TODD

It was the day of the publication of the best known TV magazine in Belgium. Télémoustique (still is today). What for would you ask me? Well, there were four to six pages dedicated to rock music: concert reviews, news and album reviews.

The reviewer at the time was probably the most powerful person in the rock industry in my country. A good review would mean good sales, and vice-versa. This man (Piero Kenroll) had a lot of influence.

His ratings didn't consist of stars but footprints. From one to five (very similar to PA). The first album reviewed with the maximum rating was this one. I have to say that I was quite perplexed since I had no clue at the time of release who was this "Todd". But my trust in the man was quite high (he introduced me to several excellent records, prog or not) that I decided to get this album.

I have to say that I wasn't really on the same level than Piero in terms of appreciation. To be complete, 1974 was my Genesis, Floyd and Yes years. This album was totally different and I remember that I didn't like it very much at the time.

There are some nice melodies here, which is Todd's trademark ("I Think You Know", "A Dream Goes On Forever") but some other parts from side one were quite bizarre to my ears ("How About A Little Fanfare" and "Lord Chancello?") which both open and close the first part of this very short double album.

Most of the good songs are on the conventional Todd's side: he excels in writing good rock ballads, and one of the best is certainly "The Last Ride". The melody works at the first listening and the sax play is just fantastic. The arrangements are superb (but this is another TM of course). Quite a good song for sure.

But the experimental and noisy "Everybody's going To Heaven?" doesn't correspond to this description. I understand that the goal was not to release another ballad album (he did it already earlier on), but this chaotic song was not easy to apprehend (and still isn't).

The beat is huge and the guitar solo is damned good. Some good jamming and performing style. But why was this second part added? "Kink Kong Reggae" is definitely a filler; but since this side was already the shortest one (it clocks at a mere fourteen minutes) it was difficult to make it even shorter I guess?

Another good track featured on this double album (which easily sits now on one CD) is "Lowest Common Denominator". It mixes heavy blues influence, powerful guitar and scary vocals. It sounds very different of the rest of "Todd" but this diversion into other territories is welcome.

The closest relation in terms of research on this album that comes to my mind is "10CC". This opinion is even stronger when you add the vocal harmonies and nice melodies available on "Todd". One of the most poignant one is "Useless Begging" but the short "Izzat Love?" fully corresponds to the description as well.

The third side almost finishes on the same heavy note that it started. Somewhat "Velvet Underground" oriented (guitar & vocals) which is not to dislike me. Excellent guitar and wild beat again. "Heavy Metal Kids" is a solid heavy rock track.

For this album, Todd was surrounded by a myriad of guest artists who certainly gave another angle to his music. I have always believed that it is more challenging to be part of a group instead of being alone on the commands. I think that this aspect was an important factor for this release.

The man offers yet another facet of his musical style with the disjointed "In And Out The Chakras?": space-rocking, crazy, unpredictable and weird but it works (at least for me). Be prepared for some adventure though?

After this wall of sounds, the delicate "Don't You Ever Learn" allows for tenderness again even the loose but soft middle instrumental section is not the best thing I've ever heard. The religious feel of the closing track isn't a big deal either.

This album would have scored four stars if several tracks would have been taken out to form a single album (even a long one, let's say fifty minutes). As such three stars corresponds more to my feel. Sorry Piero...

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