Search - Utopia 1977-84 Retrospective on DVD

Early Todd/Utopia Videos

Douglas R. Tooley | Raleigh, NC United States | 12/31/2002

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Trivia question: What was the SECOND video every played on MTV? Everyone knows that Video Killed the Radio Star was the first, but not too many folks know that Time Heals by Todd Rundgren was the second. Sure the pic and sound quality isn't the greatest, but it is Todd. The average schmo should pass on this, but for Todd's pioneering efforts in the video field, I gotta give it 4 stars."

Early videos have their charm

circuspubguy | Richmond, CA USA | 11/21/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"If you're as much a fan of Utopia as the solo Todd Rundgren, then this video shouldn't disappoint you. It's very dated in it's visual ideas, but hey this stuff was really up to date in 1977! Personally I think it's a great time capsule and cool to see the guys hamming it up in videos like "Magic Dragon Theatre" or Kaz (as a TV newscaster)in "Set Me Free". Great add to your DVD collection. What's that big old hunk of duct tape though that Todd pulls off the bottom of his shoe during the live shoot of "It Wouldn't Make Any Difference"? Bleccch! LOL!"

Early days of MTV?

Steven B. Rubinson | Racine, WI United States | 01/15/2009

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Even though "Time Heals" was the second video ever played on MTV, neither Todd nor Utopia seemed to get much exposure. The notable exception was "Feet Don't Fail Me Now", which I remember watching a bunch of times because the video was so darn silly.

Otherwise, this is a decent compilation of live and studio videos, with some interesting backstage clowning around thrown in. The live videos are slightly cheezy, the "RA" video being the most bizarre of the live ones.

Favorites:

Feet Don't Fail Me Now - a classic and silly video.

You Make Me Crazy - Semi-literal video of the song's lyrics, very entertaining.

Crybaby - the most polished production of any of the videos in this collection, IMHO. Has a futuristic look, for its time.

Set Me Free - Utopia trying to make a political video, unsuccessfully. The song is better just by itself. It was funny seeing the pretend interview of the Shah of Iran. It seems dated today.

Emergency Splashdown - Manic!

I Just Want to Touch You - Great Beatles parody - Deface the Music is a hilarious album."