Customer Reviews

Nearly Human

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Despite being out of print, "Nearly Human" is Todd in top form - this one falls in my Top 5 Todd albums (impressive considering how many he has released), so don't overlook it due to its obscurity.

After 1985's experimental "A Cappella" (which was weird, yet largely accessible too), Todd took a whopping four years to release this. As opposed to his 80's material, "Nearly Human" has a much more organic sound. In fact, these songs were assembled with a huge line-up of talented people, and recorded live - a major difference from albums like "The Hermit of Mink Hollow" (and others) that Todd performed all by himself!

Thus, the sound is full and even overwhelming at times, loaded with lush layers of instruments and backup vocals. However, this is his most accessible set of songs in a long time, sticking to soulful pop hooks and introspective ballads.

The energetic "Want of a Nail" opens things up with a rousing, blue eyed soul rush; it's like one long hook. There's plenty more upbeat stuff on here, such as his amazing cover of Elvis Costello's "Two Little Hitlers", and the funky "Unloved Children" (which sewed the seeds, lyrically, for Todd's more politically oriented 90's work).

The lush, intricate pop of "The Waiting Game" is surely a highlight - it'll take a few listens to unravel all the details (the beautiful female backing vocals, etc) in the chorus alone. "Can't Stop Running" is another lush, mid-tempo pop/ballad with hypnotizing verses and a catchy, anthematic hook.

The ballads are fantastic too; "Parallel Lines" is heartbreaking and profound, also laced with a powerful chorus. Like many songs on here, this *should* have been a big hit. "Fidelity" has some interesting, thought-provoking lyrics, soulful crooning, and breezy woodwind flourishes (flute, namely). Todd's remake of The Tubes' "Feel It" (which I believe Todd wrote to begin with) is superb, and has a distinct old school soul feel to it.

These excellent songs are all upstaged by "Hawking", perhaps the quinessential 'introspective Todd ballad'. It has that deep, spiritual, soothing feel (like that of 1981's "Healing"), and an absolutely spine tingling vocal performance from Todd.

The album closes with the crazed gospel of "I Love My Life", which, at 9 minutes, does overstay it's welcome a bit. But it made a great encore live (plug: buy the Live in Japan DVD!).

I paid about $30 for this, and it was worth every penny and more. Along with "A Wizard, a True Star", "Liars", "The Individualist", and "Something/Anything?", this album represents Todd at his absolute best.

CRIMINAL that Warner Brothers has deleted this masterpeice from it's catalogue. CRIMINAL that anyone with a computer is allowed to write a reveiw. CRMINALly misunderstood by Todd's so-called cult.

This album stands as the only masterwork in the later stages of Todd's career. The first four songs alone would qualify this as a work of genius for most other rock musicians. I am speaking of the original album form as "Three Little Hitlers" did not even appear on the original vinyl version. That song was originally a "Bonus" track on the CD and should have been placed at the end of the program. That is the only thing that I can criticize about this release.

Any Todd fan who ever liked any of his "Philly-soul" influenced material will absolutly love this release. Along with those first four tracks, which includes "Can't Stop Running", "Hawking" is one of Todd's most personal and haunting composotions and is still frequently played in live performance. His version of the Tubes/Rundgren composition "Feel It" is beautiful and "Fidelity" is a very interesting song and concept, even if I don't agree with its' morality.

This album was recorded digitally and live in the studio, which may account for some of the negativity being hurled at the "production". I find that to be curious as the tour which followed this release (with many of the same singers and musicians) was universally acclaimed as being briliant.

Don't let any of these negative reveiws turn you off in any way. This is an excellent and ESSENTIAL release for any serious Todd Rundgren fan. I have read all these Todd lists and if you don't have this album in your Top 5 you folks have seriously missed the boat.

It's amazing how two people can have wildly different opinions. The last person to review this said it deserved zero stars, but to my ears it's a masterpiece and was the best album of 1989! I hear Todd showing us the range of his beautiful voice, whether it's the perfect pop of "The Waiting Game" or the gospel-inflected "Hawking" (get ready for goosebumps). True, "I Love my Life" is a tad hokey, but he puts such zeal into his performance, you can forgive him for that. Since I only have the cassette of this baby (surprisingly still not worn out!), I probably should upgrade, and at this low price, you'd do wise to follow my lead!!

I remember when this came out. It was acclaimed by many a hardened critic! A lot of what Todd has released since NEARLY HUMAN has been somewhat spotty, but he really put his heart into this one. Of course, if you have no appreciation for Philly Soul, layers and layers of vocals, creamy production, and glistening keyboard sounds.....well, you'll want to stay away. But, you'd be crazy to do so. ...

This is easily Todd's best album in the 80's (though it came out in '89), and certainly the 90's. It is my favorite, though 'Something/Anything' is certainly not far behind. I read a review of 'Nearly Human' when it came out, in either Spin or Rolling Stone, that was so enthusiastic, positive and glowing, that I went out and bought it, notes unheard, and having owned no TR prior to that. I found everything contained in that review to be true!
Always hated the term 'blue-eyed soul', as if caucasions are not capable of singing soulfully! OK, most ain't! I digress .... Todd pours plenty of soul into this album. Everything here is immaculate .. Todd's lyrics, his melodies, his singing, the musicianship, arrangements, performance, sweet playing on piano, accordian and keyboards by the late, great Vince Welnick (ex-Dead, who co-wrote 'Feel It' with Todd and the Tubes), and on top of that the damn thing was recorded live on the day the musicians were presented with the material.
The intro to the album is one of my favorite things on it, (with harp strums!) the lyrics of a dejected, lonely guy who has 'no one to love me'. The track's very bold and brash, with lots of horns, and big background vocals, and a sweet soulful (there's that word again) vocal appearance by Bobby Womack.
My favorite song (and there are many on this album) is probably the second tune, 'The Waiting Game', whose lyrics rang so true to me that it felt like Todd's voice had become my own as he sang it. The bright keys, the heavenly harmonies, and Todd's schoolboy tenor, and his passion on the pre-chorus and chorus. Love Michael Urbano's drums on this, and throughout most of the album. The chorus is simply irresistable.
'Parallel Lines' also should have been a number one hit, in a world that had taste in music and a record company that should have had more faith in a 40-something songwriting legend. Warner's had a bonafide rock star performer on their roster, which only required a little more push in marketing. Again, another brilliant chorus in 'Parallel Lines', immaculate vocals and backing vocals all around. Sublime keyboard playing, especially in the bridge. "When I think of me, I think of 'we''.
'Can't Stop Running' is another gem, with gritty, beautiful, bluesy guitar riffs by Lyle Workman.
Let me address some of the other reviewer's comments on the 'morals' of the lyrics to 'Fidelity'. Todd's line, "True love does not demand fidelity", is not some kind of callous, male-chauvinistic statement from Todd on modern-day love. If you listen to the words a little closer, they'll break your heart. The song is about denial, heartbreak, self-deception and desperation. The singer is so in love with his object of affection, that he is making excuses for them. Hence the line, 'I tell myself .. true love does not demand fidelity'. Then, to explain his pain and his confusion, he tells the person, 'One day the glove is on the other hand ... just tell yourself, True love does not demand fidelity.' It's right there in the bridge. And on the outro, 'Though it hurt me so bad, I can't help but love you'. I could be wrong, but that's how I interpret the lyrics, the singer's making excuses and is in denial, doesn't want to lose his love so he lies to himself, tells himself maybe it's OK if she sleeps around on him. It's denial to me. Remember one thing about Todd .. he may appear cynical and even the chauvinist at times, but in truth, he's a hopeless romantic. No one could write the song 'Hello, It's Me' if they were not one. And that is why I love Todd's music, his heart and soul. The brilliant choruses, the brilliant harmonies, the truth and humanity in his lyrics, the pioneering songwriting and production, and the wonderful 'What's Todd gonna do next?' mystique that is so unique to him.
Anyway, 'Fidelity' is another priceless gem on this album. Even down to the flutes! When was the last time you heard flutes used cooly on a rock album? But here they are, transcendent and beautiful.
"Hawking" is everything all the other reviewers here have said it is, a song so wistful, and majestic that it's almost spiritual. The dynamic breakdown (at the 4 minute mark, vocals so sweetly sung by Todd) is another moving moment. The song just floats away into fadeout, leaving you speechless. If you are a Todd Rundgren fan, and have never heard this song, you must get it right away, as it's one of his best.
OK, I agree that the nearly 9 minute 'I Love My Life', is overlong and silly, (like this review) but it's so contagious, you can tell Todd and the chorus of twenty plus singers (of which Clarence Clemons, sax genius from Springsteen's E Street Band, is one!) is having so much fun, that you just go with it. BTW, Narada Michael Walden (amazing drummer, famous producer of Whitney Houston and others) is conducting the choir on that one. Sounds like a party everyone would love to attend.

'Nearly Human' is the perfect pop album, full of flawless, soulful singing, irresistable melodies, top-notch performing and lots of depth, truisms and substance in the lyrics.

This album deserves the full remastering treatment by Warner Brothers. Get on it, Bros! You've got another classic in your catalog and you don't even realize it.

"Nearly Human" is curiously hard to find. Maybe it's because Warner owns it, I dunno.

What I do know is that this album changed my life. "Parallel Lines" triggered an epiphany and set me off on a course. "I Love My Life" is about as life affirming and rousing as any Southern Baptist Church howl.

There's not a misstep on the entire album. Sure, it's nearly 15 years old now, but it still sounds good on every play.

The music on this album is first rate. For me this is some of the greatest Rundgren stuff out there. Unfortunately the sound quality is pretty mediocre - certainly not the quality of what late 1980's studio technology could deliver.

This is one of the finest CD's by Todd Rundgren. I would rate it as high as Wizard a True Star, Hermit of Mink Hollow, and his newist Liars as one of this artists finest work!!!!

This album was recorded live in the studio. The band is great. Parallel Lines is maybe my favorite Todd song. To think this album is out of print is a shame.

Todd Rundgren went back to his hometown and went for the sound of Philadelphia on "Nearly Human." There's a delightful abundance of Philly White Guy Soul spread across this poppy return to form, as he decided to eschew the gimmicks and just have his band record the album live in the studio. This resulted in two of his best late 80's songs, "The Want of a Nail" with Bobby Womack and the ballad of despairing "Parallel Lines."

His sense of fun is also back, as his spry cover of Elvis Costello's "Two Little Hitlers" indicates. The Tubes join him for a rocking number called "Feel It" (both Prairie Prince and the late Vince Welnick eventually joined Todd in a few of his touring bands). And finally, there's the stunning "Hawking." Todd sings his heart out on one of his most soulful ballads. As usual, "Nearly Human" shares many of the delights of knowing you're not always going to get a standardized album when Rundgren decides to let one out. This remains one of his better 80's albums.