Customer Reviews

Individualist

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

For those who don't like is album, what is wrong?? This contains some amazingly different and addictive songs that just go to show that Todd never runs out of great ideas. "If Not Now, When" is one that I listen too over and over again because of its addictive guitar riffs and its different style. "Cast the First Stone," is a heavy industrial sort of song, another style departure, but still very cool. The opening track, "Tables Will Turn," reminds me alot of 2nd Wind and Nearly Human. "Temporary Sanity" is another favorite of mine, and I find the bridge part to be especially cool. There is only one song I don't like on here, which is the title track. It seems to be Todd's attempt at rapping, which we all saw on No World Order. Still, the other songs are all so good that its not even worth removing a star for. True Todd fans will appreciate this album and the fact that Todd is always doing something different.

To me, Todd Rundgren seems to be at his best when he is both spiritual and political. This recording delivers both- with both barrels! BAM!! In this modern age of George W. conservatism tempered with a Dan Quayle mentality, it is still a very timely piece. From "Tables Will Turn" to "Woman's World", Todd takes us on a serene, yet sometimes frustrated journey through the landscape of our now, and what could soon be our future. My personal favorites are "The Ultimate Crime" and "Beloved Infidel" which strongly resemble classic Todd. Though there are other surprises (are there ever not?) such as the title track, where Todd strives to keep up with the times, wrapped (rapped) in ebonics. But Todd is a soulful man, and pulls off the tongue-in-cheek feel with the same skill witnessed on "No World Order", without the scratch. The biggest (little known) treat with this CD is that it is enhanced for computer "play" (literally!). With video experiences to EVERY SONG, Rundgren is WAY ahead of his time. Listeners can literally play "Cast the First Stone" as a video game! "Espresso" and "Woman's World" are also interactive videos, putting the "I" in TRi. But be warned! Todd is outspoken, and pulls no punches. Not for the unenlightened or closed-minded conservative! It is serious, irreverent, and sometimes naughty, but always to the point! Even if you don't enjoy every song as much as I do, it is well worth the pitance for what you will receive for your dollar!

There's no one else like Todd. As usual, an album that defies easy categorization, and is very different from previous works. Hot Espresso, Tables Will Turn, and Beloved Infidel are just great. Family Values is one that my kids especially love (though they don't get the slams on Dan Quayle). They also love getting a mike and singing counterpoint to the Individualist (YES, I am!) though I will admit the first time I heard the song, I was thinking, "Oh my god, WHAT is Todd doing?!!) But it's a favorite now. Temporary Sanity and Ultimate Crime have a political tone to them, but that doesn't stop them from being very listenable and effective. All in all, another Todd album you've got to get.

I searched a long time for Todd's music over here in Belgium and on Amazon I found the "treasure chamber" !! The more snippets I heard or lyrics I read from this album the more I wanted to have it. Now that I've finally got it what can I say? This is an album as they all should be. With each listening it grows and grows on you. Every song is great to say the least. Some of them are absolutely brilliant. Pick a few? 'Tables Will Turn', 'If Not Now, When' (the harmonies on "Babylon, oh, Babylon..." are so good I actually cheered when I first heard them), 'Beloved Infidel'(magic!)and the incredibly brilliant 'Temporary Sanity'(what a song, what a great lyric...This should be compulsory stuff in all schools...with that fantastic line "We think we're being manipulated from outer space/it's the collective guilty conscience of the human race.") 15 years old, hasn't dated one bit, not musically, not lyrically. Ok, you got it, I'm a big Todd fan...but it's his fault cause he keeps making such good music :-). For me Todd is, along with Frank Zappa, the only true all round American musician that matters.

Cheers

Frank

I had this on tape when it came out, but purchased it on CD so I could listen to it more frequently. I still love it.

This was the first Todd Rundgren album I ever bought (I was inspired by a shout-out to Todd in a Meredith Brooks song) -- and it initially intrigued me because of the interactive features, which were cutting-edge at one time.

So. . . I came for the extras, but I stayed for the music. Todd's released a *lot* of albums, so I'm sure a number of them have been overlooked or only casually listened to. But I think "The Individualist" deserves to be more widely heard and appreciated. It's a highly enjoyable, perfectly produced pop album that entertains even as it delivers Rundgren's signature "tell it like it is" lyrics. Like most of the best albums, it may not win you over on first listen. But there is some brilliant songwriting here.

It isn't my favorite Rundgren album -- that probably goes to No World Order (which probably tells you I'm not a typical fan) -- but it's darn close.

Man, Beloved Infidel is the best song ever written- the rest are awesome as well. This is one CD under the radar that should be listened to for edification and enjoyment

As a lifelong Todd fan, I excess over anything Todd does. The Individualist can be considered however as one of his top five accomplishments. I saw a show out of this tour July 28th 1995, in a little bar in Orange Park, FL, and in contrast to an earlier review here, The show nearly matched the sound of the CD note per note. Todd does all voices and instruments on this CD, but The Individualist seems to have a sound and concept very much different from his other projects. "Tables Will Turn" is a very chilling track, interpreted by most listeners to be a comment on the long term evolution of society,I thought it sounded like it predicted the 9/11 attack 6 years before. "Espresso (All Jacked Up)", is one of those Todd songs that should have gained heavy rotation on radio....but never did, for NO good reason.

"The Ultimate Crime" is a personal favorite of mine, a bluesy ballad on one accepting the justice imposed upon him, also "Temporary Sanity" reminds me of myself.

But shan't I forget this is an "ENHANCED CD"! Each song has it's own little CD-ROM presentation. "Cast The First Stone" is a hide and seek game, involving a Rush Limbaugh character among others. "Beloved Infidel" has a lot of psychedelic patterns that induces a meditative state, But my favorite combination of song and show is the title track. it is downright cute.

The Individualist is significant because there is really nothing out there in any form of media that is like this, or done quite so well, after over a decade, even with some of it's dated content, The Individualist has endured the years well. If you enjoy collecting music, you MUST track down and buy this CD.

This CD rocks. As a lifelong fan of Todd and Utopia, I was skeptical of purchasing this CD as I had seen a few negative reviews. But this is a GREAT set of songs. If you are a fan of TR, then get this! It is as good as any CD/Album he has put out.

First off I am a Todd Rundgren fan, But even putting that beside this CD I feel is possibly Todds best yet. Starting with the first track "Tables will turn", a groove starts and sucks you right in. It seems to me also to have a Peter Gabriel feel to it. The next song "If not now when" Starts with an accoustic feel to it then turns to another great song with a great feel to it. Lastly don't miss "Expresso (All jacked up)" It should have been a single. Great song, great hook, great CD. Get it you won't be disappointed.