New TOTO Release Coming Soon

[PocketPlayer]

November 1st 2005: Exclusive (P)review of "Falling In Between"


TOTO Lineup:
Steve Lukather - Guitars and Vocals
David Paich - Keyboards and Vocals
Greg Phillinganes - Keyboards and Vocals
Mike Porcaro - Bass
Simon Phillips - Drums
Bobby Kimball - Vocals

From TOTO's Webmaster (I think):
Although the entire record is not mixed yet, we had the chance to listen to 6 tracks currently in their "final" mix. But the work is far from done on any of them. However, to give you a first impression of what to expect, here is Webmaster Steve McVey's - of course totolly personal - review:

"HOLY SH*T! FAN-F*CKING-TASTIC.

While a truly subjective opinion, this record has lived up to its hype. It IS what Luke said it would be -- something totally different. I think it compares best to Mindfields, and before some of you groan, let me qualify that. THIS is the record many people were hoping for with Mindfields. I don't think Mindfields is a bad record by any stretch of the imagination, but Falling In Between is like the "aged wine" of Mindfields. In Mindfields, each track fit into a different genre of music -- Country Rock for No Love, Bluesy High Price of Hate, popy Cruel, ballad Last Love.... With Falling In Between, there's really no way to classify any one song. SECTIONS, but these individual tracks offer layer upon layer, and just when you think you've got it figured out, Toto rips the rug out from underneath you. This record is full of surprises and some truly inspiring stuff.

I'll go through each track individually and try and give you a preview.

FALLING IN BETWEEN: a REALLY cool title track. This track comes in around 4 minutes. A way cool song, there are elements of this track that almost sound "mid-eastern" particularly through the Chorus -- for whatever reason, I kept thinking of egyptian pyramids. I can't really explain why other than the tone and the instruments, but I think you may draw the wrong inferences from that. It's still very mainstream stuff -- guitar, piano, keys... but there's just a tiny element that gives the chorus the slightest eastern hint. Bobby handles the leads on this track, a very strong rhythm guitar from Luke in the background. Great organ and piano work here. Steve Porcaro adds some cool keyboards, and there's a long instrumental outro that really rounds this song out well.

DYING ON MY FEET: Coming in at a shade over 6 minutes, this is another Bobby vocal, some (but very little) shared with Luke. Cool guitar/piano combo throughout the verses. The highlight for me in this song is the instrumental break. You think you could guess where it's going, but this is one of the tracks that Toto really surprises -- TOTALLY awesome break, during this I know I would be up goin nuts during a live gig. I definitely got goosebumps when I heard it. The song outros with some help from the Chicago Horns, TOTALLY awesome and groovy -- really does well to round the song out.

BOTTOM OF YOUR SOUL: the much-anticipated return of Joe Williams......is nothing short of inspiring. When Luke first called this song Africa 2, I wasn't sure what to expect....but let me get to that in a bit. This song is without a doubt my favorite track that I've heard, so I've got a lot to say about it.
So the track starts out with some heavy percussion from Lenny Castro -- Simon is very quiet throughout the beginning. The percussion reminds me a bit of Africa blended with I Will Remember -- steady, but far from simple. Some great, atmospheric keyboards from Steve Porcaro and some cool piano from Paich start out, with Luke on lead vocals. The song starts out very sad, very mellow, almost painful (sad-painful)..... and then the chorus hits, and we hear Joe giving a VERY strong vocal.... The Chorus is f*cking AMAZING. The song completely transforms into something that keeps the same nostalgic sadness but elevates into a hopeful tone, of someone who lost something important to them but finds solace and happyness in the memory of how good things were -- lyrics and musical tone match perfectly. There's a great keyboard/acousic/piano instrumental break in this song that adds to the atmosphere. The song ends in a fantastic vocal play, almost like tribal chants with Joe and Luke once again taking the lead.
Do we have a song that will get some radio play here? Well, right now it's about 7 and a half minutes long, so we'll need a radio edit. Africa 2?? Well some history for me first.... I first heard Africa when I was either 2 or 3 years old, and ever since that moment, I've gotten goosebumps EVERY TIME I've heard it.....and it was the vocals, the phenomenal harmony in the chorus, that drew me to this band. My whole life, I've never found a song that has quite "moved" me like Africa. So when Luke called this track Africa 2, I was skeptical and excited at the same time. And god DAMN am I satisfied. Joe and Luke are f*cking AWESOME on this track. The chorus line/harmonies are exceptional. This song is FULL of emotion, of atmosphere, and I just CAN NOT get enough of it right now. While the verses feature mostly Lenny without Simon (who is very quiet, almost like Jeff, sitting back and letting the percussion drive the song) but on the Chorus, Simon explodes onto the scene -- rounded out with keys, guitar, piano..... It's SOOOO damn good. I wish I was a musician so I could really put it into terms for all of you to really "get it." But I am so damn happy with this song, that I just guess I can't form the words to properly express my feelings on it. I'm sure that when Will posts his thoughts he'll be able to articulate better than I can.

HOOKED: Very heavy bass/guitar track with Bobby on leads (some of Luke too). You can hear Paich a bit on very low vocals as well doubling with Luke and Bobby. Comes in a shade under 5 minutes, has a really pumping chorus track. Heavy organ rounds out the guitar and bass, and the Horns re-appear for a bit as while. There's some funky flute/piccolo action going on -- not sure if that's Stevie P working his magic or if they brough someone in.

A SIMPLE LIFE: 2 mins, 30 seconds.....and I can't begin to tell you how much this song leaves you wanting more. This is a very slow Luke ballad until the chorus explodes out of the speakers. Great acoustic work with piano... The chorus reminds me a bit of Better World with the loud ahhs....this song has a fantastic production. I heard it for the first time back in May and now hearing it in its "finished" (not really) state is truly awesome. This is the second obvious choice for a single -- mostly because it's MY second favorite song. ahahahhahahaha

TAINT YOUR WORLD: STOP THE PRESSES! We have the first official appears of the F-BOMB on one of Toto's releases! DO WE NEED A PARENTAL ADVISORY HERE? hahahahaha A VERY strong, rockin Bobby vocal. GREAT Chorus, excellent harmony, runs about 4 minutes. This is definitely a tune to get the crowd up and moving. Some great funky drums and guitar in the instrumental break and the song finally rounds out with a rocking Luke solo doubled over with keys..... REALLY cool tune.

And so.... those are the 6 tracks I've heard. I'm SOOOOO friggin jazzed right now and SOOO excited to hear the rest of this record. It's a winner folks. It's certainly exceeded my expectations, and the more I listen to it, the more I find to love. Trust me when I tell you that this record will take several listens -- I'm still finding little licks that are soooo friggin cool. The record shows Toto stretching their legs a lot -- they've gone all out.... and they deliver.

I hope you all dig it as much as I do."

http://www.toto99.com/index1.html

<font color="#a62a2a" size="1">[ November 02, 2005 09:54 AM: Message edited by: PocketPlayer ]</font>

[Jean-Paul]

I dig it, and I have tickets already for the European tour [img]tongue.gif[/img]

[Morgenthaler]

Awesome PP!!!!!!
I can't wait to hear the record!
Wow, you lucky[......]you!

Thanks!

[moosetication]

Oh boy. Try keeping me away from the Apollo next February.

[Suspiria]

That's fantastic news. I've been digging on old Toto material a lot lately.

[mkabal]

I'm a huge toto fan!!! The latest toto cd I have is Kingdom of Desire with Jeff. I love that cd a lot!!! Toto kind of lost my interest since Jeff died. At least we have the music he left behind. I loved Jeff's sound and feel!!! Man was that guy special. Is this new CD as good as KOD?

[mkabal]

I'm a huge toto fan!!! The latest toto cd I have is Kingdom of Desire with Jeff. I love that cd a lot!!! Toto kind of lost my interest since Jeff died. At least we have the music he left behind. I loved Jeff's sound and feel!!! Man was that guy special. Is this new CD as good as KOD?

[Jean-Paul]

Probably not since JP is not playing on it [img]wink.gif[/img] But the live concerts with Simon are great too, his playing has changed since he hooked up with Toto. Still looking forward to this new recording.

[PocketPlayer]

Kingdom of Desire RULES! A must for every groove fan. There is so much great music that has not gotten commercial play and popularity is just sick...all the more reason HOD and forums like this are essential to REALLY hear what's been recorded.

I understand the non-Jeff TOTO stuff. Simon is great and the writing is still TOTO which is amazing. Jeff was Jeff, and Simon is Simon. I like that he didn't try to be another "Jeff" in the band, but they said we want Simon. Jeff was an individual with an individual voice we all strive for. He was Jeff and we all know him as Jeff...that's the signature I think we all dig.

When I saw TOTO last year it was amazing, especially with Bobby back. He sounded as good as ever with the band. Luke seems to be the clear leader. Also, Greg Phillinganes, who just sat in on the CA show is now part of TOTO. Steve Porcaro is still involved in recording parts for them.

When they do a show here in So Cal, it should be a major HOD event...just a thot.

[Morgenthaler]

@Mkabal: If you have never ever heard the drumsound on "I will remember" from 'Tambu', the album they did after Jeffs passing, You are in for a treat! Buy it...take it to your local HIFI store and turn it on as loud as your allowed. The intro is SO cool.
The album is a great piece of work, with a few REALLY great songs onit. Simon is doing a hell of a job. PP is totally right, Simon is Simon and he is not trying to be anytone else.