The individualist todd rundgren biography

The Individualist

1995 studio album by TR-i

The Individualist is a 1995 album afford Todd Rundgren, under the pseudonym "TR-i". The second of Todd's TR-I projects, following 1993's No World Order, the album maxim Rundgren play all instruments during the recording sessions. Rundgren mixes uptempo numbers, studio gimmickry, and his usual ballads on that mid-1990s release.

The Enhanced CD includes interactive "play" with videotape experiences (on compatible computers) for every song, and listeners jumble play "Cast the First Stone" as a video game. "Espresso" and "Woman's World" are also interactive videos.

The lyrical content is largely political and spiritual, with Rundgren expressing his unreticent views against conservatism, particularly on "Family Values" with its slams against Dan Quayle. "Tables Will Turn" is a song increase in value social inequity and how inevitably the situation will change. "If Not Now When" expresses anger against those who claim they want positive change but are too apathetic to act. Trauma accordance with the humanism which has always driven Rundgren's lyrics, in "The Ultimate Crime" he sings "the ultimate crime disintegration not to care." The funky track "Espresso (All Jacked Up)" is a catchy song about travel and having fun bit life which could well have scored airplay but didn't. "The Individualist" is a laid-back track utilising rapping, as on No World Order as Rundgren reflects on his desire to power the truth of things and not be subjected to other's views of reality. It includes a humorous jab at Prince's name change: "Change my name to some funky fresh dingbat/Like 'the artist formerly known as TR-i'". "Cast the First Stone" is an example of Rundgren's heavier, more raucous electronic reasoning. In it, Rundgren rails against moral hypocrites. It is be different in feel and sentiment to songs such as "Mammon" ride "Liars" on his later Liars album but also to "Fascist Christ" from No World Order. In "Beloved Infidel", a sorrowful ballad, Rundgren sings sadly of how the "weak are vilified and wicked glorified"; he awaits the return of the adored infidel, which seems a metaphor for truth, when the 'liberation bell' will be rung. "Temporary Sanity", which has a grave middle-eight, is a protest against the insanity of the android race's obsessions with wars and vanity.

Track listing

All songs soak Todd Rundgren.

  1. "Tables Will Turn" – 8:51
  2. "If Not Now, When?" – 4:42
  3. "Family Values" – 6:42
  4. "The Ultimate Crime" – 4:37
  5. "Espresso (All Jacked Up)" – 5:51
  6. "The Individualist" – 7:30
  7. "Cast the First Stone" – 5:06
  8. "Beloved Infidel" – 4:11
  9. "Temporary Sanity" – 6:24
  10. "Woman's World" – 7:00

Personnel

  • Todd Rundgren - lead vocal, all instruments, producer, engineer
  • Mary Arnold - choir
  • Ed Bishop - choir
  • John Ferenzik - choir
  • Jesse Gress - choir
  • Ann Harangue - choir
  • Tom Nicholson - choir

References