I was aware of Todd Rundgren's 1972 hit "I Saw The Light" but when I started buying the Music Papers in the mid-to late 1970s, Rundgren would typically be criticised for the self-indulgent Utopia albums and concerts. However, the reviews of his "Hermit Of Mink Hollow" album all appeared to be favourable, using phrases like "a return to form", "his most accessible work in ages" etc
When I saw the album in my local record store I took a chance a bought it, and I thought it was a very good album. Rundgren played all the instruments on the album, which was recorded at his home in Mink Hollow Road, New York State, hence the title.
The track listing on the back sleeve is very different to that on the disc. Apparently there was a late change to appease US record label executives to have an Easy Side and a Difficult Side, although that seems to refer to the topic of the lyrics rather than the music.
My memory was that I thought there wasn't a bad track on the LP, although the only song I could now remember was "Can We Still Be Friends", which was a hit in the US but wasn't released in the UK. The song was subsequently covered by Robert Palmer and Rod Stewart amongst others.
Listening to the record now was a slight disappointment, as it wasn't quite as good as I thought it would be. Overall, it is mostly pleasant Middle Of The Road music, there are four piano ballads, but a few of the songs lack a killer hook or something memorable. They are harmless, inoffensive background music. That said there are four tracks I would classify as very good, and apart from perhaps the quirky Onamatopoeia there still isn't a bad song here.
Starting with the positives, the opening song "All The Children Sing" is a joyous upbeat number with a singalong chorus and wouldn't be out of place in a high school musical. It is infectiously happy, and given the title there are some children backing vocals, although it wouldn't be a surprise to learn that was actually Todd singing, as he had done everything else on the album !
The song starts with an organ and saxophone intro before the bouncy verse. Lyrically the song is about having an epiphany. "And a bell in her head will ring" & "The sun and moon collide, isn't gravity a funny thing. The universe explodes apart, all the children sing"
The US hit "Can We Still Be Friends" is a Carole King style piano ballad with Eagles style backing vocals and a beautiful middle break, whilst "Determination" is bright power pop. The album closer "Fade Away" is an uplifting and dreamy power ballad with a pleasant Cocteau Twins guitar sound and soul backing vocals. "In a hundred million years, when the planet disappears. You and I will stay, and watch the world fade away".
Of the other piano ballads, "Hurting For You" has a screeching guitar solo which felt it belonged in another song and "Bag Lady", a song about a homeless lady, is melancholic, has a Gerry Rafferty saxophone solo, a short spoken vocal reminiscent of David Bowie's "Sweet Thing", and more Eagles style backing vocals. "Lucky Guy" has a Queen 1975 style guitar break but the melody is very similar to the New Zealand National Anthem !
"Out Of Control" is an attempt at heavy rockwhere Todd again channels his inner Brian May in the guitar solo, and "You Cried Wolf" is uptempo toe-tapping catchy pop rock with a mad sax solo and a hint of Rock N' Roll piano.
"Too Far Gone" has a slightly funky samba beat drumming in the verses but a smooth chorus, whereas "Bread" has a guitar sound and chorus like something from Boston but overall the song reminded me a little of Jackson Browne.
The outlier "Onamatopoeia" is a fast paced, almost circus act music which is supposed to be childish fun but the novelty wears off.
A lot of "Hermit OF Mink Hollow" reminded me of other songs I had heard before but couldn't quite place, although maybe that was just me remembering them from when I first played the album way back when !
Track Listing :
Side One :
1. All The Children Sing
2. Can We Still Be Friends
3. Hurting For You
4. Too Far Gone
5. Onamatopoeia
6. Determination
1. Bread
2. Bag Lady
3. You Cried Wolf
4. Lucky Guy
5. Out Of Control
6. Fade Away
Released 1978
UK Chart Position : 42
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