Todd Rundgren's fifth long-player, simply titled Todd, took the experimental approach of A Wizard, A True Star one step further. A double album – his second – the collection is still peppered with the radio-friendly pop-rock style of “A Dream Goes on Forever” that made Rundgren a true star, but the self-produced 1974 set revels in taking musical left turns.

Novelties such as “An Elpee's Worth of Tunes”, hard rock like “Heavy Metal Kids", and even a Gilbert & Sullivan cover in “Lord Chancellor's Nightmare Song”, are all fair game here. There's plenty of virtuoso instrumental work, and the glee with which the hero explores the sonic possibilities of the synthesizer is contagious.

Released 45 years ago this month, Todd is both challenging and exhilarating, and that's probably why it remains such a favorite among fans.

Listen to Todd by Todd Rundgren on Spotify

Listen to Todd by Todd Rundgren on Apple Music