Album of the Day

Todd Rundgren's fifth longplayer, TODD, took the experimental approach of A WIZARD, A TRUE STAR one step further. A double album – the performer's second – the collection is still peppered with the radio-friendly pop-rock (“A Dream Goes on Forever”) that made Rundgren a true star, but the self-produced 1974 set revels in taking musical left turns. Novelties (“An Elpee's Worth of Tunes”), hard rock (“Heavy Metal Kids”) and even a Gilbert & Sullivan cover (“Lord Chancellor's Nightmare Song”) are all fair game here. There's plenty of virtuoso instrumental work, and the glee with which our hero explores the sonic possibilities of the synthesizer is contagious. Released 45 years ago this month, TODD is both challenging and exhilarating, and that's probably why it remains such a favorite among fans.