The Player’s Club/Mascot [Release date 16.06.23]
Early despatches suggested that Steve Lukather’s latest solo album might merely be a continuation of Toto especially with the contributions of several band members. Sure, we have writing and vocal back up contributions from the extended musical family, chiefly Joseph Williams and David Paich. But this is still essentially a Luke solo album.
We commented that the previous excursion - ‘I Found The Sun Again’ – was a bit short on time and ‘Bridges’ follows on with a LP length offering. We’ve been so used to at least 50 minutes that it may still seem like short change when you like the artist.
Those 35 minutes have to be top notch, no filler. And sadly ‘Bridges’ – as with its predecessor - just doesn’t have the required wow quotient. I wonder whether it is as much to do with the producer and associates, I think Luke is at his best when he has a consistent close collaborator as with the landmark 2010 album ‘Alls Well That Ends Well’. I understand the latest album may be an affirmation of friendship that goes back decades but it doesn’t always lead to the best possible configuration.
We expect this album to be immaculate in execution but it’s the songs that make or break.
Autobiographical opener ‘Far From Over’ (co-written with son Trev) is a statement of intent even if the chorus reminds a little of Spice Girls ‘Say You’ll Be There’.
‘Not My Kind Of People’ is like a heavier Toto mixed with a more pedestrian Foreigner (‘Head Games’).
‘All Forevers Must End’ and ‘Take My Love’ hark back to 2021′s ‘I Found The Sun Again’. ‘Burning Bridges’ is a fairly ordinary shuffle and closer ”I’ll Never Know’ hints at what might have been (along with the album standout ‘Someone’).
Whether it’s intentional or not, there is a dearth of extended soloing throughout.
‘When I See You Again’ is catchy if a bit underwhelming and an obvious contender for the label “Toto out-take” which probably explains its early single status.
Steve Lukather remains the real deal for Toto fans and has stated there won’t be another Toto studio album. It seems, therefore, that ‘Bridges’ conflates his two main musical interests. For better or for worse. ***1/2
Review by David Randall
Album review (I Found The Sun Again, 2021)
Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK
Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions, streamed via Facebook.
Next session: Sunday 19 January
Check out videos here: https://www.facebook.com/getreadytorockradio
David Randall presents a weekly show on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, Sundays at 22:00 GMT, repeated on Mondays and Fridays), when he invites listeners to ‘Assume The Position’. The show signposts forthcoming gigs and tours and latest additions at getreadytorock.com. First broadcast on 1 December 2024.
UK Blues Broadcaster of the Year (2020 and 2021 Finalist) Pete Feenstra presents his weekly Rock & Blues Show on Tuesday at 19:00 GMT as part of a five hour blues rock marathon “Tuesday is Bluesday at GRTR!”. The show is repeated on Wednesdays at 22:00, Fridays at 20:00). This show was first broadcast 3 December 2024.
How to Listen Live?
Click the programming image at the top of the page (top right of page if using desktop)
Listen via Windows Media Player. Click or tap here and “open file”
Listen via other media player (eg. VLC) Click or tap here and “open file”
Get Ready to ROCK! Radio is also in iTunes under Internet Radio/Classic Rock
Listen in via the Tunein app and search for “Get Ready to ROCK!” and save as favourite.
More information and links at our radio website where you can listen again to shows via the presenter pages: getreadytorockradio.com
Power Plays w/c 9 December 2024
In this sequence we play ‘The Best of 2024′ GRTR! reviewer selections
Featured Albums w/c 9 December 2024
09:00-12:00 The Best of 2024 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003-2024 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2024 (Singer Songwriter)
PDF - you can delete unwanted sections
