Tood Rundgren - Arena

I've been a bit quiet here for a few weeks, due to a combination of circumstances, but hopefully the next couple of weeks I will catch up with a few reviews and comments that I have been meaning to throw up here, a hand full of gigs and some album reviews/comment on the new metallica, jackson browne and ice cube albums amongst others. But, I really need to start with Todd and Arena.

Arena was waiting for me when I returned from Holiday in Crete, and my first listen -about 5 mins after getting home - was at 11pm after a long day. I was, quite frankly a bit unimpressed. However, the following day I spun the disc thrice more and transferred it to my iPod where it since fought with Metallica, Jem, and The Wedding Present for attention.

First things first. This is not an album that is a) going to set the music world alight b) suddenly make todd an arena rock star.

So, knowing that, what do we have? An enjoyable slice of retro rock I'd argue, that gives more than a passing nod to other artists including: ZZTop (Gun); AC/DC (Strike); Robin Trower (Bardo); Boston (Mercenary) - but does so in a playful manner. Todd isn't re-inventing the wheel here, indeed songs such as Weakness and Afraid are both songs that would sit quite happily on the Nearly Human or Second Wind albums. The first is a song, with its slightly blues/soul feel is for his wife, Michelle, and the later contains a really wonderful guitar break.

Elsewhere, we have tracks like 'Mad', 'Courage', and 'Manup' which are typical Todd AOR rockers; 'Mercenary' - probably as close to Heavy Metal as Todd has gotten (even with it's 'Boston' moment in the middle); the 'novelty track' 'Pissin', which to my mind isn't a novelty track at all, and is only be labelled as such due to the bloody silly line in it “and now your dick is in the mayonnaise"; 'Today', which would not have been that out of place on Liars; 'Mountaintop' - Todd's attempt at a crowd pleasing sing-a-long. It is really quite cheesy, but I challenge you to not be finding yourself saying 'higher higher' after a few spins; 'Bardo' - just a wonderful blues rocker; 'Strike' which does indeed feature Todd channelling Brain Johnson/Bon Scott (take your pick) on its Ac/Dc like chorus; 'Gun', a by numbers tush influenced rocker; which, I think just leaves 'Panic', which reminds me more and more of 80's Utopia songs like Itch in My Brain.

Favourites? At the moment, if you asked which three I think I'll be still wanting to hear in 5 years time, I'd say: Bardo, Mercenary, and Afraid. then again, ask me next week and my answer will probably be different.

The album does suffer from sounding a bit flat. This being a result of it being played and recorded by Todd an his laptop. Whilst this approach was well suited to Liars, here it does leave the album feeling a bit lifeless, whereas if it had been recorded with a band in an ol' fashioned studio, you get the feeling it would have lift the songs that extra notch - and may have lifted the sales an extra notch also.

Final verdict? Considering that I was hugely disappointed with the record after two listens, I have to admit it has continued to grow on me, more and more. Whilst I doubt it will trouble most Todd fan's top 5 todd album lists, it is a hugely enjoyable record, with a handful of songs that just creep up on you when your not expecting it.