Global

I own one copy and sent a copy to a friend.

Ok guys, deep breath -- if you've been with Todd this long on the journey, you pretty much know to expect the unexpected, and Todd as usual has delivered the unexpected (yet familiar) brand of "Toddness" that makes him such a unique artist.Having listened to Global now about a half dozen times, here is my take:1. Less experimental in many ways than State -- this one has more basic grooves and simpler, more accessible song structures.2. A few stand out tracks for me, like "Rise" "Skyscraper" or "Holyland" exemplify the stripped-down, catchy songcraft on display here -- rhythmic with fundamental call and response harmonics.3. I love love love love "Soothe" -- a classic Todd ballad that for some reason for me recalls his ballads from Oblivion -- I'm thinking "Maybe I Could Change," "If I Didn't Try" or "I Will Wait." Anyone else hear that? (BTW in "Soothe" I feel Todd is directly speaking either to or for me -- a feeling I've pleasantly had many times before with this brilliant songwriter.)4. He's done the global concern theme effectively before (Gaya's Eyes?) yet I like the consistency and tone of the appeals to humanity throughout this album.5. He doesn't like organized religion much (I'm pretty sure you already knew that).6. He's 66 and still creating, living, and bringing fresh sounds and energy into the world.BRING THE TOUR!!

I've always loved Todd's shape shifting.The constant reinvention of himself, his music, the bands is, to me, what brilliant creators do. They can't just repeat their past. They're the philosophers stone, to use a alchemical metaphor. Whatever they touch will change into something else. And what they're touched by will trigger them to continue their magnum opus of continuous exploration and experiments. That means that they will create a wide variety of often wildly different shapes and forms. It's very understandable some people will love some of those shapes and forms, but feel alienated when you produce something that doesn't even look (or sound) like what you loved. It just means you're a fan of a certain type of music. But when you love Todd, you're also a fan of his magnum opus enjoying the experiments. You're looking forward to what will hit you next.Two years ago I posted a review of 'State' saying it sounded like Todd thinking out loud. 'Global' is the next stage of that experiment. I've listened to it about fifteen times this week. The first time around at least five songs produced a big smile and butterflies in my stomach. By now I just lllllove everything about it. Great rhythms, wonderful deep bass, melodies that linger on in my head when I fall asleep (ok I might be playing it too much), nice lyrics, many musical details that you'll discover when you listen to it with your headphones on, all kinds of musical styles that are brilliantly woven together, a variety of emotions from laughing out loud, via being moved to rage.Can't be happier.

At this point in his life --- hey, in my life too --- I'm just happy to hear Todd Rundgren still making music. No, it's better to say that I'm thrilled that he's still making music, and making music that's very good. Songs with honesty and energy and emotion and soul, and all with lyrical backbone to them all too.No, this isn't classic "Something/Anything" Todd, but I wouldn't expect that at this point in time. I actually like the way he's fusing electronic elements in his songs, giving his musical palette yet more shades to work with. This guy is a master at what he does and enjoy hearing the results. A very satisfying album. I won't bore you with a rundown of all the songs; there are some good ones, a few great ones and maybe a couple that don't really get off the ground, but in Todd's hands it all merges to form a pleasing album. Yes, an album; a set of songs. Something that I prefer hearing, as opposed to downloading single tracks.So, a toast to Todd! Long may he keep making good and daring albums like this one. I'll keep buying them.

One simply MUST see the current live show on tour to fully appreciate this one! Some have said that he basically phoned this one in, and at first, it is easy to agree with. However, this music is so different that after seeing it played live tonight. I can honestly say that Todd put his heart and soul into this very innovative album. It is not his fault that many old time fans just don't get it. The only two cuts that I don't like are Earth Mother and the "single" called Rise, so it loses one star in my rating for this. By the way, from the reaction of fans after the show to meet him, Everybody should be the single. This was the best show out of 14 that I have seen him do since my first time in December of 1973 with the original Utopia. Nothing will ever top that for various undisclosed reasons! It was a joy to spend time with the extended Todd family of more than 40 years.

This album/cd is a Todd-R production of original EDM (Electronic Dance Music) project which is not abad album after a few listens to it. The said album/cd wears on you after a while to be honest with youI actually think his album/cd before Global which was entitled "State" which is also an EDM styleproject was a better album/cd but hay that is just my opinion however Global is also a good album/cdas well & worth adding to ones Todd-R musical concepts & projects as they say about Todd-R's Musicone does not know what Todd-R is going to make next/do next which makes his musical ideas certainlyoriginal & unique & different from the mainstream music out there that is for sure & also even his mostrecent musical project an album/cd entitled "White Knight" is also a unique musical project along thesame EDM theme with other Artists participation for example Daryl Hall (I like that song) Joe Walsh nota bad song & a Joe Satriani tune entitled "This Is Not A Drill" is not a bad song as well are to name buta few of all different style Artists who make up the rest of the album/cd which is also another uniqueTodd-R project in-fact Todd is unique in more ways than one & I'm also looking forward to his up &coming musical project entitled "Utopia Out of Retirement" LOL I'm kidding in actual fact Todd-Ralong with Kasim Sulton & John 'Willie' Wilcox & an up & present day sound keyboard player fromIsrael are soon doing a tour of the States reliving the past unique sound of 'Utopia' without Singrin& The Glass Guitar which goes on for over twenty minutes & Todd is now a Pensioner so we can'texpect him to start to clime up an over ten feet tall pyramid shaped tower like back in 1977 the'RA' Tour Days no that would be unreasonable & un-appropriate however I wish them the updated& fresh new 'Utopia' all the best & hopefully it turns out to be a successful project in more waysthan one with who knows perhaps a future wider Global range of a tour of the updated style Utopia& with also a album/cd & a DVD to be made as well of the said new & updated Utopia AdventureTour one can read about this if one Googles the words Todd Rundgren you will see it under Todd'slatest project anyway to get back to this review of Global CD/Album it's worth the purchase price& a unique album/cd to add too ones collection my rating 7/10 enjoy sincerely JJM :-) :-)

In trying to stay "with it" has he made a boring album? Well maybe, but it does still have the "Todd" sound in here. His fans I'm sure will think he can do no wrong and possibly he can't, but this does boarder on weak, although the songs do have a strong feel to them.The rhythm machine is in full swing with many electronic appliances in evidence, plus authentic instruments as well, of course. This is not to say it's a bad thing as they suit the music. But at times it actually lingers in the eighties electric movement.I have to say that I've aways loved to move within music and I had hope Todd Rundgren's new release would have done the same, but alas it falls well short in my book.There is a great DVD that comes with this release, some may say self indulgent, but I think he has enough fans to really appreciate this. It is fun and has a relaxing feel, with a gig at a small club type venue, concluding with a pleasant interview at the end.I still like his attitude to life and his lyrical content is as always on the money, (hippieisam lives here, just), but he seems lost in his musical direction unless you yourself are still there with him, in which case you may still like this project as it does have merit.

Don't let the three stars put you off this new release from TR - it's a very welcome addition to your 'late period' Todd collection. Fitting very nicely alongside 'Liars' and ''State', it serves to prove that the man is in a rich vein of form, serving up another concoction of highly listenable and downright catchy tunes that get into your head and have the habit of staying there long after you thought they might. 'Evrybody', 'Flesh and Blood' and 'Holyland' get the set off to a very upbeat start, slowed down by 'Blind' and then picked up again by the funky 'Earth Mother'.So far, so good.'Global' - to these ears - seems misplaced in the running order, being a bit clunky but then along comes 'Soothe You'. The standout track of the whole album. Classic era TR with a modern twist yet about two minutes too short by my estimation. And therein lies my reservation. Weaker songs (completely subjective opinion of course) that follow - 'Fate', 'Skyscraper' and especially 'This Island Earth'. leave a real sense of anti-climax for me .I suppose I could say the album runs out of steam and falters to a conclusion. And maybe that's what it's creator intended. Who knows? And of course, that's what makes TR such an intriguing artist.

the CD is OK, see other's reviews, but I went through exra length to get the (Europe only ?) edition with the extra DVD, containing a live concert from 2012.the DVD disappoints compared to 'An evening with Todd, live at Ridgefield'(2015) his voice is not in great shape here in this small club, also a lot of talk on politics, I agree with him, but don't need this for more than one time to hear.

Much more hit than miss, Todd here is at his eccentric best. A few missteps, but then the genius shines through. Still a wizard and a true star.