Customer Reviews

Hermit of Mink Hollow

5 star:		(28)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Todd Rundgren is one of those legendary figures in rock that you hear about, but may not have actually heard. If that is the case, and you ever only buy one album to check him out, this is the one to get, no doubt about it! This album is the perfect showcase for Rundgren's vast array of talent. He plays all the instruments (guitars, drums, vocals, keyboards, everything), produced it, and wrote all the songs.

The twelve songs are catchy, but short and to the point, each one in a different style. Some are rock (Too Far Gone, You Cried Wolf), others are ballads (Can We Still Be Friends, Fade Away), others are kind of punky (Out of Control), while yet more are pop (Lucky Guy). The subject matters of the songs vary from the usual love, to old age, loneliness, friendship, envy, and determination (guess which song that is!). The lyrics are very good, they're intelligent, thoughtful and insightful, and will certainly make you think (Bag Lady is especially good on this point).

My own favourite, though, is Onomatopoeia, which is a very short and funny, starting off as a love song, but turning into a long list on onomatopoeias rattled off quickly in verse and in rhyme, each one followed by the appropriate sound effect, for example: "A sound in my head that I can't describe, It's sort of whack, whirr, wheeze, whine, Sputter, splat, squirt, scrape, Clink, clank, clunk, clatter, Crash, bang, beep, buzz, Ring, rip, roar, retch, Twang, toot, tinkle, thud..." etc. etc. A really great song, guaranteed to put a smile on your face!

The sound of the album is quite open and unpolished, which was typical of Rundgren in the mid seventies (similar, in my mind, to the sound of "L" which he produced for Steve Hillage in 1976). In a way, with this album, I think Rundgren was just showing off what he could do with pop and rock, and he makes it seem effortless. This is a truly fantastic album, with plenty of memorable songs. A must for any collection.

So much of what's in this masterwork comes from Rundgren's "real job" as one of the industry's finest and most-sought-after producers. Understanding this puts the work in a new whole light.

The background vocals all sound like Todd -- because they are. He also plays every instrument. And while multi-track recording made it all possible, it couldn't have made it easy. Just one listen to this complex, wonderful record will convince anybody of the labor, love, and insistence on perfection that went into it. But it's so much more than a showcase of Rundgren's talent and technical expertise.

"Determination," arguably the record's best song, defines what Rundgren the producer was saying. Consider this line: "So you're a New Wave raver and you like to talk tough/But can you still cut the mustard when the going gets rough."

"Determination" closes the vinyl version's quirky first side, which Todd labeled "The Easy Side" (literally: it's printed right on the album's label), and it foreshadows what's to come on "The Difficult Side," where the going *does* get rough, dealing with issues of hunger ("Bread"), homelessness ("Bag Lady"), anger over love lost (the unstoppable "You Cried Wolf"), and luck and the lack thereof ("Lucky Guy"). Each is treated with vocal feeling the likes of which only Rundgren can lay down.

Only on "Out of Control" does Rundgren succumb to a delicious sarcasm directed at the mechanized, electrified tripe so many "artists" were, aided and abetted by the record companies, trying to pass off as music at the time (1978). Rundgren even starts the song with a fade up, something no self-respecting producer would ever do, but which was heard far too often on the work of other "producers" of the day.

And that, I guess, is why I like this record so much. The message is: If you don't like what's going on in your world, speak up about it; do something to change it; hold those responsible accountable for it. And let the chips fall where they may.

"The Hermit of Mink Hollow" is a truly inspiring record that still manages to be a lot of fun. Enjoy!

If I could own only one of Todd's solo works (wouldn't that be tragic) this would be it. This breathtaking album highlights what Todd does best... sing and write great songs. He is my favorite vocalist because you can empathize with him and his passion, depth, and tone are out of this world. You can feel his sorrow when he sings a ballad, laugh during an eccentric number, or sing along on a pop or rock tune. He has a knack to draw you into and be part of the music.

On this release, Todd did all the vocals, instruments, production, and arranging. Usually something suffers when one individual tries to do it all but that's not the case here. A little over 35 minutes long, this disc has twelve catchy songs and zero filler. It's hard to believe this was recorded in 1978, but killer music has no expiration date and this still blows away most modern pop/rock groups. If you have never heard Todd, this would be a good choice to start your journey with one of America's most talented artists.

Often innovative and acknowledged for pushing musical boundries Hermit of Mink Hollow showcases his music at its most accessible. It is also probably Rundgren's most commercially successful album. The haunting "Can We Still Be Friends?" and the optimistic emotionally powerful "All the Children Sing" are Rundgren classics. There is a cool quirkiness to "Onomatopoeia" and Rundgren tugs at the heart strings with "Hurting for You" and "Determination". A must for any music collection.

It's hard to find words to describe my feeling of Todd Rundgren's music. He is one the true great artists of our generation. The sheer musicality in his soul is immense. TR epitomizes for me the ultimate creative role model. He's truly inspirational in every sense of the word. Uncompromising, ever changiing, ever pushing the boundaries and parameters of what is expected and 'normal'. Ever pursuing excellence and new ideas. There is a strong spiritual component that can be found in all of his work... he is a lover of beauty and authenticity. Even in his experimental music, he expresses something that far transcends the technology.

As a musician, Todd's skills are formidable, on any instrument he chooses to express himself. As a singer, the genuine passion in which he delivers his voice is to me, unequalled. He 'plays' his voice with virtuoso capability. As a songwriter, what I can I say?? Listen to his songs, they speak for themselves. Gifted with an innate melodic sensibility, Todd has the uncanny talent to put together a perfect pop song with seemingly no effort at all. And, as arranger and producer, he's acknowledged by his peers as one of the very best.

I've been a Todd fan since I first heard the original version of 'Hello Its Me' about 35 years ago. But it wasn't until later, in the latter seventies, when I purchased 'Hermit of Mink Hollow' that I came to fully appreciate the scope of this guy's immense talent. It is this album that made me hunt down and revisit prior music of his I had missed, and has kept me a loyal fan ever since, eagerly awaiting his next creative ouput. 'Hermit's total affect on me was something I have rarely experienced with music. I remember a comment by my friend, with whom I shared my first listen: 'This record is amazing... its like a private trip inside of this guys head!'. A very astute observation.

Rundgrens music has always been inbued with that special something that transcends the ordinary and makes it deeply 'personal'. That is his magic, and that is his gift. Of course, Todd is a magnificent songwriter and performer, and he continues to write and record incredible music to this day. But with all the tremendous wealth of stellar individual songs that he's come up with over the years, and believe me, there are A LOT OF GEMS, I don't think there is a single album that puts them all together so perfectly, as 'Hermit'. This set is succinct, has beautiful sound quality, is arranged impeccably, and is a showcase of originality. On this recording Rundgren is, amazingly, a total one man show! All songs, instruments, recording, arrangements, everything was done by the artist himself. It make one really wonder if this guy is really human. (maybe an inspiration for a later album title?)

'Can we still be friends', as the most popular single on the record, is about as perfect a pop song as anyone has put out. The juxtaposition of alternate bass notes to chords makes this number never sit still. It's infectious and has one of Rundgren's strongest hooks. And his trademark major and minor sevenths cascade like a cool mountain waterfall with backing vocals, creating a deliscious wall of sound. The arrangements and overall SOUND is excellent.

Much like Brian Wilson, Todd is a true pioneer of innovation. He creates paintings with sound... mixing up new combinations to create new textures and colors. Rundgren operates in world of (seemingly) no boundaries. Todd runs the gamut of styles and flavors and even establishes some fresh new ones of his own, from pretty sentimental ballads ('Lucky Guy'), to bossa-nova influenced jazz ('Too Far Gone') to energized rockers ('You Cried Wolf', 'Determination') that threaten to melt record grooves off the vinyl (well, they used to exist you know). Todd's trademark irreverent (and more often than not, quite relevant) sense of humor can also be seen popping up here and there ('Onomatopeoia'). Gotta love it.

Todd - May your dreams go on forever!

"The Hermit Of Mink Hollow" was one of those moments when Todd Rundgren locked himself alone in a studio and poured his heart out onto tape. Playing and singing everything himself without much pretense, "Hermit" is one of Todd's most direct and purest pop albums. It even offered up one of his few top 40 singles when "Can We Still Be Friends" snuck up the charts in the bicentennial year of 1976.

That sad little ballad underpins the emotional state of this album. Rumored to have been written in the aftermath of breaking up with then girlfriend Bebe Buell, heavy songs like "Hurting For You" or "Lucky Guy" just ooze heartache. Even the socially poignant songs ("Bread" and "Bag Lady") come from a pained place. At the same time, Todd's pop skills are in full evidence here; both "Hurting For You" and "Friends" are incredibly memorable.

Even with the sadness, there's still plenty of fun here. The ersatz soul of "You Cried Wolf" and the 100 seconds of silliness that is "Onomatopoeia" keep things from bogging down, and he lets loose with a concert ready rocker on "Out Of Control." Todd is too savvy a songwriter to let things get overly draggy. He can plunge into drawn-out works when so inclined (Healing, early Utopia albums), but here he kept it concise. The whole album clocks in at just over a half hour, and not a slot is wasted. As a result, Hermit remains of of his best albums and a minor primer in pop classicism.

I guess this isn't an actual review of this excellent CD, more like a commentary. All the other reviews pretty much sum it up (except for one whose author wastes my time just trying to come up with alternate names for the title). Anyway, this CD has a special place in my heart as I owned the vinyl LP years ago and listened to it constantly when I was going through a tough breakup. I've never found a better "breakup" album. It was like a good friend, holding my hand and saying to me "I understand". All these years later, I still love this CD- every song on it is good, and each one unique. Definently my favorite Todd offering.

This is one of my favorite Todd albums. Classic pop the way only Todd can do it. I've loved this album since way back when and many of the tunes have actually gotten better over time. Starting off with the classic All The Children Sing with it's upbeat melody and funny/cool lyrics which gives way to Todd's last "hit" Can We Still Be Friends. Hurting For You sounds rather like a radio staple but in a good way. Too Far Gone and Determination round out the first half in a big way. Bread starts off side two rocking big time. Bag Lady is a little weak although the "message" is important. You Cried Wolf and Out Of Control rock hard again. Lucky Guy and Fade Away are two of Todd's best ballads. The song listing on the original back album cover was the way Todd wanted the album released but the then label Bearsville had different ideas and with Todd's permission rearranged the playing order with Side One as the Easy Side(for radio play) and Side B as the Difficult Side. If you have the money, go for the Japan import.

Todd's Hermit of Mink Hollow is a moving pop epic. Todd proves once again that he can make pop music that is emotional, and poweful. "Can't we still be friends" might be Todds greatest pop song. I cant explain it but every Todd album has a great vibe to it, this is no exeption. Hermit of Mink Hollow is Todd at his best. A+

Hermit Of Mink Hollow is the greatest pop/rock solo album he has released in a while. "All The Children Sing" is a good rocker that sounds more like a kids television show theme than pop/rock song. "Can We Still Be Friends" was one of Todd's hits, it is a good ballad seeing he had just gotten out of a realtionship with Bebe Buell. Maybe that this song could be about that. "Too Far Gone", "Onomatopoeia", "Determination", "You Cried Wolf", and "Fade Away" which should have been a hit, make The Hermit Of Mink Hollow rate up there with The Ballad Of Todd Rundgren or even maybe a little bit of Something/Anything. Mostly because this is the most pop orientated album Todd has released in a while.