We’ve talked about Todd Rundgren’s solo career before but his musical journey began with Nazz, a Philadelphia-based band he co-founded in 1967. Nazz was sort of a band in name-only based off what I’ve seen. Put another way, it was essentially a showcase for a young Rundgren to wield full creative control as songwriter, arranger, and lead guitarist. Though this band is sort of overlooked in retrospectives of Rundgren’s career, Nazz was an ambitious blend of mod, British Invasion pop, and garage-psychedelia (and clearly inspired by The Who, The Beatles, and Cream). Despite favorable reviews the album failed to make a major commercial impact but remains a fun look at the ideas from a 19-year-old begin to stretch his craft past the confines of his time.
Standout Songs: “Open My Eyes”, “Hello It’s Me”
