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“If ever a title explained an album’s intent, it’s Todd Rundgren’s ‘Arena’, an explicit return to the extravagantly theatrical guitar rock he abandoned, largely out of boredom, some 25 years ago…”
With that review, Todd roared back into the “Arena” of stadium rock!
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Time To Listen to Todd’s “Arena” Rock!
Time to look at another great Todd Rundgren album. “Arena” was released in 2008, and was entirely a solo effort, with Rundgren playing all the instruments. According to wikipedia, he produced this album entirely on an Apple laptop computer using Propellerhead’s Reason software for composition and Sonoma Wire Works’ RiffWorks for recording.
Here is how Allmusic.com describes “Arena”:
“a project that gave him an excuse to sing skyscraper hooks and play too much guitar, which is exactly what Arena promises and delivers.”
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Todd Scores A Direct “Strike” On AC/DC!
Rather than go through track by track, I want to showcase several songs that encapsulate just how great this album is, beginning with this big, brash rocker!
“Strike” sounds like any number of AC/DC songs – both in its energy as well as its heavy drum, bass and terrific guitar work!
Here is Todd’s blistering live performance from David Letterman’s show.
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I love that Letterman was always a supporter of Todd’s music…here is a great performance from the show in 1990, along with some fun conversation with Dave afterwards!
Todd was on Letterman repeatedly, always being treated with the utmost respect:
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A fan did an amazing job of showcasing Todd’s 30 years on Letterman’s various shows – you can see the video here:
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Another terrific song on the album is “Afraid” – great guitar work, and strong hook and great lyrics as well:
“It must feel pure to be so sure
About every little thing
But there’s no cure for that angst of yours
That tugs at you like a string
Because you’re afraid, afraid to know
To know the answer
‘Cause you’re afraid that it will burn
You’re afraid to learn”
Here is a great live performance from Philadelphia 2009:
Thanks to “Shovelhead1979” for posting this terrific video on YouTube!
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“Courage”
This has all the earmarks of a mainstream Todd pop hit, with terrific lyrics as well:
“Every once in a while you’ll see
Things are not what they seem to be
Like the moment you saw through me
Ah, but when push comes to shove
I had lost the thing I love
When I lost the courage of my convictions
(Courage of my convictions)…”
Here is a live version from 2012 – what a great song:
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“Weakness”
This is one of my favorite Todd songs: a bluesy ballad with a crunchy wrapper…check out this music video, where he sets up the song just that way:
Finally, here is a live performance of “Today”, part of his “GLOBAL” tour – it’s part of a three part live performance – “Today” into “One World” and then “Future”…
This is a Todd album I dip into every so often to remember all of the great music on it…here is the review of the entire album on “Allmusic.com”:
http://www.allmusic.com/album/arena-mw0000799322
Todd’s new album is terrific, with a number of great duets, including one with my favorite, Daryl Hall:
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Here is a look at the new music video for their song “Chance For Us”:
It’s from the terrific new album “White Knight”:
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Bravo to Todd for all the press he is getting for the new music.
Todd has gone through many phases in his career, including a very cyber period:
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I have a signed VHS of his “Live In Siberia” – see that here:
Let me know your favorite “Arena” songs!
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