As Toto’s sophomore album ‘Hydra’ arrived 45 years ago this week, snooty critics were dutifully annoyed. But they were building toward something big.

Hard rocking songs from Toto are not uncommon, but “Taint You World” ups the game for a band with already high standards.

In stark contrast to the frenetic opening of 2006’s ‘Falling in Between,’ “Dying On My Feet” finds Toto in a more relaxed mood.

A Toto cover of Elton John’s “Burn Down the Mission” stays true to the original while providing a platform for some classic Bobby Kimball magic.

A Temptations classic gets an interesting – but not completely rewarding – new reading from Toto.

“Cruel” is one of the more successful pairings of the many elements found on Toto’s 1999 reunion with Bobby Kimball.

Toto once again collaborates with ace songwriter Randy Goodrum, but “One Road” offers an interesting twist.

“Caught In the Balance” recaptures the magic from Toto’s formative years with exquisite musicianship and a superb performance by Bobby Kimball.

Toto’s “High Price of Hate” is basically over about a third of the way in – or it should be, anyway.

“Right Part of Me” should have kept Toto’s string of hits rolling. Instead, the song has never been elevated to the classic status it deserves.