Todd is God

The New Cars have a website (although not much bar a short promo vid and a place to sign up for info at the moment. For more material, the ever reliable TR Connection points us in the direction of this site

OPed News has a review of the Liars Live DVD which is amusing for how the reviewer had his expectations confounded "First prepared to rip this release to shreds, ‘cause I was extremely unhappy with several of his last CDs, I came away dazed. Never expected it. If this is what Rundgren can still do, then he should devote his future to documents from the rostrum, before admiring throngs, happily ensconced amidst kliegs in teatros. Liars Live blows everything he’s done in the last 15 years to smithereens. His voice is in very good shape, the band’s as cool and snazzy as a West Coast Cool ensemble blent with lounge pop-rock and frequently blazing to the heavens, not a moment is wasted. Those lamenting the fading inspiration and skills of theoretically declining Baby Booming musicians are going to have a very hard time continuing justifications of the sentiment in light of this".

New York Times' review of the latest Ryan Adams album - 29 says "If the upbeat title song's resemblance to the Grateful Dead's ''Truckin' '' is too blatant, the conjuring of Todd Rundgren on ''Nightbirds,'' Neil Young on ''Strawberry Wine,'' and Paul Simon on ''Starlite Diner'' resonates as tender homage to artists who also made their mark in their 20's."

It's time for my Top 10 Albums of 2005. I had thought this was going to be quite straightforward, but then I realised that whilst there have been two albums that have stood out for me this year, there have also been a LOT that I have quite liked in one way or another. So, what are the final 10? Well, we'll kick off with my favourite two releases of the year by Robert Plant and Ryan Adams. Robert Plant and The Strange Sensation - Mighty Rearranger . Who would have thought that after all this time, Bob Veg would come up with a record this good? Not me, for one. This is seriously the best thing Plant has done since mid-period Zeppelin. There really isn't a duff track on this record - no filler at all. Ryan Adams and The Cardinals - Cold Roses . Ryan decided to release 4 albums this year. As it is with the third due out next week, he is only going to make it to 3, but still not a bad effort. Cold Roses was the first of the year's releases and is a wonderful double album cho...

Just love the version of When Doves Cry. So very TPOH.

Apologises. I have been a bit lax here recently. So much so I haven't even mentioned the confirmation of the Todd / Cars rumours. Seems Todd, Kasim and Prairie will be teaming up with Cars guitarist Elliot Easton and keyboardist Greg Hawkes, to become the 'New Cars' for a tour next summer and gasp a possible studio record. Original Cars singer/bassist Ben Orr died of Cancer in 2000; drummer David Robinson has retired, and Lead man and vocalist Rik Ocasek is too busy with other things. Hats off to the guy though, as he has given his full blessing to the new line-up> He has been quoted as giving the project the all clear with "I want Elliot and Greg to be happy." Think the chances of the New Cars making it to the UK are somewhat remote unless the tour is a HUGE success. BUt good luck to them.

Thanks to the TR Connection for the link to the Steve Earle/ Todd chin-wag on Earle's AirAmerica radio show 7th November.

Jam Music is reporting that the Pursuit of Happiness are back together to record two new tracks for a new 'best of' CD and maybe more.

The Dallas Moring News had an interview with NIN's Trent Reznor where he mentions Todd. "I remember Todd Rundgren called me and wanted me to do a CD-ROM back when they were this "cool" new platform. And I was like, 'Todd, I really respect you and you've been a huge influence, but CD-ROMs are just stupid.' "

The Art of Digital Music focuses primarily on creativity rather than flavor-of-the-week tools, which means it will stay relevant and useful for a long time to come. The authors interviewed a diverse collection of instrument makers, performers, sound designers, educators, game-music composers, visionaries, and software developers - BT, Thomas Dolby, Herbie Hancock, Mark Isham, Alan Parsons, Roger Powell, Todd Rundgren, and Don Was

The new Kate Bush single "King of the Mountain" was available via the internet in the United States and Canada yesterday, but UK and European fans have to wait until the end of the week or maybe even next week to get hold of the track (well legally at any rate, as i am sure it is available already on the p2p networks) - thank you EMI.

After 12 years, EMI has confirmed this week that Kate Bush's new album, a double-disc set titled Ariel, will be released on 7 November 2005. Can't wait.

There are some rumours going around that Todd will be joining Elliot Easton and keyboardist Greg Hawkes, to act as lead singer for a Cars reunion tour early next year. Easton and Hawkes have apparently asked Todd to stand in for bassist Ben Orr, who died in 2000, and Cars main man Ric Ocasek, who has expressed no interest in a reunion, but who doesn't object to the other band members going back out on thew road. Todd doing 'Best Friend's Girl' ? Well, it would certainly be interesting!

Gap will launch a series of TV commercials featuring eight singers looking hip in Gap jeans while singing a cover version of one of their personal favorite songs, Zap2it.com reports. Joss Stone, who replaced actress Sarah Jessica Parker as the retailer's It girl, will perform the Beach Boys' "God Only Knows." The other women are Alanis Morissette ("Crazy," Seal), Liz Phair ("Cheek to Cheek," Irving Berlin) and Michelle Williams of Destiny's Child ("Let's Stay Together," Al Green). Brandon Boyd of Incubus will sing Elvis Costello's "Alison" and be joined by John Legend ("Hello It's Me," Todd Rundgren) , Jason Mraz ("One Love," Bob Marley) and Keith Urban ("Most People I Know Think I'm Crazy," Billy Thorpe).

Apparently new hot artist - and latest saviour of soul music since the last one - John Legend covers Todd's 'Hello, It's Me' in his live set.

Todd is 57 today.

"a triumphant celebration of intelligent, contemporary, music delivered with a bold confidence" is how Mike Chapple describes the liverpool gig on the Liverpool Echo's website

Nice to read Martin Townsend in the Express on Sunday reviewing the London gig. He described the gig as "one of those gigs you wished could be televised for the whole nation to enjoy" and a "once-in-a-lifetime chance to hear two of rock's most original voices in harmony" In the words of the Eurythmics 'who am I to disagree'

Todd Rundgren has stepped in as support for the Hall & Oates tour in the US once he finishes his European Dates with Joe jackson and Ethel. Todd replaces Tears for Fears

Maybe the boys had been saving their best for the UK, or maybe that practice has helped but both the Gigs at Leicester DeMontford Hall (Fri 3rd), and London Hammersmith Apollo (Sun 5th) were pretty damn good. Sure, there were mistakes, but if I wanted to listen to perfect renditions of the songs I'd sit at home and play a CD. As in the earlier leg of the tour the role call was Ethel, Joe and then Todd. Ethel's brand of string quartet is perhaps not everyone's cup of tea, but these guys can play: - Todd Reynolds and Mary Rowell, violins; Ralph Farris, viola; and the rather sexy Dorothy Lawson, cello are a treat for real music lovers anywhere, playing a mixture of styles with equal verve and skill. I would happily pay just to see these guys in the future. Joe Jackson, who I must confess I lost interest in after his second album, delivered a well balanced set both nights between old 'classics' (stepping Out', 'Is she really going out with him', 'It'...