Wednesday, October 01, 2008

Todd Rundgren is back with big riffs!

Posted by Jon in •

Todd Rundgren
I have to admit although I knew the name I couldn’t name a song by Todd Rundgren so when I was contacted recently about his upcoming tour and new album I had to do a bit of research. Well what I found out was quite impressive. Aside from being a guitarist/singer/songwriter since the late 60’s (he formed pyschadelic rock band Nazz in 1967) with 20 studio albums already under his belt he has also produced albums for the likes of Cheap Trick, The New York Dolls, Hall & Oates and Meatloaf. In fact Todd actually produced Meatloaf’s “Bat out of Hell” album!

Well Todd is set to release his first full-length record of original studio material in 4 years, entitled Arena in the UK on September 29th and in America on September 30th. Todd will also play four rare UK concerts that will follow the September 29th UK release of his long awaited new studio album. Check Ticketweb.co.uk for more details.

“Arena is a definite return to riff-oriented guitar rock,“ says Rundgren. “It’s supposed to make you reflexively pump your fist and wave a lighter in the air.”

The Arena Tour band will consist of Jesse Gress (guitar), Rachel Haden (bass), Kasim Sulton (guitar, keyboards vocals), Prairie Prince (drums), and Todd Rundgren (guitar and vocals).

“The concerts will be a straight-ahead, guitar-rock extravaganza,“ assures Rundgren. “We can’t afford the flamethrowers yet, but we’ll make up for it with aggression.“

Rundgren is universally hailed as the most innovative rock star on the planet.  He was the first pioneering recording and performing artist responsible for interactive audio and video.  In 1981, his video for the song Time Heals was the second video ever aired on MTV in America.

For a taste of the 70’s style rock with some nice slide playing, check out the track “Mountaintop” on his MySpace page which is from the new album.

Photo: (c) 2008 Jean Lannen

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Stratoblogster on 10/04 at 01:35 PM

Great post! Todd has quite a following—he’s a great songwriter and producer as well as guitarist. If you’re new to Rundgren, he’s really worth digging into.

Las Estacas Morelos on 10/05 at 02:42 PM

Todd is really a man with great talents. A lot of people might not know him but he is one man worth knowing!

-M from Mexico

on 10/06 at 12:50 AM

I bought Rundgren’s new album Arena earlier this week and am amazed at the diverse styles of music on the album.  From the guitar rock of ‘Strike’ and ‘Manup’ and ‘Panic’ too the pop cresendo of ‘Courage’ and the blues guitar pop ballad ‘Weakness’, this is an album to die for. Buy it.

on 10/11 at 05:20 PM

Todd’s new album is spectacular.  Mountaintop and Strike are amazing guitar anthems.  Love it.

on 10/26 at 11:11 PM

Todd is a legend, simple as that! Arena is a must for not only Todd fans but for anyone who values good honest guitar rock. Cant wait to see him again in Edinburgh on the 6th of November!!

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