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"Maybe a little less homogeneous than the previous efforts, "XIV" won't disappoint the band's fans and will even meet all their expectations if they don't expect a second "The Seventh One"."
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4/5
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"XIV" marks in 2015 the great return to business of this giant of the AOR! If Lukather had confided that the return of Paich and Joe Williams had reunited the band, the Californians, tempted to offer new material after a hell of a tour, push the project even further by recruiting on 4 tracks the original bassist of the band, David Hungate (who brings a unique groove to 'Holy War' and 'Chinatown'), and their faithful percussionist Lenny Castro. The rest of the album, which will require several listenings, reveals once again the unique talent and potential of these giants of Rock.
What marks very quickly on "XIV" (but already in the continuity of the work started on "Falling In Between" 9 years ago) is the band's will to compose deeper and more meaningful lyrics. Often criticized for its easy love messages in the 80's, the band offers here darker lyrics, just like the artwork. War and its ravages, racism, violence and corruption in today's society are among the themes discussed on "XIV".
'Running Out Of Time' opens the record by a sort of prog' fusion unusual for Toto. This track with a big sound and a goldsmith's chorus, strangely reminds us of the famous 'Rhapsody In Black' that closed Derek Sherinian's first solo album, on which played on... Lukather. With a warmer groove and a huge chorus, it offers a concise but modern introduction.
Then a festival of melodies, each one more sublime than the other, is offered to the impatient fans. The greyish 'Burn', played on the piano and illuminated by a primitive chorus, the already classic 'Orphan', magnified by Luke's guitar, or the daringly structured 'Unknow Solider', make these songs the highlights of the album. The latter, sung by Lukather, gives pride of place to acoustic guitars and has a majestic musical bridge enhanced by a cello adding a necessary touch of gravity to the whole.
The single 'Holy War' shows Williams at his best and features a convincing break and outro by Steve Porcaro. The same Porcaro that plays his own title 'The Little Things', a kind of light and falsely naive pop that reminds us that he is the originator of the 'Human Nature' offered to Michael Jackson in his time.
'Chinatown', sung in three voices will remind everyone of 'Georgy Porgy' with its incredible groove shuffle, and the finale 'Great Expectations' finally lets the genius of each of the protagonists explode. Strength, softness, guitar explosion, groove and obvious melodies intertwine over more than 6 minutes.
Finally, the nice ballads with 'All The Tears That Shine', 'Fortune' (a nice track that leaves the main part to Lenny Castro) and '21st Century Blues' will be a notch below, the last track shamefully resembling a mix between the 'Creep Motel' from the last Lukather and 'One Road' from 'Mindfieds'.
Maybe a little less homogeneous than the previous efforts, "XIV" won't disappoint the band's fans and will even meet all their expectations if they don't expect a second "The Seventh One". - Official website
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TRACK LISTING:
01. Running out of Time
02. Burn
03. Holy War
04. 21st Century Blues
05. Orphan
06. Unknown Soldier (For Jeffrey)
07. The Little Things
08. Chinatown
09. All the Tears That Shine
10. Fortune
11. Great Expectations
LINEUP:
David Hungate: Basse
David Paich: Chant / Claviers
Joseph Williams: Chant
Keith Carlock: Batterie
Lenny Castro: Batterie
Steve Lukather: Chant / Guitares
Steve Porcaro: Chant / Claviers
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The album may not have been released or the spotify ID has not yet been entered or there is no spotify ID available
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READERS
4.2/5 (4 view(s))
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STAFF:
4.4/5 (5 view(s))
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IN RELATION WITH TOTO
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