It’s OK not to try to hook up with your high-school girlfriend, despite what the Facebook algorithm tells you. It’s also OK not to jump back into fandom with your favorite band from college.
Unlike my fellow Toto Tuesdays writer Anthony Sonego, I was perfectly content with the band calling it quits after 2006’s Falling In Between.
The nine-year gap between albums yielded yet another Toto lineup. (Steve Lukather has recently said there have been about 11.) The version on 2015’s Toto XIV is the closest to the original conceptually, but I don’t feel the attempt to recapture the glory days is entirely successful.
That’s not to say Toto XIV isn’t good; it’s a strong album overall, but the band seems to have lost its desire to evolve. “Holy War” is a case in point.
Written by Lukather, Joseph Williams and producer CJ Vanston, the song finds Lukather and Williams sharing lead vocals, and they deliver potent verses. Williams seems to have gained range and power with age, unlike his predecessor, and Lukather continues to be the most consistent vocalist Toto has ever had.
The return of Steve Porcaro also produced a more progressive-rock feel to the keyboards. Porcaro was an under-appreciated part of the classic Toto sound which prominently returned for XIV and Toto’s Old Is New. Original bass player David Hungate provides his usual rock-solid bottom, combining tasty if understated parts with Keith Carlock. Carlock, a phenomenal drummer, doesn’t attempt to play like Jeff Porcaro or Simon Phillips.
Unfortunately, the drums seem a tad too low in the mix, lacking the ambiance of Philips’ playing on Falling In Between or Porcaro’s work on 1988’s The Seventh One. The reverb on Toto XIV and the overall drum sound distracts from what otherwise is an enjoyable listen.
Lyrically, the band offered a number of songs which ranked as their strongest. “Holy War” isn’t one of them. Uplifting and cheerful as they are, they also seem overshadowed by the intense music.
“Holy War” ranks near the bottom of my favorite songs from Toto XIV. The next song is the low point on the album for me, but a Toto low point still is compelling compared to what’s on rock radio today.
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