MANUP

Saving the best to last, the final three tracks drive the album home in some style. 'Mountaintop' is tailor made for live performance with its massed guitars and super catchy "higher higher" refrain in the chorus. 'Panic' is classic Rundgren with its whip smart time changes and vocal hooks, and the closing 'MANUP' is a shiny stadium rocker that manages to squeeze in a big guitar solo but does not outstay its welcome. Although there are some who may wish Arena was recorded with a band rather than Rundgren's ususal Protools set-up, which occasionally restrains the more powerful rock tracks, the songwriting continues the rich vein of form that was evident on his last cd 'Liars'. - Nic Oliver http://www.musicomh.com/albums/todd-rundgren-2_0908.htm