Toto (album)

Toto
Studio album by Toto
Released	15 October 1978
Recorded	May–September 1978
Genre	Arena Rock, Progressive rock, Pop Rock, Rhythm and Blues
Length	40:46
Label	Columbia
Producer	Toto
Toto chronology
Toto (1978) Hydra (1979)

Toto is the first studio album by the American band Toto. It was released in 1978 and includes the hit singles "Hold the Line", "I'll Supply the Love" and "Georgy Porgy", all three of which made it into the top 50 in the USA.^[1] "Hold the Line" spent six weeks in the Top 10, and reached number 14 in the UK as well.^[2] Although not initially very well received by critics, the band quickly gained a following,^[3] and the album gained a reputation for its characteristic sound, mixing soft pop with both synth and hard rock elements. The band would venture deeper into hard rock territory on their next album.

Reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
Source	Rating
Allmusic	[3]

Rolling Stone found Toto's attempt to transition from career session players to a band in their own right a failure, calling David Paich's songs "excuses for back-to-back instrumental solos" and saying that none of the four lead vocalists are better than passable.^[4]

In a retrospective review, Allmusic argued that the album received a strongly negative critical reaction only because critics felt threatened by Toto's demonstrated ability to create outstanding songs in any genre, which was a contradiction to popular critical assumptions about genre delineations and inspiration's supremacy over craft. They commented on the irony of the critics' reaction, in that it was this ability that made the album so well-liked by listeners of the time.^[3]

Track listing

All songs written and composed by David Paich (Copyright Hudmar Publishing), except where noted. 

Side one
No.	Title	Lead vocals	Length
1.	"Child's Anthem"	none	2:46
2.	"I'll Supply the Love"	Kimball	3:46
3.	"Georgy Porgy"	Lukather	4:09
4.	"Manuela Run"	Paich	3:54
5.	"You Are the Flower" (Bobby Kimball; Copyright Sheetfire Music)	Kimball	4:11

Side two
No.	Title	Lead vocals	Length
1.	"Girl Goodbye"	Kimball	6:13
2.	"Takin' It Back" (Steve Porcaro; Copyright Porcaro Music)	Porcaro	3:47
3.	"Rockmaker"	Paich	3:19
4.	"Hold the Line"	Kimball	3:56
5.	"Angela"	Lukather	4:45

Singles

• "Hold the Line" / "Takin' It Back"
• "I'll Supply the Love" / "You Are the Flower"
• "Georgy Porgy" / "Child's Anthem"
• "Rockmaker" / "Child's Anthem" (released in Holland)

Personnel

Toto

• Bobby Kimball: lead and backing vocals
• Steve Lukather: guitars, lead and backing vocals
• David Paich: keyboards, lead and backing vocals
• Steve Porcaro: keyboards, lead vocals
• David Hungate: bass
• Jeff Porcaro: drums, percussion

Additional musicians

• Lenny Castro: percussion
• Jim Horn: saxophone, wind instruments
• Chuck Findley: horns
• Roger Linn: synthesizers
• Marty Paich: string arrangements
• Sid Sharp: string arrangements
• Cheryl Lynn: backing vocals on "Georgy Porgy"

Production

• Arranged & Produced by Toto
• Tom Knox: engineer, mixing
• Dan Latham: engineer
• Gabe Veltri: engineer
• Ron Hitchcock: mastering

References

1. ^ Toto USA chart history, Billboard.com. Retrieved September 10, 2011.
2. ^ Toto UK chart history, The Official Charts. Retrieved September 10, 2011.
3. ^ ^{a b c} Toto (album) at Allmusic
4. ^ Shewey, Don (January 25, 1979). Toto review, Rolling Stone.

External links

• "Toto" at discogs