University of South Carolina Libraries
Rundgren brt produces goc By WAYNE "JIM" DOLESKI Gamecock Staff Writer I Todd Rundgren was once asked if he was bothered by the fact that so few people buy his records. His reply was, "No, because those that do buy them play them for all their friends." For better or worse, I passed that stage about two years ago. People entering my house no longer have to fear that I will not let them escape without hearing at least one of Todd's albums. My faith in Todd's ability has never 1 1 r _ 1 e ? is?_ _ ? i wavereu, anu i no longer ieei iiKe i nave 10 make others aware of his talents. If no one else in South Carolina buys Todd's new album, "Hermit of Mink Hollow," I will still confidently attest to my position that this is the best album in at least four years by the most talented individual in the history of rock and roll. A devoted Todd fan would never admit otherwise. We may be small in numbers, but we have a devotion that is clearly bordering on insanity. RECENT YEARS have shown Todd desiring to become a part of a group, Utopia, which has been a commerical and artistic flop. Todd envisioned Utopia as a revolutionary concept and I admire his devotion to a project he truly had (and may still have) his heart in. Unfortunately, the labors of each Utopia project produced an album that was virtually unlistenable. A few bright ' '''" ^ l \ ^ HHH conduc iiaipiiy. \ \ laiiaHlMiiM school fWmA Towns! nMBH^HH^Hfl Herbie teiiiid^-K * Frida> I HAVE YOU G | EXAM BLl Pills and Booz Help I In fact, when alcohol is mi) drugs such as amphetamine it can be a threat to your your life. / _ ? p ror more inTormolio !| Alcohol Education & 1 g Project 6688 ;aks away and >d solo album moments from Todd was the best Utopia could ever produce, and these were very infrequent. Throughout his career, Todd has done his best work by himself. "Hermit" represents a return back to thd days when Todd trusted no one to play on his albums. Consequently, he handles all vocals, instruments and arranging, as well as the production and engineering of the album. In fapt thic 1C (ko fircf fimn Tn'I'l ... .Mv?t >u vnv hi 01 imic iuuu :iris done everything, as previous albums have always Jeatured someone, however minor their role. There is no concept to the album, though most of the material seems to be about a love lost, which is not surprising when one considers that Todd and his girlfriend of six years have recently split. Todd, at least temporarily, has separated himself from Utopia, so the album's title appears to have obvious meaning. "HERMIT" CONTAINS that amazing pop feel that Todd has purposely avoided the past few years. (The exception to this is a few of the original songs on 1976's "Faithful") He found writing and recording three-minute pop songs to be too easy, and set his sights on accomplishing something more than this. "Hermit" apparently shows Todd to have experienced a change of heart, nothing new, as he is again producing three minute pop gems. /* n yx OO i fr mi-concert |g Billy Taylor, jazz pianist, jgjl :ted music workshops for g?j children last Wednesday [B| hursday mornings at the hip Auditorium. Taylor and Mann nerformed in concert night at Carolina Coliseum. J I OTTHE | I Hi JES? I e Won't I f <ed with certain? >s or barbituatesS health' or even? >n: p| Prevention I -iJK ' faji^yp B1P1* m - i WMWMBM88B?MM HW BL iMiHB -'#f3S- 5 &&3S Sp 1 1 ? ?jj- 11? ^ ; m * m}'*w . IP* '^JHj^HH^^KV^ ^ Todd Rundgren ... , . , without Utopia, the talent comes out loud and clear AST CHANCE To Order This School Year It Your USC Campus Bookstore i tfLA^uimy Ul ^rt Carved - Balfour - Josten's Th iirs - Fri fflrtkBi A ft ^ 1 m ? ?bt ^ 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.