Utopia - Ra (1977)

"RA" is the second studio album and third release by Utopia on Bearsville Records in 1977.

"RA" found Utopia moving away from the long, experimental instrumental jams that distinguished their first two albums, but what's surprising about it is how the group changed. Sure, the lineup was different but their approach changed on "RA", as they moved away from prog rock and toward hard rock. In that regard, it makes sense that Rundgren's possessive has been stripped from Utopia's name, since the band no longer sounds like an indulgent spin-off of his own albums. "RA" has little to do with either Rundgren album that preceded or succeeded it. In fact, it's an anomaly in both the Utopia and Rundgren catalogs. Never before had Rundgren attempted what appears to be a full-fledged concept album, and never again did Utopia trade in pomp rock and all the grand, "important" themes that go with the territory. "RA" may not have a genuine narrative through line with the exception, that is, of the closing 18-minute epic "Singring and the Glass Guitar," an "electrical fairy tale" Rundgren narrates in the voice of a mischievous elf but all seven songs feel connected, largely because they're driven home with pure prog bombast. At times, the album feels like parody, particularly because all the sonic overhauls make Utopia sound like Queen. Despite all the indications that Utopia isn't taking this all that seriously nobody could write the chorus of "Hiroshima" without having their tongue somewhat in cheek but it's impossible to discern whether "RA" is satire since the murk of keyboards, guitar solos, and crushing chords is somberly played. Such quandaries and questions make "RA" intriguing.

 

01. "Overture: Mountaintop and Sunrise/Communion with the Sun"   (Herrmann, Rundgren)  - 7:15

02. "Magic Dragon Theatre"   (Rundgren, Sulton) -  3:28

03. "Jealousy"   (Rundgren, Wilcox)  - 4:43

04. "Eternal Love"   (Powell, Sulton)  - 4:51

05. "Sunburst Finish"   (Powell, Rundgren)  - 7:38

06. "Hiroshima"   (Powell, Rundgren)  - 7:16

07. "Singring and the Glass Guitar (An Electrified Fairytale)"  (Powell, Rundgren, Sulton, Wilcox)  - 18:24

Released:  February 4, 1977

Recorded at:  Bearsville Sound Studio, Utopia Sound and Turtle Creek Barn

Genre:  Progressive Rock, Art Rock

Length:  53:04

Label:  Bearsville

Producer:  Todd Rundgren

Personnel

Todd Rundgren - guitar and vocals

Roger Powell - keyboards and vocals

Kasim Sulton - bass and vocals

John "Willie" Wilcox - drums, percussion and vocals