Oblivion

by Utopia

Overview

For Oblivion, their first album for the fledgling independent Passport, Utopia merged the new wave inclinations of Utopia with their previous hard rock sensibilities. In other words, it was a bid for chart success, as the quartet attempted to revamp themselves as mainstream rockers for the mid-'90s. Even if they were sharp enough to realize that synths, arena-sized hooks and big beats were all equally popular in 1984, they didn't assemble the components in a way that sounded contemporary. Oblivion, perhaps appropriately for an album with such a title, is a record out of time, one that sounds lost in a netherworld between the '70s and '80s. The sound of the record is disconcerting, but it would have been excusable if more than two songs -- the opener "Itch In My Brain" and the excellent "Crybaby," which tries to ape Def Leppard and sounds like classic Todd -- were memorable. Following the tight, focused Utopia, the lack of strong material is troubling and, in retrospect, it's clear that this was the beginning of the end for Utopia. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine

Product Details

Release Date:	06/21/2024
Label:	CLEOPATRA
UPC:	0889466542718

Tracks

1. Itch in My Brain
2. Love With a Thinker
3. Bring Me My Longbow
4. If I Didn't Try
5. Too Much Water
6. Maybe I Could Change
7. Crybaby
8. Welcome to My Revolution
9. Winston Smith Takes It on the Jaw
10. I Will Wait
11. Fix Your Gaze
12. Crybaby [Instrumental]

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Todd Rundgren   Primary Artist
Utopia   Primary Artist

Technical Credits

John Wilcox   Composer
Kasim Sulton   Composer
Todd Rundgren   Composer
Utopia   Composer
Roger Powell   Composer