Favorite progressive rock bands?

[Buckeye Randy]

^ I need to relisten to Wizard.....been q uite a while. I always thought most of side one and part of side 2 overreached and was a hodge podge of tracks that had no common theme but with a few cool bits while side two had two good songs in Is It my Name amd Just One Victory. Ill take my time and reevaluate .

Hodge Podge? Side one has seven of the twelve tracks timing in at less than 2 minutes so I can see why you say that. I respect the observation of 'overreached'! Some might say pushing boundaries but I really do get what you're saying. I disagree with side two overreaching! I think somebody could say it's too personal and I would know exactly what they are talking about. I think liking side 2 comes down to what you think of the ten minute soul medley...I **** it but it is very disconnected from the rest of the album.

If nothing else, our conversation has me listening to some things I haven't heard in a while and I'm loving it. Thanks!

 

[dr wu]

I think the first three ('Runt', 'Ballad Of Todd Rundgren' and 'Something/Anything' are all singer/songwriter type albums though all have enough rock out moments to satisfy most classic rock fans. I like them all.

'Todd', 'AWATS' and 'Initiation' are all more heavily into electronics and some might slide them into prog. 'Todd' was definitely my fave for many years but 'AWATS' has probably passed it by based mostly on the strength of seeing three performances of that album. Side one of 'Todd' is perfection and side three is close behind. Side one of AWATS' defines mindf*ck and side two is mostly singer songwriter perfection and includes the soul medley and one of Todd's all time great rockers, "Is It My Name" followed by his concert closing anthem "Just One Victory". 'Initiation' sounds like Utopia because many of the musicians are from the first Utopia album and there are some other all star guests; Edgar Winter, Rick Derringer and David Sanborn. I think the 30 minute side two is very unfocused and simply noise in places. Side one is basically an iteration of Utopia and dovetails nicely with Utopia's first album. Five of the eight album sides in this era are essential in my opinion, two are pretty good and one is best saved for 3AM background music. This is my favorte era of Todd.

Side note, 'War Babies' (1974) by Hall and Oates sounds similar to 'Initiation' due to Todd and members of Utopia being on it. This album is a stand alone in the Hall & Oates catalogue and is a hidden gem for Todd and Utopia fans.

'Faithful ('76) is a mixed bag with side one being all cover songs. Tons of artists were doing this at the time including David Bowie, John Lennon and Bryan Ferry. I think Todd took a big swing and a miss here, I don't care for side one. Side two is pure gold as the song writing is reminiscent of Todd's first two albums.

'Hermit Of Mink Hollow' is a poor man's 'Something Anything'. I think Todd was just showing that he still had this side of himself while the band Utopia started showcasing the talents of the other members.

That's the first eight that you have if my math is right.

'Healing' is good but not great and certainly more electronic than his previous effort and certainly not a pop record.

I dont have Faithful, Hermit, or Healing though I have heard them in the past ( they all have some nice tracks) ,and a few weeks past I sampled all the lps backwards from newest to older ones.. Some decent tracks here and there but nothing I would buy. I 'm thinking about getting his 2cd best of (Go Ahead ignore me).
It seems the best anthology of his work.

 

[Buckeye Randy]

I haven’t listened to a Nazz album from start to finish for 40 years. There’s some good songs but it’s not my thing. There is no way to predict what Todd was going to do based on those recordings.

 

[dr wu]

I haven’t listened to a Nazz album from start to finish for 40 years. There’s some good songs but it’s not my thing. There is no way to predict what Todd was going to do based on those recordings.

To me all 3 lps sound like Todd Rundgren for the most part. Just less mature maybe....and some input from the other band members though he's credited with all song writing.
'Hello Its Me' is even on the first lp

Open My Eyes from first lp

 

[dr wu]

Oh my.....I listened to Wizard A True Star.
First off.....'Just One Victory' is by far the best thing on the album. 'Is It My Name ' is the second best and to my ears could have been on a Nazz lp (or 'Some thing Anything' ) though it is heavier with better production than the Nazz songs in general ,but it has that early psych rock feel to me.
The first track International Feel is the next decent cut and after that it is difficult for me to 'hear' the other tracks as a completed song/idea except for the 'soul medley'. Much of it sounds like Rundgren is trying to be Zappa in his own way...perhaps not intentionally though. Indeed 'Flamingo' sounds like ,to my old ears, a short outake from Hot Rats by Zappa.
For me this album doesnt work.....but I suspect Todd was having fun musically and really didnt intend for it to be taken all that seriously.
For me Something /Anything and Todd are far better lps.....and I think Something /Anything would have been a better name for Wizard.