Daggerzine.com grooves on the “Two Track Mind” LP – November 2019
I know Los Angeles power popper Herfindal has been as it for a long time both recording his own stuff as well as writing for other folks. He was in a band called The Meadows which I liked (what little I’d heard) and I really enjoyed his last full-length 2013’s Right Here Now. For this new record Herfindal wrote about a third of the songs on his own, 5 of the songs are co-written with Fiona Kernaghan and 4 were co-written with (DAGGER favorite) Rich McCulley and Herfindal himself plays most everything on here (which I always find quite impressive). Though like McCulley he has been embraced by the power pop community Herfindal, like McCulley goes for a dark, more rootsy sound. Not that there’s not plenty of hooks and energy to be found here, there is, but both seem to be operating on a deeper level here. With a handful of slow burners (like the great “Masquerade”). Herfindal himself is equally adept as playing, arranging, producing and as Two Track Mind flows nicely and sounds like a true album (not patched together). Elsewhere, “Bound for the Sun” is a bit more direct while “She’s a Chemical” has this great sway and swing to it as does the terrific, soaring “Fate.” The guy is not a household name and probably never will be, but the guy is a serious talent. Two Track Mind is well worth your time and then some.
Babysue.com rates “Two Track Mind” a Top Pick – Highly recommended – October 2019
Two Track Mind is an excellent example of what hugely popular pop music ought to sound like in 2019. Todd Herfindal is back with another mind boggling collection of super smart heady guitar pop that’s bound to push your consciousness straight up into the clouds and beyond. We went totally ape over this guy’s music when we first heard him a few years back. Unlike some folks who lose their initial spark over time, the opposite is happening with this man. The magical magnetic qualities in his music just keep getting brighter and more focused. Two Track Mind is easily one of the best pop albums released in 2019. There’s just no question about it. All of Herfindal’s talents combine to make this one an obvious top pick. He’s a top notch songwriter, musician, producer, engineer, and vocalist. And this time around he’s really outdone himself in every category. These songs have cool soaring qualities that are instantly friendly and absorbing. To quote from his own website, Todd says this album ”…explores two emotional tracks: dark verses light…how darker emotions collide with pure joy.” That’s a good way of summing things up here. Average artists merely write lyrics and melodies. The truly exceptional artists are the ones who can effectively communicate with their listeners on a higher level. And on this album, Herfindal does just that. These tracks are instantly catchy and hummable. They also have a great deal of substance and excitement threaded into them. If we could change any one thing about this album…we wouldn’t change anything. This guy has totally hit the target dead center. He may not be a household name…yet. But his devoted fans already know what others will realize as years pass by. It’s only a matter of time before this guy’s career really busts loose. Killer cuts include “Sweet and Low (Get That),” “Fate,” “Dead End Road,” “Bright White Light,” and “Bound for the Sun.” Highly recommended.
Powerpop News – August 1st, 2019
Way back in 2013, Todd Herfindal (formerly of The Meadows) released one of the year’s best power pop records, Right Here Now. Finally, after 6 years, we have a follow up. Two Track Mind is a little less poppy on first listen but the album certainly has its charm – and more than a few mighty hooks, too.
More roots rock than its predecessor, one can still hear the Tom Petty / Traveling Wilbury’s influence at various points. “Lucky One” is an extremely catchy song and a perfect example. “Bound for the Sun” is another winner while the bluesy “She’s a Chemical” is the album’s highlight for me. Even the guitar solo speaks to me.
Every track here is a keeper. You can get a digital copy of Todd Herfindal’s Two Track Mind at his Bandcamp page. Want Two Track Mind on CD? Go to Kool Kat Musik. You don’t want to miss this one.
Absolute Powerpop – July 26th, 2019
Todd Herfindal-Two Track Mind. It’s been a long wait but ex-Meadows frontman Todd Herfindal is back with a new album, his first since 2013’s Right Here Now. As always Herfindal is ably assisted by longtime collaborator Rich McCulley, who plays on and co-wrote several of the tracks here, and Two Track Mind is another collection of his roots-infused power pop. Opener “Bright White Light” has a “Wanted Dead or Alive” vibe to it, and “Muddy Water” is a stomping rocker while “Lucky One” has the signature Tom Petty-influenced sound of The Meadows. Other standouts include the midtempo “Bound for the Sun” and the straight-up power pop of “Sweet and Low (Get That)”. A welcome return.
Babysue/LMNOP – August 28th, 2013
Todd Herfindal – Right Here Now Like getting in on the ground floor before everyone else? If so…you owe it to yourself to check out Todd Herfindal’s way cool guitar pop. We went nuts over this guy’s last album Collective…and Right Here Now once again hits the target dead center. If you’re a fan of classic radio pop, Herfindal’s purely positive upbeat pop tunes will no doubt blow you away. This guy’s upbeat songs are guaranteed to put you in a good mood…no matter what’sgoing on in your life. Todd has a great knack for constantly coming up with great soaring melodies and heartfelt lyrics…and the songs are presented simply without the addition of any unnecessary ingredients…which allows the listener to concentrate on the inherent substance contained within. Most artists would be willing to sell their souls to come up with one great song. Herfindal…manages to come up with twelve (?!!) here…all of which could easily be transformed into hugely popular hits if all the pieces were to fall into place as they should. Great songs, killer vocals, and a totally fantastic overall vibe…what more could you ask for? Our initial favorites this time around are “Keeping Me Up Nights,” “Right Here Now,” “You Might Just Make It,” and “Tomorrow’s An Ocean”…but in actuality all of these songs are sure to end up being favorites over time. Highly recommended… TOP PICK.
Powerpopaholic.com – July 29th, 2013
Todd Herfindal “Right Here Now”
On his 2nd album Todd Herfindal plays solid roots oriented power pop, and . . makes it sound great. Starting with “Keeping Me Up Nights” it’s a sweet jangling melody along the lines of Tom Petty. “She Can Run” and “More Than I” lean more alt. country, but are also up-beat and memorable. Some singles in this collection have been previously released, but they fit like a glove with the newer material.
The environmental anthem “Shine Shine” is another big standout, along with “Closer To Home.” After the mid-point, a bit more slide guitar becomes prominent on “Everything Is Yours” and “You Might Just Make It.” Many talented sidemen (McCulley, Adam Marsland, Will Kimbrough, Ryan Bradley, etc.) keep the sound rich and pitch perfect. Overall, no filler here as fans of Americana styled roots rock will absolutely love this.
Absolutepowerpop.com – July 26, 2013
Todd Herfindal-Right Here Now. Todd Herfindal, the Ex-Meadows frontman and longtime running mate of the recently reviewed Rich McCulley, is back with his second full-length solo album and it’s another fine collection of roots-influenced power pop. A handful of these tracks were already released as singles and reviewed earlier, but they fit together even better with the whole of the album. The midtempo “Keeping Me Up Nights” kicks thing off with aplomb, while “She Can Run” is janglly bliss. The middle three of “Gratitude”, “Shine Shine” and the title track are just as melodic as I remember them from the singles release, and the wonderful acoustic-based “Closer to Home” makes a nice complement to the Tom Petty-ish “Hang the Stars”. Herfindal manages once again to make it all sound effortless.
Twangville.com -Mayer Danzig’s May/June 2013 playlist
Shine Shine, Todd Herfindal (from the self-released Right Here Now)
The L.A. based Herfindal straddles the line between power pop and Americana. His well-crafted songs mix the uplifting spirit of the former with the healthy jangle of the latter. His latest release is kinda perfect for your summer listening pleasure, chock full of songs that shimmer and, well, shine.
DAGGERZINE … 01.09
“This is the solo debut form The Meadows co-frontman Herfindal and while I like the one Meadows disc I heard I think this tops it. The 11 songs on here veer between ebullient power pop (”Air I’m Breathing”, “Waiting on the Sun”, etc ) to rootsier stuff ala Tom Petty and his Heartbreakers on cuts like “Finally Movin’ On” and the pensive, “Won’t Look Back.” The guy can write a fine pop tune and his small army of contributors add to the proceedings. I dig this.”
CRACKED MAGAZINE … 12.08
“Gladly I am reminded again and again that the West Coast rock sound is still alive, and not only by overhyped posterboy-bands like Incubus. This sound that has feelings and emotions, grand arrangements, real issues amidst abounding harmonies and that doesn’t find a contradiction between honesty and a chorus that makes it 100 % fit for radio airing. Maybe that is why Todd Herfindal has his head in the clouds. But in between he strums his electric guitar in front of a full blown band, strikes the chorus harmonies perfectly and always has the correct timing and structure for the bridge or the guitar solo. Most songs on “collective” are in midtempo and are great to listen to while driving, dreaming of the highway. There are some ballads thrown in for good measure. I don’t know, because I have never been there long enough to find out, but there are probably a few thousand people like Todd Herfindal in Los Angeles alone (and then double that number in Nashville), but on the other hand there are eleven songs on here, all of which would be chart hits for other, better known bands (with names like Matchbox 20 or the like). On the third hand (if that is a correct saying…) it would be great to sit in a small roadside cafe in the evening and listen to Todd and his band play while people are enjoying themselves. Check the credits of the pop-records you buy in the future and you might find the name Herfindal in there..”
AMPLIFIER MAGAZINE … 11.29.08
“From the first power chord, Todd Herfindal blows away the winter blues with lovey-dovey pop rock that’s guaranteed to glue a smile to your face. Most notably a member of Los Angeles’ The Meadows, Herfindal’s debut solo album, Collective, is an establishing move. The tracks are fluid as Herfindal blazes through addictive hooks and playful melodies one can’t help but hum along to.”
BIG TAKEOVER MAGAZINE … #63
“Collective is a not-so-surprisingly cohesive set of melodic mid-tempo songs. . .a must for anybody who’s got anything by Matthew Sweet (circa Girlfriend)”
POWERPOPAHOLIC … 10.09.08
“It took a while, but I finally got to The Meadows frontman, Todd Herfindal, and his solo release of songs called ‘Collective.’ Rather than be a collective of odds and ends from the excellent Meadows album, it stands on its own as a straight ahead pop/rock album. The style doesn’t fall far from the Meadows tree however, the opener ‘Air I’m Breathing’ has an slick pop sheen with a very catchy chorus that falls between Tom Petty-Counting Crows rock and a dash of Crowded House pop. It’s a great message too, ‘I won’t waste another day on little things that don’t mean nothing.’ The guitars’ flexible riffs make the song “Waiting on the Sun” sound great, and this one most resembles Counting Crows. ‘Won’t Look Back’ is an excellent ballad about your best female friend. Another standout is ‘Forget It All Again’ a classic modern rock track that will please fans of The Honeydogs. Not a bad track on the album. One of the most accessible and good-natured albums I’ve heard all year.”
BabySue/LMNOP … 09.30.08
“A nice direct hard fix of cool ultra-catchy guitar pop. Probably best known as a member of the Los Angeles, California-based band The Meadows, singer/songwriter/multi-instrumentalist Todd Herfindal presents his first solo album. And it’s a total hit here in babysueland.
Herfindal writes some amazingly lovable tunes and he’s got an incredibly magnetic voice. Add in some wonderful arrangements and appropriately slick production…and you have a batch of tunes that just begs to be turned up full blast. Folks seeking ultra-artsy weirdo pop should be advised that this guy is not creating oddball underground slop. Virtually every tune on this album sounds like a commercial hit. Now in most cases in our little corner of the internet, that would be the ultimate swipe. But in this case, no swipe is intended.
These tracks recall great hit tunes from the 1970s and 1980s…when at least on occasion great songs could still become hugely popular. (In the twenty-first century this is, sadly, no longer the case.) We can’t find anything to complain about here. Collective is, in a word, great. Killer catchy cuts include “Air I’m Breathing,” “Waiting On The Sun,” “Here We Are,” and “If I Hesitate.” A truly nifty breath of fresh air. Recommended. (Rating: 5++)”
Absolute Power Pop … 10.01.08
“It’s always a treat to get great music from an unexpected source, and after The Meadows put out their fine First Nervous Breakdown earlier this year, I figured that we’d hear from them again in a couple of years. But the wait only took about 8 months, as Meadows co-frontman Todd Herfindal has released his solo debut, and it’s of a piece with the two Meadows disc, especially First Nervous Breakdown.
Collective is a bit of logical progression from the first two Meadows discs, as Breakdown was a bit more roots rock-oriented than the debut, and here Herfindal goes full bore into the Gin Blossoms-meet-Tom Petty vibe. This becomes apparent right off the bat with the ebullient “Air I’m Breathing” which shows off his melodic gifts in a heartland rocker that even features some tasteful horn backing. “Finally Movin’ On” demonstrates the knack Herfindal had for the big chorus that he showed in The Meadows, and the laid-back “Waiting on the Sun” continues the Midwest-meets-California vibe. Elsewhere, standouts include the mildly Beatlesque “Forget It All Again”, the rocking “Jaded” and the ballads “Won’t Look Back” and “This Is a Love Song”. Collective closes in grand fashion with “If I Hesitate”, an anthemic number that starts off slow and builds to a big payoff. If you enjoyed either of The Meadows’ two releases, this one’s a no-brainer.”
BILL’S MUSIC FORUM … 09.19.08
“OK, it is official. Todd Herfindal (Her-fin-doll) is my new songwriting hero. The Meadows frontman releases this 11 track set of solo tunes aptly titled, “Collective” on September 29 and fans of shimmering jangle pop everywhere need to take note.
As with most debut solo releases, you kind of fear that the tunes may just be stray leftovers that were not up to snuff for their band. This is certainly not the case with the tunes on “Collective”, each one is capable of standing up to the quality of any track on the Meadows CDs. Having released two full-length Meadows CDs and now this solo CD (not counting his numerous collaborations) since 2004, he is one of the most prolific singer/songwriters of the day. More impressive than that, I do not believe I’ve ever heard a bad song penned by Herfindal.
Despite being a literal collection of songs from over the years that for some reason or other did not find their way onto a Meadows CD, “Collective” plays seamlessly like a premeditated full-length studio project. The CD is entirely consistent and works well as a cohesive release. As a whole, the material is not too different than The Meadows, so we’re talking sounds like The Jayhawks, Tom Petty, and the more rocking side of Counting Crows. Herfindal has one of the best voices for this genre of music, with great instincts on when to throw in a growl and when to let things simmer.
“Air I’m Breathing” is a wonderful way to start the CD – Todd’s voice is always like a blast of fresh air, and the lyrical theme is a great daily affirmation: “I won’t waste another day on little things that don’t mean nothing”. “Waiting on the Sun” is another bright spot – a little more laid back with some greasy slide guitar and gleeful harmonies. “Won’t Look Back” is a classic Herfindal ballad and his emotive vocal instincts soar above the lush string accompaniment. We leap back to foot stomping, sing-a-long action with “Forget It All Again”, which laments “Maybe someday we’ll learn half of what we need to know and forget it all again by tomorrow”. “This Is A Love Song” is a beautiful acoustic driven ballad with another subdued, but brilliant vocal performance. “Here We Are” showcases his alt-country side, a happy romp featuring some tastefully placed accordion, brush drumming, and gentle strumming. One of my favorite tracks, “So Let Me In” features one of the funkiest verse grooves I’ve heard Herfindal write – their juxtaposition with the super melodic chorus works perfectly and highlights this man’s skill as a songwriter. iPOD-worthy: all tracks…seriously!”