WORTHY SUCCESSOR ALBUM

(Almost) Ten years is a long time. Much has to Falling in Between (2006), which happens to date last Toto album. Resolution 2008 reestablishment in 2010 and solo albums by mastermind Steve Lukather (last 2013 Transition). Now, finally - again a sign of life in the form of a new album. That the publication of the proclamation of the tragic death of former Toto bassist Mike Porcaro coincides, is a painful fact.

XIV have named their new album Toto. The allusion to their best-known album IV is all too clear. But it is also as good as IV, which was indeed published in 1982 and large with Rosanna, I will not hold you back or Africa Hits included? Let's put it this way: certainly not quite as good, but a worthy follow-up album, it is all.

It is fair to say that it is a typical, almost classic Toto album. Rocky, not quite as ballad as IV, but hits the grade Africa I did not hear out during the first hearing.

On the second pass then I get stuck suddenly, the piece UNKNOWN SOLDIER. A great anthem. And in the ballad BURN crawling so beautiful with piano accompaniment then until lightly dashes forward.

On the third run I'm doing long ears. Holy Wars goes from melodic-rock. In The Little Things, only an apparent gap filler, the beauty of the song occur only gradually to light. And only ORPHAN! Powerful it knocks on the door with his wonderful melodies.

And the more often I listen to the album, the more musical references to IV I hear out. And the more I like the album. Here the staccato guitar that but even then, because the synthesizer that previously, there the rocking opener RUNNING OUT OF TIME, which seems to be arrested in the 1980s. And the last piece of GREAT EXPECTATIONS unites everything: Keyboards of Emerson, Lake & Palmer, guitar runs as of Steve Hackett and what I do not know everything.

Not only here you can hear out the magic that has arisen in recent interaction between the individual protagonists. Farbklecks to Farbklecks break down the songs. Each piece gives by itself a round neck. All eleven images composed give a great, catchy and harmonious rock-pop-blues-prog image.

The band line-up is consistent, the chemistry is right. Apart from guitarist Steve Lukather and David Paich and Steve Porcaro keyboardists also a founding member David Hungate (bass) will be there again. The uncommonly warm lead vocals singing Joseph Williams, who played with the Toto already Fahrenheit (1986) and The Seventh One (1988). In my ears he is now the more appropriate as singer Bobby Kimball. Keith Carlock on drums sitting, to me nothing says (s). An American drummer who is working as a studio and tour musicians, including Sting, James Taylor, Diana Ross and Faith Hill. He replaces Simon Philipps. The album does that sound okay. How good it is, you will probably hear in June on the Toto Germany Tour.

Except for Carlock, the rest of the protagonists have to prove anyone. Each is suited to serve the cause. Also mastermind Steve Lukather, who plays calmly splendid guitars.

Produced the album is once again at the highest level.