Todd Rundgren Covers Meat Loaf on New Album

[madagascar]

It’s one of the more interesting approaches to a covers record. Todd Rundgren has put together an album of his versions of songs that he’s produced for other artists during the past few decades. According to an interview he did with PopMatters, Rundgren covers Meat Loaf, Cheap Trick, XTC, The Psychedelic Furs, Patti Smith and others on the new album.

“[The album] essentially is new versions of songs that I produced for other people, and they’re mostly all dance versions,” he said. “So I had to do arrangements that were completely unlike the originals; there was simply no point in me aping what I had done already. So all of the songs have some twist, or unique approach to them that makes them not necessarily recognizable at first.”

The album, called (Re)Production, includes XTC’s “Dear God,” Cheap Trick’s “I Can’t Take It,” Meat Loaf’s “Two Out of Three Ain’t Bad,” Patti Smith’s “Dancing Barefoot” and The Psychedelic Furs’ “Love My Way.”

Rundgren has released another covers project involving the songs of Robert Johnson. The title: Todd Rundgren’s Johnson.

Source: http://www.gibson.com/en-us/Lifestyle/News/todd-rundgren-0919-2011/

[samurai7]

I'd love to hear this!

[evil nickname]

Amazon (http://www.amazon.co.uk/re-Production/dp/B005FUJWAY/ref=sr_shvl_album_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1316465095&sr=301-3) has a sample.

[TheDoode]

To all of those who aren't happy with some of the stuff Meat sometimes does: at least he isn't doing this. That was almost painful.

[PanicLord]

Good god. This must be why he didn't get the Bat 3 gig! I have no issue with covers and the album concept is intriguing. But that was excruciating.

[allrevvedup]

doesn't do anything for me...but hey he's trying something different as is Sir Loaf.

If it works great, if not ok...it won't kill their respective legacies

[Evil One]

That was shockingly bad. I'd rather listen to Bonnie Tyler's version. :shock:

[TheDoode]

That was shockingly bad. I'd rather listen to Bonnie Tyler's version. :shock:

I'd rather listen to Bonnie Tyler fart the White album than listen to that again.

[Paul Richardson]

I think Todd is trying too hard to be different from the original songs.

None of the acts he's produced are dance acts, so why take material completely unsuited to dance and try to turn it into something its not ?

Its either an experiment gone wrong or a cynical attempt to cash in. Either way its almost unlistenable.

[AndrewG]

That must be the most awful version of Two out of Three I've ever heard. Any karaoke version is more pleasant to listen to. How this man ever produced Bat is beyond me. His own music downright sucks at times. :barf:

[AndrewG]

To all of those who aren't happy with some of the stuff Meat sometimes does: at least he isn't doing this. That was almost painful.

:up:

[Vickip]

To all of those who aren't happy with some of the stuff Meat sometimes does: at least he isn't doing this. That was almost painful.

:yep:

[Tri.somethin]

Um... That was... Wow. My ears...

[Sebastian.]

To all of those who aren't happy with some of the stuff Meat sometimes does: at least he isn't doing this. That was almost painful.

Almost? It was painful!

[GDW]

Two out of Three (Aint Bad). No Todd it's all bad.:roll:

[nikox1]

not good:(,,

[Evil One]

I think it demonstrates how much input Jim must have had during the recording of Bat Out Of Hell, if Todd thinks that is good. :shrug:

[roomster]

Sorry Todd, but this must be some of the worst thing I have ever heard...

[LucyK!]

Jesus... :shock:

Couldn't listen to more than about 20 seconds. Genuinely shocked that that's come from someone that was involved with Bat...it's like one of those horrific 1980's remixes. Bloody awful.

[evil nickname]

Just for future reference: when an artist does something I don't particularly like, I can use qualifications like "excruciating", "Bonnie Tyler farting the White album would be more pleasurable to listen to" and "bloody awful" without complaint? ;-)

[LucyK!]

As a fan of honest reviews, I would say Yes :))

[nikox1]

I think it demonstrates how much input Jim must have had during the recording of Bat Out Of Hell, if Todd thinks that is good. :shrug:

its not the best thing hes ever done to say the least, but he was a big part of Bat,

[TheDoode]

Just for future reference: when an artist does something I don't particularly like, I can use qualifications like "excruciating", "Bonnie Tyler farting the White album would be more pleasurable to listen to" and "bloody awful" without complaint? ;-)

I'd say yes. Unless it's on a page dedicated to said artist. Then, no ;)

[Wario]

that sounded like my dance remix of FCOL

[melon]

Oh dear :/

[robgomm]

:facepalm:

[roomster]

that sounded like my dance remix of FCOL

Whats become of Loaf, Wario(Loaf)? New nick?

[loaferman61]

Just for future reference: when an artist does something I don't particularly like, I can use qualifications like "excruciating", "Bonnie Tyler farting the White album would be more pleasurable to listen to" and "bloody awful" without complaint? ;-)
It is all relative :D

[loaferman61]

I know everybody always says don't judge by a clip, etc. But if I had to listen to any more of that....

[loaferman61]

I'd say yes. Unless it's on a page dedicated to said artist. Then, no ;)
Why? Meat himself clearly said on camera in a recent interview that people always have their opinion and if you speak out about anything you get lambasted which is just wrong.

[TheDoode]

Why? Meat himself clearly said on camera in a recent interview that people always have their opinion and if you speak out about anything you get lambasted which is just wrong.

Read the comments. There's room for opinion on a site dedicated to the artist, but not for mindless insults. That's just rude.

*looks up at earlier, bonnie tyler related post and winces*

[The Flying Mouse]

:twisted: Just add a rap and a 10 foot wall and that could be the most "interesting" album of all time :facepalm:

[dukesofhazard]

Wow, that is one different interpretation of the song.


And pretty damn bad too!

[samurai7]

D'you think there's Todd fans on a board somewhere bashing people who say these sort of things? Just sayin'... :twisted:

[duke knooby]

D'you think there's Todd fans on a board somewhere bashing people who say these sort of things? Just sayin'... :twisted:

absolutely, he's tried a new musical direction, hasn't stuck with the same formula... a bold new sound... Fantastic!!

damn and curse the detractors who haven't given it a chance, basing their opinions on a clip, do they understand the song... how can you get a feel for a song from a clip that length??? if you don't like the song thats ok, but they have no place on a todd board saying such things

:twisted:

wellllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll

its different lol

[Julie in the rv mirror]

Maybe it was meant to be ironic, or...something? :shrug:

In which case, I don't get it. :|

[suzieq]

On a positive note....I like the artwork of the cd cover. Looks kinda like technosperm.

And Dukeknooby made me laugh very hard at his post....wonder how long you've been waiting to say THAT.

Anyway, I've heard enough of the clip that I won't be downloading it. However, lots of luck and prosperity to Rundgren for taking the risk.

[melon]

On a positive note....I like the artwork of the cd cover. Looks kinda like technosperm..

This is true, I agree with you there....

Anyway, I've heard enough of the clip that I won't be downloading it. However, lots of luck and prosperity to Rundgren for taking the risk.

And here. Good Luck Mr Rundgren.

[duke knooby]

Anyway, I've heard enough of the clip that I won't be downloading it.

i agree :-)

[Kev]

Proper are releasing this in the UK and they sent me the track last week. Its shite as is most of the album. Shocking stuff really.

[Wario]

Proper are releasing this in the UK and they sent me the track last week. Its shite as is most of the album. Shocking stuff really.

its one of those rare instances were the preview is as awful as the record I see.

i guess he wasnt happy with the original arrangement of 2/3. Why else touch it? :shrug:

[AndyK]

i guess he wasnt happy with the original arrangement of 2/3. Why else touch it? :shrug:

Maybe he was completely happy and wanted to try something different with it? What's the point of doing a cover that is exactly like the original? He's an artist not a tribute act.

I've not heard this clip (and not sure I want to after seeing the reaction here), but Todd's own music has pretty much always been polarizing, there's no denying he's a great and under recognised talent. Personally I think he's worked far better making someone elses vision come to life than his breathing life into his own.

[Kev]

Maybe he was completely happy and wanted to try something different with it? What's the point of doing a cover that is exactly like the original? He's an artist not a tribute act.

I've not heard this clip (and not sure I want to after seeing the reaction here), but Todd's own music has pretty much always been polarizing, there's no denying he's a great and under recognised talent. Personally I think he's worked far better making someone elses vision come to life than his breathing life into his own.

That said... this really is shite Andy. It's almost an unsellable product. I'm shocked it has got to the release stage to be honest. I find it hard to believe that a record label has sat down, listened to this and said 'you know what Todd, I think you've a good product here and we can make money on this.'.

Hardly anyone in the UK has taken the album.

[Wario]

Maybe he was completely happy and wanted to try something different with it? What's the point of doing a cover that is exactly like the original? He's an artist not a tribute act.

yeah. though he produced it. So its a tad different

[samurai7]

yeah. though he produced it. So its a tad different

Dude, read the first post in this thread!

[Wario]

[The album] essentially is new versions of songs that I produced for other people

:facepalm:

Imma idiot

[Icepulse]

This album truly blows, but Todd has a TON of honest-to-God amazing solo material.

Listen to his 1973 "A Wizard, A True Star" and 1974's "Todd". These records go where no one else could. A balls-out experemental trip, tempered by a sense of hook-savvy pop and lyrical sublimity that is unrivaled. Second to none, IMHO. His track record is way more reliable than ML's.

Every bit the songwriter that Steinman is.

[loaferman61]

Maybe he was completely happy and wanted to try something different with it? What's the point of doing a cover that is exactly like the original? He's an artist not a tribute act.

I've not heard this clip (and not sure I want to after seeing the reaction here), but Todd's own music has pretty much always been polarizing, there's no denying he's a great and under recognised talent. Personally I think he's worked far better making someone elses vision come to life than his breathing life into his own.

What I found interesting was that on the Classic Albums dvd, Todd played the song at a production or mixing board and showed how in the background he was doing an Eagles style song which sounded amazing. He should have stuck with that. Who would want to listen to this is beyond my comprehension.

[proctorloaf]

Must say, i love that track, Todd is an amazing talent and musical genius his approach is refreshing and from a totally different angle and his vocal is spectacular

[Wario]

Must say, i love that track, Todd is an amazing talent and musical genius his approach is refreshing and from a totally different angle and his vocal is spectacular

You Todd? :lol:

[Dave]

You Todd? :lol:

Todd Who?

[loaferman61]

Must say, i love that track, Todd is an amazing talent and musical genius his approach is refreshing and from a totally different angle and his vocal is spectacular
You forgot the roller coaster. This one definitely had the plunge.

[Mr. Happy]

http://27.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lhx21lPawN1qb68g6o1_500.jpg

O.O