REVIEW: Falling In Between

[Will]

http://www.toto99.com/board/index.php?s=&showtopic=3161&view=findpost&p=95582

[jrnyman28]

Pretty stellar review. I certainly hope this CD gets ToTo back into the public eye. I am not a major fan of the band, but I like what I have heard. And I think any band of this genre, that can put out a work with this kind of review, is worthy of the attention.

Being a major Journey fan, this line really struck me: "The real test of a truly great album is it's longevity; whether the melodies and production stand the test of time, long beyond the initial "awe" when the great pleasure of familiarising oneself with the CD subsides." As much as I love "Generations" from Journey, I think the production will probably shorten the shelf life on the CD a little. I appreciate the vibe the production gave the work, but had they taken the time to mix the CD to sound the way ToTo's CD appears to sound, then I think it would go even further.

[brandonx76]

Pretty stellar review. I certainly hope this CD gets ToTo back into the public eye. I am not a major fan of the band, but I like what I have heard. And I think any band of this genre, that can put out a work with this kind of review, is worthy of the attention.

Being a major Journey fan, this line really struck me: "The real test of a truly great album is it's longevity; whether the melodies and production stand the test of time, long beyond the initial "awe" when the great pleasure of familiarising oneself with the CD subsides." As much as I love "Generations" from Journey, I think the production will probably shorten the shelf life on the CD a little. I appreciate the vibe the production gave the work, but had they taken the time to mix the CD to sound the way ToTo's CD appears to sound, then I think it would go even further.

Well there is likely a secret ingredient that Toto has here, and that is Simon Phillips. The guy has really come a long way in his production / engineering skills. Not bad at the drums either...LOL

Good review Mr. Minting - I can't say that I saw anything nearly as favorable written about Mindfields or Looking Glass...but then, I've looked forward to most Toto albums before they were released. On longevity...time will tell.

[Rockindeano]

I think what 28 was saying is Journey should have given at least a 50% effort on production...like Toto did. Journey has more talent than Toto, but they IMO, just don't really care to sink 2 weeks into production. Why?


I love the KOD cd....very nice. Better than Isolation, IMO.

Brandon, Toto has Simon Phillips, and Journey has Kevin Frazier and Kevin Elson...Journey probably gets the edge there. Journey tours more than Toto, so I would think that's why they wanted the thing done, because they were getting out on the road asap, and were selling it as part of the ticket price.

[r@y]

I think what 28 was saying is Journey should have given at least a 50% effort on production...like Toto did. Journey has more talent than Toto, but they IMO, just don't really care to sink 2 weeks into production. Why?


I love the KOD cd....very nice. Better than Isolation, IMO.

Brandon, Toto has Simon Phillips, and Journey has Kevin Frazier and Kevin Elson...Journey probably gets the edge there. Journey tours more than Toto, so I would think that's why they wanted the thing done, because they were getting out on the road asap, and were selling it as part of the ticket price.

Journey tours more than Toto..?? You sure 'bout that, Deano..? (in Rob De Niro style)

If you mean just in the US, you're right. But if your talking about just touring, Toto tours every continent in the world except US (where they do selected venues ).... and the North and South Pole..!

Another debate-able point of yours is Journey has got more talent than Toto. You should add IMO to that....

Cheers.

Ray

[jrnyman28]

I think what 28 was saying is Journey should have given at least a 50% effort on production...like Toto did. Journey has more talent than Toto, but they IMO, just don't really care to sink 2 weeks into production. Why?

Exactly. I love this CD, but if the mix sounded better than I think it would last a lot longer. But then, I LOVE RED13 regardless of the mix. I can't get enough of that EP!

[Will]

Journey has more talent than Toto.

Well, that's a very subjective opinion. I think Toto's session credentials speak for themselves. Don't get me wrong, I have been a huge Journey fan for a long time but Eddie Van Halen said Toto are "collectively the best musicians on the planet". It doesn't matter really, Toto and Journey are certainly amongst the finest rock musicians ever and there's little virtue in drawing comparisons as it's all good!

Journey tours more than Toto

Well, in the USA, yes. But as far as I know, Journey very rarely venture outside the USA. Toto, on the other hand, do most of their business in the rest of the world.

[brandonx76]

It doesn't matter really, Toto and Journey are certainly amongst the finest rock musicians ever and there's little virtue in drawing comparisons as it's all good!

Growing up in a house where music was played throughout the day, and my tapes finding their way into the stereo, my mom once asked me, who I thought was the better drummer: Jeff Porcaro, or Steve Smith? I was at a loss -

Personally, as long as both bands continue to make new music, I don't see a need for a "vs." stance between the two. Besides, is there really any value in arguing: Yes vs. Genesis? AC/DC vs. Judas Priest? Kiss vs. Rush? (haha..j/k)

- Brandon

[Calbear94]

I believe that the advantage that Toto has over Journey right now is not in the area of production, rather in songwriting chemistry. Toto is still clicking...songwriting is truely a team effort.

In contrast, in the Journey camp it is more like a creative tug of war. On Arrival, the imbalance favored Cain and on Generations the balance has swung back over to Schon. It speaks volumes, that a couple of the few power ballads on Generations were written by Augeri with solo intentions. Take away these songs and Generations is barely recognizeable as Journey.

I don't miss Perry on vocals, but I am starting to miss his role in songwriting. With Perry in the mix, there may have been more creative tension than creative harmony but the resulting product was undeniably great. His presence used to ensure that the emphasis would be on melodies, hooks and choruses....Journey's bread and butter during their heyday. Schon used to defer and in the process became the maestro of melodic solos. Now it seems that he wants to replace the emphasis on Perry's vocals with his in-your-face playing. Generations still sounds too much like Soul Sirkus IMO.

I'll be taking a break from Journey...and looking forward to new Toto, Survivor, Mecca, and Pride of Lions. I am tired of being stuck on Journey...there is so much new great music on the way.

[Bobby Van Halen]

Just got a hold of the new cd.My friend managed to get a copy and i'll say this.Ive always agreed with Andrew"s reviews but sorry guys this cd is a dud.Theres 3 solid tracks...bottom of your soul..a great song,simple life from lukater who always manages to write good songs and a gospel song towards the end of the cd by David Paich where he shares vocals.
Otherwise the cd is acomplete dud.Ive heard the thing 3 times in its entirety and its abt as bad as Mindfields.
On the other hand if u liked mindfields u could like this,but i definitely dont.3 SONGS OUT OF 10 JUST ARENT GOOD ENOUGH FOR ABAND LIKE TOTO

[r@y]

Just got a hold of the new cd.My friend managed to get a copy and i'll say this.Ive always agreed with Andrew"s reviews but sorry guys this cd is a dud.Theres 3 solid tracks...bottom of your soul..a great song,simple life from lukater who always manages to write good songs and a gospel song towards the end of the cd by David Paich where he shares vocals.
Otherwise the cd is acomplete dud.Ive heard the thing 3 times in its entirety and its abt as bad as Mindfields.
On the other hand if u liked mindfields u could like this,but i definitely dont.3 SONGS OUT OF 10 JUST ARENT GOOD ENOUGH FOR ABAND LIKE TOTO

Dude, you have your opinion and the rest of the 9999 Toto fans have theirs..!

Sorry mate, but maybe the CD is not suited to your music taste ( its obvious when you say that of all the 10 songs, BOYS, SL & SM are your fav's from FiB).

But simply based on 1 min mp3 clips, I find it hard to disagree with the rave reviews given thus far by Will Minting, Steve & Andrew. Sure, non of the clips like 'bring tears to my eyes' or 'sends shivers down my spine'...but damn.....some of the songs simply kick serious ass...!!

Like I said if you're a rocker dude, then you will just dig FIB, H, TYW...!

Just my two nuts worth, mate..!

Cheers.

Ray

[boatontheriver70]

I've heard the album for the first time today and I like it.
It's seems a good work.

[Bobby Van Halen]

Hi guys..
Well i have heard the whole album,not only the 1 min samples.I actually have the damn thing.But i dont want to get anyone upset its just my opinion that the songs arent great.Musically they're probably fantastic,but catchy they aint.
In response to one reply,who said that 9999 other toto fans would differ,your right.Thats all that will differ 9999,because i cant see them making a dent in this market.
Anyway just my 2 cents worth,if you guys love the cd well good on u.

[Andrew]

Some 2 months into listening to this album and I'm still getting chills....this blows me away every listen.

JUST AMAZING!

[jrnyman28]

Hi guys..
Well i have heard the whole album,not only the 1 min samples.I actually have the damn thing

You sound awfully defensive...no one said you didn't have the CD. Rubiconman merely said that he had only heard the 1 min. clips and that based on those he could not argue the stellar reviews...

But i dont want to get anyone upset its just my opinion that the songs arent great.Musically they're probably fantastic,but catchy they aint.

That's fine, again why get so defensive? But, if you have listened to the entire CD several times, why are you saying the music is probably fantastic? OK, so they are not catchy (to you)...no problem.

In response to one reply,who said that 9999 other toto fans would differ,your right.Thats all that will differ 9999,because i cant see them making a dent in this market.

Which market are you referring to? I am sure they will do little in the US so if that is your implication than I agree. But you should be more specific since this forum "resides" in Australia. And the European market is probably going to eat this up!

[Bobby Van Halen]

Well thats the great thing abt this forum we can all state our opinions.I aint defensive abt anything.I just dont like the album.
As for the european market,if you think this cd will sell,good on you.
I think it'll do as much as what mindfields did..u can be the judge of that.
Otherwise happy listening.Have a nice day

[Kaj]

I think FIB is the best ToTo album since The 7th one,but I don´t the production can match for example Tambu,I listened to Fahrenheit just before FIB and then compared the new album soundwise to Fahrenheit and FIB doesn´t have the same crispy production.
There´s something missing.
Good music anyhow.

[The Fly]

Andrew's right about this one guys. I just listened to the whole thing for the first time and I have to agree this is one AMAZING album!!! Maybe their best ever!! Only time will tell! I didn't think too much after listening to just the clips. Just wait until you hear the whole thing!! If you don't like this then you just aren't a Toto fan. All I can say is "WOW!!! This may be the best CD by anyone in the last ten years or so.

[Red]

Well thats the great thing abt this forum we can all state our opinions.I aint defensive abt anything.I just dont like the album.
As for the european market,if you think this cd will sell,good on you.
I think it'll do as much as what mindfields did..u can be the judge of that.
Otherwise happy listening.Have a nice day

I agree with you, BVH. I love when Toto stick to what they do best: write basically simple soft rock songs with great arrangements. On this new album I enjoy 'Simple life', the wonderful Toto IV-ish bridge of 'Dying on my feet', the soulful 70's sounding 'Let it go' and, and...not much more. Opinions come from listening to my japanese import of FiB.

Edit: I was unfair above. I do like the James Pankow horns, Ian Anderson's flute and a few others parts as well. IMHO and in my ears there's just not enough good songs on this one to call it a classic. Nowhere near. Nota bene I like the early Toto most. I own God knows how many store bought versions/editions of the first four albums. FiB is technically brilliant and sounds a million bucks but I don't giva a d**n about technical brilliance if the songs are not 'alive'. Again, just my opinion. Anyone else? After reading all the ravings for this album I was a bit shocked when actually hearing it, that's all. Not a big deal though. Life goes on.

[usedtobadnews61]

[quote="Red"][ FiB is technically brilliant and sounds a million bucks but I don't giva a d**n about technical brilliance if the songs are not 'alive'. quote]

The first thing I thought of when I read this quote was Journey's Generations. I sure hope FIB has more than 3 good songs on it. That quote could be true for Mindfields as well. I'm hoping for more of a Tambu feel to FIB than a 7th One feel. But, than I am in the minority on that one.



Jim

[JohnH]

I just got this Friday and have only heard four songs and am really impressed. There is so much to offer and I know I will hear something different with every listen. I also got to see Luke's Baked Potato band last Sunday....and talk about the album......Simon was there also just hanging out so I also spoke with him.

John

[Paul_UK]

I didnt really want to comment on the album until I had at least 3 listens in its entirety, now that I have here is my own personal opinion on the new Toto offering.

The production is absolutely out of this world! There is a lovely very deep, very low and bouncy and satisfying bass drum on all of the tracks which gives a complete dimension to the overall sound. I think the return of Steve Porcaro to the team has helped in this area...a talent that has been sorely missed from Toto's more recent work.

The vocals I think are the icing on the cake on this album and I love the way the guys switch verses and choruses. It is sometimes very difficult to realise when one vocalist stops and another begins and if you're not concentrating you miss it and think its the same person. This technique extends their vocal range from David Paich's low and soft tones to Joe William's creamy smooth highs thru to Bobby Kimball's (I've always loved his voice and considered it as THE sound of Toto) overdrive and ceilingless top screams. I don't think he has an upper range limit - he just keeps going up!! Greg Philinganes has a great soulful voice and adds a new flavour to the Toto sound. Reservedly I like it.

The guitar sounds are filthy and razor-saw like. There are some great heavy arsekicking riffs especially in Falling in Between and Dying on my feet. Yet there are plenty of sweet Lukather moments too especially in No End in Sight. If I wanted to be picky I could say that I miss those classic AOR tracks Toto used to be masters of (Stop Loving You, Angel Dont Cry, Pamela...etc), but what's here has completely blown anything i've listened to in the last 12 months out of the water!

Simon Philips gets better (and shorter!!) with each passing year with the band...The guy has such energy. I remember seeing him live with Roxy Music many years back and thought his playing was a colossus then too!

Mike Porcaro - well he's always delivering the 'thoughtful' bass player's lines which lift the songs with his unexpected inversions. Listen to
what happens to the bass near the end of No End in Site just as the strings hit in...wonderful stuff!

I love many of the tracks already, No End in Sight is my favourite with its slow half tempo drums which then ignite and kick into life before the chorus smacks you even harder straight between the eyes. The chorus's beat is very very Toto and you can't stop twitching when you hear it. I really love the punctuation of the string section on the coda (last part of the song) as it builds and fades. I seem to remember Chicago doing a track with a similar punctuating technique, and if you listen, the chorus chord sequence is the same as the Chicago track 'Beginnings' from their very first album!

I see James Pankow is inevitably in on the act again and it amazes me this guy can do so much with a trombone, reminding me of the joke about the difference between a frog and a trombone player going up the freeway - THE FROG'S GOT THE GIG!!!!! Usually trombones are not a very 'rock' instrument and brass sections usually only have saxes and trumpets but somehow this guy has made his fortune with his trombone and still continues to impress.

Overall the album is a cool album and offers a lot to the die hard Toto listener. Yet.... I can't bring myself to say "it is their best" - maybe I need more time. I think other Toto albums like The Seventh One, Isolation and their debut still remain my absolute favourites...for now. However, I think though that if I did myself a long MP3 compilation of Toto tracks (and I really must one day) many of the tracks from Falling in Between would be there.

All in all, a great album that anyone that appreciates great musos should enjoy very much. 8/10 from me!!

[JohnH]

Finally got to hear the whole thing and I just want to say that Andrew is 100 percent right on with his review. Once in awhile I disagree with his reviews but on this one he is spot on. This album is so special and sounds so great....There really is only one band in the world that can do this type of material and it's Toto. The production, the sound, the engineering, drumming, the singing, the guitar playing, the keyboards, the horns the bass playing.....:It's so incredible! It's albums like this that restore my faith in music and inspire me to push the boundaries of my own musicianship. I was driving near downtown LA just flying along the Freeway and track 3 was playing and the sun was going down......with the shadows hitting the buildings......a perfect soundtrack to a beautiful day, doesn't get any better than that.

John

[AOR rules]

Enjoyable record though can´t quite compete with 5 first albums but wasn´t really expecting them to do that. I´m pleased with quality of the material, only the name song FIB doesn´t meet with my taste (bit too heavy and progressive). The production is not among their best but that´s understandable under the circumstances of them not being in big record label with big budget.

[brandonx76]

Enjoyable record though can´t quite compete with 5 first albums but wasn´t really expecting them to do that. I´m pleased with quality of the material, only the name song FIB doesn´t meet with my taste (bit too heavy and progressive). The production is not among their best but that´s understandable under the circumstances of them not being in big record label with big budget.

You're right...Celine Dion's last record sounds much better....what the hell are you talking about?!?! It sounds fine (great) ((awesome))

[AOR rules]

You're right...Celine Dion's last record sounds much better....what the hell are you talking about?!?! It sounds fine (great) ((awesome))

Well, maybe there is nothing wrong with the production and it´s just the fact that I like old fashioned analogue recording methods more. But I think the production on “Tambu” is much better and it has also modern day digital recording so this analogue/digital thing cant explain it totally. I still bet that recording budget on FIB has been lower than on “Tambu”.

[jim]

Two words, Absolutely awesome

As for comments regarding FIB's production, I see no such discount in the sound that the album presents - Solid, well mastered and a joy to listen to!

I guess my favorite track from the album is Spirital Man, I can see the laser in my player wearing this disc out either that or i'll be needing a new player after I wear the drive motor out

Reading anothers comparison to Tambu, Tambu's production quality isnt in question - not one of my most favorite album but if I was to pick albums for bad production it'd be Turn Back and maybe Hydra at a pinch (Yes TTLG was bad but excellently produced)

However as a whole, as with all music ya listen to the album that fits the mood and Falling In Between has it all

Thankyou TOTO, you've hit paydirt with this one guys!!!

The guys should feel proud for this release, it shows alot of work went into this!

[Taliwakker]

Okay...i'm not a lifelong Toto fan...my mrs has a greatest hits album and thats pretty much all i've heard Toto-wise...wouldn't put it on by choice but i wouldn't turn it off either.

Anyway i got Falling In Between based on just hearing the title track and must say overall that its very impressive...great vocals/harmonies and pretty bloody decent musicianship...just a pity the album isn't all as ballsy as the first track