Album of the Day

Todd Rundgren's ninth studio set, HEALING was released 40 years ago today, launching the multi-talented performer into the MTV decade (the album's “Compassion” was one of the first videos played on the channel). Like several previous efforts, the Bearsville collection is basically a one-man show, featuring the prodigiously gifted singer-songwriter-producer-instrumentalist on all nine tracks. And like earlier albums, it features both beautiful balladry and power-pop (the sparkling companion single “Time Heals,” included as a bonus track, offers more of the latter). Tasty as the ear candy is here, HEALING is unusually meditative – particularly in the side-long “Healing” suite - this is some of the most spiritual and inspiring music of Todd Rundgren's career.