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Utopia: 'Deface The Music'

Discussion in 'Music to Your Ears' started by StrangerNY, Oct 21, 2020.

  1. Oct 21, 2020 #1
    StrangerNY

    StrangerNY Friend of Leo's Gold Supporter

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    Back in 1980, Todd Rundgren's Utopia got the crazy idea to write an album full of songs that replicated the sounds of The Beatles. There were knock-offs from every era, from beginning to end. In fact, Todd wrote the song 'I Just Wanna Touch You' for the soundtrack to the movie 'Roadie,' but the producers rejected it - fearing legal action because it sounded too much like the Fabs. They even did a pretty cheeky video for it.



    This one might be my favorite - kind of a cross between 'Day Tripper' and 'Paperback Writer.'



    And here's a cross between 'Strawberry Fields' and 'I Am The Walrus.'



    Pretty cool that they nailed the production from the eras they were writing for. Weird project overall, but Todd's always been a little strange.

    - D
     
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  2. Oct 21, 2020 #2
    brookdalebill

    brookdalebill Tele Axpert Ad Free Member

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    Brilliant album!
     
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  3. Oct 21, 2020 #3
    PARCO

    PARCO Tele-Meister

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    Love this record. I have the LP and they're asking crazy prices online for the CD. I wish they would reissue the CD.
     
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  4. Oct 21, 2020 #4
    Deeve

    Deeve Poster Extraordinaire Silver Supporter

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    Todd as pop godd - my favorite part of the Runt's artistic run
    Another great setting : on his own sound-stage in Hawaii for an episode of Live From Daryl's
     
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  5. Oct 21, 2020 #5
    brookdalebill

    brookdalebill Tele Axpert Ad Free Member

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    Todd is amazingly consistent.
    Always clever, melodic and memorable.
    A wizard, a true star!;):)
     
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  6. Oct 21, 2020 #6
    Greggorios

    Greggorios Friend of Leo's Silver Supporter

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    Oh yeah..yeah, yeah. A Wizard, A True Star remains one of my favorite albums period. Used the studio like another instrument. Set the pace for years in production and studio creativity.;)
     
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  7. Oct 21, 2020 #7
    StrangerNY

    StrangerNY Friend of Leo's Gold Supporter

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    I'd been a TR fan since pre-Nazz (seeing him in a Philly blues band called Woody's Truck Stop, where he drew valid comparisons to Clapton!) and the Nazz era into Runt and when AWATS dropped I was like 'What the hell???' That one definitely took some adjustment, but to listen to it now it's just an amazing work.

    He pushed the envelope on how much information could be pressed on vinyl, to the point where they had to issue a disclaimer on the record sleeve saying it wouldn't play on a lot of turntables because the grooves were so tiny. Crazy.

    - D
     
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  8. Oct 21, 2020 #8
    joe_cpwe

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    Coincidence to come across this thread...happen to be listening to Utopia Anthology on Spotify right now.
     
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