TOTO Hydra - A shot more kind to the proven rock

The second album is always particularly difficult, which have already have experienced many other great bands. Many of them were trying simply to duplicate the successful debut and often stayed here to meet expectations. TOTO go a different route and describe to the self-titled debut a new path toward greater art. The result HYDRA of 1979, appeared just a year after TOTO.

The musical change may be due, among other things, that TOTO shortly after the release of their debut album was one of the most copied bands. Guitarist Steve Lukather recalls in numerous interviews that repeatedly phoned friends and the band wanted to congratulate you on your latest hit, just that quickly turned out soon that it is just not about TOTO but JOURNEY, REO Speedwagon, Boston or another similar sounding band acted.

Therefore, the conclusion could be close, that David Paich (keyboards, vocals), Bobby Kimball (vocals), Steve Lukather (guitar, vocals), David Hungate (bass) and brothers Steve (keyboards) and Jeff (drums) Porcaro aware wanted to say goodbye to the catchy pieces of the debut, to expose her identity even more clearly as a musician.

And succeed on HYDRA on all outstanding way, because the pieces still have despite their complexity wonderful melodies and despite their length but always catchy. Furthermore, with 99, All Us Boys, Mom and Sister White certainly also radio-ready rock pieces on the album available. But the impression is dominated the work of the first two pieces of Hydra and St. George and the Dragon.

Hydra begins as mysterious as it puts already close to the title. The song is characterized by its woven structure increases and surprising breaks and wonderful singing - still a popular highlight played at TOTO tours.

St. George And The Dragon sounds then again much clearer after the TOTO the debut, even though he, like Hydra more complex comes when the pieces to TOTO.

99 then offers catchiness and a wonderful funky feel. Another hit, which impresses both on a musical and melodic on page.

Lorraine starts with a slow classical piano intro before the song evolved into a nearly forgotten TOTO typical rock gem.

All Us Boys is a party rockers first class and is probably many concerned parents from the soul speak: Mother: Tell your daughters to stay from Rock'n'Roll, `cause it may entice them and mesmerize them, even Satisfy Their Soul , All Us Boys just want to play, All Us Boys will not run away. "

Mama again raises the abilities of Jeff Porcaro prove, because the song grooves from start to finish and therefore wonderful it becomes clear why Porcaro was alive one of the most acknowledged and most sought after drummers of his generation. But David Hungate proves (as well as with 99), that he understands this groove to take this further and spice.

White Sister is one of the great TOTO-rock numbers, which was also listed on the last tours repeatedly to the delight of fans.

A Secret Love then forms the very quiet end to the album. Based sung only on piano and keyboards, and very beautiful. Unfortunately, just a little too short for my tastes fall.

Hydra has thus everything that makes a good TOTO album, rock songs, ballads, hits, groove, melody and loud guitars. Even if it is returned to the general perception behind the more famous albums like TOTO IV, the debut and THE SEVENTH ONE, as Hydra is yet not a whit worse than the others, just stop deliberately kept a little different. And I think that's a good thing.