Structurally, the new LP also recalls an older one, Another Live Utopia. The four songs on the first side are of a piece -- tensile, thrilling pop confections -- while the five tunes on the flip are a grab bag of Rundgren's favorite stylistic quirks, from Nazz-type British Invasion power pop ("Tin Soldier") to Gilbert and Sullivan-esque whimsy ("Emperor of the Highway") to glorious junk-rock reggae ("Bang the Drum All Day") to incantatory paeans ("Drive", "Chant"). As ever, he proves himself a most engaging melodist and a master of the hook. Be it his soulful falsetto in "Don't Hurt Yourself", the filigree guitar strums and keyboard glissandos that decorate these songs or the way Rundgren's multitracked background chorus answers the singer in "Influenza", it's all as catchy as, well, the flu. From the self-effacing title on down, Rundgren hasn't been this hummable and lovable in years. Here's hoping there's more where this came from.
-- Park Puterbaugh, Rolling Stone, 3-3-83.
