Living in Oz

by Rick Springfield

Overview

Though this was Rick Springfield's ninth album, it seemed like the third to most pop music fans, as it came on the heels of his breakthrough, Working Class Dog, and its successful follow-up, Success Hasn't Spoiled Me Yet. And though this contained as many hits as the aforementioned collections, it isn't remembered as quite the same in terms of accomplishment; this may be because it is so personal that it's just not as accessible. Living in Oz is Springfield's response to the dance-pop wave that was just starting to build and would be prominent until grunge announced its presence, as well as his response to the naysayers who wouldn't accept him as a serious musician. Where earlier hits, like "Jessie's Girl" and "Don't Talk to Strangers," were well-crafted pop tunes, on this release he shows an edge and a maturity he hadn't before. By embracing the synthesizers he also shows contempt for, he is able to illustrate how they're changing music and the way fans mindlessly embrace them. This sets up a dichotomy between the coldness of synths and about the need for the human touch -- whether it's with a mistress, a friend, or a father -- as each cut is about the need for that touch or about the consequences of it. Be it of adultery (a sexually charged "Alyson"), youthful dreams of fame (a spare, unsentimental "Me & Johnny"), or his upbringing (the restrained indictment "Like Father, Like Son"), the entire CD is like a confessional, and that type of honesty suits Springfield well as he matures as an artist and not just as a pop idol. Living in Oz ranks among his best. ~ Bryan Buss

Product Details

Release Date:	11/10/2008
Label:	Rock Candy
UPC:	0827565043422
Rank:	46449

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Rick Springfield   Primary Artist,Vocals (Background),Bass,Guitar,Vocals,Keyboards
Michael Fisher   Percussion
Mike Baird   Drums
Mitchell Froom   Keyboards
Tom Kelly   Vocals (Background)
Tim Pierce   Guitar
Dennis Belfield   Bass
Alan Pasqua   Keyboards
Brett Tuggle   Vocals,Keyboards
John Philip Shenale   Keyboards
Richard Page   Vocals (Background)
Richard Elliot   Saxophone
Michael Baird   Drums
Gabriel Katona   Keyboards
Dennis Velfield   Bass
Mike Seifrit   Bass
Jack White   Drums,Drums (Electric)

Technical Credits

Rick Springfield   String Arrangements,Composer,Producer
Bill Drescher   Engineer,Producer
Greg Fulginiti   Mastering
Jeff Silverman   Producer
Danny Tate   Composer
Blaise Tosti   Composer
John Philip Shenale   String Arrangements
Tom Scott   String Arrangements
Ria Lewerke   Design,Art Direction
Leon Lecash   Photography