rev_m_toddliars

TODD RUNDGREN
Liars

as reviewed by Jack Crompton at Amazon.com, August 31, 2004

Just get over yourself...

Todd Rundgren has made the wait well worthwhile... he has never sounded better, and that is saying something, given his prodigious creative output. Todd's new material is a collection of intelligent, insightful, creative and beautifully crafted songs that link together into an exquisite tapestry of both melodic and energetically engaging sound, punctuated by sharp, playful and poignant lyrics.

'Liars' is the quintessential 'concept' album, something that I thought was extinct. And, at a period in time when many people are waking up to the illusionary nature of our existence, it relevance could not be more timely. As is usually the case with Todd's greatest work, his lyrics are clever and lead one to perceptions that pierce beneath the surface of things. And never more so than on this album. I've been listening to it for the last two weeks and find it hard to listen to anything else.

'Liars' explores the concept of 'truth' from a variety of angles. The way each song links to the next creates a singular adventure from album start to conclusion. Todd's best work has been an expression of intelligent honesty, sharp wit and unbridled romantic passion, and all those things are plainly evident here in ‘Liars’.

There are many gorgeous melodies interwoven on ‘Liars’ that vary in mood as they move in a sea of changing rythmns. The disc grabs the listener's attention right from the start with the relentlessly engaging techno-styled 'Truth', followed by the smooth R&B track, 'Sweet' and just never quits. And, as always, Todd's humor is ever present and razor-sharp. I love the sarcastic 'Happy Anniversary' and 'Flaw'. That one line 'obscenity' is perfect... and is so 'Rundgren', complete with the backing vocal refrain! Gotta love it.

'Stood Up' is very clever, a wonderfully put together piece with a strong hook and unexpected musical changes. 'Future' is a sound canvass that so truly captures the optimistic emotions of my youth when I considered the promised 'world of the future'. It's a trip. The refrain, 'The future is now', brings for me added depth and melancholy. It's like an acknowledgment that something has 'gone wrong' with the vision. Like, 'What happened to the rosey vision?' It wasn't suppose to turn out like this!'

I've been waiting to hear a song like 'Soul Brother' for a long time. It’s awesome satire. In this song, Todd says it perfectly: 'If you want to be a star, grab your crotch and squeeze it hard'... a perfect commentary on the wasteland of todays 'commercial' music culture and the disappearance of true 'soul music'. I gotta admire the heck outta the guy. He's got balls to tell it like it is!

'Afterlife' is absolutely mesmerizing. Just gorgeous to the ears. It may be destined to be my very favorite TR song ever. 'Living' is right up there with it. It's one of the most amazing high energy tunes I've ever heard. Very powerful. It contains perhaps the most tasteful electric guitar work that Todd has laid down.

Next up is the real paradigm shattering track, 'God Said'. Here Rundgren takes on the most sacred cow of religion. This is an incredibly honest piece that is framed in a dialog between and man and his Creator. And, its wrapped up in a gorgeous melody and very etherial soundscape... It is very affecting. As alluring as the music is, it is the lyrics that is the most impactful here... 'just get over yourself', with the message being made clear: We all tend to make God into our own image. It's quite powerful and I've never heard another pop song like it. Again, Todd isn't afraid to ask the most important questions in life and examine the most sensitive of topics.

The album ends with 'Liar'. The least 'pretty' track on the disc, this is a discordant, appropriately angry track that is wrapped up in middle-eastern sounds that swirl around a pulsating sound of pure angst. Bare-to-the-bones, uncensored statements illuminating the many lies put forth to facilitate excuses for war are obviously aimed at 'the powers that be' behind todays Iraq conflict, such as: "And you lead them to their death, with your every lying breath." It's intense, but given the theme of the album, is an apt inclusion. Again, I applaud his courage to tell the truth.

In exploring truth and lies, Todd guides us in an exhilarating examination of the various illusions in our lives and gives us a glimpse of the world of all possibilities. It is a remarkable statement by one of our most progressive and talented of creative visionaries.

WORDS
REVIEWS

MUSIC