Call him genius, visionary, or musical pinball, but Todd Rundgren has bounced through most modern musical styles and media technologies with an ever-present flash of light and sound. Throughout a career of more than 35 years spent performing and producing -- production credits include Grand Funk's
We're an American Band, Patti Smith's
Wave, XTC's
Skylarking, Psychedelic Furs'
Forever Now, and Meatloaf's
Bat out of Hell, as well as his own 1972 double-album masterpiece,
Something/Anything? -- Rundgren's ongoing, never bashful experiments have been equal parts self-indulgence and exploration, unquestioningly supported by a base of near-cultish fans.
The month of April brings Liars, yet another concept album and Rundgren's first fully developed studio work in a decade, highlighted on tour with new LED-light-show technology. For better or worse, Rundgren's always in the driver's seat, so strap yourself in and hold onto the handrails.