Faithful

by Todd Rundgren

Overview

Todd Rundgren considered 1966 the beginning of his professional musical career, largely because the Nazz formed around that time. As a celebration, he recorded Faithful. Presumably, Faithful celebrates the past and the future by juxtaposing a side of original pop material with a side of covers. Actually, "covers" isn't accurate -- the six oldies that comprise the entirety of side one are re-creations, with Rundgren "faithfully" replicating the sound and feel of the Yardbirds ("Happenings Ten Years Time Ago"), Bob Dylan ("Most Likely You Go Your Way and I'll Go Mine"), Jimi Hendrix ("If Six Was Nine"), the Beach Boys ("Good Vibrations") and the Beatles "("Rain," "Strawberry Fields Forever"). All of this is entertaining, to a certain extent, especially since it's remarkable how close Rundgren comes to duplicating the very feel of the originals. Still, it's hard to see it as much more than a flamboyant throwaway, especially when compared with the glorious second side. For the first time since Something/Anything?, Rundgren allows himself to write and -- more importantly -- record straight-ahead pop songs. Certainly, A Wizard, A True Star, Todd and Initiation had their share of great songs, but they weren't delivered as pop songs; they were telegraphed as art. Here, Rundgren delivers pop and rock songs with ease, letting the melodies glide to the forefront. There are embellishments, of course, but the end result is a lushness that's apparent even on the hard rockers. If Rundgren had made all of Faithful originals, it would have been a pure pop masterpiece. As it stands, it's essential for the faithful -- not only for hardcore Toddheads, but for devoted pop fans as well. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine

Product Details

Release Date:	04/12/2024
Label:	Friday Music
UPC:	0829421696407
Rank:	44928

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Todd Rundgren   Primary Artist,Guitar,Vocals
John Siegler   Bass,Cello
Roger Powell   Trumpet,Keyboards
John Wilcox   Drums

Technical Credits

Todd Rundgren   Audio Engineer,Audio Production,Composer,Producer
John Lennon   Composer
Jeff Beck   Composer
Jim McCarty   Composer
Jimi Hendrix   Composer
Mike Love   Composer
Brian Wilson   Composer
Jim McCarthy   Composer
James McCarty   Composer
Keith Relf   Composer
Jimmy Page   Composer
Paul McCartney   Composer
Bob Dylan   Composer