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Oops! Wrong Planet
Utopia
Bearsville BR 6970
Released: September 1977
Chart Peak: #73
Weeks Charted: 8
Oops! Wrong Planet is the best and most accessible album that any of Todd Rundgren's Utopia bands have made, and at least two numbers here ("Love in Action" and "Love Is the Answer") rank among the finest songs Rundgren has ever written.
The most obvious difference between Oops! and previous Utopia albums is that each song here is only about four minutes long. Gone are the overextended dinosaurs that glutted Ra and Initiation. Now, weaker numbers such as John Wilcox' "Crazy Lady Blue" (Rundgren is listed as coauthor, but his influence seem negligible) are over before they have a chance to become irritating. Rundgren has always been at his finest in tightly structured three- and four-minute numbers where the melody line is kept under close control ("Hello, It's Me," "It Wouldn't Have Made Any Difference," "Hamburger Hell"). Because they follow this formula, several numbers here have the potential to become Rundgren classics.
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 Further reading on Super Seventies RockSite!: |
- Alan Niester, Rolling Stone, 11/3/77.
Bonus Reviews!
Quartet's recent pop thrust continues here with more trim, richly harmonized new originals. The balance of driving rockers and softer melodic fare should satisfy both fans and programmers.
- Billboard, 1977.
Utopia's fourth album (and second to be released in 1977) found the quartet moving in a much more pop-rock direction, with Todd Rundgren especially contributing catchy songs like "Love in Action" and "Love Is the Answer." * * *
- William Ruhlmann, The All-Music Guide to Rock, 1995.
Reader's Comments
makleleox
The best is "Love Is the Response," an anthemlike variety invoking the feelings and storage of "Just One Success," finish with an evocative prolonged ending. "Love in Action" is a intense musician, similar to the no-holds-barred aural attacks Nazz was so excellent at, and "Back on the Street" is successful with a very David Lennon-like oral by bassist Kaz Sulton.
Grace Webster
The most apparent distinction between Oops! and past Paradise collections is that each music here is only about four moments lengthy. Gone are the overextended dinosaurs that glutted Ra and Start. Now, sluggish figures such as David Wilcox' "Crazy Woman Blue" (Rundgren is detailed as coauthor, but his impact seem negligible) are over before they have a opportunity to become annoying. Rundgren has always been at his best in firmly organized three- and four-minute figures where the tune range is kept under near management ("Hello, It's Me," "It Would not Have Created Any Difference," "Hamburger Hell"). Because they adhere to this system, several figures here have the prospective to become Rundgren oldies.
Koby Spring
The most obvious difference between Oops! and previous Utopia albums is that each song here is only about four minutes long. Gone are the overextended dinosaurs that glutted Ra and Initiation. Now, weaker numbers such as John Wilcox' "Crazy Lady Blue" (Rundgren is listed as coauthor, but his influence seem negligible) are over before they have a chance to become irritating. Rundgren has always been at his finest in tightly structured three- and four-minute numbers where the melody line is kept under close control ("Hello, It's Me," "It Wouldn't Have Made Any Difference," "Hamburger Hell"). Because they follow this formula, several numbers here have the potential to become Rundgren classics.
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