Customer Reviews

One Long Year

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(12)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

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.

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.

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.

Based on the unlistenable bile that's been passed off as music over the last decade or so, I was convinced people were no longer capable of writing and producing great music. It was as if the human spirit had broken. That is, until I heard 'One Long Year'. It has all the charm and spirit and light of Todd's music from the '70s and '80s without sounding forced and retro. AND THAT VOICE! Todd still has it.

This album has some must-have Todd music: I Hate My Frickin' ISP (tongue in cheek but every netizen will empathize), Buffalo Grass, Hit Me Like A Train (wow. just... wow) , Surf Talks, but most of all Where Does the Time Go (this one should be a Top Ten hit). Some songs took a few listens to love: Jerk, Yer Fast And I Like It, Love of the Common Man (remake). I must admit I could have lived without Bang on the Ukele and Mary and the Holy Ghost. Nonetheless any Todd fan will enjoy the album overall, and selected cuts are good intro material for those who haven't become Todd fans yet.

Those are the two opinions one can have about this album. One, obviously is a negative view and the other positive.

How anyone could have a negative view of this album, however, is entirely beyond me. Todd has never been a predictable artist, and this album certianly corroborates that reputation.

Todd takes a very successful stab at alt-rock with the catchy, rocking "I Hate My Frickin' ISP." "Buffalo Grass" is more traditional Rundgren fare, but certainly not very comprable to anything he has done that I can think of. It flows very well, with its pulsating beat and massive rythym section. Also has one of Todd's short-and-sweet guitar solos that we rarely are priveledged enough to hear (some artists SHOULD show off more!)

"Jerk" is a funky techo sort of song that verges on industrial with its corrosive, distorted beats and sub-sonic bass. Definetly breaking some new ground for the Wizard. "Bang on the Ukulele Daily" is a ukulele version of his famous "Bang on the Drum All Day," a song which Todd allegedly hates. "Where Does the Time Go," bears the most resemblance to his 70's pop material, a track that could have been put on SOMETHING/ANYTHING.

"Love of the Common Man" is the 'With a Twist' version of the original. WITH A TWIST was Todd's bossa nova CD that had remixes of his classic songs in that style. "Mary and the Holy Ghost" is a twisted, dark and somewhat slow electronic sort of song that I can't seem to classify. Man is that weird. "Yer Fast and I Like it" is in the same vein as "ISP," but faster and crazier. A really rockin track that sticks in you head.

"Hit Me Like a Train" is an incredible RnB sort of track with a killer groove and hell of a lot of soul. One of the best on the disc. And finally, "The Surf Talks." This song is a kind of strange pop-rock track. There is something weird about that I can't quite pinpoint. An interesting track.

So, this album is all over the place, from alt-rock to techno to 70's rooted pop to modern RnB... so what? It's Todd doing what he does best - amazing us with his flexibility, diversity and mind-blowing songwriting skills. Todd rocks and therefore, so does this CD.

Let me start out by saying that I'm a major Todd-head. I buy everything he puts out. I've seen him in concert 20+ times. I have a trunk-full of magazines and newspaper clippings and ticket stubs. I even have a pair of sunglasses that Todd was wearing on stage in Columbus, Ohio back in '88 (I think) that I caught when Todd threw them off the stage.

That being said...

I was a bit disappointed with "One Long Year." Don't get me wrong. There is some great music on this disc, but certainly not up to the calibre of which Todd is capable. The album opens with a light-hearted romp about the dreaded internet; musically appealing but lyrically challenged. "Buffalo Grass" is another great musical piece, but Todd is a much better lyricist than to use a cliche like "buffalo grass, you crawled across my heart." I can really live without the Nine Inch Nails-esque "Jerk." If I wanted to hear music like that I'd buy a NIN CD. The two "re-makes" are also out of place and unnecessary.

There are some bright spots. "Where Does The Time Go" took me back to sounds of the past...a la "Hermit of Mink Hollow." Todd even goes so far as to elude to "too far gone." Wink. Wink. Nudge. Nudge. It's a playful ditty about being in love. I also love "Yer Fast." That one takes me back to the "S/A?" album with some riffs stolen off of "Little Red Lights" or maybe Todd waxed Utopian and pulled out the "Oops! Wrong Planet" LP for some inspiration.

"Hit Me Like a Train" is another gem. The CD closes with "The Surf Talks" another song that's musically great, but I'm tired of the computer-ized lyrics already.

Todd, if you read this, I love you, man. I just wonder what happened to the man who said..."a dream goes on forever" and "love is the answer."

You're a great guitarist, a great composer, a great technical innovator, a great performer, but most of all, Todd, you're a lyrical poet.

Bring back some great lyrics and forget about the fluff.

Todd Rundgren is a multi-talented musical genius whose career has displayed a staggering array of styles through albums that are often wildly experimental and eclectic. His music is distinguished by a striking melodic gift, sometimes dense productions and arrangements with layered vocals and instrumentation. He is frequently showcased on his albums as vocalist, instrumentalist (often playing all of them), producer, and engineer, and is the only musician that I'm aware of who has admitted an interest in computer programming.

'One Long Year' is a compilation of sorts, mixing the material that Rundgren has doled out piecemeal to subscribers signed up through his web site along other new originals, a live novelty ("Bang on the Ukulele Daily", which is really a uke + vocal version of his hit "Bang on the Drum All Day"), a 'With a Twist' bossa nova outtake ("Love of the Common Man"), and a leftover outtake from the Bearsville days ("Where Does the Time Go").

That might not imply much of a listening experience, but you can't judge a book by its cover. While I haven't found myself listening straight through this one very often, it is loaded with musical gems, including the straight ahead rock of "I Hate My Frickin' I.S.P." (gotta love that title!), the diatonic native American sounds of "Buffalo Grass", the experimental ahead-of-my-time "Jerk" (is *this* what they call techno?), addictive pop of "Where Does the Time Go", and a foray into Al Green's milieu with "Hit Me Like a Train". In fact, the only tracks that I find myself avoiding with any regularity are the "Ukelele" novelty (amusing enough, but a little of this type of tune goes a long way with me) and the instrumental "Mary and the Holy Ghost" (an experiment which just does miss its mark).

Would this be a logical place to start for someone new to Todd's music? I don't know why not, but beware that there's no such thing as a typical Rundgren album - he's covered too much stylistic territory - and you will most likely find other Todd recordings that you like better (and some less). There are many good places to start! And this recording is recommended.

Todd always gives up the the goodies, sometimes we need to grow into what he does. it's worth it for "ISP" alone.

Todd's One Long Year captures many signature sounds he has previously produced without sounding repetious or stale, which makes each song both familiar and new simultaneously.

Buffalo Grass wrapped around my ears and crawled straight into my collection of Todd favs. Mary And The Holy Ghost, with it's Healing-like melody in the middle and No World Order chant, could be much longer (like Initiation's entire second side). At first, I laughed at the bosa-nova adaptation of Love Of The Comman Man, but then realized that I liked the new version. Todd - how about Black Maria bosa-nova next? Where Does The Time Go?, Hit Me Like A Train, and The Surf Talks are great pop tunes without being over-the-top bubble-gum.

Todd has had many different sounds over the past thirty years and many fans of a particular time period or sound. This CD just may have something for everyone.