Oops! Wrong Planet by Utopia - Uhune

ALBUM

Abandoning overt prog -- thereby leaving behind the operas and extended instrumental sections, but not the organ solos -- Utopia became a mainstream rock band with their fourth album, Oops! Wrong Planet. Since the group's first two albums were marginally listenable and RA flirted with outright parody, it comes as a shock to hear Utopia be outright accessible and listenable, two qualities virtually foreign to their previous work. The quartet has been revamped, redesigned as a mainstream arena rock band. And that means that the chores are spread a little more evenly, meaning that not only does everyone get to write, everyone gets to sing, occasionally on songs Todd Rundgren wrote. Despite his efforts to democratize the group, Utopia still feels very much like Rundgren's baby, mainly because the only songs that really work are ones that he writes and sings. And since Utopia is now merely a hard rock band, Rundgren reserves his more ambitious ideas and complex songs for his solo records. The end result of all this is that Oops! Wrong Planet is more consistent than earlier Utopia records, but is not as sporadically brilliant or rewarding as Rundgren's solo albums. Even the bad moments, such as the very silly "Gangrene," aren't particularly unlistenable, yet there are simply too many average, undistinguished songs for the record to actually soar. Nevertheless, Rundgren turns in some fine moments -- "Love in Action" is a terrific hard rocker, as is "Trapped," and "Love Is the Answer" is an ideal stadium anthem -- that make the record worthwhile for the cult, even if it will sound like little more than a period piece to most listeners. [The album was reissued on CD in 2006 and includes a bonus track.] ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine

1. Trapped

Primary Artist: Utopia; Main Performer
Composer: Todd Rundgren
Rundgren; Composer

2. Windows

Primary Artist: Utopia; Main Performer
Composer: Roger Powell; Composer

3. Love in Action

Primary Artist: Utopia; Main Performer
Composer: Todd Rundgren
Rundgren; Composer

4. Crazy Lady Blue

Primary Artist: Utopia; Main Performer
Composer: Todd Rundgren
John Wilcox; Composer

5. Back on the Street

Primary Artist: Utopia; Main Performer
Composer: Todd Rundgren; Composer

6. The Marriage of Heaven and Hell

Primary Artist: Utopia; Main Performer
Composer: Todd Rundgren
Roger Powell
Kasim Sulton; Composer

7. The Martyr

Primary Artist: Utopia; Main Performer
Composer: Todd Rundgren
Kasim Sulton; Composer

8. Abandon City

Primary Artist: Utopia; Main Performer
Composer: Todd Rundgren
Roger Powell; Composer

9. Gangrene

Primary Artist: Utopia; Main Performer
Composer: Todd Rundgren
John Wilcox; Composer

10. My Angel

Primary Artist: Utopia; Main Performer
Composer: Todd Rundgren
Roger Powell; Composer

11. Rape of the Young

Primary Artist: Utopia; Main Performer
Composer: Todd Rundgren; Composer

12. Love Is the Answer

Primary Artist: Utopia; Main Performer
Composer: Todd Rundgren; Composer

Technical Specifications

Volume

1 volume only

Tracks

12 tracks available

Type

ALBUM

Format

Digital Media

Duration

46 minutes and 8 seconds

Explicit

None

Coverart

Available and up to 1500x1500 px

Booklet

Not available

Max Quality

CD Quality (Lossless)

16bit / 44.1 kHz

Stereo

Audio Extension

Lossless: FLAC, M4A, WAV, WV, AIFF

Lossy: AAC, MP3, M4A, MP4, OGA, OGG, OPUS, WMA

Archive Format

Available in these formats: ZIP, TAR, RAR

Lyrics

All tracks have lyrics

Synchronized Lyrics

3/12 tracks have synced lyrics

Genres

Pop/Rock, Prog-Rock, Art Rock, Arena Rock, Art & Progressive Rock

Label

Rhino

Music Distribution Service

Warner

Country

United States

Language

English (United States)

Popularity

Release Date

Aug 31, 1977

Track Preview

Available

Delivery Charge

Free

Delivery Method

Digital download link via Email or Personal Dashboard on this site

UPC

603497175864