254. Todd Rundgren | Something/Anything? (1972)

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Wikipedia Entry

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Tracks

1. I Saw the Light
2. It Wouldn't Have Made Any Difference
3. Wolfman Jack
4. Cold Morning Light
5. It Takes Two to Tango (This Is for the Girls)
6. Sweeter Memories
7. Intro
8. Breathless
9. The Night the Carousel Burnt Down
10. Saving Grace
11. Marlene
12. Song of the Viking
13. I Went to the Mirror
14. Black Maria
15. One More Day (No Word)
16. Couldn't I Just Tell You
17. Torch Song
18. Little Red Lights
19. Overture–My Roots: Money (That's What I Want)/Messin' With The Kid
20. Dust in the Wind
21. Piss Aaron
22. Hello It's Me
23. Some Folks Is Even Whiter Than Me
24. You Left Me Sore
25. Slut

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Something/Anything? is a prodigious album. The music is pop rock, but that doesn't even begin to describe the range of songs on this album. The songs span from the early '60s to the early '70s. It's as if Rundgren wanted to compile an anthology of rock song styles.

That variety, along with the fact that Todd Rundgren single-handedly made the first three quarters of this album—Yes, he not only wrote all the songs and produced the album, but he also performed all the instruments on the first three quarters of the album—potentially puts this album into a parody category. Did Todd Rundgren decide to do this album because he could? Did he challenge himself to write songs in a particular style? Do the songs have any value beyond this exercise?

This album is an absolute blast, but I do feel it's a very unserious album and that I'd be a fool to take it seriously. I think the album could have been cut down. The last quarter is much weaker than the previous three quarters and there are enough songs on the previous three quarters that could have been left off.

This album is worth listening to. I really would like to suggest that it belong in the collection of serious music collectors, but I can't. It does however belong on the 1001 Albums list. This album is a positive influence on power pop and a negative influence on the soft rock.

All the songs are solid. The stand outs are I Saw the Light, Wolfman Jack, It Takes Two to Tango (This Is for the Girls), Sweeter Memories, Saving Grace, Marlene, It Wouldn't Have Made Any Difference, I Went to the Mirror, Black Maria, Couldn't I Just Tell You, Torch Song, Little Red Lights, Hello It's Me, Some Folks Is Even Whiter Than Me and Slut.

★★★★★★★★★☆

243. Big Star | #1 Record (1972)

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Wikipedia Entry

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Tracks

1. Feel
2. The Ballad of El Goodo
3. In The Street
4. Thirteen
5. Don't Lie To Me
6. The India Song
7. When My Baby's Beside Me
8. My Life Is Right
9. Give Me Another Chance
10. Try Again
11. Watch The Sunrise
12. ST 100/6

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#1 Record is a carefree album. The music is power pop. The songs are sunny and unserious—pure summertime high-school fun. They have a clear sound, and the guitar jangles, but there's a potential to rely on more on formula than inspiration. The lyrics are reassuring and positive.

The music is pop rock that wants to be hard rock with all the riffs and solos. The album reminds me of a kitten. It's cute, energetic, aggressive, and completely lacking the potential to do serious damage.

The album is good. The first half of the album is strong; the second half not so much. Unlike most pop artists who try in vain to wax philosophical, Alex Chilton doesn't take himself very seriously. It's worth listening to because it gets pop right. With that said, it should be on the 1001 Albums list.

All the songs on this album are quite good. The stand outs are Feel, The Ballad of El Goodo, In The Street, Thirteen, Don't Lie To Me, My Life Is Right, and Try Again.

★★★★★★★★☆☆