Hermit of Mink Hollow Todd Rundgren

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CD

  • Release Date: 06/25/2008
  • Original Release: 1978
  • Sales Rank: 110,660
  • Label: JVC JAPAN
  • UPC: 4988002547326

Listener Rating: (2 ratings)

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CD$4.59
 
  • Overview
  • Tracks
  • Editorial Reviews
  • Customer Reviews
  • Details & Credits
Track List
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Hermit of Mink Hollow

1LISTENAll the Children Sing 3:12
2LISTENCan We Still Be Friends? 3:37
3LISTENHurting for You 3:22
4LISTENToo Far Gone 2:39
5LISTENOnomatopoeia 1:35
6LISTENDetermination 3:12
7LISTENBread 2:50
8LISTENBag Lady 3:16
9LISTENYou Cried Wolf 2:32
10LISTENLucky Guy 2:07
11LISTENOut of Control 3:58
12LISTENFade Away 3:08

About this Artist

Editorial Reviews

Over the course of 1977, Todd Rundgren moved Utopia toward a more pop-oriented direction, winding up with the slick mainstream arena rock of Oops! Wrong Planet. With that in mind, it makes sense that The Hermit of Mink Hollow -- his first full-fledged solo album since Initiation, if you discount the half-cover/half-original Faithful -- finds Rundgren in his pop craftsman persona. The difference is, he's heartbroken. His relationship with Bebe Buell collapsed during 1977 and it's clear that the separation has pained him, since pain and melancholy underpin the album, whether it's on ballads ("Can We Still Be Friends") or on apparently joyous revelries, like "All the Children Sing." That said, this is a Rundgren solo album and he has not abandoned his trademarks, which means that the lush ballads are paired with novelties ("Onomatopoeia," which sounds exactly how you hope it does), ersatz soul ("You Cried Wolf"), and pure pop ("Hurting for You"). Hermit is also the first record Rundgren recorded completely alone since Something/Anything? Where that record sounded like the inner workings of a madman, with each song providing no indication what the next would sound like, Hermit is more cohesive. It also feels less brilliant, even if it is, in many ways, nearly as excellent as Rundgren's masterwork, mainly because it doesn't have such a wide scope. Still, the reason The Hermit of Mink Hollow is such a milestone in Rundgren's career is because it's a small album, filled with details, and easily the most emotional record he made. Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Music Guide

Customer Reviews

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  • Ratings: 2Reviews: 2

Personal Favoriteby Anonymous

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May 12, 2004: I absolutely love this album. It's very easy to listen to, touches on a number of emotions and issues, and yet maintains an aura of innocence about it. It was the first of Todd's albums, actually, that I took seriously - it was the push I needed to consider more of his music. Unlike "Something/Anything" and "A Wizard, A True Star," I found this album to be practically void of themes that are contrary to my moral standards. In the end, I would describe this one as extemely sincere, sometimes very sad, slightly angry, but ultimately warm and touching - an album that inspires imagination.

This review was written about the CD edition.

Looking Backby Anonymous

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October 15, 2000: OK, despite the many praises heaped upon this record, I personally have to sign off on it. It's supposed to be a return to the breathtaking pop craftsmanship of S/A?-- and the fans who adored that album in the Rundgren catalogue but little else, no doubt rejoiced over HERMIT. But this record doesn't even begin to compare to ''The Masterpiece''. Problem is, Todd is at his best when he's looking forward, pushing the boundaries-- like on AWATS. HERMIT just doesn't ring true to these ears. There are some highlites: ''Can We Still Be Friends?'' is one of his finest ever; ''Onomatopoeia'' is a typically clever novelty; ''Bag Lady'' has a gorgeous melodic structure; most of the rest are just ok; ''You Cried Wolf'' sounds like an unconvincing rewrite of ''Wolfman Jack''; ''Determination'' is the type of song Rundgren can write while asleep. Perhaps he should have turned some of the best material here over to Utopia to see what a real rock band could do with it.

This review was written about the CD edition.