Runt - RUNT***

Broke Down & Busted/Believe In Me/We Gotta Get You A Woman/Who's That Man/Once Burned/Devil's Bite/I'm In The Clique/There Are No Words/Baby Let's Swing-The Last Thing You Said-Don't Tie My Hands/Birthday Carol

Runt is the debut album from Todd Rundgren, the lead singer and guitarist of the pop band Nazz. It encompasses a variety of styles and influences, all songs being self produced, played, written and sung. (US:185)

“While the original intent may have been to start a new band, for all intents and purposes Runt served as a Rundgren solo debut - he produced the album, wrote all of the songs, handled the arrangements, sang all the leads, was responsible for the majority of instruments, and was featured on the album cover. Musically the set found Rundgren clearly enjoying his new found freedom to explore different genres and production techniques.”

“Todd was finally free of the restrictions he felt he needed to escape in the vastly underrated Nazz, and proceeded to make an album that is completely unfettered with labels. He touched nearly every base and style, and unleashed his clever wit. This is a real gem of an LP with the outstanding Baby Let's Swing medley being my favourite. It's not slick and over-produced, just some excellent songs from a unique talent.”

“Todd Rundgren's debut is an uneven effort, it doesn't make much of a cohesive statement with the representation of so many interests on side one, and then squandering valuable vinyl on side two with a bunch of sound collages.”

“Runt is Rundgren’s first solo album, after the demise of the Nazz, and it sounds like it. Stylistically all over the place it would have been impossible to discern any future musical direction from this release. At times it has an almost demo feel to it although it is actually his first tentative steps towards those production techniques he would perfect over his next few albums. Rockers and ballads sit side by side, not quite believing they come from the same place.”

“Recorded early in Todd Rundgren's career, many of the songs are witty and intelligent, covering a wide musical spectrum of early 1970s pop. There are a large variety of musical styles, revealing a master musician striving to find his comfortable place in the fickle world of rock and roll. Nearly all of the tunes on this disc rock hard from beginning to end.”