Utopia [Extra tracks, Import]

Utopia | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (January 14, 2000)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Extra tracks, Import
• Label: Unidisc Records
• ASIN: B00002DD3G
• Also Available in: Audio Cassette  |  Vinyl
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (20 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #25,850 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #45 in Music > Indie Music > Pop > Pop Rock
  • #65 in Music > Rock > Power Pop

Track Listings

1. Libertine

2. Bad Little Actress

3. Feet Don't Fail Me Now

4. Neck On Up

5. Say Yeah

6. Call It What You Will

7. I'm Looking At You But I'm Talking To Myself

8. Hammer In My Heart

9. Burn Three Times

10. There Goes My Inspiration

11. Princess Of The Universe

12. Infrared And Ultraviolet

13. Forgotten But Not Gone

14. Private Heaven

15. Chapter And Verse

16. Hammer In My Heart (Dance Mix)

Editorial Reviews

Out of print in the U.S.. 1982 album by Todd Rundgren's art/ prog/ power pop group. Features the original cover art, all fifteen of the original cuts, and the bonus track 'Hammer In My Heart' (Dance Mix). Standard jewel case.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars New Wave Todd, November 29, 2005

By 

Todd and In Charge (Miami, FL) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

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This review is from: Utopia (Audio CD)

Todd went through many phases, both individually and with Utopia. Here he dons the new wave duds, the two-tone attitude, and shows he can do power pop/new wave as well as anybody who's ever attempted it. Too bad poor promotion and releasing this after the brilliant but obtuse Deface the Music pretty much meant Todd, once again, killed the buzz. As another reviewer mentioned, they limped off with two ok but not great albums, never to have reached the summit that seemed quite attainable after the well-received Adventures....

But the three-sided artifact those silly Utopians left is great -- tremendous tight harmonies, crystal clear production and glistening guitar runs, clever lyrics, too-cool melodies -- it's a solid, consistently superior package. It's hard to put this on and not feel the infectious, upbeat, intelligent melodies put you in a better mood - from the clever "Princess of the Universe," to the moody "Bad Little Actress" to the Beatlesque "Chapter and Verse," to the should-have-been hit rock ballad "There Goes My Inspiration." Add to that the hits (for Utopia)"Feet Don't Fail Me Now" and "Hammer in My Heart" and you have an irresistable top notch package. As this will surely go out of print again soon, I recommend this for any serious music collector, and the casual Todd fan as well.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The most mainstream pop of Utopia - four-part vocal harmonic bliss!, August 30, 2005

By 

musicman (Austin, TX) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Utopia (Audio CD)

I own Todd and Utopia's complete catalogue, and this particular album is their most mainstream pop rock of them all. This collection is a particular favorite in that after repeated listenings, I learned to appreciate all sixteen tracks, which is very unusual for me.

Lovers of Todd's very early or recent material may find this too bland. However, I have enjoyed each stage of Todd's work.

Vocal harmonies are a favorite of mine, and there is an abundance here on this album. On this CD, I found it very enjoyable to hear all four singers have a turn to lead, and the background vocals are featured loudly enough to where one can make out each particular singer doing their thing, which can be very cool and adds to the relistenability. Each singer is quite competent, and Kaz of course has an excellent voice as always.

This band deserved so much better a fate than the relative obscurity under which it toiled.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Great Swan Song, September 4, 2003

By 

S. Moore (Redwood City, CA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Utopia (Audio CD)

Their final album, from 1982, has been out-of-print for years. This "3-sided" album finds Todd Rundgren, Roger Powell, Kasim Sulton and Willie Wilcox in superb form. Sounding tighter than ever, sixteen great songs, this is one of Utopia's most overlooked efforts, by one of the most underrated power-pop bands in history. Highlights include "Bad Little Actress," "Feet Don't Fail Me Now," "I'm Looking At You But I'm Talking To Myself," "Hammer In My Heart," "There Goes My Inspiration," "Princess Of the Universe"...I'm going to stop there.