Strange but true: normally Frontiers Records release at least three albums a month, but this particular month of February it’s only Toto’s new studio album that is getting released by our Italian friends. As far as I’m concerned, it can only mean that they want to promote it the best way they can. Is it worth that special attention? No doubt about that! It’s generally agreed that Toto reaches a wide audience and this could make Frontiers Records a lot more known than it now is.
But what about the new album, I hear you ask? Well, fans of the band won’t be disappointed at all. If we take a closer look at the line-up, many will be happy to see that Toto have added an extra keyboard player/vocalist in the person of Greg Phillinganes (who is a real hotshot in the world of westcoast). Recorded and produced by the band over a period of about nine months, “Falling In Between” is maybe one of Toto’s most varied albums ever released. Although it’s classic Toto what you get to hear throughout the album, you will be surprised by some heavy passages as well as some influences from the never far away corner of progressive rock. What makes the album complete are a few surprises, such as guest appearances from former members Steve Porcaro and Joseph Williams, as well as from Ian Anderson (Jethro Tull) and lots of others. The result is an album full of interesting songs, with at least two or three future classics, such as the title track “Falling In Between”, “Bottom Of Your Soul” and – last but not least – “Spiritual Man”, which is my personal fave track of the album. I’m sure the new Toto will sell by the buckload, but what’s more important for all of us: it will ensure the future of our favourite label for hopefully a long time as well. Well done! (CL)
 

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Davidrock (on 10/05/08) MASTERPIECE!!   Airwave (on 4/10/07) The best of the best!!!!! What an album, filled with great guitar filled songs and i really love every song!!!!!!!!!   Stefantyketto (on 30/06/07) I’ve heard this album so many times last summer, that eventually I became addicted to its charms. One of their best, or maybe the best, albums ever. Fantastic music based on different dimensions and on an excellent musicianship. It’s hard to find musicians so talented and simultaneously delivering such passionate songs. After 1 ˝ year from the “Falling In Between” release and without any doubt, I’m totally convinced that this is a classic.   gerasczman (on 11/11/06) Toto return on top form with a great album that reveals its beauty after repeated listens.Maybe the more "proggy"effort in band's history , it contains some excellent compositions like "Dying On My Feet" , "Bottom Of Your Soul" , "Falling In Between","Spiritual Man" and "No End In Sight".This disc's got a lot of soul,passion,musical diversity and humanity within-you will enjoy the listening driving late at night. One of the best records of the year.   snoe (on 8/05/06) I gave up on Toto's studio albums some time ago. Last notable effort was 'Kingdom of Desire'. After that it all went downhill. The worst album being the previous album filled with covers from other artists. I was afraid Lukather & Co. lost their creativity and that would've been a waste with a line-up of such gifted musicians. Thank God, that they recaptured their creativity on 'Falling in Between'! What a diverse album. This CD doesn't become boring for one second. This album is filled with quality tracks ranging from heavy rock songs to pop songs and still they stay faithful to the classic Toto sound. All songs are gems one by one thanks to the wonderful song writing and production. I kept visiting their concerts all these years and if finally paid off with this fantastic fresh new record. It's not a classic like their self titled debut or 'Isolation', but still a job WELL done!   AOR Ive (on 8/03/06) As I mentioned earlier , Toto is one of my favorite bands of all times and although I think this new cd is not one of their best of all times , I like it very much . This is just Toto sounding like a very original melodic hardrock band and half of the songs will definitely will become personal favorites in the future if I listen to them some more . If I have to be honest I have to say that I liked the eighties Toto a little bit more , but all in all this is another very good album in the career of Toto .   Modulator (on 1/03/06) I was expect much more! There are some great songs ("Bottom Of Your Soul","King Of The World","Taint Your World","Let It Go"and"No End In Sight"). Rest of album is forgetable. All in all - AVERAGE release - I expected much more!   JPDrum (on 28/02/06) Note to AORPOMPY: Toto does not have a huge production budget anymore since the days with Sony Records and big budgets are over. The Toto boys paid for this one out of their own pockets and I think they did a damn nice job of it even without the huge production resource you seem think they had to work with. Now with that said. Toto was never in my musical library until Simon Phillips was brought on board and I have been hooked since then. By chance I ran into Steve Lukather in an elevator after some weekend shows and done in Cananda last year. I mentioned to him how much I enjoyed tracks like "Better World, Parts 1,2 & 3" and the insturmental piece "Jake To The Bone". His responce was that if I liked kind of stuff if I would like then new recording and I do. After a couple of runs through and I got the album vibe I like it quite a bit, espcially the diversity of this album. I will conclude by mentioning only one track and that is "Let It Go". It is as funky and it kicks butt. A great effort by all those involved.   Jez (on 24/02/06) Since the Magnificent 'Seventh One', it has been a bit of an up & downhill ride with Toto - I loved the new tracks from the 'Past To Present' Best of (yes I know Byron was on them), but thought 'Kingdom Of Desire' & 'Tambu' were somewhat patchy in places. 'Mindfields got things back on track big time, then we had the Covers album, which I still think wasn't as bad as alot made it out to be, but yes,we wanted new material right?? And finally after a 6 + year wait it is here. 'Falling In Between' just about covers all bases that the band have touched on previously, with a few new tricks aswell. The opening title track shows the band at their most Progressive & isn't the easiest way to start the album off, good though it is. 'Dying On My Feet' is also quite a challenge, but is brilliantly arranged, especially for the huge horn section in the final 2 minute . 'Bottom Of Your Soul' is prime time Toto circa 'The Seventh One' with a fine vocal from Joseph Williams. 'King Of The World' is another more commercial track featuring Paich, Lukather & Kimball all sharing vocals. 'Hooked is a pretty straightforwrd rock track with a few more Proggy elements featuring Ian Anderson on flute - good solo from Luke also. 'Simple Life' is an excellent Luke sung ballad, but way too short (was just getting into this then it ends - hit repeat x4). 'Taint Your World' is all balls out with an excellent Bobby Kimball vocal - A great live song for sure. Initially 'Let It Go' reminds me of 'Jake To The Bone' from 'Kingdom Of Desire' especially in the rhythm section arrangement & it's loose feel, also notable for a great, soulful Greg Phillinganes vocal. 'Spiritual Man' is fabulous & my album highlight. A gospel tinged ballad featuring vocals from Paich, Phillinganes & Kimball & a massive gospel choir at the finish. 'No End In Sight' mixes the tempos between verse/chorus & again reminds me of 'The Seventh One' era & ends the album in fine style. The Jap bonus 'The Reeferman' is basically a 2 minute studio jam session that doesn't really do alot. This is without a doubt the best Toto album since 'The Seventh One' & with time will probably be looked upon as one of the strongest albums they have ever recorded. Bobby Kimball hasn't sounded this good in years, whilst the rest of the band sound fresh & Invigorated compared to the last few albums & this comes across big time in the whole sound of the record. Production is superb and adds the finishing touch to this masterpiece. Mecca, Ambition & all the other Toto wannabes! Move aside, The Boys Are back In Town. Album of the year? Very Probably   USDHEAD (on 21/02/06) A great album of varied, intelligent rock music. Toto sound reinvigorated and fresh. Excellent!   johnny (on 18/02/06) Next to Journey ( Perry era ), Toto are the best AOR band of all time. This album is just fantastic in terms of songs and the playing. Each song shows a different side to the band and lets face it they can play anything and make it sound brilliant. The band clearly have broken free of the major label constraints and produced what they believe is the heart of Toto. GREAT STUFF !!!   E (on 16/02/06) I thought, I buy this record because there where very good stories about it...but what a disappointment. I will listen to Isolation again. Still their best record   aorrebel (on 14/02/06) Great, fantastic, Toto is the best Band of the world...fantastic songs, fantastic musicians, very good production...the album of the year...Lukather is a fantastic guitarrist, Kimball is a very good vocalist, Phillips is excepcional, all of musicians are fantastics...I always love Toto albuns...buy it now!!!   Ton (on 12/02/06) I'm also not a big Toto-fan. Just having Toto IV, indeed that one with Africa and Rosanne. Everbody talking about this one and some sites gave it 100%. Some reviewers already mentioned it: this one is a bit overrated and surely not the best record from 2006. Hopefully will Dare surprise us with the best one,personally i'm for sure!! For me there too many different styles on it. That modern and funky stuff isn't my favourite sound. I love the more classic tracks as Bottom of your soul, King of the world (nice chorus), Simple life and the emotionel track Spiritual man. Production is superb without doubt. A nice record but not that highlight as it seemed to be.   Gordy (on 11/02/06) Seeing as I am in the mood for it, and remember, I am not a Toto fan, here is my song-by-song biased opinion.... Falling In Between - would never have guessed this was a Toto track had I not been told beforehand. Overall, this is an interesting opener. Dying On My Feet - Starts off like something Steely Dan would have done. Seeing as I am a big SD fan, this gets the thumbs up from me. Bottom Of Your Soul - nice tom-tom rhythms with organ backing and piano highlights, bursting into clasisc Toto-like choruses. Smooth and very nice. King Of The World - its ok in the choruses, but I dislike the singijng in the verse, so a point is lost for that. Still, its an ok track I guess. Hooked - sorry but for me this sucks, and lacks credibility. Simple Life - boring and dull. Taint The World - Not bad, good driving rock song with superb Lukather riff underpinning it, but the bridge denies us a solo from Lukather, and a short solo is relegated to the end of the track. What a fuk up if you ask me. Let It Go - Oh dear, I am reminded of the Lighthouse Family or some other such band. Toto can surely do better than this. Its ok but by no means great. Spiritual Man - mmm, yes, not bad. Emotional vocal delivery, has some soul to it, accentuated by gospel like backing vocals, and a bit of saxaphone. No End In Sight - a fairly punchy number to close out the album, but it doesn't do much for me. The verse sounds interesting and makes me anticipate a fantastic chorus, but when it comes, it is a bit of a let down.   aorsongmachine (on 11/02/06) The album contains some very diverse songs and need several spins to get familiar to all the songs. There are some very beautiful passages but for me this is not their best album ever made. A good album is what I call it.   cradle1scot (on 10/02/06) What a surprise this is. Never really gave Toto much thought, but now I may have to reconsider !! Superb keys and great production. Fantastic songs and worth having in your collection.   AORPOMPY (on 10/02/06) Good record, no doubt about it, but the full rating means that it is perfect and it is far from perfect or even far from being a classic ! Two big minor points : first, the production ! For a band like Toto, with a big budget, it's not top notch at all ! Secondly and more important : like on EVERY single Toto album, there are some very poor songs. 'Spiritual Man' is just average and hell, the song(?) Simple Life is exactly what the title suggets simple ! Too bad and stupid for words and a shame that a band like Toto dare to record such pure nonsense ! But the rest is very good, lot of variation ! Not the best Toto (Toto and Isolation are better) and even far from the best record in 2006. Mind's Eye, Catley, AOR, O'Haro, Proto-Kaw and of course Ambition are all better IMO ! Toto is a good band, but they are WAAAAAAAY overrated ! I'm not as negative as Antoinette and it gets a little 5 star rating from me !   Nick C (on 10/02/06) You know an albums great when you want more after it has finished, this does just that for me. It finds Toto flexing their creative muscle and rather than pander to the Africa / Roseanna crowd they really reach out into uncharted territory as a band. Sure there are still a couple of "signature tunes" such as Bottom of Your Soul and Simple Life that everyone would recognise as them (and they're great), but the band also throw a whole bunch of curve balls throughout the album. I think this will be seen as one of Toto's defining moments in a career filled with creative highs.   AV (on 10/02/06) You all know by now that I'm not a great Toto fan. But I have giving it a try and listen to these new one three times. Honestly, I can not say that I like this album very much and there's only one song on it that I really like and that's "Bottom Of Your Soul". I don't like the funky, percussion stuff of Toto and yes I know it's there tardemark, but that doesn't mean everybody have to like it. I'm also not a big fan of the high voice of Bobby Kimball and I rather listen to the voice of Lukather who is a really good musician and so is the rest of the band. It's there overall sound I don't like.   Frankie (on 10/02/06) Amazing, fantastic, breathtaking, brilliant! I'm hooked!   Noddy (on 9/02/06) Probably Toto's most complete albumn ever. Simply manificent from start to finish. 'Bottom of your soul' and 'Spiritual man' would have been smash hits in the 80's. Frontiers greatest release to date - makes you proud to be a fan of this style of music.   richste (on 8/02/06) Breath taking this new album. Every AOR or westcoast fan should buy this album. Frontiers an Toto congratulated with this fantastic album.   GlenRavine (on 8/02/06) Fantastic - every track is well produced and written. So nic to see these guys back.   WOLF 359 (on 8/02/06) BRILLIANT etc, etc - BUY   Joan (on 7/02/06) My my... what a surprise this one. And like Chris mentions the most varied Toto albums ever released. It contains some "classic" Toto songs from the Bobby Kimball period (never thought I would still get those), but it also contains some very "modern" stuff (with asian influences), just listen to "Falling in Between" which is absolutely un-Toto like. I guess the discussions can start. Eat your heart out.

 

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