A Cappella

by

Todd Rundgren

Edit

... Rundgren album. This album was the first I ever bought, and it contains some of the most engaging pop music ever to grace an aluminum polycarbonate sandwich. It's all composed of sounds made by Todd's voice (and other self-made sounds, such as handclaps). Some sounds have been heavily processed and you'll find it virtually impossible to believe that they started out as vocal sounds (although Rundgren's soulful voice, one of the best in rock, also makes plenty of appearances under its own recognizance, most notably on "Honest Work"). Never has one man's mastery of the studio as an instrument been so evident. I only give it 4 stars because Rundgren displays a regrettable tendency to repeat his choruses a bit too long before finally fading out. Still one of the best.

This one is yet another work from Todd that could have been much greater than what it turned out to be. Although the music is interesting in spots, and the true heart of Todd (all Todd fans know the "sound" I am referring to) appears here and there, it yet is another experimental work from this sometimes genius. Full of ego and sonic wonder, it can pull at the heart strings and soak you up with sweet pop sounds one minute: "Lost Horizon," and "Blue Orpheus," and bombastic yet somewhat irritating noodlings of the next: "Miracle in the Bazaar" and "Lockjaw." Not his best work of the 1980's, (this kudo goes to the brilliant pop gem "Nearly Human" from 1989), but definitely a must have for any hardcore Todd fan's collection.