Toto Album: “Hydra”

TOTO's second album in 1979 shows more rock aspect of TOTO than their self-titled debut in 1978.

Opening track HYDRA has progressive hard rock edge with very dynamic intro and excellent combination of grooviness and heaviness. With the exception of the title track the album as a whole is nicely produced melodic hard rock album somewhat like Asia, Kansas and Foreigner. Unlike their first album that has too varied in music direction, Hydra is much more consistent and showing that they are gradually acquiring their original music style. David Hungate's bass guitar has given a quite a role in heavier edge. ALL US BOYS and ST.GEAORGE AND THE DRAGON in particular are excellent melodic pop rock gems. While they are trying hard to be progressive and hard, soft songs like 99 and MAMA glimmer. 7th track WHITE SISTER, and last SECRET LOVE are not that impressive and I feel this album is still incomplete as I have known their great works after that.

Recommemded for late 70s melodic/progressive hard rock fans and Journey/Survivor/Boston/Styx/Kansas fans.

Your enjoyment of 'Hydra' depends greatly on which version of Toto you prefer.Are you more of a fan of the psychedelic,fusion-inflected prog rock side of Toto or the soulful,poppy and at times even funky stylings heard on tunes like "Georgy Porgy" and "Africa"?Personally I fit into the latter type of listener. As one reviewer point out this is a darker,surreal "concept" album with a lot more spikey rock influences then on the debut. As for my favorite music style of Toto that can be found in "99"-now it's in keeping with the darker Pink Floyd-esque concept but the style is more fusion then prog rock so it definately has more a musical appeal for my ears. My favorite tune on the album has to be "Mama",which not only emphasizes Toto's jazz backround but it sure would sound great right alongside Steely Dan's "Babylon Sisters" from about the same time. So why are those the only tunes I mentioned? Well the others while well performed have this feeling of fitting into any prog rock album by an ELP or Styx album of the same period. Luckily one thing that all the progressive rockers had in common (especially Toto and Rush) were that the musicians within the band were all extrodinarily talented,even if they all too often felt the need to show those talents off-one of the main complaints detractors of prog rock will tend to have. But at the very least Toto weren't afraid to mix it up a bit,

A worthy, although different, follow up to the self titled debut album. Hydra opens with three superb tunes (Hydra, St George and the Dragon, 99) and then, on track 5, dives into possibly Toto's worst song committed to disc (All Us Boys) which sounds like a Kenny Loggins discard.The rest of the album can't quite sustain the momentum of the openers but Mama has aged gracefully with a measured Bobby Kimball lead vocal and funky jazz rhythm track. St George and the Dragon shows a songwriter (David Paich) in rare form. A song with many textures and hooks - one of Toto's best.

This album was released WAY ahead of its time. This album contains the greatest Toto song "99", the best song in 1979. This is my favorite Toto album, great musicianship and songwriting.

Hydra is an atmospheric album, and junior keyboardist Steve Porcaro truly flexes his muscle on this one, in addition to Steve Lukather's guitar solos. Though less catchy and more moody than their previous effort, this album shows excellent artistic prowess. "99" is a gentle ballad with a pair of cool keyboard solos, "Hydra" is a fascinating track, and "A Secret Love" is stunningly atmospheric. A great album by a great band!