Post Tagged with: "Kingdom of Desire"

Toto, "Jake to the Bone" from Kingdom of Desire (1992): Toto Tuesdays

Toto, “Jake to the Bone” from Kingdom of Desire (1992): Toto Tuesdays

The closer for 1992’s ‘Kingdom of Desire’ is a rare treat for long-time Toto fans: a full-blown instrumental workout.

Toto, "Kingdom of Desire" from 'Kingdom of Desire' (1992): Toto Tuesdays

Toto, “Kingdom of Desire” from ‘Kingdom of Desire’ (1992): Toto Tuesdays

Toto’s second-to-last track and title cut from ‘Kingdom of Desire’ powerfully closes the chapter on this era’s hard-rock theme.

Toto, "Kick Down the Walls" from Kingdom of Desire (1991): Toto Tuesdays

Toto, “Kick Down the Walls” from Kingdom of Desire (1991): Toto Tuesdays

Toto’s “Kick Down the Walls” isn’t a bad song. (There are no bad Toto songs.) Still, it’s almost forgettable. Here’s what went wrong.

Toto, "Only You" from Kingdom of Desire (1991): Toto Tuesdays

Toto, “Only You” from Kingdom of Desire (1991): Toto Tuesdays

Toto’s “Only You” is powered by a heart-wrenching vocal by Steve Lukather. He doesn’t merely sing the lyrics; he emotes them.

Toto, "The Other Side" from Kingdom of Desire (1992): Toto Tuesdays

Toto, “The Other Side” from Kingdom of Desire (1992): Toto Tuesdays

On an album dominated by flinty rockers, “The Other Side” stands out as a classic Toto ballad. It may be Steve Lukather’s best vocal performance on ‘Kingdom of Desire.’

Toto, "She Knows the Devil" from Kingdom of Desire (1992): Toto Tuesdays

Toto, “She Knows the Devil” from Kingdom of Desire (1992): Toto Tuesdays

“She Knows the Devil” seems to be meant as nothing more than good rock-funk fun. If that’s the case, this Toto song accomplished its mission.

Toto, "Wings of Time," from Kingdom of Desire (1992): Toto Tuesdays

Toto, “Wings of Time,” from Kingdom of Desire (1992): Toto Tuesdays

“Wings of Time” now serves a bittersweet staple of the Toto live set, but Steve Lukather tells us that it didn’t start out that way.

Toto, "2 Hearts" from Kingdom of Desire (1992): Toto Tuesdays

Toto, “2 Hearts” from Kingdom of Desire (1992): Toto Tuesdays

Steve Lukather’s patented emotional honesty is even more palpable on “2 Hearts” because of the raw edge found on Toto’s ‘Kingdom of Desire.’

Toto, "How Many Times" from Kingdom of Desire (1992): Toto Tuesdays

Toto, “How Many Times” from Kingdom of Desire (1992): Toto Tuesdays

The band-written “How Many Times” might have been only O.K. in lesser hands. Instead, this standout ‘Kingdom of Desire’ track confirms the magic that was and still is Toto.

Toto, "Never Enough" from Kingdom of Desire (1992): Toto Tuesdays

Toto, “Never Enough” from Kingdom of Desire (1992): Toto Tuesdays

Reduced to the core quartet, there was nowhere else to go really: Toto had their backs against the wall, and they came out swinging.