Toto - Turn Back (1981) [2005 Japanese Edition]

You could say that “Turn Back” is the ‘lost’ Toto album. Whilst their debut record achieved double platinum sales figures producing two global hit singles, and it’s follow up ‘Hydra’ was eventually acknowledged as a neo progressive rock triumph, “Turn Back” flew beneath the radar and barely caused a blip on the charts before disappearing from sight.

The fact that their follow up album ‘Toto IV’ has won an unprecedented seven Grammys and contained three top 10 hit singles only seems to emphasise the point.
But although it is the least well known early era Toto album, to die-hard fans of the band it is regarded as one of their creative highpoints. Since its release more than thirty years ago, “Turn Back” has become somewhat a fan favorite, perhaps due its lack of success and big hits make the album arguably more enjoyable to listen to than any other Toto album.
Apart from that, and being unbiased, “Turn Back” includes some awesome, terrific songs.

“Turn Back” found Toto taking a far more aggressive approach, dialling down the keyboards and upping the guitar quota by a considerable margin. This was, for all intents and purposes, an arena rock album designed to stave off their detractors and emphasise that they could hold their own against meatier acts such as Foreigner and Boston.
Much of this was due to the enlistment of renowned British co-producer Geoff Workman who provided a more raw, heavy, glossy but thick sound.

Tracks:

01 – Gift With A Golden Gun
02 – English Eyes
03 – Live For Today
04 – A Million Miles Away
05 – Goodbye Elenore
06 – I Think I Could Stand You Forever
07 – Turn Back
08 – If It’s The Last Night

Personnel:

Bobby Kimball: lead and backing vocals
Steve Lukather: guitars, lead and backing vocals
David Paich: keyboards, backing vocals
Steve Porcaro: keyboards, electronics, backing vocals
David Hungate: bass, acoustic guitar on 6
Jeff Porcaro: drums, percussion