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Todd Rundgren might not be a superstar (granted, the "Todd is Godd" squad would hasten to disagree), but he's had a nice career. He's made lots of records, many of them all by his lonesome (there was even an a cappella album); he's had hits ("Hello It's Me," "I Saw the Light"); he's produced a wide variety of other artists, from Shawn Cassidy to Grand Funk Railroad, from the New York Dolls to Patti Smith; and he has long been on the front lines in the movement to use the Web to deliver his music directly to his audience. Still, some would argue that Rundgren has been at his best in a band context, early on with the Nazz and later (and more famously) with Utopia. If you're one of them, you're sure to be delighted by this 12-song Utopia live set, recorded in Detroit way back in 1981. This is Rundgren and company (here decked out in combat fatigues--a comment on creeping Reagan-era fascism, maybe?) doing what they do best: high-energy, progressive power pop, laden with catchy melodies, soaring group harmonies, and a healthy dollop of Rundgren's Philly white boy soul.

The repertoire comes from both Rundgren's own catalog (including the majestic "Just One Victory") and Utopia's ("The Wheel," "One World"). And while Todd and the boys (Roger Powell on keyboards, Kasim Sulton on bass, and drummer Willie Wilcox) occasionally indulge their prog-rock tendencies (as on "Caravan," where economy gives away to flashy Rundgren guitar solos and swirling keyboard excursions), the emphasis generally is on solid pop craft. The visual presentation, aside from a few trippy effects added in post-production, is also straight-ahead, while the audio quality is excellent (Rundgren himself, a well-known techno geek, oversaw the 5.1 Surround Sound remastering). All in all, Todd fans will find this package to be, well, a little slice of utopia. --Sam Graham

From the Back Cover
The program:

1. One World
2. Road to Utopia
3. Back on the Street
4. Caravan
5. Time Heals
6. The Wheel
7. The Very Last Time
8. Lysistrada
9. Love in Action
10. Couldn't I Just Tell You
11. Love Is the Answer
12. Just One Victory

The year is 1981. Reagan has entered the White House, Iran-Contra is brewing, and America makes a swing to the right. In the face of these unsettling developments, Utopia hits the road in army fatigues for a nationwide tour. This DVD is 60 minutes of sold-out concert footage from the Royal Oak Theater in Detroit. Unavailable for many years, the DVD provides a front row seat at this powerful romp through Utopia's repertoire.

See Todd rip a guitar solo on Eric Clapton's famous psychedelic Gibson SG. See the band do a choru line routine on "Couldn't I Just Tell You." See the excitement on the faces of the young Utopians in the front rows. See the band perform "The Wheel" and other songs from their "sordid and steamy past." From the opening chords of "One World" through the traditional finale of "Just One Victory," this show captures a moment in time with this forever-evolving band. Live at the Royal Oak is a must-have DVD for any collector.

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