Todd is God

THE POCKET: ESSENTIAL SONGS OF PHILADELPHIA. Follow project creator, David Uosikkinen of The Hooters’ as he records the seventh song in his singles series. “I Saw The Light” was originally written and recorded by Philadelphian, Todd Rundgren.

I think 2013 has been a pretty good year for quality country music, especially as produced by talented women. Great albums from Kacey Musgraves, Ashley Monroe and by Brandy Clark.

I KNOW all best of/greatest lists are link bait, and they are meant to be a bit divisive but shall we take a look at NME's latest top 500 albums of all time . Let's start with the top 20 … 20. Radiohead – OK Computer 19. Arctic Monkeys – Whatever People Say I Am, That’s What I’m Not 18. My Bloody Valentine – Loveless 17. Public Enemy – It Takes A Nation Of Millions To Hold Us Back 16. Joy Division – Closer 15. PJ Harvey – Let England Shake 14. David Bowie – Low 13. Arcade Fire – Funeral 12. Patti Smith – Horses 11. Nirvana – Nevermind 10. Oasis – Definitely Maybe 09. The Beatles – The Beatles 08. Pixies – Doolittle 07. The Stone Roses – The Stone Roses 06. Pulp – Different Class 05. The Velvet Underground – The Velvet Underground & Nico 04. The Strokes – Is This It 03. David Bowie – Hunky Dory 02. The Beatles – Revolver 01. The Smiths – The Queen Is Dead I'm sorry but in which parallel universe is the Strokes - Is This It the 4th best album ever made...

You shall have a fishy on a little dishy... Hello again music lovers. What a treat we have for you this month. Get ready for our reviews of: Dan Le Sac v Scoobios Pip - Repent, Replenish, Repeat Haim - Days are Gone Sting - The Last Ship Lissie - Back to Forever Pearl Jam - Lightening Bolt Sleigh Bells - Bitter Rivals

 I have always had a bit of a soft spot, both for country music and for female singer-songwriters so an opportunity to catch one of Country music's up and coming stars could not be passed up. Kacey Musgraves arrived on our shores in support of her 4th album (first on a major label) Same Trailer Different Park. An album I fell in love with immediately on its release and as we approach the year's end it still remains one of the best records released this year in my view. The evenings set-list was a mix of tracks from this album and a selection of interesting covers which highlight her own varied tastes in music, so we got covers of Screamin' Jay Hawkins' I Put a Spell on You, Bob Marley's Three Little Birds, Weezer's Islands in the Sun and The Cardigans' Love Fool It was a great night and held together by strong song writing and Musgraves' undoubted charm. A very enjoyable gig.   Set List The Trailer Song Stupid Silver Lining Island In T...

Siobhán Murphy of Ireland's Metro Herald made an interesting comment a month ago when reviewing the fourth studio album from John Legend, which she described as being mostly pedestrian contemporary r'n'b. She noted "one gets the distinct impression John Legend would rather be making records that sound like mid-1970s Stevie Wonder or Todd Rundgren."

Went to see Evarose last night at The Barfly. This is their first headline tour and the second time I have seen the band. They have had a bit of shit week as someone walked off with all the money they'd made from the tour thus far in Birmingham on Weds night, but they didn't let that hold them back last night. Musically they owe a lot to the likes of Paramore and Funeral for a Friend, but that is not necessarily  a bad thing, although I am hoping that as they further develop that they will develop a sound that is more 'their own'.  As it is, they have a handful of quality tunes which certainly make me hopeful for their future: Vice, We can Pretend Anyway, Best Left Alone. The audience too was a nice mix of mother and fathers with their young daughters, cool student types, and the more mature [OLD]  muso types like myself. What I do like is  their energy. Lead singer Dannika is a natural performer, and I have to admit I am a little bit in love with Conni...

Hollywood Reporter talk to TR about the use of the Badfinger song at end of Breaking Bad.  Having only just watched the first three episodes of Season one of BB, I'm a long way from this moment. 

As Autumn kicks in, why not hold onto summer with these six new releases: Arctic Monkeys - AM The 1975 - 1975 Roddy Hart & The Lonesome Fire - Roddy Hart & The Lonesome Fire Rizzle Kicks - Roaring 20s Summer Camp - Summer camp Nine Inch Nails - Hesitation Marks  

Now he has started, it seem you can't stop him - here is Todd doing a re-mix of Aussie Andy Bull's ‘Baby I Am Nobody Now’. Here is the original

TODD is a 4 hour documentary edited, produced & directed by musician and artist JSK (aka Jason Stuart Kamasz) chronicling the life of Todd Rundgren. The film is an entirely home-made project and is a non-profit work. The film is narrated by Todd himself having utilized audio from interviews spanning 40 years. Parts 2, 3 & 4 will be made available in weekly uploads. Part 2 September 17th Part 3 September 24th Part 4 October 1st

I'm going to see this guy live tomorrow. He has just released his 4th album (the first under full band: Roddy Hart and The Lonesome Fire, banner). Any man who managed to get both Kris Kristofferson and Eddi Reader to appear on his DEBUT album back in 2006 deserves respect in my book.

Here is our latest podcast. Reviews of: The Civil Wars - The Civil Wars Five Finger Death Punch - The Wrong Side of Heaven and the Righteious Side of Hell, Volume 1 Backstreet Boys - In a World Like This Gogol Bordello - Pura Vida Conspiracy Speedy Ortiz - Major Arcana AlunaGeorge - Body Music

Those who enjoyed the last podcast on here, will be pleased? to know that a new one will be posted here on Sunday. Up for discussion this month are new albums from: The Civil Wars, The Back Street Boys, Speedy Ortiz, Gogol Bordello, AlunaGeorge, and Five Finger Death Punch. Yes, that's Groove metal, UK dance, Indie, Boy band, Gypsy Punk, and Country/Folk all covered. We aim to be inclusive if nothing else.

Nice short interview with Kasim in Niagara Gazette Apparently Utopia were featured prominently on the cover of a recent issue of “Goldmine” magazine, and it included interviews with all the band members. It was one of the few times in recent years Todd has talked extensively about his former band. Which brought this classic quote from Kaz in the NG “I was pleasantly surprised at how generously he spoke about our history."

So I have a new song done. You can listen and download https://soundcloud.com/the-vineland/let-me-dance-you-1 or just watch the video!

A friend and I do a music review podcast for fun. This is the latest one wg=here we talk about the following new albums Queens of the Stone Age ...Like Clockwork Black Sabbath - 13 Transplants - In a Warzone KT Tunstall - Invisible Empire/Cresent Moon Camera Obscura - Desire Lines Disclosure - Settle Pet Shop Boys - Electric The one where reviewed Todd's State album is http://cttbmusic.libsyn.com/podcast-five-2013 You can subscribe in iTunes too so that you never miss a podcast https://itunes.apple.com/gb/podcast/cttb-music-podcast/id611136001?mt=2

Hour long interview with Todd talking about his latest album, his past, and what's next. Love his view that Major labels just do 'custodian work' now … and still love hearing him say 'music is a service, not a product'