Search - Toto :: Through Looking Glass

A hit and miss affair of covers

Brad | CT | 03/29/2004

(3 out of 5 stars)

"I was a bit disappointed when I heard that the album that Toto would be releasing at their 25-year anniversary was to be an album full of covers. After all, this band had put out three very-good-to-stellar albums past their popular prime in the 1990s. New material was much anticipated. That being said, I was more than willing to give it a listen--since Toto has long been one of my favorite bands. As the 13th album I have purchased by Toto, it is without a doubt their weakest. That being said, there are still some worthy tracks on here.The album does not get off to a stellar start in my opinion with the Bob Marley cover "Could You Be Loved". The track is reasonably catchy but kind of grates on my nerves after a while. It is a bit of an annoying track for Toto to cover. Much better are the next two tracks. The Steely Dan cover "Bodhisattva" is catchy and rocking, and "While My Guitar Gently Weeps" is made into a classic-sounding Steve Lukather ballad. Next, however, come two tracks that I am annoyed that Toto would cover. While "I Can't Get Next To You" and "Living for the City" are both decent songs, they simply sound a bit silly covered by Toto. While Toto has had a wide variety of great styles over the years, these songs seem too far out in left field even for them.At the midpoint of the album is another different style, but this one I like much better. The cover of the instrumental "Maiden Voyage/Butterfly" is a relaxing musical delight. For those who think Toto has never gone in this direction before, guess again: remember the closing instrumental jazz track "Don't Stop Me Now" on 1986's "Fahrenheit" album? As with that original song, this cover is done very well.Even better is the next track, Elton John's "Burn Down the Mission". Now THIS is what Toto should be covering! Excellent track from beginning to end, totally keeping the spirit of the original track. This is probably my favorite track on the album. A pretty good rendition is also done of the next track, "Sunshine For Your Love", but I honestly am sick to death of that song and have no need to hear it ever again. "House of the Rising Sun" follows and is another decent, catchy track. But then comes the last two tracks that have me scratching my head again.Elvis Costello publicly stated he hated Toto way back when, so Toto decides to tweak him here by covering his song "Watching The Detectives". I totally appreciate their sense of humor and could live with the track if the rest were all stellar, but quite frankly this track is weak. The cover of the Bob Dylan-penned "It Takes a Lot to Laugh, It Takes a Train to Cry" also is hardly a song that I want to hear Toto sing. The style simply doesn't suit them.So there you have it. For sure, this album isn't horrible overall, but I truly only really like four of the 11 tracks--a far cry from any other Toto album. Toto completists like me should get this album, but I don't see it holding interest for too many others. For sure, this is the only Toto album that I would rate under 4 stars."

Great Musicians gone bad!!!

H. M. Johnson III | L.A. California | 08/22/2005

(1 out of 5 stars)

"I grew up listening to TOTO and have been to concerts... they are at the top of my music pile, but this album is the perfect example of great musicians making a bad album. If you are looking for a GREAT TOTO album/DVD get their 25th anniversary TOTO Live in Amsterdam DVD....wow talk about fantastic musicianship... simply a unbelievable DVD. The lighting, sound and music arrangement was and is the best.



This album... I hate to say it in the same sentence with TOTO...SUCKS!!! Sorry guys... I own them all but this one."

Through the Looking Glass - a Tribute

Jim Kelsey | 06/06/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Toto's "Through the Looking Glass" is a great album that should be listened to by every Toto fan. As a professional musician, I've often thought that it would be neat to put together a collection of those artists/composers who influenced me. Every musician has had several, from classical to jazz to pop - someone who has inspired them in their musical development. I think it very admirable that they decided to put an album like this together.



Of the tunes that I am familiar with, Toto has done an amazing job of keeping to the original artist's style, yet modernizing and making it their own at the same time. George Harrison's "While My Guitar Gently Weeps" has been arranged as a power ballad, opening with some keyboard sequencing and ending with a heart-felt, guitar solo. The tribute to Herbie Hancock's classic "Maiden Voyage/Butterfly" is simply stellar - again, a modern sound that any contemporary jazz station would be proud to play. Elton's "Burn Down the Mission" is another tune that retains the "Toto" sound, yet doesn't take away from what Elton produced.



Think about it - how many covers have new artists butchered? As a classically trained pianist, I was taught to keep it in the style/era of the original composer, yet make it my own. Toto has done just that. Though I do not care for most of the songs on this album (the originals never did anything for me), I am impressed, I am impressed with the overall result. If you enjoy Toto's music, this is one for your collection."