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TODD RUNDGREN'S UTOPIA - Live at the Chicago Theater double CD/DVD/Blu ray
Probably one of the biggest surprises of the last year was this tour so it's probably natural that it would get documented.
This double CD focuses on the Chicago stop of the reunion tour (after 32 years) of most of Utopia's classic lineup with a
set overlooking the band's wide ranging sound and career path from their progressive rock epic beginnings to the collective
power pop influenced by new wave and 60s rock they wound up as. Disc one tackles the 70s era of the band with longer prog
rock songs full of solos then sharpening into tighter songs along the way. Disc two is Utopia in its power pop headspace,
dishing out short tight songs with glee and abandon, including their sole top 40 hit ("Set Me Free") before climaxing
with the song whose cover became a hit ("Love is the Answer") and Todd Rundgren's almost signature song these days
"Just One Victory." You can even see how things happen via the included DVD and Blu Ray discs in this edition (use
whichever you prefer and/or have access to a player for) so those of us who went can relive the tour and those who couldn't
make it get to see what occurred.
While those who really want the vinyl can check out the double album (comprised of the songs from the first set), those
interested in how the entire concert came across would do well to hear (or even see) this and decide for themselves. Given
that Todd Rundgren is notorious for knowing what his fans want (often his classic rock hits to relive their youth) and doing
something totally
different it's both bizarre and cool that this reunion happened, in the process providing them at least some of what they've
wanted over the decades. (BOONE)
(Purple Pyramid/Cleopatra)
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