Customer Reviews

Ever Changing Times

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Let me start by saying that I am a huge fan of Steve Lukather. Now that that's out of the way, this is yet another great album from the man who has played on more albums than almost any other musician. This time Lukather has decided to go for a very eclectic mix of styles ranging from heavy tracks to jazzy tunes and his trademark melodic ballads all held together by his impressive vocal style. Lukather is known for his intense soloing and this album is stacked with them but my favourite is the solo on the second track "The letting go" - it is perfect and grooves so much. This album has something for everyone. The production is very slick as you would expect and there's nearly an hour of music to digest. Not sure that this will be a popular album for critics but it's definitely a fan pleaser from Luke.

For those Toto fans left wanting more after the `Falling In Between' this will undoubtedly satisfy that craving. Most of the tracks have that `Toto feel' about them but even so Steve stamps his own style with some his brilliant guitar work. The title track `Ever Changing Times' is an absolute gem and can be listened to for free on the Toto Official web-site. `Stab in the Back' could have been recorded by Steely Dan and they would have been proud of Steve's effort. `Jamming with Jesus' hits you like a thunderbolt and is probably `heavier' than most Toto tracks. The chorus in `Tell me what you want' comes as a surprise given the melodic style of the track and will no doubt be popular with those who love Steve for his guitar skills. Overall I think this is a very good album which I can thoroughly recommend, especially for Toto fans and deserves success.

This is not just the best solo album from Lukather - but properly the best album he ever contributed too - including the TOTO sessions, of which I am a big big fan. When I first listened to EVER CHANGING TIMES I was a bit dissapointed - but as with all great art, the more I listen the more it grows on me - and after the resent concert in Copenhagen I can only day that the material is even better LIVE - would love to get my hands of a LIVE Recording from this new tour. So if you are in any way a fan og Luke or maybe just a fan of well played music, I cannot recommended this CD enough - just buy it.
Peter Stenberg

Not only Steve Lukather's best solo album, but this may be a contender for the best album of 2008. Steve Lukather finally puts all his skills together into one cohesive, song-based album. It's long on great melodies and skillful playing, and Steve's lyrics continue to get better with each album. It's rare that a player will hit his stride as a writer so late in his career, but that's exactly what Steve Lukather has done here. Features guest appearances from Joseph Williams, Bill Champlin, Steve Porcaro, Jeff Babko, Lee Sklar, Abe Laboriel, Jr., Greg Mathieson, and Lukather's two oldest children among others.

Steve Lukather wears more hats on this album than Jamiroquai has in his wardrobe! From not only singer, guitarist extrordinaire, songwriter, arranger and producer, he also covers enough musical styles to keep all of his fans happy and reach a few new ones in the process.

From typically luxurious Toto-like mid-tempo ballads, to hard hitting, contemporary rockers, to sleazy, grinding Rock-Funk, to Steely Dan Jazz grooves and more.

The title-track slides in like a snake about to devour you. The chunky riff hits you firmly in the solar plexus a few seconds later. Setting the tone for the album, it covers a multitude of styles, all within the space of 5 and a half minutes. This is stylish, majestic stuff!

The elegiac mood of "THE LETTING GO" cools the heat caused by the opening track. However, as the track progresses, it too gathers pace and concludes with what is no doubt Luke's finest solo on this album.

"NEW WORLD" kicks in like a distant cousin from '97s "Luke". You think you know where it's going and then...bam!! - it suddenly gallops into double-time, before slowing again. It does this several times and adds a great energy and vibe to a track which would sound totally at home on modern US Rock Radio. Are THEY listening out there?!!

For me, the album's highlight is track 4 - "TELL ME WHAT YOU WANT FROM ME?". Beginning with a cool and breezy acoustic strum, complete with shimmering keys and Beatle-esque chords, it growls into a churning and riffing monster. Can this be the same song? With a ferocity of a Muse or Porcupine Tree track, it grabs you by the throat, before gently soothing you with the same melodic refrain it began with - then...KAPOW!! - Luke smears guitar licks all over the studio, then inserts a beautifully melodic bridge, before exiting with a mother of a guitar riff. Phew!

As if to say "Hey, don't run away - I can still give you the melodic stuff too!", you catch your breath with "I AM". This is classic Luke and classic Toto. Evoking tender ballads such as "Simple Life" and "The Other End Of Time", the chiming keyboard refrain will stick in your head all day and night.

It's time to get fonkay!! "JAMMIN' WITH JESUS" has a dirty, shuffling groove which stutters and shimmys all over the place. I bet it's a killer track live. Great gospel-style group vocals from Joseph Williams, Bill Champlin and Bernard Fowler on the hook, and with slinky, sensual guitar woven in by Luke, whilst Lee Sklar snorts his bass and Greg Mathieson's organ runs take you to church!

Hey, who let Steely Dan into the studio? Yes, "STAB IN THE BACK" is Luke's affectionate tip of the hat to his heroes, Messrs. Becker and Fagen. With the perfect blend of clipped, jazzy fusion, he lovingly creates his own version of what could comfortably sit on any of the last few Dan albums. The only concession is the sneaky little metallic riff which gets thrown in now and again - just to remind you "this is really still Luke!". However, thanks to such wonderful touches as the "Haitian Divorce"-style talk-box solo, I guarantee that Walter and Donald will be grinning their socks off.

"NEVER ENDING NIGHTS" re-establishes the classic Luke/Toto feel, both melodically and lyrically. Once again, this will please any hardcore Toto fans and contains yet another stylish and understated solo from Luke.

"ICEBOUND" has a lovely Jeff Porcaro-type groove, with great lyrics about a "waitress (who) shouts like a Nazi"! A cool, jazzy piece of rock, with Dan-style harmonic hooks. Luke's solos weave beautifully in and out of synthesiser lines - played by Steve Weingart in a very George Duke way.

The penultimate "HOW MANY ZEROS?" has yet more lip-smacking Dan-like chords, before slipping into a tough, but laidback groove. The chorus vocals have a Bobby Kimball feel to them - sung by Joseph Williams - so I could see this type of song fitting comfortably onto any future Toto album.

So many tracks are peppered with wonderfully quirky effects, giving the album a very contemporary feel. The production is awesome. The fullness of the instruments leaps out of the speakers, with a very rich and dramatic feel. Luke should be particularly proud of just how good this album sounds.

Closing with the sole instrumental, "THE TRUTH", it takes Luke's love and respect for a fellow artist like Jeff Beck and channels his own spirit into the track. Stately and mournful and yet full of hope, it's a great way to end the album. It's also an incredibly cinematic piece of music.

So, after Toto release last year what is IMHO the finest album of their 30 year career (so far!), so Luke releases his finest and most complete solo album. The guy still astounds me. How anyone can remain so fresh and passionate about his music and continue to improve year upon year, is beyond me. How ever he does it, I am so very grateful.

If you love melody, awesome guitar, heartfelt vocals and great songwriting, then get this album now!!

I will have to say that this album is SUPERB!! It is one of those that at first listen - you like alot, but gets better and better with each spin. Many of the melodies are like an old friend - sound somewhat familiar, but are not repeats from the past - and are they ever "hooky". This album often reminds me of a perfect combination of TOTO's first album due to the jazz/rock that exists in many of the tracks and it also reminds me of the last and final TOTO release, due to the metal licks that are laid in many of the songs that give you a monster slap in the face......it really is the best of all worlds that are TOTO and beyond. This is not doubt the best SOLO album by far from Luke. For a breakdown of east song - put exactly as I would have - see the review done by Peter James Ogle..........I couldn't have said it better myself.
Yes - Steve has said this is the NEW beginning - that TOTO is caputt for good. So glad he wants to continue to amaze us all.......maybe the USA will embrace him like he deserves to be. BUY THIS NOW!!!!

lets cut to the chase some people have been saying he does not burn enough on this record well too suit your tastes go buy something older like the candyman cd or greg mathieson live at the baked potato or a live toto disc. please quit the complaining guitar is not just about shredding and luke has said he is burned out on playing heavy fusion. he is formost a talented song writer. if you people listned to all the toto stuff and his solo stuff u would see this. this album is a fine example of the many styles he plays and no the guitar tone does change please open your ears. In a world that is digital recording too say that the record was overproduced is like saying you will settle for garbage production work and you dont want to hear the finest digital has too offer. steve macmillen is a true pro at what he does. everyone i respect is entitled to their opinions but im tired of all these people ripping on toto and his solo work. some of you people who say these things need to look at what your doing with your lives? can you play guitar like that? wheres your hit songs. look at his dicography who he has played with you critics cannot say you have had a career like that. he is respected all around the world by many fans and we will defend him and toto when people say useless garbage that is not true. A truly great album with great lyrical commentary like in how many zeros, which is about government greed, the love songs are gorgeous and classic lukather, the steely dan inspired song stab in the back is pure genious and refreshing, if your a lukather fan get this new beggining for him as soon as you can, great musicians like lee sklar, abe laboriel JR, greg mathison, also joseph williams and bill champlin on background vocals, great effort luke much respect to you soul brother your a inspiration. R.I.P jeff porcaro the groove master.

I'm not much for writing reviews, as everyone is entitled to thier own opinion. However, after reading the review below, (by R. Williams), I just had to take a few minutes and submit my 'two cents'. First off, my question to Mr. Williams would have to be, have you been to the doctor recently to have your ears checked? It might be wise to do so soon. This CD is another in an extremely long line of stunning achievments from Mr. Lukather. From start to finish, this is as close to a perfect release that is humanly possible, IMHO. While Luke's 'Candyman' will always be my favorite solo release, this one hasn't left the player in about 2 months. (I don't think it will anytime soon, either). Here's hoping that Luke tours the US extensively for this one. Steve...East Coast..........PLEASE!!!!!!

This is a Rock n' Roll Spiritual Journey from one of the greatest guitar players alive. Speaking of "alive", Luke is singing and playing with his heart and his soul on this one, and it takes the music to another level. It is clear that his faith, the direction of his life and his music are on a collision course, and when they impact the effect is AWESOME!!!! ex: "Tell Me What You Want From Me", AMAZING! Although I miss the sound of Toto already, (especially after the fantastic "FALLING IN BETWEEN" CD & DVD), Luke provides many Toto moments for us in his own creative style. I can't recommend this CD enough.

I have always been a Toto fan, but just recently have started to really appreciate their music again and their remarkable talent. I mostly listened to Toto's top 40 tunes. I was really unaware of how talented the band Toto, and Steve Lukather was until a wonderful friend of mine turned me onto Toto again and also, Steve's solo music. I purchased this cd, and was amazed on how great it was! All of the other reviewers summed it up so well, so I won't repeat, but this is by far worth the purchase. The first song, Everchanging Times, just blew me away, and I had to put that song on repeat. Then came the songs, The Letting Go, I Am, and the beautiful instrumental, The Truth. From start to finish, this cd is a true testament to how talented Steve Lukather is. I am so happy that I purchased this! There will never be another band or music like Toto's, but it is never too late to rediscover their music again, and also to lose yourself in the wonderful musicianship of Steve Lukather's, Everchanging Times!