Customer Reviews

Tao

5 star:		(22)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I have been a fan of Springfield's since 1981, but somewhere after Hard To Hold, I lost track. Well, now with Springfield's comeback and release of Karma, I did some catching up. TAO is a very experimental album, very different from Living In Oz (another work of experiment). I have a great love and passion for this album partially because of its underlying spiritual tones, but also because Rick's musical expansion and maturity are clearly evident. The lyrics are great, and the subject matter surpasses the "get-the-girl" theme of previous songs like: "How Do You Talk To Girls" and "Love is Alright Tonite." Subjects ranging from the destruction of the world (in Walking on the Edge), to the innocence of childhood (in Celebrate Youth), combined with electronically synthesized dance beats, forces you to think while clapping your hands and tapping your feet. TAO, as my second favorite Rick Springfield CD, gets 4.5 stars; Karma is number one. Best Track: My Father's Chair--very touching, it mellows out this very energetic, busy album. Rick was totally in control of this piece, and it feels great.

Does anyone else remember the slyly humorous video for "Dance This World Away"? It's a valid question, as most of "Tao" deals with such deadly serious subject matter. On "Written in Rock" and "Walk Like a Man" Rick continues the introspective, self-critical trend he started with Living in Oz's "Can't Stop Hurting You" by shining a harsh lyrical light on his own shortcomings. "Celebrate Youth" is a joy to hear, and even the potentially somber subject of nuclear war yields aural pleasure in "Walking on the Edge". In summary, it's a true crime that "Tao" wasn't even mentioned in VH1's "Behind the Music" on Rick Springfield. Maybe we can understand "Wait for Night" getting the gloss-over, but "Tao" deserved some lip service.

This cd has got to be one of my favorites. The well known singles are great "Celebrate Youth" "Dance This World Away" "State of the Heart", but you must listen to "My Father's Chair" - a tribute to his dad and follow up to April 24, 1981. You can just hear the feeling in his voice as he sings the words and plays his piano. Other favorites of mine are "Walk Like a Man" and "Written in Rock" about the struggles in his life. Add it to your collection; you won't be disappointed.

Tao was unfortunately the only concert tour of Rick Springfields that I was able to attend. Being a fan of his since the start I wish I could have made all of the tours. This album along with Rock of Life are my favorites. My Fathers Chair hits something inside of me everytime I hear it. This album should have gone platinum it really is that good. But, then again I feel the same about Rock of Life which they should reprint since he has a new album out now. Enjoy Rick fans

Rick Springfield was a god of power-pop from 1981 to 1985. He was unstoppable with hit after hit. "Tao" was the end cap on that period of time. All the songs this album fit together extremely well. It sits alongside "Working Class Dog", "Success Hasn't Spoiled Me Yet" and "Living In Oz" as one of Rick's best albums. "Tao" came off the extremely lackluster "Hard To Hold" debacle the year before (though he had hits from that album/film with "Bop 'Til You Drop" and "Love Somebody" anyway!) If you're looking for great 80's music buy all four albums I've mentioned from Springfield and then stop because "Rock Of Life" and "Karma" were not as well crafted. As a long time fan, I am looking forward to his newest release "Shock/Denial/Anger/Acceptance" and hope that Rick returns to form. Rick Springfield has to be one of the most overlooked talents in popular music and one listen to "Tao", or any of the other three albums I've listed, will prove it.

What Rick tries to show in this album is his lifelong devotion to the way of rock just as Japanese martial art. To Rick, rock is not just the way to earn a living. It is a way of life. So his penchant to Daoism naturally resulted. He tried to express the essence of Daoism through his rock in 1985 manner.

Dance This World Away starts from Chinatown-like atmosphere. Celebrate Youth according to Rick is the modern interpretation of Daoism. State of the Heart starts from voice transformation showing the change of state from young to old borrowing daoism teachings. Walking On The Edge starts from gloomy dark atmosphere showing his inner struggle more vividly. But this album on the whole is positive, optimistic and never carried away into spiritual world. Overall, even if you are not aware of Chinese philosophy or things it is enjoyable ...and you will come across a new finding every time you play this CD. It is really deep and excellent stuff.

I remember when I got this album right when it came out I must admit I was a bit disapointed because it was very different from all Rick's previous work ,I felt it was a little over produced.BUT with the whirlwind of changing music that followed this album(RAP ,GLAM, GRUNGE)I can really appreciate the quality and production of TAO.It's become one of my favorite Rick albums.

Through the early 80s, Rick Springfield made guitar laden albums that dripped of sexual satire. His 1985 release of Tao unveiled an album that was different in both respects. The production of the album stripped away the power chords and replaced them with synth guitar resulting in a very polished sounding album. Heavy keyboards and electronic drums complemented the change in style from earlier albums. The lyrical message of most of the songs was very morrose in nature with very little optimism and a whole lot of pessimism. Even though the sound and song evolution took a step off of the beaten path, the punch and drive that was prevelant on earlier Rick albums is still there. Songs like "Walk Like A Man" and "Written in Rock" take the listener back to previous albums with there energy and style. Rick's next album, ROCK OF LIFE, showcases a lighter side of Rick with very little mix of the rock sound. Both of these albums are good listens, but good luck finding ROCK OF LIFE anywhere.

I am a Rick Springfield fan from way back (can you say General Hospital?) and I have all of his albums (even Karma his latest) This one is by far my absolute FAVORITE~it ranges from rock to ballads with thought provoking lyrics and awesome guitar rifs and music. A MUST for all RS fans! You won't be disappointed!

I WOULD HAVE TO SAY THAT THIS WAS PROBABLY MY FAVORITE RICK SPRINGFIELD RECORDING. MY FATHERS CHAIR WOULD BE MY FAVORITE SONG OFF THE ALBUM. I WAS A TEENAGER WHEN THIS WAS RELEASED AND I REMEMBER LISTENING TO IT CONSTANTLY. I JUST RECENTLY SAW RICK IN CONCERT AND HE PERFORMED MY FATHER'S CHAIR AND IT BROUGHT BACK MANY MEMORIES FOR ME. RICK ROCKS AND IM SO GLAD HE'S BACK!!!