White Knight

This is a typical Todd Rundgren album: as in, you have to listen to it at least four times before forming a judgment. If you do, I am sure the songs will stick with you. The comments on at least one Rundgren board are all over the place. Everybody seems to have a favorite, and almost all songs -- with the possible exception of the satirical "Look at Me" -- have been cited. So clearly there are a lot of songs that have merit.In the trilogy of State, Global, and now White Knight -- not a true trilogy but that's how I'm thinking about it -- I think White Knight is by far the strongest. It's got everything: strong melodies, moving, clever, and sometimes hilarious lyrics -- the Prince-influenced "Buy My T" had me laughing out loud -- and tremendous variety thanks to the various duets. The only thing missing are some blazing solos that, frankly, would have improved a handful of songs.However, I say White Knight is a huge success. Even if you are not a Rundgren completist, I am sure you will find a number of songs on it that will appeal.

Even if you’re not a long term fan of Todd Rundgren I highly recommend this album. Rarely do you find an album with all great songs and this one won’t disappoint. “Chance For Us” with Daryl Hall is a clear standout should be hit and sounds straight out of the 80s. “Sleep” with Joe Walsh reminds me of Todd’s production of the great 80s band XTC. “Tin Foil Hat” with Steely Dan’s Donald Fagen sounds very similar to the band itself but definitely a Todd Rundgren classic. But don’t think it’s just an album featuring classic artists and 80s sounding tunes as Todd tosses in some current guests artists too, like the lovely and sad “That Could Have Been Me” with Robyn, the rhythmic and soulful “I Got Your Back” with KK Watson and DāM Funk. Other stand out songs are the lively and upbeat “Let’s Do This,” “Buy My T-Shirt” and “This Is Not A Drill.” There isn’t a dud in the entire album and as someone has said, “Todd Rundgren is back!”

One of his strongest albums in years, White Knight proves that Todd Rundgren remains an extraordinary talent. It's amazing that his 70-year-old vocal cords remain so supple -- his range, tone and control are flawless despite decade after decade of belting it out. On White Knight his protean talents as a writer, producer, arranger, musician and vocalist are all on full display. I particularly appreciate his collaborations with other artists (including Daryl Hall, Robyn, Donald Fagen, Joe Walsh, Joe Satriani, Moe Berg and Trent Reznor) in a tour-de-force demonstration of varied genres. Buy this album, by all means.

Just got this today and listened to it twice on AutoRip and once in my car after the CD arrived. Right off the bat, I like it way more than State or Global (not a big fan of EDM, but I respect Todd's quest to discover new sounds and I always try to keep an open mind). This is probably Todd's best collection since Liars. I find something to like on every song, and this is a very eclectic group of tunes. I love the song with Moe Berg, Let's Do This, which sounds a lot like a TPOH song. Wish there was more of Moe audible. I immediately liked Sleep, which sounds like it could have been an outake from XTC's Skylarking. Joe Walsh is kind of wasted though, not even one guitar solo. Tin Foil Hat is very funny, featuring Donald Fagan on vocals and keyboards. This would fit comfortably on a solo Fagan album. Todd always sounds great when he teams up with Daryl Hall as he does on Chance for Us. The final song, This is Not a Drill, had my blood pumping. Joe Satriani's shredding sounds great alongside Prairie Prince and Kasim Sulton. I won't go into every song, but they all have much to offer. Some negatives: there is none of the sonic Todd guitar soloing I love so much. Some of the songs feature other artists singing lead rather than Todd, they sound great, but I'd love to hear the tunes done by Todd too. A good deal of the album sounds like other things Todd has done the last twenty years. It has a very digital sound, like most of it was recorded on a laptop. Todd seems to have lost his knack for hooks and ear-worm melodies (the same thing happened to Joni Mitchell, another of my heroes, in her later work). I know Todd will never return to the bouquets of ear-catching melodies he tossed off on Runt, Ballad and S/A, but I long for the complicated melodies, harmonies and spirituality of Initiation, Hermit and Healing. Remember when Todd would layer hundreds of vocals with intricate harmonies, all kinds of little percussion instruments and his interesting style of drumming (with real acoustic drums)? Remember real piano and mind bending guitar solos? Think All the Children Sing, Initiation, Shine, Chant, Drive, Healer, Fair Warning, Fade Away, Woman's World, Fever Broke, God Said. As good as it is (and it's a very respectable effort from Our Hero), nothing on White Knight approaches those highs. Sigh.

Love the variety of performers, styles and commentaries. Todd staying current and on top of his game. No fear with views expressed in the songs. Cannot wait to see him summer of 2022.

It is so exciting to see that special rundren magic still shining through full force. Love all Todds works and this album is amazing. Loved State Global and especially the sublime Runddans but White Knight is pure Rundgren magic while remaining accessible,challenging, and always interesting. Love I Got Your Back, Fiction, Come To Me, Lets Do This, and watch out for the powerhouse Naked And Afraid, And his music can still bring tears with Beggining(Of The End) , That Could Have Me, and Wouldn't You Like To Know. Listen a few times and you will be hooked forever. I love you Todd!

A Chance For Us is worth the release in my opinion.

todd

ottimo album come quasi tutti quelli pubblicati da questo immenso artista.penso sia uno degli artisti (completo tra il resto cantante autore polistrumentistaproduttore) tra i piu' sottovaliuati al mondo.

Une rencontre musicale depuis "Runt" (70), à "A wizard a true star" (73) puis "Utopia" suivi jusqu'a Deface the music (80), avec un artiste auteur compositeur produisant une musique allant de la pop au rock progressif, revisitant le patrimoine musical par de nombreuses interpretations (Beatles, Beach Boys,Hendrix,etc...), sans oublier également une carrière de producteur. Puis un désintérêt de ma part sur les 30 années de carrières suivantes de cet artiste et enfin arrive à mes oreilles "State"(2013) et surtout "White Knight", ou avec de nombreux invités (Donald Fagen,Joe Walsh, Daryl Hall,etc...) il réinvente avec reussite et beaucoup d'éclectisme musical la musique pop américaine avec ce délicieux parfum soul pop qui a souvent été son ADN musical, mais aussi toujours un travail constant sur le son. Il ne me reste plus qu'a remonter le temps à la découverte de pépites musicales car l'artiste est prolifique. Quant à vous je vous souhaite autant de plaisir à l'écoute de "White Knight"

Already it seems the music press can't live with Todd's eclecticism, (on the Web at least).Thanks to amazon auto rip I've been loving this album for a week now and just can't stop playing it.The varied styles/genre hopping, to me at least is this albums strength and in no way it's weakness , as according to some hacks.If they can't appreciate a soul groove followed by a power pop track then they really are in the wrong game.After a few plays the album to my ears flows incredibly well and at the end of the day a good song can hold its own in any company..Todd also has a go at Trump on "tin foil hat" which is where one hack says the album starts to go wrong, hmm, coincidence?Anyhow I think this album is more akin to Liars than his more recent stuff.and if you can handle its eclectic nature you'll love it because it's choc full of really solid tunes.