Todd is God

Unofficial Apple blog TUAW has a nice article on Esslinger's design work for Apple, and include a photo of  the 1979 tablet that ran on Todd's computer paint program "Utopia Graphics System."  

The San Diego Union-Tribune has a brief item on the new album from Adam Traub's  The Burning of Rome. Made with indie-rock legend Paul Leary (ex Butthole Surfers) at the helm, the piece says: The result is The Burning of Rome’s most varied and accomplished work to date. At its best, “Ox” is a left-field, neo-art-rock opus, minus the prog-fueled pomp and sonic overkill. Its songs draw from pop, punk, psychedelia and early ’70s glam, along with the music of Todd Rundgren in his creative prime and early Queen at its least ostentatious. “I love Todd Rundgren, and so does Paul,” said Traub. Here is the first single off said album - I Like it.

Josh Rotter at Download.com has interviewed Todd. Mostly a rehash of stuff he has said many times before, but has an interesting comment on his recent forays into EDM based remixes for other people and his approach to doing so "When I get involved, it's often to focus on the lyrics or see if there's a lyrical idea. But if you're going to do justice to an EDM song, you have to transcend the limitations of lyrics and build something from it." Speaking of remixes, I'd missed this one.  Au Revoir Simone released a remix EP,  Brightness/Contrast , back in February featuring  Move in Spectrums  tracks reworked by  David Lynch   , Etienne Daho  and  Todd Rundgren. [Later can be streamed if in USA http://www.brooklynvegan.com/archives/2014/05/au_revoir_simon_13.html ]

Spring has sprug and we have some music to go with it: This month we cast a critical eye at: The Hold Steady - Teeth Dreams Hurrah for the Riff Raff - Small Town Heroes Liars - Mess Baby Metal - Baby Metal The Amazing Snakeheads - Amphetamine Ballads EMA - The Future's Void Check out this episode!

So Nirvana, Kiss, Peter Gabriel, Cat Stevens (Yusuf Islam), Linda Ronstadt, Hall & Oats all added into the Hall of Fame. Todd got a mention too, from Mr Hall, who noted the band were the first Philadelphia band that has ever gone into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. He then went on to name-check a long list of deserving Philly acts, including Todd, the Stylistics, the Delfonics, Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes, and Chubby Checker. I'm guessing the 'induction process' politics and Mr R's comments about the HoF are why he is unlikely to be inducted whilst alive. Anyway, this is an excuse for a bit of Yusuf

The new The Hold Steady album is now out and its a really good record. Probably their most 'polished' sounding record. The lead single is also one of the album's highlights for me. Here's Spinners ... Also here is a great piece in The Vulture where Tad and Craig pick their favourite The Hold Steady songs from each of their albums.

“It’s not rock ‘n’ roll anymore anyway,’’ he said. “What we used to call rock ‘n’ roll – the original term, defined by DJ Alan Freed – meant to refer to a certain kind of music that Chuck Berry and Little Richard and Elvis [Presley] were playing, and it was distinguishable from ‘popular music’ at that time ...What you have now is a pop music hall of fame, and I don’t care if I’m in the Pop Music Hall of Fame or not’’  Todd on why he's not especially a fan of the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame as told to the  Plain Dealer

OK. I give in. The 'meme' of the week it is: The theme tune of your life is the song that was UK Chart/ Billboard #1 on day born, 12th, 14th, 16th, 18th or 21st birthday.  Given that I was born at end of year I already knew this could be bad as I was looking at a long of Xmas number ones, but how bad could it be when you kick off with The Scaffold – Lily the pink in '68 Have always loved this tune. How bad can it get?  How about this bad:  12th birthday: St Winifred's School Choir -There's no one quite like Grandma 14th Birthday: Renee and Renato – Save your Love 16th Band Aid 18th Jackie Wilson – Reet Petite [Thank Christ a decent tune at last]  21st, soddin Band Aid (II) AGAIN.  The UK having clearly failed me, I set sail for the US of A and found things much more to my liking ... O = Marvin Gaye – I Heard it Through the Grapevine 12 = John Lennon – (Just Like) Starting Over 14 = Hall & Oats – Maneater 16 = Madonna – Like a Virgin 18 ...

Hello listeners. Apologises for the delay in gettin podcast three out, but at last it is here: This time around its the following in our reviewing sights: Elbow - The Take off and Landing of Everything Drive by Truckers - English Oceans Pharell Williams - GIRL Kylie - Kiss me Once Real Estate - Atlas Blood Red Shoes - Blood Red Shoes   Check out this episode!

Not very often I mention books on here, but then again don't read a great deal of music books, but I want to mention two. The first one I haven't read yet, but is written by the friend of a friend of mine - Daryl Easlea Without Frontiers: The Life & Music of Peter Gabriel I've read the first few pages and it looks good [Todd mentioned 5 times] Daryl has previously written books on Sparks, Chic and Beyonce. Read the Chic one and it was very good. The second book is one that EVERY pop music fan should read.  Yeah Yeah Yeah: The Story of Modern Pop Written by Bob Stanley (from the band Saint Etienne) it is a chronological trip through the history of 'the pop single' in the UK/US, and is a pure delight from start to finish. If you have access to a streaming music service such as Spotify etc you'll also find yourself checking out LOTS of stuff you didn't know or had somehow forgotten about. Brilliant.

Like me, you must have often sat down and pondered just why no one had ever thought to blend Japanese Jpop with Heavy Metal. Well, my friends, wonder no more. This will be the best AND/OR worst thing you heard this week. I have to admit, I kind of like it. Truely bonkers.

Diane had a night off so we decided to go out and catch some live music. Wasn't a great deal of choice so we decided to head to one of my favourite venues The Borderline to check out Swedish alt country band Baskery . Made up of three sisters, they have been going for six years or so and describe their sound as 'killbilly'. Didn't really know what to expect. Venue was only about a quarter to a third full, so like us the knowledge of the band didn't seem great to London's masses.  On the evidence of this gig, this is a shame as Greta, Stella and Sunniva Bondesso are a delightful and engaging trio who know put on a show.   Great songs, great harmonies, great musicianship left us scratching our heads to figure out why they were not already HUGE. They have recently relocated to Nashville and even with the local competition that will bring I'd be surprised if these girls didn't make their mark (just need a good support slot on someone's tour). They ...

It seems An Unpredictable Evening with Todd Rundgren is just that ...

So, we are already into month three of 2014, so has any album yet staked a claim to be an early contender for album of the year? I'm still waiting for an album to really make me sit up and take notice, but the closest so far is the latest album from St Vincent - St Vincent .  It is a eclectic and inventive album that reminds me of listening to Prince at his best, and you can also hear the influence of Talking Heads/Art of Noise I have a feeling this will have the staying power to be in the mix come the end of the year, as it is a record that gives up more on each listen.

)

David Pack latest album  "David Pack's Napa Crossroads" apparently features Todd among others (Alan Parsons, Ray Manzarek.) For those who don't remember Pack, he used to lead the band Ambrosia. )

The Guardian's regular New Band of the Day feature featured a guy called Ted Zed last week. He is a young British guy trying to make adventurous pop. He sounds quite interesting - oh, and he's a HUGE todd fan.

February Blues? or name Carole? - if so, we recorded a podcast on your birthday esp for you - Country, Death Metal and Grime/Dub you say? We got 'em. New albums from  @thedavidcrosby   @ rosannec ash   @BehemothBand  @WTofficial  @KatyB  @Ibreakhorses Check out this episode!

So pleased to see the wondeful Roddy Hart and the Lonesome Fire get their US TV debut. Great band, great record and Roddy's a lovely bloke too

Ok, so this isn't anything to do with music at all, but I don't think it is possible for this clip of Dallas sportscaster Dale Hansen to be over posted/promoted. Without a doubt one of the best moments of broadcasting from any country for a long time. All hail Dale.