POP MUSIC REVIEW : Todd Rundgren and His Fans Take a Bad Trip Back to the ‘70s

Todd Rundgren turned another year older Saturday. But then, for Rundgren, who has never left the 1970s, age must be relative.

A collection of his worshipers gathered for the first of a four-night celebration at the Coach House on his birthday, greeting him with mylar balloons, flowers and drunken bellows of “Happy Birthday, Todd!” every three or so songs. (The engagement continues with shows tonight, Tuesday and Thursday.)

And Rundgren, as master of ceremonies, threw a party that was part “progressive” and “mellow” rock revival, part soapbox philosophy and part theater-orchestra--all with a healthy measure of pretension.

For all the vast musical expanses Rundgren has covered through more than two decades and 27 (!) albums, his birthday party ultimately added up to little more than a flashback weekend.

This was a performance chock-full of Worst-of-the-’70s trappings, save disco:

A 12-piece mega-band. Ten-minute songs. Rock as Broadway theater. And lots of “jam sessions” (remember those?), indulgent guitar solos and endless stretches of mellow .

For the sold-out crowd of stuck-in-1970-something partyers, this was utopia.

But for anyone who was thankful that the Sex Pistols, Patti Smith and the Ramones dismantled the paradoxically labeled progressive-rock movement, this was the unbearable lightweight of Todd’s being.

Backed by a guitarist, bassist, two horn players, two keyboardists, two drummers and three backup singers, Rundgren through most of the two-hour-plus set sang and conducted the orchestra, baton in hand, wrapped in a kimono and an air of self-importance.

He combined a sampling of crowd-pleasing standards, drawn mainly from his 1980s work, with a trilogy from his recent stage musical (“The Smell of Money,” “If I Have to Be Alone” and “Love in Disguise”) and plenty of new material from his upcoming “Sessions” project, to be recorded during a five-night stint next month at San Francisco’s Palace of Fine Arts.

That the result was so thoroughly reminiscent of a decade long past is evidence that while Rundgren has constantly stretched the boundaries of his own music, his reputed status as a pioneering rock experimentalist is negligible.

Most problematic, however, is Rundgren’s lack of lyrical depth. For example, a new song he unveiled Saturday as his solo acoustic attack on censorship offered nothing more imaginative than “(Expletive) you, Tipper Gore” or “I just wanna (expletive) you, Jesse Helms.”

But, an entire cult lives out there, residents of Todd Nation, many of whom bought their Utopia Times subscriptions and “I Witnessed Todd” bumper stickers on their way into the show.

And for those disciples, Rundgren is a tireless performer who knows and loves his audience, and gives them what they want on a Saturday night--as evidenced by the countless standing ovations and outbreaks of dancing in the danceless club.

For them, the ‘70s live on.

Todd Rundgren plays tonight at 9 at the Coach House, 33157 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano. Tickets: $25. Continues Tuesday and Thursday. Information: (714) 496-8930.