jueves, marzo 27, 2025

Rocktrospectiva: The Mature And Impressive "Tao" Turns 40

Released on 27 March 1985 "Tao" was the 10th., studio album by Australian rock artist Rick Springfield,  the album spawned two singles "Stated Of The Heart" & "Celebrate Youth", this new record on Rick's career was a giant leap forward.
 
The production was astonishing and remarkable even when compared to his previous albums combined with impressingly personal and sometimes very dark lyrics, "Tao" was apparently too sofisticated for the mainstream listeners back the, and in certain ways it failed to attract larger audience than Springfield's earlier stuff.  At the time, Springfield commented: "I was going through a major depression back then, and had been for a few years. I was spiritually lost, and finding it hard to cope with everything that was going on. Even my success was causing me pain. I couldn't come to terms with earning so much money while others were struggling to find small change even to eat. It seemed so wrong, but what could I do about it? On top of that, I had real problems dealing with my father's death. It all meant that I was in such a mess, which is why the lyrics on the "Tao" album are definitely the darkest of my career." 
 
Is still one of the most rare but complete albums by Rick Springfield this due to the haunting mix of high tech arrangements and touching lyrics. Highly recommended tracks are the touching "My Father's Chair"  now this is more than just another heartbreaking pop ballad, wether you have you father still alive and kicking, "The Power Of Love (The Tao Of Love)" and "The Tao Of Heaven" are excellent, the opener "Dance This World Away" has a certain Yes with a mix of Trevor Horn sound-a-like, same as "Celebrate Youth" with its 80's standard sound.
 
This was the first major steps in Rick's maturation as an artist. "State of the Heart" and "Written in Rock" reminded us that this album was about complexity of relationships. "Written in Rock" really wasn't a hit at the time, but it's probably the best song he wrote in the 1980's. This album also began Rick's exploration of eastern themes. As a part of his own search for meaning in life, love, and loss. Even the obvious pop fare contains some thoughtful lyrics. "Dance This World Away" and "Walking on the Edge" both consider the perilous nature of the culture in the era of Reagan.
 
Tao Track List: 
 
1. Dance This World Away
2. Celebrate Youth
3. State Of The Heart
4. Written In Rock
5. The Power Of Love (The Tao Of Love)
6. Walking On The Edge
7. Walk Like A Man
8. The Tao Of Heaven
9. Stranger In The House
10. My Father's Chair 

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