Difficult But Worth Itby Anonymous

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October 13, 2000: This is a dense, thoroughly challenging record; so challenging, in fact, when I first attempted it, I regarded the album as ''unlistenable'' and let it sit on the shelf for about six months or so. Then one day, after reading a thoughtful, favorable review, I decided to try again. Listened to it all the way through once a day, every day for three weeks. In the end, I fell in love with it. There's plenty of synth/electronic instrumentals-- ''Drunken Blue Rooster'', ''In and Out the Chakras We Go'', etc. There are many of Rundgren's best songs-- ''The Last Ride'', ''Don't You Ever Learn?'', etc. Unlike S/A?, this record explores all aspects of the Rundgren genius, even if some of it is unpalatable. It is supposed to be a sort of ''self-portrait'', after all. One cannot appreciate this album without investing time and deliberate effort. It is difficult but worth it.