Latest TR News

Todd will be appearing on 'Live From Daryl's House' Daryl Hall's online TV jamming show. It is apparently being taped tomorrow - on my Dad's birthday, July 8 - but wont go up on the web until 15th August (just 2 days before my Mom's birthday)

Paste Magazine has an Interview with Patterson Hood of Drive By Truckers, where Todd is mentioned.

Paste: What are some of your favorite tracks on Murdering Oscar?
Hood: I like the title cut, and “Pollyanna” which I think will probably be the single. [But] I might be too close to it to even pick. [The album is] pretty concise; it’s like 45-minutes long. I really just like the back and forth of the points of view—I love dualities, and a little whiplash. And I cover a Todd Rundgren song on it [“The Range War”]. Before I made [the record], I referred to it as my Todd Rundgren project. My vision was to make this kind of attempt at a Something/Anything? kind of thing, but it’s not at all. Even the Todd Rundgren song on there doesn’t sound remotely like Todd Rundgren. But I’ve been a lifelong fan and he’s been one of my favorites forever—or at least, the albums of his that I like are among my favorite records ever made, I’ll put it that way. Something/Anything? is probably my all-time favorite record, and 90 percent of his catalog I can’t listen to, but I love that record and I love a handful of songs off of other ones. So that was definitely an influence even if it doesn’t really sound like it. My voice—I mean, I couldn’t sing any less like him.

Elsewhere, Todd has been talking about the AWATS dates and how, whilst every effort will be made to recreate the sound of the album live, he may mess with the order of the album. In the Detroit Metro Times, Todd said: "While I haven't locked my approach down yet, I think it's likely that the running order may be different than the original. A Wizard, A True Star was made when all long-players had to be split into sides, and I think the concept may actually be improved a bit with a little reordering."

Music Weekly and Todd

Guardian Music Weekly's podcast 'Feature With No Name' section this week has the Observer's Paul Simon waxing lyrical about just why he and you should love Todd.

He identifies 3 types of Todd: -

Pop/Ballad Todd
Rock Todd
Prog Rock Todd

Give him a go, see the light :-)

Todd @ Norwegian Wood 2009

Todd played the Norwegian Wood Festival in Norway this year. Norwegian TV recorded it, and Todd's whole set is here

The Pretenders were also there this year, and their set is here

Also, Paramore's set from last year isn't bad - it is here

electrocuting elvis

An ex work-mate now. All hail Nick Elverston (the guy on bass) I do like this, and YES, it was a while ago!

Bergman

Ok, my friend Mats has been recording some music, and you know what, it aint bad at all. Check him out at Myspace, and get a taste below.

Best Singles of 2009 - half year view

As we approach the halfway point in the year, it si time to look at the best singles and albums of 2009, thus far. Singles this week. So in no particular order and just down to what I can remember ...

Top 20 Singles

1. La Roux –In for the Kill
2. La Roux - Bulletproof
3. Yeah Yeah Yeahs – Heads Will Roll
4. Yeah Yeah Yeahs - Zero
5. Taylor Swift – Love Story
6. Kelly Clarkson – I don't hook up
7. The Veronicas – Untouched
8. The Prodigy – Invaders Must Die
9. Florence & The Machine – Rabbitt Heart
10. Depeche Mode – Wrong
11. The Decemberists - The Rake’s Song
12. Bonnie “Prince” Billy - I Am Goodbye
13. Pet Shop Boys - Love etc
14. Steel Panther - Death To All But Metal
15. Peaches – Talk to Me
16. Kings of Leon – Use Somebody
17. Bat For Lashes – Daniel
18. Lily Allen – It's Not Fair
19. Seether – Careless Whisper
20. Bruce Springsteen – Working on a Dream

Fishbone @ 02 Academy, Islington 05/06/09

It has been a while since I last saw Fishbone, and a couple of years ago I would have been unsure as to whether the band could still cut it, after a couple of quite disappointing album releases, but last year's 'Still Stuck in Your Throat' was the best record that had made since 'Reality' in my view (although I do still like the raw rock of 'Monkey').

The first time I saw them - October 1991 (I think?) – at Brixton(?) (one of the best gigs I have ever been to) , they filmed the promo video for the song 'Fight the Youth' off The Reality of my Surroundings album Back then they still have their optimum line up (inc Kendall Jones, JB Bigham, Walter Kibby) but even with the current line up I am pleased to say that Fishbone still know how to put on a show.

Angelo Moore still like to throw himself into the crowd at any and every opportunity (Dre Gipson – a welcome addition on Keys and vocals is also keen), and Angelo still enjoys taking his clothes off, although these days he seems to be avoiding the full strip that occurred back in that 90's gig. Also good to see John 'Norwood' Fisher still plays a mean bass.

The set is a lot more Ska orientated as opposed to Rock orientated back in 1991, but as Fishbone have always been a pretty good Ska band, this is not a problem, and gives us plenty of opportunities to hear Angelo on Sax and John McKnight on Trombone blasting out sounds together, and sounding damn funky. What did they play?

1. Poem Skank
2. Cheyenne Star / Forever Moore
3. The Suffering
4. Everyday Sunshine
5. Ma & Pa
6. Date Rape
7. Deep Inside
8. Bonin' in the Boneyard
9. Behind Closed Doors
10. One Planet People
11. Alcoholic (inc bit of Gary Glitter – Rock n Roll pt II)
12. Subliminal Fascism
13. Let Dem Ho's Fight
14. Party At Ground Zero

--Encore--

15. Chim Chim's Badass Revenge
16. Give it Up
17. Freddie's Dead

I was disappointed not to hear 'Sunless Saturday' - even more so when I heard that it was on the set list [just not played] Of what they did play, my personal highlights were: Ma & Pa, Bonin' in the Boneyard, Behind Closed Doors, Subliminal Fascism, Let Dem Ho's Fight, and Freddie's Dead.

Great to see the band again and reminded me of what a fine live act they are, and that I must make sure that I am here next time around too.

Alcoholic /Subliminal Fascism / Let Dem Ho's Fight

Todd - AWATS

Been a bit slow in mentioning that I have tickets for Todd doing this in London next Feb. LONG way off, but looking forward to seeing if he can pull performing one of the bext albums of the 70s live.

Veronicas - Hook me up

I first heard of Australian duo, The Veronicas at the end of last year, when I caught a few seconds of the title track of their current album. It stuck in my head, but the band's name didn't until the beginning of this year when I remembered and downloaded the album. I then forgot about it again, until a month ago, when I decided to give it a spin, and found that I loved it.

The band comprise Lisa and Jess Origliasso, 22 year old identical twin sisters. Their debut album was a pop/rock affair in the style of Avril lavigne /Ashlee Simpson et al. Whilst it showed hints of the twins' ability to pen catchy pop tunes it never really delivered on its initial promise. Move forward a few years and they have now delivered that promise in Spades with 'Hook Me Up' – a collection of infectious 80s influenced (Flashdance, Boys of summer as well as nods to Prince/Shelia E) synth pop/rock tunes.

The Video for Hook me up , with the whole schoolgirl uniform thing going on reminds you of Britney and Russian pair, taTu – the later is somehow appropriate as the girls had a hand in writing a hit for the Russians. On this album the girls have a hand in writing all but two of the songs on the album (excluding bonus track)

They are involved in co-writing all but 2 songs on the album, and Billy Steinberg (a man responsible for writing or co-writing songs such as Like a Virgin, True Colours, Alone, Precious Time, Eternal Flame, I Touch Myself, I'll Stand By You) also lends a hand to two tracks.

The album has been out elsewhere for between 1-2 years and is only just getting a UK release, but I predict that it will do big business in the UK, where the 80s and 80s come-back tours – Kajagoogoo, Spandau Ballet, Ultravox, ABC, Human League etc – are back in vogue. Add to that the like of Little Boots and La Roux leading to new wave of 80s synth pop, and it could not be a better time for the Veronicas.

Highlights of the album: Current single, 'Untouched', Yazoo verse sounding 'This Love', solid pop/rock ballad, 'Someone Wake me up', and album closer, and slow builder, 'In Another Life'.

"Todd's fucking great"

David Johansen explains to Pop Matters why the New York Dolls reunited with Todd Rundgren to make their new album. He also explains why they are happy with the results: "You go [into the studio] and play the songs and go back into the other room and listen to them on these little speakers and you think, 'Okay, that's a good song.' But then [Todd] gets finished mixing the thing and you're like, 'Oh man. That sounds great.' So I don't know how he does it, but he's got ears where he can hone in on each instrument and, whatever you call it, tweak it to make it sound distinct from all the other sounds and it comes out really great." http://www.popmatters.com/pm/feature/92565-infectious-love-an-interview-with-david-johansen-of-the-new-york-doll

Taylor Swift @ Shepherd's Bush Empire 06/05/09

It's not very often I go to gigs and feel like an old man, but last night was certainly one of them. The majority of those present for Miss Swift's second visit to the UK were teenage girls, who all came armed with the kind of photographic memory knowledge of all the lyrics you have at that age, and with that ability to cheer/scream at the same time. Kind of what you'd have expected a Spice Girls audience to have been like.

By the time Swift had left the stage after her encore all said girls were going home happy. She may be the biggest selling artist in the US over the past 18 months, and that doesn't always mean a guarantee of success in the UK, but on the evidence of tonight and the fact of 2 back to back sell out nights at the Empire, it will not be long before Swift is likely to be playing much bigger venues - maybe even Wembley or 02 within the year - the girl is going to be Huge.

The question then is, is she actually any good?

I must confess to thinking her current album 'Fearless' is a pleasant surprise. Yes it is country/pop by numbers to a degree, but there are some good catchy hooks in some of these songs and whilst you could argue her lyrics are a bit twee and girly, I don't think you'd have gotten that opinion from the majority of those at yesterday;s gig who are the target audience for those lyrics. Live, Swift handles things well. Her voice holds up well, and she has a solid band around her to fill out the sound - which is even less country live than it is on record. The band also get to rock out a bit on numbers such as Change and Fearless, which all seem to enjoy.

Live, Swift is an energetic performer who moves around the stage well and has already masters many of the stock rock/pop star poses: pose with acoustic guitar, rock pose with mic stand etc - my companion for the night felt this was all a bit too polished and practiced, although even he had to admit that the girl is destined to go far.

Highlights? hit single 'Love Story' (the song which hooked me on her. Pure fairytale fluff, but catchy as hell), 'You Belong with Me', and 'Change'

Would I go and see her again? probably not, but I'll settle for being one of those annoying peopole who says there were there back when she played smaller venues.

Dolls tracks

You can stream the first 6 tracks off the new, Todd produced, New York Dolls album at 411mania.com site.