RA

Todd Rundgren wrote and released a ton of music over his career with the pinnacle album represented here with UTOPIA's 1977 Masterpiece "RA". This album has it all, with pop, rock and progressive leanings featuring UTOPIA's signature four-part vocal harmonies throughout. Without a question I hear musical allusions to STYX, 10CC, Adrian Belew, The ALAN PARSONS PROJECT and YES on this album. Todd and Roger Powell create some truly hypnotic synth and guitar interplay on this album. often trading licks back and forth (aka the track "Sunburst Finish") Although I love all tracks on this album, the standout piece is the Tolkienesk classic epic prog-rock piece "Singring And The Glass Guitar (An Electrified Fairytale)" which tracks in at 18 Mins and makes we really wish they had written and recorded more of this kind of music. From an approach perspective this song plays out very reminiscent of TULL's "The hare who lost his spectacles" with its quirky narration. A fun little album with some very memorable numbers and inspirational pieces.