Todd Rundgren ‎– The Ever Popular Tortured Artist Effect (1983, Bearsville)

Media VG+
Sleeve VG+

Format : LP
Cat N° : 66005
Style : Art Rock, Power Pop, Prog Rock

French 1983 pressing.

In the early 1980s, Todd Rundgren grew dissatisfied with Bearsville Records, eventually freeing his band Utopia from their contract in 1982. He was still obligated to release solo albums for Bearsville, leading to his cynically titled pop collection, “The Ever Popular Tortured Artist Effect.” Despite later disavowing the album, it stands as one of his better pop compilations, though lacking a cohesive theme. While it contains a few throwaway tracks like covers and parodies, the album primarily offers straightforward pop and pop-soul with simplicity. Although the lyrics lack depth, standout tracks such as “Hideaway,” “Influenza,” “There Goes Your Baybay,” “Drive,” and “Chant” showcase Rundgren’s ability to create unforgettable, irresistible pop music, even when not pushing his creative boundaries to the fullest.