HERMIT OF MINK HOLLOW

This album, to me, marked a turning point in Todd Rundgren's career. Already a successful sonwiter, producer and performer, it is on this album that he starts to sound lazy, like he is deciding to take the easy path, rather than keep the quality of his music up.

That isn't to say that there isn't some fine music to be had on this album, just that there isn't as much of it as on previous releases. Can We Still Be Friends is probably Todd's last great ballad, and the melancholy Bag Lady has beautiful production (although a predictable tragic ending).

Onomatopoeia is amusing for the first few listens, but the joke wears off too quickly. The rest of the album are pleasant, but forgettable pop and rock tunes, all with Todd performing all tasks.

The LP is labeled "The Easy Side" and "The Difficult Side". Honestly, there doesn't seem to me much difference in the technical aspects of either side.

2.5 stars, rounded up.