Toto Albums Ranked
Toto was an American rock band formed in 1977 in Los Angeles. The band’s most recent lineup consisted of Joseph Williams (lead vocals), David Paich (keyboards, vocals), Steve Porcaro (keyboards), Steve Lukather (guitars, vocals), plus touring members Lenny Castro (percussion), Warren Ham (saxophone), Shem von Schroeck (bass) and Shannon Forrest (drums). Toto is known for a musical style that combines elements of pop, rock, soul, funk, progressive rock, hard rock, R&B, blues, and jazz. Paich and Jeff Porcaro had played together as session musicians on several albums and decided to form a band. David Hungate, Lukather, Steve Porcaro, and Bobby Kimball were recruited before the first album release. The band enjoyed great commercial success in the late 1970s and 1980s, beginning with the band’s eponymous debut released in 1978. With the release of the critically acclaimed and commercially successful Toto IV (1982), Toto became one of the best-selling music groups of their era. Toto has released 14 studio albums and has sold over 40 million records worldwide. The group has been honored with several Grammy Awards and was inducted into the Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum in 2009. Here are all of Toto albums ranked.
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8. Turn Back (1981)
“Clearly the two best songs on the album are “English Eyes” and “Goodbye Elenore” – two very Paich-ish songs (which always seem to be standouts – anyone who knows Paich’s work with Boz Scaggs et all knows that he is a master songwriter/player/arranger)….”Gift. . .” and “I Think I Could Stand You Forever” are other standouts (despite what one reviewer said, the latter is a well-written, VERY “Toto-esque” song…it fits perfectly).”
7. Kingdom of Desire (1992)
“his is truly GREAT ROCK! The entire album has an edge to it that rightly places it with great AOR bands like REO, Journey, Foreigner and even Van Halen. Steve Lukather’s guitar mastery is showcased here better than I had ever heard it. Lukather also provides excellent lead vocals as well. There are also a bunch of guest musicians and backing vocalists that really round out this tour de force of rock ‘n’ roll/R&B/funk rock/progressive etc. “
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6. Fahrenheit (1986)
“The album overall is classic Toto: high production quality, not a sound wasted, no throwaway tracks, and always doing something different than the previous release. To wit, the R&B-funky groove train in “Fahrenheit”, the reggae influenced “Somewhere Tonight”, and the smoky soul of jazzmaster Miles Davis closing out side B on “Don’t Stop Me Now”. Mid-80’s pop/rock gods that they were then, 1986 saw the popularity of groups like The Bangles, Bruce Hornsby, Prince & the Revolution, Pet Shop Boys, for example, hit the big time.”
5. Toto Xiv (2015)
“This is one of the best lineups of Toto, and definitely some of the best music across a very wide spectrum of genres and flavors. The first track (“Running out of Time”) rips the door off the hinges, the second (“Burn”) grabs you and holds on, and then you get a solidly-delivered smooth reprieve on track 3 (“Holy War”). Joseph Williams is back on vocals, and his voice is in top-notch shape, David Paich returns for his keyboard/piano awesomeness, and Steve Lukather remains the only one who’s always been there.”
4. Isolation (1984)
“Toto’s 5th album “Isolation”, went gold, but should of gone platinum for sure! This album brought in ex-Trillion and LeRoux vocalist (the late) Fergie Frederikson and new bassist (the late) Mike Pocaro, they dropped Bobby Kimball. This one of Toto’s rockier efforts! Great guitar throughout by Steve Lukather! This would be their last great album until 2015’s “XIV”. Great tunes in “Carmen”, “Angel Don’t Cry”, “Stranger In Town”, which reached a rather low #30, “Mr. Friendly”, “Holyanna”, #71 (such a shame), “How Does It Feel”, “Lion” and “Endless”.:
3. Hydra (1979)
“”Hydra” was the second album, and I think the groups best work. It has a more of a timeless feel than most records that came out as this same time. Its rock, but with a mystery to it, that you can only experience by listening.”
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2. The Seventh One (1988)
“”The Seventh One” represents Toto on the verge of returning to their success of Toto IV (success in terms of production quality, songwriting, etc. – not chart-wise), with hints at their direction for the future. I see this album as the foundation of later releases like “Tambu” or “Mindfields”, both excellent recordings in their own right.”
1.Toto IV (1982)
“One of the greatest albums of the 80’s…very few albums ever have expressed the range of easy listening, pop, rock and progressive rock. This is what happens when a bunch of world-class musicians get together and make music!!”