LAST OF THE NEW WAVE RIDERS

As with Todd's 'Can't Stop Running' boxed set, this is another collection of albums that have previously only been available as very expensive Japanese imports. Four albums, seven CDs, the set may be basic with no sleeve notes as such (and again, as on the other set, one of the albums has no dates) but this is excellent value for the Todd fan. The first CD (and the only single CD set) is 'Oblivion Tour', which was recorded surprisingly enough on the Oblivion Tour. This is the CD that has no details (but probably has the best sound), but would have probably been recorded in 1984. Utopia knew what was expected of them by now and Todd obviously relished being in a band, although he still played the rock god to the hilt. With harmony vocals in abundance Utopia do manage to come across sometimes as if they have been listening to too much Styx but that band never had the depth of musical ideas as these guys. Only "Trapped" and "Love Is The Answer" are sole Todd compositions, as Utopia were very much a band and to my ears it is the song that gives title to this boxed set that is the stand out ? a great song packed full of melodies and styles.

The second set is 'Deface The Music Tour' which was recorded in 1980, and this does suffer from some quite iffy sound levels, particularly at the beginning where on "I Just Want To Touch You" Utopia show that they can combine The Beatles with The Beach Boys to produce a sound that is fresh yet also belongs very firmly in the Sixties. But after all the discs are all marked as being bootlegs so the sound shouldn't be too much of a surprise. Twenty- five songs on this set, which obviously have never been touched up as Todd manages to slip in a few bum chords into "Where Does The World Go To Hide" but yet again the band seem to be enjoying themselves. The crowd are also having a blast, particularly when "Love Of The Common Man" makes an appearance. This album is probably one just for the fan due to the sound quality but is damn fine just the same.

The third set is the 'Oops! Wrong Planet Tour' from 1977 and opens with the complete intro tape as the band took the stage of "Mars, Bringer of War" from the Planets Suite (although here called "Intro" and strangely credited to the band?). Then it is straight into "Trapped", and the crowd going nuts. This is probably the rockiest album, and the one that I enjoyed playing most with songs such "When The Shit Hits The Fane ? International Feel" deserving a name check for the title alone, although Todd certainly gives his guitar some serious workout during this. Yet again Utopia show that there were few to live with them when they were on song, as they were this night in Chicago.

Lastly we come to 'Live In Tokyo '79' which features another lengthy workout of "The Seven Rays" (also on the third set) ? the guys have chance to stretch their musical wings and take off, but here they then slow down for Todd's ballad "Can We Still Be Friends". "Gangrene" means that the band don't slow down too much and show that this is a rock band that have so much pop melody and harmonies within all that they do that others pale into insignificance. With good sound, this is a great set to close with and with "Hello It's Me" also making an appearance this set is one that many fans will love.

Yet again a well-crafted collection of bootlegs that any fan of Todd Rundgren or Utopia will just have to have. Superb from start to finish.

Originally appeared in Feedback #78, April 2004