Released by: The Players Club
Release Date: June 16th, 2023
Genre: Rock
Links: http://www.stevelukather.com/
Line Up:
Steve Lukather
David Paich
Joseph Williams
Simon Phillips
Steve Maggiora
Shannon Forrest
Lee Sklar
Jorgen Carlsson
Trev Lukather
Tracklist:
1. Far From Over
2. Not My Kind Of People
3. Someone
4. All Forevers Must End
5. When I See You Again
6. Take My Love
7. Burning Bridges
8. I’ll Never Know
At some point a few years ago, Electric Guitar icon Steve Lukather stated there would be no more Toto albums, in his 60’s then realization finally hit that enough music had been carefully planted during the 40-plus years in the industry, album sales exceeding the 40 million plus, not to mention Toto has been able to ride the wave of transcendence with streams in the billions and successful touring life on top of more successes. One of the few 70’s groups that has managed to still be relevant today as much as they ever had, despite line-up changes and untimely passings of key members, a resurgence in their music a few years ago catapulted the wave of tours and new albums that followed.
Luke himself now on his 9th solo record, helped in writing from his pals Joseph Williams and David Paich, the aptly titled “Bridges” is a transition from his Toto work to his solo work. There may not be any new Toto music in the future, but Lukather is still around and making music today, which in itself is a music gift to the Rock universe.
Lukather kicks things swiftly into a precise rocker in “Far From Over” which is a co-write with his eldest son Trevor, one of his kids that has taken after his father and taken the musical footsteps. A cool number with a poignant statement. The next cut comes via a more edgy Toto-esque groove in “No My Kind of People”, you know that groove bass line and sharp Luke riff we all know and come to expect, this one could have been featured on any Toto albums of the last 20 years.
The melancholy ballad of “All Forevers Must End” seems prophetic, as a fitting end to a musical legacy comes near, least that’s the way it seems. This one was crafted by long-time Toto collaborator and iconic American songwriter Randy Goodrum. The bluesy jives of “Take My Love” plays very well, probably my favorite track on “Bridges”, one of the more emotional cuts, the whole rhythm section is brilliantly played.
Luke was right “Bridges” seems like a natural passing of the torch from Toto and the machine that he helped craft for over 40 years in the music business. The touches of 70’s rock and AOR are all sprayed throughout, and the Toto influences and touch are all there. Pleasantly good to hear Joseph Williams on the backing vocals on a lot of the songs here and David Paich involved in the process as well. No, I won’t say this is a legacy-defining moment for Lukather, with so much storied music over the years, his catalog speaks for itself. But for nostalgia’s sake, it’s good to hear new music from such a prolific and legendary musician.
Written by: Shadow Editor
Ratings: 7/10
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