knowing what prog is..... hehehe p.s. I always felt that there was this 'third party symbiotic' thing between Laura N. and Carole K..... I always thought that Tapestry was Carole ripping the influence back. But lets face it, Carole took waaaay more from Laura there, than Laura ever took from Carole. Where does Todd fit in all this? Well......
😇😇
liars is my fav
Thanks,My fave is Wizard. I think if you spend more time listening you would be a Bigger Fan ??
Nice Shirt !
Bought all of the TR albums, just as soon as they were in the store. What were you doing then?
Always buy a camera with no flash on it that would have saved you but I like your ranking of Todd rundgren 😊👍📷
Oh definitely. But that was 1989, I didn't have a clue back then...or the technology! ;-)
Thanks, btw! :-)
@@AsItShouldBePodcast I was born in the '70s grew up in the 80s I kind of know about cameras without The flash back then they were super cheap in the old days. although now that I'm 42 years old my memory fades I am getting old lady amnesia 😁😄
@@AsItShouldBePodcast oh yeah I just become your new subscriber 😊👍
@@shanikabradley2870 Thanks so much!
im glad i didnt buy todds 2nd wind i have all the rest. thank you
Liars should be on this list (I know, you cut off the "newer" albums), and fans tend to rank Mink Hollow much higher and Tortured Artist Effect much lower. No love for Ballad of Todd Rundgren? Really?
Liars would definitely rank very high if I were to do the complete discography.
Cool video mate what's your band's name?
The band that opened for the New Cars? That was Persephone's Bees
@@AsItShouldBePodcast Now that's a great name!!
Appalling Review of this musician just like the Audio, you fail to understand the artist or his work
Don't worry, it'll be ok. ;-)
I think 2nd Wind is better than Liars!
Not appalling-I just disagree on some of these rankings-like I hate Acapella lol.
@@sethharris3275 Disagree...as it should be! :-)
Byuell
What do you use to edit these?
iMovie. It's pretty easy to add images into the picture and other simple tricks.
@@AsItShouldBePodcast Yes, I am impressed at your trickery, especially since I figured you didn't have any kind of more expensive software or anything.
Daryl Hall was a Todd follower, I believe Daryl would agree. Your credibility is gone.
Oh no! It's all over for me!
I had to stop viewing after the slogging of Hermit and Ballad. If you don't think there are many good songs on these albums, you aren't a Todd fan.
I guess you skipped Back to the Bars because it's sort of like a greatest hits album being it's live and all. That tour was the first time I saw Todd live at 17 at the Bayou in Georgetown, Washington DC. I borrowed my roommates ID to get into the show. Utopia was his backing band at this stop on the tour. My friends and I were so blown away, that we immediately went out on the sidewalk and bought tickets from a scalper to go right back in and catch the late show. They played a double header that night.
That's amazing! Yeah, I skipped Back to the Bars because I was ranking the studio albums. That's a live album.