SINGLES GOING STEADY: "THERE ARE NO WORDS" BY TODD RUNDGREN

Appearing on Rundgren's 1970 debut album Runt,  "There Are No Words" is exactly what it sounds like.  It is layers of Todd's vocal harmonies in the form of "ahhhs," "ohhhs" and "ooohs."  Cynics will likely refer to it as a throwaway track.  Such hypothetical cynics would be making it painfully obvious that they have never created—or even attempted to create—music.  Anyone who has will more than likely understand how incredible this piece is.  From a Harmonic perspective, this song is unreal.  The dissonance that Todd achieves in the first 30 seconds of the piece feels impossible.  As a songwriter—not like you should be impressed by that—I couldn't help but wonder "How did he come up with that?"

There is a creepiness in the first half of "There Are No Words" which may dissuade listeners with a narrow musical palette.  If that's you, I suggest you keep listening.  Around 30 seconds, the eeriness transforms into something unspeakably beautiful.  Though there are no words, I can't help but feel like Todd Rundgren is trying to tell listeners something.  Runt is a terrific record, but Rundgren's lyrics make him appear to be very self-conscious.  "Who's That Man"  makes him sound jealous.  "Believe In Me" is a confession about being misunderstood.  The first half of "There Are No Words" is the "misunderstanding" part of Todd Rundgren and the second half is the sensitivity or his compassion, heart and/or soul.  However you interpret it, it is a gorgeous song.  I know it's sacrilege, but I'm not sure The Beatles ever had harmonies as incredible as this.  I'm sure they'd give Todd a thumbs up—he is the guitarist in Ringo Starr's All Star Band, for what it's worth. 

"There Are No Words" by Todd Rundgren

Now is the perfect time to confess that I've been using the words "song" and "piece" interchangeably.  I have always wondered whether "There Are No Words" is a "song" or a "piece."  As I learned in college (more on that college here ), there is an actual difference between the two. 

Courtesy of Merriam-Webster:

• Piece (of music): A musical Composition; a musical work that has been created.

• Song: A short poem or other set of words set to music or meant to be sung.

You understand the difference now.  A piece would usually refer to something instrumental and a song is a "set of words" that is sung.  

So what is "There Are No Words"?  It is sung, but there are no words.  So is it a piece? 

Forget I even brought this up.  I think it's important to listen to Runt by Todd Rundgren because it's an amazingly varied and possibly perfect album.  At the very least, listen to "We Gotta Get You A Woman," the hit that put Todd Rundgren on the map.  

Runt by Todd Rundgren

HERE'S A RARE ONE BY A BAND CALLED CROSS COUNTRY

Cross Country

The trio called Cross Country was made up of three members from The Tokens, an early doo-wop band that scored a number one hit in 1962 with the most familiar version of "The Lion Sleeps Tonight."  The three singers later drop the doo-wop with 1973's Cross Country and instead opt for an autumn-inspired acoustic affair, which was released probably three or four years too late.  This is pure Woodstock and Summer of Love music inspired heavily—and I mean heavily—by Crosby, Stills & Nash, The Association, Simon & Garfunkel, The Beach Boys, Emitt Rhodes and maybe even a bit of Terry Cashman.  

That these guys were making music four or five years before any of those talents blossomed into mainstream popularity is irrelevant and it won't dissuade anyone from saying "this sounds like..." in a not-so positive way.  On one hand the band is easy to criticize, not simply because of the sound-alike factor, but also because the lyrics are pretty trite and include some humorously dated imagery.  On the weaker moments of Cross Country, there's something quite saccharine and superficial about both the music and the lyrics.  This is no more true than on songs like "Just A Thought" and "Things With Wings" which are both on side one.   

But side one of Cross Country has plenty of strong songs, too.  These include the brilliant title-track, a beautiful cover of Wilson Pickett's "In The Midnight Hour" and the gorgeous, majestic—but all too short—"Extended Wings," which seamlessly continues off of the previous track "Things With Wings."

The real treat is the near-perfect side two.  There's still a Crosby, Stills and Nash influence, but the material is stronger—strong enough for the band to carve out an original territory.  The Rubber Soul inspired "Tastes So Good To Me" could have been a top 40 hit.  "A Fall Song" is soft and warm, but it doesn't fall into the same lyrical pitfalls as some of the softer songs do on side one.  It is also gorgeous, both melodically and harmonically, and takes some unexpected turns with plenty of hidden details in the production to reward close listening.  The same goes with the rest of tracks which are equally ambitious and beautiful.  

The resulting album is maybe not as great as it could have been.  Nevertheless, what is there makes for a minor masterpiece.  I was happy taking this trip Cross Country.  Recommended.

Cross Country

BONUS TRACK: "The Lion Sleeps Tonight" by The Tokens