''Oblivion'' is an album by the rock group
Utopia, released in January 1984.
The album represents a turning point for the band, stepping away from the stripped down sound of their 1982
self-titled album in favor of a fuller, more mainstream contemporary pop sound, a direction that would continue on
''POV'', the band's final album that would be released the following year. This shift in sound is most noticeable due to an increased use of electronic drums and triggers by
John "Willie" Wilcox. In addition, synthesizers and sequencers, common ingredients of Utopia's music dating back to their
debut release, feature more heavily than usual across the album's runtime.
Released by US-based independent label
Passport Records in early 1984, the album generated moderate sales, peaking at #74 on the ''
Billboard 200'' in March 1984.
Three songs were released as singles: "Crybaby" b/w "Winston Smith Takes It on the Jaw", which peaked at #30 on Billboard's Mainstream Rock chart in February 1984, becoming their biggest hit on that chart; "Love With a Thinker" b/w "Welcome to My Revolution" (released only in the UK); and "Maybe I Could Change" b/w "Love With a Thinker" (released only in Australia). The latter two failed to chart.
J. D. Considine
J. D. Considine (born 1957) is a music critic who has been writing about music professionally since 1977.
Background
J. D. Considine's work has been published in numerous newspapers and music magazines, and he has contributed to several books. ...
wrote in ''
Musician
A musician is a person who composes, conducts, or performs music. According to the United States Employment Service, "musician" is a general term used to designate one who follows music as a profession. Musicians include songwriters who wri ...
'': "Further proof that 'Utopia' is derived from the
Latin word for 'nowhere'."
Track listing
Personnel
*
Todd Rundgren - vocals, guitar, saxophone
*
Kasim Sulton - vocals, bass guitar
*
Roger Powell - vocals, keyboards
*
John "Willie" Wilcox - vocals, drums
Charts
Album -
Billboard
A billboard (also called a hoarding in the UK and many other parts of the world) is a large outdoor advertising structure (a billing board), typically found in high-traffic areas such as alongside busy roads. Billboards present large advertise ...
References
External links
*
1984 albums
Todd Rundgren albums
Albums produced by Todd Rundgren
Utopia (band) albums
Passport Records albums
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