Toto Album: “Mindfields”

If I could give this Toto release 10 stars, I would! This is the best new music I've heard in years. There is not one song on Mindfields that is a disappointment. On the contrary, each cut (while a new and joyful experience) is like visiting an old friend. If you liked the sounds of Toto in the 70s and 80s, you will absolutely fall in love with this excellent release. There is no way any Toto fan could not like this album. I can't praise this CD enough. First of all, we've got the return of original lead singer Bobby Kimball. Second, we've got the rest of the highly talented Toto personnel: Steve Lukather, David Paich, Michael Porcaro and Simon Phillips. Third, this CD couldn't miss with the addition of other guest appearances by the likes of Jim Horn, Mark Hudson, Timothy B. Schmit, Chris Thompson, Lenny Castro and the list could go on and on. Then, of course, there is the great Toto horns under the leadership of Tom Scott. The great Chicago-style horn section kicks off Mindfields on the first track "Cruel." From there lies ahead a musical journey you will not want to miss. There is a new Toto sound combined with the Toto of days ago from the LPs Toto to Toto IV - you'll hear a touch of "Hold the Line" here to a hint of "Africa" there such as in the excellent bluesy/jazzy tracks "Mindfields" and "High Price Of Hate." But there is more - a Toto with a bit of a harder edge at times such as the Van Halen influenced "Caught In The Balance," the Lou Gramm sounding "Mysterious Ways," the haunting and moving "Last Love," and the Beatlesque "After You've Gone." You can't help but hear the Sgt. Pepper and psychedelic Harrison & Lennon sounds on that one. Then there is just straight ahead rock n roll on tunes such as "Selfish" with a sprinkle of Genesis flavor. Toto really is back and better than ever. It was so wonderful to hear new music by an older, established rock band that still has it and has not sold out. Believe me, Toto still has it! Unlike many disappointments from other 70s and 80s rock bands who tried to release newer releases years down the road and failed to deliver, Toto not only delivers on this one but sinks it deep into your soul. Tight vocals and harmonies. Excellent lyrics. Tremendous instrumentation. This Toto release has it all. What a treasure this CD is! If "Last Love" doesn't send chills up the spine and put goosebumps on the arms, then you must be dead. This Toto release is nothing short of brilliant. There is even a commendable guest appearance by Clint Black on "No Love." If you want some other great music by the great rockers and rollers of the 70s and 80s, let me also suggest: The Moody Blues "Strange Days," Eddie Money's "Ready Eddie," Styx "Brave New World" as well as "Toto XX" and any of the recent releases by Yes. Great rock music (and good music of all kinds) is still being made and still out there - you just have to look for it. We certainly don't hear it on MTV or the radio anymore. But never fear, Toto's Mindfields will let you dream of the good days past and make you look forward to better days to come. Thank you Toto for the best rock/pop CD put out in years! Just trust me on this one and buy Toto's "Mindfields." If you don't buy any other new release, get this one for your collection. It is a "must have." It will be in your CD player constantly as it is mine.

In the late 70's and in the 80's, Toto was famous for their radio-friendly music, with such singles like Hold The line, Rossanna, Africa, I'll supply the love, etc. It was really good material, but still following some pop standards. Maybe that's why critics hated the band but the public loved them. With "Tambu", they started in a new direction, with world music influences and different song structures. "Mindfields" follow the path set by "Tambu", with most of the songs timing over 5 minutes with some pop influences, along with world music,jazz-fusion, blues... The whole album is a show of instrumental and vocal virtuosity, which may not appeal to the casual fans who are more familiar with their radio hits. It appeals to the fans of the musicians (Steve Lukather, Dave Paich, Simon Phillips, Mike Porcaro and Bobby Kimball.) They're all in great musical shape, specially "Luke". He has been a great guitarist, but now he's a total master of the instrument, thanks in part to the lessons he took with Larry Carlton. Bobby Kimbal still keeps his distintive voice, Davis Paich delivers some more creative keyboards, Mike Porcaro's bass lines are still solid and Simon Phillips drumming is just outstanding, he's as good or even better than the late Jeff Porcaro. The lyrics are not the usual catchy and repetitive chorus, but a much more mature and intelligent. The majority of the songs are really strong, both lirically and musically. Some of the highlights can be 'After you're gone' (which includes Simon Phillips playing the tabla (indian drums)), the powerful 'Caught in the balance', and "Better World", that sounds sometimes like Dream Theater or Allan Holdsworth. Despite the lenght (79:02) the albums is really enjoyable and very rich.

If you're searching for the radio friendly band, maybe you'll be dissapointed or bored by the album, but if you're looking for some serious musicianship this album will be very satisfactory.

Reading some of these reviews crack me up...in a mad/sad way! How can anyone say they are a serious TOTO fan over the past 20 years and not like this recording? Jeff is dead...deal with it! Nobody is a bigger Jeff fan than myself...see my site dedicated to him: jeffporcaro.blogspot.com

The CD cover is awesome! Bobby Kimball has lost nothing and seeing him Live was brilliant...taking his place behind Steve Luk who has taken over the reins from Jeff. It was Jeff's band before and Jeff was so respected he never had to twist anyone's arm...he was the daddy of the group and it worked well.

I love the recording and it has all the TOTO signature tunes. Simon Phillips is also brilliant here. He is not Jeff...nobody is, but he does a great job on drums. These are NOT easy tunes to play. I'm a drummer and can tell you the precision Simon plays at is amazing. These guys are the best musicians and this is the most diverse band ever. They may not be the most popular, but no band is as diverse as TOTO.

About the complaints of the time at 80 mins...well, do you like every tune of every CD you buy? Of course not. There are going to be some that are not enjoyed as much. Again, deal with it. Every CD is like this. The sound of the recording is not 80's...where did that comment come from? Because TOTO does not totally capitulate to the new sound of today, which is not a rock sound at all IMO, but more of a blended hip hop/ R&B sound of wailing singers who all sound the same...another story here not worth getting into.

TOTO has lost it's US audience, but is still huge in Europe and Asia...they can tour there every year and sell out. Oh well...as Jeff said once, "Wonder Bread America just doesn't get grooves."

See them LIVE if you can!!!

I was goofing off reading reviews and came across some of the negative stuff in a few of the ones here. I've never heard anyone say a cd would be better if it was shorter. These are four of the best musicians ever to grace a studio. The production and performances on this cd are incredible. Of the negative reviews, what few there are, I bet not one was written by a musician. Did you know that timothy b smith (Eagles) and richard page (Mr. Mister) sang back-ups on the project. Hope I don't offend anyone when I say: If you don't like this, you probably just don't get it. May I suggest some Neil Young or Joan Jett.

As a long-time Toto fan, it never ceases to amaze me what these guys are capable of creating. Nor does it amaze me what the magic of Toto holds for its band members past and present - Bobby Kimball returns to the lineup of Toto, with the very same style of lead vocals that made Toto such a hit back in the 70s and 80s.

I took this CD into an Ultimate Electronics store to demo some of their top-line car stereos and was playing the Mindfields track on each one; the kid at the desk kept looking over with interest and finally asked me who the band was that I was playing on the decks. When I told him it was Toto, with a blank look he asked, "Who?" Guess he was too young to remember Toto from the 80s, and had never heard of them during the 90s or 2000s. He did like Mindfields, and said he was going to check out the CD next time he was out buying music.

Favorite song on this CD - Mindfields. Other top 5 favorites include Cruel World, Mad About You, High Price of Hate, and No Love. Shoot, they're all my favorites, although Mindfields is my number one off this disc.

Peace Out!