Almost everything about _A Wizard, A True Star_ is unconventional. Aside from the malleable genre-plowing and bizarre musical soundscapes, a large percentage of the disc (mainly the first half) contains many 1-minute tracks that flow seamlessly into the other - making this seem like a short 'best of' sampler. But, don't let these rather 'short' time-lengths fool you - this album is a rich, gargantuan slice of audio schizophrenia, which requires 'close' listening - possibly with a good pair of headphones. There are so many subtle complexities buried beneath the hyperactive surface, you can miss out on some aspects that bring out the 'life' of this album - as well as missing out on some truly enriching experiences. However, for the fan of Todd's 'accessible' side, there are a few of those nuggets to be found here.

There's too much to cover here, so please forgive me if I don't give comments for all 19 tracks found here. However, I'm going to list some of my personal favorites:

"International Feel"--Kind of like The Temptations gone hip-hop/electronica. The vocal harmonies on here evoke that of any classic r&b/soul group, while the electronics found on here sound like it could have been used for any rap or hip-hop group of the 1990's to present.

"Never Never Land"--A fairy-tale kind of track. Todd gives a convincing and moving vocal performance here. The synthesizers taking the place of an orchestra may turn some off, but they still add ethereal, melodic and poignant atmospheres.

"Tic Tic Tic It Wears Off"--A moderately fast-paced instrumental. Probably one of the few prototypes for ambient/electronica - due to all the underlying sound effects.

"You Need Your Head"--A heavy electronica piece with heavy metal guitar. Nice explosive vocals here as well.

"Rock And Roll Pussy"--A pretty intense rocker - kind of like The Ohio Players with a harder edge. Supposedly, this track was Todd Rundgren's scathing attack on John Lennon. Provocative? Maybe, but I still love the musicianship, execution and production - which seems a bit muddy and flooded. This gives the track a pretty volatile and intense flavor.

"Flamingo"--A bizarre, quirky synth-filled instrumental. This seems like it wouldn't be too out of place on a Monty Python sketch (or film.) Could this be an ode to the 'python'? Or could this be a short mockery of Classic British Progressive Rock? Whatever the motive, I soak this up.

"Just Another Onionhead/DAda Dali"--Todd Rundgren does a little bit of proto-rap. This is truly a bizarre track. The bizarre lyrics & soundscapes, the classical-like chord progressions and the abrupt atmosphere-shifting are so bizarre and impressive, Frank Zappa may have lost a few moustache hairs out of pure shock & excitement - if he had heard this. And to top that all off, you can find some nice vocal harmonies here.

"Sometimes I Don't Know What To Feel"--Todd takes his hand at classic soul. He does a very good job on his vocals.

"Medley: I'm So Proud/Ooh Baby Baby/La La Means I Love You/Cool Jerk"--Todd pays homage to some soul-stirring r&b classics. He impressed the hell out of me on his rendition of Smokey Robinson & The Miracles' "Ooh Baby Baby." It sounds very convincing, melodic and VERY soulful. I don't think he's done the original much harm - and I'm not just loosely throwing that statement around, since I'm a fan of the original as well.

"Just One Victory"--This kind of reminds me of "Pass The Dutchie" from Musical Youth for some reason. The first few seconds could be mistaken for a gospel song. A very moving r&b ballad, with some hip-hop beats layered on top of it all. It gets crazy near the end, as there are endless vocal overdubs.

A very powerful album - complex, trippy, cerebral, futuristic, original and unexpectedly moving. _A Wizard, A True Star_ may not be what many fans originally wanted from Todd Rundgren, but he made an album that exhibits talent and prophecy, which arguably sounds ageless - given it was released in 1973. Highly recommended to progressive rock fans, as well as those who have a taste for mind-altering, adventurous and/or challenging music.


My favorite record...30 straight years and counting   September 21, 2003
 16 out of 17 found this review helpful

Todd's previous album, the highly accessible and brilliant Something/Anything, was an acknowledged masterpiece when it came out in 1972 (as it still is today). Four sides of pure pop confections that simply blew away anyone who heard it... a perfect set up for the head-on collision that AWATS felt like when this arrived as the follow-up in 1973. But that was the whole point... there was no-follow-up. Not then, not now, not ever. Welcome to ultimate classic and masterpiece of pop musics greatest musical genius. The Beatles? The greatest group of all-time of course...individually, none of them had the sheer range of ambition and chops to match TR. This album proves it. WARNING!!! You will never get this record on the first, second or even third listening. That's why it has always been overlooked and will, unfortunately, be enjoyed only by those brave souls with the patience and perserverance to wade in and not look back. The ONLY album in my life that I can truly say delivers a new experience with each listen. If I could just take one- this would be my desert island disk.


4 stars   May 15, 2001
 14 out of 14 found this review helpful

What better way to follow up the most perfect pop album in this history of mankind than with -- uh, hold on a sec...

Well, come to think of it, Todd probably had every reason to be scared after "Something/Anything?," the aforementioned P.P.A. Less ambitious types would have spun off copies of that album's pop standards, and become Carole King in the 70's. Don't think Todd would have stood for that for a minute.

In retrospect, "A Wizard" probably ticked a lot of "I Saw the Light's" teenybopper wedge audience, maybe even from the opening synth bleats of "International Feel". Of course if they'd stuck around long enough they'd get a great pop song in the Todd tradition, but if they'd stuck around even longer they'd be going for a head trip. The balance of "Wizard's" first half is unbroken and often brief pieces of instrumentals, rock howls, sound effects, and songs. None of this is nearly as inaccessible as it sounds; it's just short and burst-like in its manner. It depends on whether you're willing to accept Todd's premise -- "Oh, you want another album of K-Tel smashes? THIS'll teach ya!" -- if you end up liking it as one long piece. Myself, I do.

Side Two's a bit more conventional, since it's where the "True Star" kicks in, but when he wants to pull it off, Todd can write classics. Most of these are, especially "Just One Victory." In fact the weirdest cut on the whole album is probably his R&B medley that pays tribute to the Impressions, the Delfonics, Smokey Robinson and "Cool Jerk". What that medley is doing in the middle of such a vomitorium of ambition is completely unclear, but it sounds great.

I don't like this as much as a lot of Todd die-hards, but it's still a great ride that shows off his pop smarts, wild streak and sense of humor all at once.


Essential Listening   December 22, 2000
 10 out of 11 found this review helpful

The fantasmagorical masterpiece that all "quirky," "experimental," and "took a new direction with this disc" albums should all be measured against. This one will invariably win. It's hard to imagine more styles, more innovation, more musical and studio prowess crammed into one album. Plus, you can groove to it. Layers and layers of trippy synths and studio effects, plus gorgeous melodies and Todd's fab pop vocals. Guitars, anyone? Yup, they're in there, too, innovative, melodic, and rocking as usual with Todd. It's all very catchy and listenable, unlike many other artists' tedious "experimental" releases.

Look closely at the cover art -- one of the most memorable examples of truth in advertising. Sounds just as dense and spacey as the cover suggests.

[If you're reading this, you probably already own and worship this disc. So go ahead and buy it for your friends who don't know about it. Spread more musical joy throughout the world, and show 'em the difference between modern corporate music product and genuine musical genius. You owe them the favor.]


A Stroke of Genius!   January 20, 2002
 10 out of 11 found this review helpful

Todd Rundgren is a genius. In 1973, he was at the peak of his creative powers, and this album is the finest reflection of his talent. Because of its overall narrative arc, its perfectly crafted musicality on all levels, its innovative use of technology, and its unique humor, this album stands out as one of the greatest musical works of the Twentieth Century, right alongside Igor Stravinsky's Sacre du Printemps. Rundgren demonstrates his uncanny ability to compose, perform, and produce his music with equally evocative power on all fronts. His relentless and unbridled talent is prone to shock listeners who are more accustomed to the mellow sound of his previous albums, most notably Something/Anything. A Wizard A True Star may require several playings before it becomes familiar (I will not say "comfortable," because music this brilliant and edgy can never become background music,) but if you're game, take on this album. No matter how many times you listen to it, "there's always more . . . "