One Long Year

Todd Rundgren | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (June 27, 2000)
• Original Release Date: June 27, 2000
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Artemis Records
• ASIN: B00004TQUV
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (28 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #245,872 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. I Hate My Frickin I.S.P.

2. Buffalo Grass

3. Jerk

4. Bang On The Ukulele Daily

5. Where Does The Time Go?

6. Love Of The Common Man

7. Mary And The Holy Ghost

8. Yer Fast (And I Like It)

9. Hit Me Like A Train

10. The Surf Talks

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Todd Rundgren's interests since the 1980s have encompassed a number of cutting-edge technologies, but the one that seems to hold the most revolutionary promise is Patro-Net, an online service that allows Rundgren fans a monthly subscription to his music. This collection represents the service's monthly singles releases for 1999 and it's a refreshing reminder of the restless musical talent that's too often been overshadowed by Rundgren's techno-geek impulses. Though still clearly a child of 1960s Top 40 radio, he's gratifyingly adopted its inclusive sensibility to absorb any number of trends into his work. Careening joyously from alt-rock sass ("I Hate My Frickin' ISP") through '70s rock-star histrionics ("Buffalo Grass," "The Surf Talks") to faux Stax R&B ("Hit Me Like a Train"), with some typical Rundgren loopiness thrown in for good measure ("Bang on the Ukulele Daily," a tongue-in-cheek Hawaiian war-chant take on "Bang on the Drum" that sounds uncannily--and uncomfortably--like Billy Joel). The odes to Rundgren's techno/trance pioneering with Utopia are a decidedly mixed bag, while "Where Does the Time Go" is another seemingly effortless pop ballad in the "Can We Still Be Friends?" mold. All in all, this represents a good year's work from an artist who deserves considerably more than cult status. --Jerry McCulley

Product Description

Japanese edition of 2000 release from the rock & rollmaverick. Featuring special packaging, exclusive to the Japanese version. Domestic release isn't scheduled until June 20th. Digipak. --This text refers to an alternate Audio CD edition.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great to have you back, Todd!, June 20, 2000

By 

William Merrill "eclecticist" (San Antonio, TX United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: One Long Year (Audio CD)

This is really Todd's first CD of (mostly) new songs five years. After recently lending his production skills to groups like Splender and Bad Religion, Todd now turns his attention to new tunes of his own like "Jerk" and "The Surf Talks." The new material is generally superb, like the epic love song, "Buffalo Grass," where he combines a Native American type of rhythm and song structure with layers of synths, guitars, and impassioned vocals. Another excellent cut is "Where Does The Time Go?" where Todd sings a very catchy chorus melody and enhances the song with a classic Rundgren keyboard line and deluxe harmony vocals. He does almost everything himself on the CD, playing all the instruments and (of course) handling production. My only knock on the new disc is a novelty version of "Bang On The Drum," a live recording (called "Bang On The Ukulele All Day") done as a "Hawaiian war chant" with yodeled choruses from "The Lion Sleeps Tonite." It's fun the first time but wears very thin on repeat listenings. If it had to be put on the CD at all, it should have been put at the end.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars One Long Year: Portrait of an artist at work, August 5, 2004

By 

tomato cow "JSC" (Surprise, AZ) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: One Long Year (Audio CD)

Well, I had to finally take a listen to 'One Long Year' tonight. (only first realized it existed as of last week!). Basically, because I always expect Rundgren to be a mixed bag, and because I totally respect his penchant for musical exploration, I tried to have no specific expectations. However, after reading many conflicting reviews of this CD, I really didn't know what I'd be subjecting my ears to. Well, overall, I was pleasantly surprized! 'Buffalo Grass' absolutely knocks me out! Its such an interesting tune in that the overtones of the chorus do some real unexpected things. The mix and instrumentation is great and his voice is top notch. I consider it among Todds better career efforts (its a long list). I also find the infectious 'Where does the time Go?' full of the classic Rundgren hooks and impossible to sit still to. Next, 'Hit me like a Train'. Crisp modern 'soul' music, with real interesting cadance... Great singing.

I absoultely loved 'With a Twist' and I converted several of my unenlightened music lover friends to the ranks of the Todd faithful through sharing that CD with them. (women really dig it). So, I was delighted to hear 'Love of the Common Man' done in that style. Smoooooooth. I loved his bossa-nova stuff on 'Twist', but I think this song here has a fresher sound. Hard to put my finger on it, but it has a special life to it. "Surf Talk's' is one very bizarre tune. And, I love it. It continually surprizes me, and unlike some of the other even more experimental tracks, I find this one very listenable. Great layers of vocals and mix of textures.

Todd Rungren is an amazing creative talent, and he's better than he has ever been... In all departments: songwriting, creativity, sound engineering, musicianship and singing. And, it makes me smile to think of the musical gems yet to be created by this very gifted individual. (consider: 'Liars'!!!) I am convinced it takes quite a refined musical taste to fully appreciate what Todd is doing. It is not music for the lowest common denominator, that's for sure. I suggest we all give the guy a break and stop telling him how to create his art. He's doing just fine.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars a wizard true star -- a new millinieum, same pioneering ways, June 28, 2000

By 

douglas story (south bend, in) - See all my reviews

This review is from: One Long Year (Audio CD)

Any fan of Todd Rundgren will always listen with both ears open and an excitement in the coming. With Rundgren's latest release, Todd Heads will be pleased again. Those familiar with "the Runt's" way of avoiding mainstream success through different musical journies will see the same formula in "One Long Year." This album gives you the typical Todd pop ballad, "Where does the Time Go", a hooked filled pop song that has you humming from the opening piano cords. This would be a major album release first single in the mainstream world. With Rundgren, it's just a "bit of data" as he says.

Other data, includes another trip down bossa-nova land with the fan favorite "Love of the Common Man." Album opener, "I Hate my Frickin' ISP has another of Todd's favorite subjects to draw from, computers and the internet. Good lyrics, with typical Rundgren savvy-cynicism to a world we are all experiencing. Other strong efforts include Buffalo Grass, Hit Me Like a Train, an Al Green-esque effort, and the ending cut, "Surf Talks".

What continues to be asked throughout this album is why more people don't gravitate to this talented, yet unpredictable artist? Maybe songs like "Jerk", and the instrumental "Mary and the Holy Ghost" lend an answer to us. They are in their own way an insight into Todd Rundgren's career, a little hard to digest, but always interesting to hear. As stated in the beginning, Todd fans, which I am one, will enjoy this recording. I only hope others will give this successful, yet unpredictable artist, a deserving listen.