Tag Archives: Toto

Album review: RADIOACTIVE – Reset

Posted on October 6, 2024 by brianmc

Frontiers [Release date : 11.10.24] Swedish musician/songwriter/producer, Tommy Denander has been an integral part of the AOR/Melodic Rock scene for more than 25 years now. He’s worked closely with countless musicians in the genre, most notably Bobby Kimball, Alice Cooper … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged Bobby Kimball, Jeff Paris, Jim Jidhed, Jimi Jamison, Mutt Lange, RADIOACTIVE, Reset, review, Robin McAuley, Tommy Denander, Toto | Leave a comment

Album review : CRUZH – The Jungle Revolution

Posted on March 10, 2024 by brianmc

Frontiers [Release date : 22.03.24] Welcome to The Jungle Revolution, third album on the Frontiers label from Swedish band, Cruzh, and their second with vocalist, Alex Waghorn, winner of Idol Sweden in 2017 (singing Journey’s ‘Faithfully’). Among their admitted influences … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged Alex Waghorn, Cruzh, eighties, FM, Idol Sweden, Journey, Jungle Revolution, melodic rock, review, Toto | Leave a comment

Album review : VITALINES – Wheels Within Wheels

Posted on October 18, 2023 by brianmc

Frontiers [Release date: 20.10.23] Vitalines is Tommy Denander and Robbie LaBlanc. Two musicians who need little or no introduction to the Melodic Rock fraternity. You might immediately be intrigued by the song titles. Several catch your eye: ‘Cards From Another … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged Alias, AOR, Chicago, Frontiers, melodic rock, MrMister, review, Robbie LaBlanc, Survivor, Tommy Denander, Toto, Vitalines, Wheels Within Wheels | Leave a comment

Album review : STEEL BARS – A Rock Tribute To Michael Bolton – V/A

Posted on July 4, 2023 by brianmc

Steel Bars - A Tribute to Michael Bolton

Frontiers [Release date: 07.07.23] Any adult remotely interested in popular music will have heard of Michael Bolton. His songs have been compiled to within an inch of their lives and have become the language of lurrve on late nite radio, … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged A Rock Tribute To Michael Bolton, album, Anna Nikolic, Barry White, Big Time, Chicago, Desmond Child, Drive She Said, Frontiers, James Robledo, Jim Peterik, Jonathan Cain, Mark Mangold, Michael Bolton, Neven Brankovic, Percy Sledge, Randy Goodrum, review, Santiago Ramonda, Steel Bars, Steve Overland, Steve Perry, Steven Nvyqvuist, Toto, Touch | Leave a comment

Album review: STEVE LUKATHER – Bridges

Posted on May 6, 2023 by GRTR! HQ

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 … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Bridges, classic rock, David Paich, guitar, guitarist, Joseph Williams, review, Steve Lukather, Toto | Leave a comment

Album review: MECCA – Everlasting

Posted on April 10, 2023 by brianmc

Frontiers [release date 21.03.23] First Mecca album to be released in Europe since the Brexit Referendum. And the suitably titled opener, ‘And Now The Magic is Gone’ turns out to be the album’s big moment. Everlasting is not quite as … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Alias, AOR, Frontiers, Joe Vana, Marcie Free, melodic rock, review, Signal, Stefano Lionetti, Tommy Denander, Toto, Unruly Child, Vivien Lalu | Leave a comment

Album review: CHRIS ROSANDER – The Monster Inside

Posted on January 22, 2023 by jason

Pride & Joy Music [Release date 17.02.23] Chris Rosander released his debut album ‘King Of Hearts’ in 2020 on the now defunct AOR Heaven. As the pandemic put paid to any live plans, Chris Rosander started work on making more … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, AOR, Chris Rosander, hard rock, melodic rock, Perfect Plan, review, rock, The Monster Inside, Toto | Leave a comment

Album review: HYDRA – Point Break

Posted on August 8, 2022 by brianmc

Frontiers [Release date: 12.08.22] Hydra is a project put together by rock’n’roll impresario, Daniel Flores, built around the songs of Swedish wunderkind, Henrik Hedstrom. Flores has brought in another highly talented musician, Andy Kravljaca, to sing and add lead and … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Andy Kravljaca, AOR, Christopher Cross, Daniel Flores, Henrik Hedstrom, Hydra, melodic rock, review, soft rock, Toto | Leave a comment

Album review: DAVID PAICH – Forgotten Toys

Posted on July 10, 2022 by GRTR! HQ

The Players Club/Mascot [Release date 19.08.22] The first thing to say about this, the first solo “album” from the long-serving Toto keyboard player, it’s very short and it’s very Toto. By using band-mates Joseph Williams (vocals, co-producer/writer) and Steve Lukather … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, classic rock, David Paich, Forgotten Toys, jazz fusion, Joseph Williams, Michael McDonald, review, Steve Lukather, Toto | Leave a comment

Album review: SEVENTH WONDER – The Testament

Posted on May 31, 2022 by brianmc

Frontiers [Release date: 10.06.22] Sixth album from Swedish Prog Metal band Seventh Wonder, for whom life began at the turn of the century. The band is full of virtuoso musicians. Guitarist Johan Liefvendal and bassist, Andreas Blomqvist are the driving … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, PURE METAL (All posts), Pure Metal/Album reviews | Tagged album, Andreas Blomqvist, AOR, Harem Scarem, Johan Liefvendal, Kamelot, Progmetal, progressive metal, review, Tommy Karevik, Toto, Unruly Child | Leave a comment

Album review : MECCA – 20 Years (3 CD reissue w/bonus tracks)

Posted on February 18, 2022 by brianmc

Frontiers [release date: 18.02.22] Mecca’s 20 Years bundles the band’s 3 albums, released over the last two decades, into an attractive package of original recordings, now remastered, with 5 bonus tracks spread across the 3 CDs. The self titled debut … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, AOR, David Hungate, FERGIE FREDERIKSEN, Frontiers, Jim Peterik, Joe Vana, Mecca, melodic rock, review, Shannon Forest, Tim Akers, Tommy Denander, Toto, WestcoastSurvivor | Leave a comment

Album review: CAP OUTRUN – High On Deception

Posted on December 6, 2021 by brianmc

Frontiers [release date 10.12.21] Swedish rock band, Cap Outrun’s debut album integrates Progrock with Melodic Rock. A bold mix of nostalgia and modernism. One of the prime reasons for Progrock’s popularity is the music’s illusion of improvisation. You’re not quite … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Chandler Mogen, Denis DeYoung, Lou Gramm, melodic rock, progrock, review, Steely Dan, Toto, Von Hertzen Brothers | Leave a comment

Album review: THE IMMEDIATE FAMILY – S/T

Posted on June 28, 2021 by jason

Website [Release date 27.08.21] The Immediate Family maybe a new band but their ranks are full of seasoned session players who have worked with the likes of James Taylor, Keith Richards, Jackson Browne, Toto, Linda Ronstadt, Carole King, Stevie Nick … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, blues, classic rock, country, Danny Kortchmar, Immediate Family, Jackson Browne, James Taylor, Keith Richards, Linda Ronstadt, melodic, review, rock, Russ Kunkel, Toto, Waddy Wachtel, Warren Zevon | Leave a comment

Album review: TOTO – With A Little Help From My Friends

Posted on June 22, 2021 by andynathan

The Players Club/Mascot Label Group (Release Date 25.06.21) Last November Toto broadcast a live stream from California, which in the absence of concerts was the only way to introduce to the wider world their new line up in which Steve … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, AOR, Joseph Williams, live album, melodic rock, review, Steve Lukather, Toto | Leave a comment

Album review: VINCE DICOLA – Only Time Will Tell

Posted on May 22, 2021 by jason

Escape Music [Release date 11.06.21] Vince DiCola is a musician / songwriter from Pennsylvania and relocated to LA in 1981 to advance his career. In the early to mid-eighties Vince was involved in some well-known film scores such as ‘Staying … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, AOR, Bobby Kimball, Chicago, Escape Music, Kansas, melodic rock, Only Time Will Tell, prog rock, review, Steve Walsh, Toto, Vince DiCola | Leave a comment

Album review: JOSEPH WILLIAMS – Denizen Tenant

Posted on February 19, 2021 by jason

The Players Club/Mascot Records [Release date 26.02.21] Toto’s Steve Lukather and Joseph Williams both release solo albums on the same date and label, with both artists including a few cover versions on their respective albums. Joining Joseph Williams on his … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, AOR, David Paich, Denizen Tenant, Joseph Williams, melodic, review, Steve Lukather, Toto, West Coast | Leave a comment

Album review: STEVE LUKATHER – I Found The Sun Again

Posted on February 19, 2021 by GRTR! HQ

Mascot [Release date 26.02.21] We are being spoilt. Neal Schon’s album slipped out before Christmas and is one of his best. The earliest indication of Luke’s forthcoming album was a Lockdown video ‘Run To Me’. It was entertaining if not … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, classic rock, David Paich, guitar, guitarist, I Found The Sun Again, jazz fusion, Joseph Williams, review, Steve Lukather, Toto | Leave a comment

Album review: TOMI MALM – Coming Home

Posted on October 10, 2020 by jason

Website [Release date 16.10.20] “Coming Home” is the second album from Finland’s classically trained writer/ producer/ musician, Tomi Malm. Three years after his highly successful “Walking On Air” album, he again recruits some of the best in the Westcoast Rock … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Coming Home, melodic, Randy Goodrum, review, Robbie Buchanan, rock, Steve Lukather, Tim Pierce, Tomi Malm, Toto, West Coast | Leave a comment

Album review: CHRIS ROSANDER – King Of Hearts

Posted on May 10, 2020 by jason

AOR Heaven [Release date 26.06.20] Christian Rosander is a 22-year-old musician and songwriter from Örnsköldsvik, Sweden. Since he was 14 years old, he’d been writing songs in the AOR/Melodic and Westcoast genre. To be fair you’d been pretty certain the … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, AOR, AOR Heaven, Chris Rosander, King Of Hearts, melodic rock, review, synth pop, Toto | Leave a comment

Album review: CHAMPLIN WILLIAMS FRIESTEDT – 2

Posted on May 5, 2020 by andynathan

Black Lodge [Release Date 15.05.20] In that genre of the softest and smoothest AOR given the shorthand ‘West coast’, CWF are something of a superstar collaboration. Former Chicago singer and keyboard player Bill Champlin and Joseph Williams, singer with Toto … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, AOR, Champlin Williams Friestedt, Chicago, CWF, Michael McDonald, soft rock, Toto, West Coast | Leave a comment

Single reviews: THE DARKER MY HORIZON, MILTON HIDE, ALLAN CLARKE, CWF, THE LICKERISH QUARTET

Posted on May 3, 2020 by jason

THE DARKER MY HORIZON Carpe Diem Another band utilising their lockdown time wisely are the Darker My Horizon, who made the video with help from their fans with all proceeds going to the NHS charities. Nice riff-tastic tune with lyrics … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, Single and EP reviews | Tagged Allan Clarke, AOR, classic rock, CWF, folk, Jellyfish, melodic rock, Milton Hide, modern rock, New releases, pop, power pop, review, rock, singles, the Darker My Horizon, The Hollies, the Lickerish Quartet, Toto | Leave a comment

Book review: ON TRACK…Toto/The Solo Beatles/Steely Dan (“Every album, every song”)

Posted on February 19, 2020 by GRTR! HQ

Sonicbond Pubishing [Publication date January/February 2020] Liked and loathed in equal measures by the music press in the 1970s and 1980s, ultimately the band may have had the last laugh. As author Jacob Holm-Lupp reiterates, their latest offering – XIV … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, BOOK REVIEWS | Tagged AOR, book, classic rock, Donald Fagen, fusion, George Harrison, Jazz rock, John Lennon, melodic rock, On Track, Paul McCartney, pop, review, Ringo Starr, Steely Dan, The Solo Beatles, Toto, Walter Becker | Leave a comment

Album review: KING OF HEARTS

Posted on November 6, 2019 by jason

MelodicRock Records [Release date 22.11.19] King Of Hearts are another band making a comeback many years after their first shot at musical stardom back in the late 80s. However, their label at the time didn’t release their debut album which … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, AOR, Bruce Gaitsch, Chicago, CJ Vanston, Eagles, King Of Hearts, melodic rock, review, Timothy B. Schmit, Tommy Funderburk, Toto, West Coast | Leave a comment

Album review: RINGO STARR – What’s My Name

Posted on November 6, 2019 by jason

Universal Music Group [Release date 25.10.19] The world’s most famous drummer doesn’t need to keep bringing out new albums and could rest on his laurels and enjoy the fruits of his past labour but no, here is a man who … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, classic rock, Colin Hay, drummer, Edgar Winter, Joe Walsh, John Lennon, Paul McArtney, review, Ringo Starr, rock, Steve Lukather, The Beatles, The Eagles, Toto, What's My Name | Leave a comment

Gig review: TOTO – Royal Chelsea Hospital, London, 13 June 2019

Posted on June 19, 2019 by andynathan

In the ever more crowded gigging season, a fresh trend over the last few years has been for London’s finest historic settings to be used for concerts. Following in the footsteps of Hampton Court and Greenwich is now a short … Continue reading →