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)
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Power Plays w/c 29 April 2024
BRIGITTE PURDY Sugar Fried Candy (Dirtshack Records)
ATTIC THEORY The Legacy (indie)
THE HOWLERS I Need Your Love (indie)
VELVETEEN QUEEN Bad Reputation (indie)
WILLS AND THE WILLING Scuffed Knees (Smash & Grab Music Ltd)
READY THE PRINCE Still Believe (indie)
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09:00-12:00 PRAYING MANTIS Defiance (Frontiers)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003-2023
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2003-2023
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