Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Brilliant, 13 Feb 2006
Those reading this must know who Toto are: world class musicians, session players to the great & the good (and Michael Jackson), and multi-grammy award winners.
This is an interesting album, in that it was made over 10 months, with no label involvement. So some might say it's a bit self-indulgent.
OK, but aren't bands best when they're not trying to please everyone?
This time they've pleased themselves - and made a fantastic album in the process. Production is also excellent
There are 10 tracks, which show past influences but add something extra. Steve Porcaro (keys, arrangements) is back for this one after nearly 20 years, and other guests include Lenny Castro (percussion, played on Toto IV) and Ian Anderson (flute, Jethro Tull).
Falling In Between kicks things off - the heaviest number on the album, almost Dream Theater in places. A seriously powerful vocal from Bobby Kimball, and a de-tuned metal-ish groove with some odd time signatures. The final section is a complex guitar/keys/orchestral theme, very progressive (!).
Dying On My Feet starts off quite laid back and jazzy, then the bridge/chorus doubles the pace, big harmonies, and some heavy guitar stabs, into a spaceous orchestral/guitar melody interlude, then mellow again, with a tasty guitar solo (nice trem bar use). Big band jazz to finish.
Bottom Of Your Soul is the first ballad. Reminds me of Mushanga (Seventh One) meets I Will Remember (Tambu). Some African percussion thrown in later on, and Joseph Williams guesting on vocals. Great stuff.
King Of The World is a more straight-forward commercial rocker, with a David Paich verse and a Kimball chorus. Vague memories of Isolation-era.
Hooked reminds me of some of the slower stuff on Mindfields, with a guitar-led riff, some sampled percussion, a big Kimball chorus plus some gang vocals, horns, and a great guitar break, before Ian Anderson flutes over an instrumental break complete with what sounds like a Steve Porcaro synth solo.
Simple Life is a gorgeous ballad piano lead, passionate chorus - but much too short. Always leave 'em wanting more...
Taint Your World reminds me of...Van Halen! Sort of "Hot for Teacher"-ish, but bigger chorus harmonies, a percussion - dominant instrumental break, and guitar solo to end.
Let It Go gives new boy Greg Phillinganes (keys) a chance at the mike, and very soulful he is too. There's a R&B/funk feel to the track, with jazzy chords, a neat guitar riff, drums very Jeff Porcaro (rip)-like, and a big Toto chorus (half-time). Early album influences show up here. Atmospheric guitar lead, with some flash moments.
Spiritual Man is a ballad that "builds" - Paich takes the lead vocal, over a quiet keys + drums verse, adding guitar stabs, building to a Kimball high with sax lead, and an almost gospel ending with choirs and a guest lead from Tom Scott - very spiritual.
No End In Sight starts slow, with a Lukather vocal, and really gets going for the chorus (Kimball again, great singing). A clever all-band mid section adds an extra bit of interest, and a rousing final chorus to close.
Overall, a very vaired album, which I guess might put some people off, but personally I think this is the best album the band have done for ages, certainly since "Kingdom of Desire", with a fantastic mix of old influences and new ideas, and superb playing/singing/writing. It deserves to do well.
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7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Under Valued, 7 Oct 2006
This is a wonderful album and in terms of overall quality it is the best album TOTO have ever produced. Free from the shackles of record companies TOTO have at last recorded an album that they wanted to do. There is so much variety within the songs and they sound so fresh. The real pity is that TOTO are not given any airplay on national or even local radio so unless you go looking for this album you would never know it existed. Furthermore most people do not even know TOTO are still going and seemed genuinely surprised when I confirm they are.
If TOTO were given the exposure that this album really deserves it would be in the running for 'Album Of The Year' it really is that good... so buy it!
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6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Not a short album, but too short, if you know what I mean?, 22 Jun 2006
O.K. so I'm a fan anyway, but I really defy anyone who's into this sort of music not to appreciate how good this album is. Personally I would rate Toto as one of the most accomplished bands in the world and I think they've bettered their best here.
I was looking forward to this new cd greatly and bought it at the first gig of their recent tour. Surprised to see no David Paich on stage and absolutely no mention of where he was, what he was doing or why he was absent. The new guy on keyboards is of course brilliant, but not so jazzy or charismatic - maybe he's just got to find his feet. Anyway, I digress. I couldn't wait to get the cd on.....and wow!!
Firstly (and I had it turned up pretty loud!) I nearly fell off my chair with the 2 'blows' to Simon's deepest floor tom right at the beginning. Then I sat back and enjoyed a truly astounding album.
Nice heavy one to start, then 'Dying on my feet' just blew me away - several different sections, getting more and more interesting until the wonderful 'Chicago' style horns come in with percussion etc. Wonderful.
I'd like to analyse every number, but that would be boring! there's allsorts on this disc and it's all executed with such panache. Bits of jazz rock of course and some ballady stuff that tugs at the heart strings. Such excellent songs - NO weakness anywhere. Just buy it......you won't be disappointed. Afterall, even I felt moved enough to do an anoraky thing like write a review about it!!!!!
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