Lukather, Steve: I Found The Sun Again

An album each from Toto stalwarts, Joseph Williams and Steve Lukather, both released on the same day and with linked headshot artwork… it’s like KISS in 1978 all over again! Well, not quite but it is a neat idea and with the pair also releasing pre-album singles where they feature in each other’s videos, also a whole lot of fun. Or at least they would be if the music was up to snuff…

And it sure as hell is - on both! While neither step too far from territory you’d expect, Lukather - Toto guitarist and sometime singer - maybe diverts from the given path to the larger extent. Incorporating blues and elements of jazz into the West Coast AOR/melodic rock framework you might expect, things sway from funk to rock, with the guitars often but not always taking centre stage. It would maybe also be fair to suggest that Luke is angry - legal shenanigans with ex-band member’s wives and other such actions dealt with in recent times and also, you’d guess, faced head on in the self explanatory “Along For The Ride� and “Serpent Soul�. The former is cracking, driven, top down freeway blaster where drummer Gregg Bissonette pounds and pops with real authority, while Toto keys-man David Paich pushes himself to the fore. With a mid-song synth breakdown clearly alluding to The Who’s “Won’t Get Fooled Again�, the message is clear and the music is sparky as a result. The latter of the two, “Serpent Soul�, plays it much funkier, bluesier and jazzier, a real authentic heart beating at this cut’s centre. It’s quite some change from the opener and yet with Paich and Lukather sparring for fun as piano and guitar go head to head, the level of musicianship is pretty well off the charts.

The moody, jazzy Traffic cover, “The Low Spark Of High Heeled Boys� pulls things in even further, but not in a way that Toto fans won’t already be well acquainted with, before “The Journey Through� instrumental ushers in a dreamier tone that shines a light on the touch and feel at Lukather’s disposal on the fretboards. It’s Joe Walsh’s turn to get the cover treatment next, “Welcome To The Club� given a not overly polished sparkle that it truly benefits from and while the original probably still pips it in terms of memorability, this really is a cracking rendition. The title track then introduces a sheen that truly reminds of relaxed sunsets and tender times, “I Found The Sun Again� intoxicating in its deceptively easy sounding journey but in reality the intricate little time signatures make for a truly complex yet calming experience. “Run To Me� is up next blending a West Coast swagger to a 60s pop grin and catching the ear in the process, before the Robin Trower standard “Bridge Of Sighs� finds Lukather and Paich once more trading licks and lines as they bring this album to a close.

Will we hear from Toto ever again? Well, there were plans for Lukather and Williams - who also guests on backing vocals throughout here - to take an all new line-up out on the road, but obviously that was shelved when the world went to hell. However, if this is what Luke (and Williams) can do in their spare time, then why not under the Toto banner? We can only hope. Arguably I Found The Sun Again jumps from style to style with just a little too much frequency but there’s no doubting that through some really clever arrangements and a whole lot of excellent musical interplay it holds the attention. It’s also a huge amount of fun, even if some of the lyrics ain’t exactly having a party!

Track Listing
1. Along For The Ride
2. Serpent Soul
3. The Low Spark Of High Heeled Boys
4. Journey Through
5. Welcome To The Club
6. I Found The Sun Again
7. Run To Me
8. Bridge Of Sighs

Added: February 26th 2021
Reviewer: Steven Reid
Score:
Related Link: Steve Lukather online
Hits: 1193
Language: english

[ Printer Friendly Page ]
[ Send to a Friend ]