Customer Reviews

Hydra

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

 

 

I've heard quite a few Toto albums at this point, and I would have to say that Hydra is just as good as Toto I and Toto IV. The title song (and opener) took several listenings for me to figure out, but I finally got it (with the help of the music video on YouTube). It has a dark, creepy sound, but in that irresitably catchy way. Both "Hydra" and "St. George" appear to be connected to the album cover, but that's it. This is not a theme album that tells a story. "99" is one of those songs that sounds better the next time you hear it. "Lorraine" is a song I'd never heard, but it's actually really good and gets stuck in your head. "All Us Boys" is a fast-rocking song that makes you wish you knew how to play guitar. Everyone's vocal cords are in prime condition here, delivering one great song after another. Don't be afraid to try something new: Hydra is a terrific album that all Toto fans should own. I can give you my personal guarantee that it will not cease to amaze you every time you hear it.

This Toto album has great musicianship and production. Like the best music. Toto soars from a whisper to a scream. Hydra is one of there best albums. Please give Hydra a listen. You will be happy you gave it a try.

If the Toto catalog would ever get a proper remastering, "Hydra" would merit 5 stars. Arguably the band's best album, outside of "IV".

This is a little overdue, considering the time I wrote my review of Toto's debut. Now I'm aware that "Hydra" isn't as heralded as its predecessor, and its understandable given its content. I'll give this 4.5 stars. Its my opinion that its not as outstanding, "Hydra" does stand alone in its creativity. Think about it; back in '79 disco was all the rage yet it was slowly about to go into decline being the 80's were on the horizon. I think this was a good attempt at being a slight concept album, at least at the beginning. Toto gets an "A" for effort no doubt. It does have very little disco flavor mixed with punk. For instance, the first three tracks (Hydra, St. George and the Dragon, 99) are very bass heavy, which was a key element in most disco songs. Add to that several other tracks such as "All Us Boys" and "Lorraine" give it the uptempo flavor that punk was originally like. Now I will admit that I am biased, based on my previous review. I love hearing "99" anytime it come on the radio or I play my LP. Again, excellent song writing by David Paich and top notch production overall. I didn't know what to expect when I picked up the LP some years back considering that all I knew on it was "99". When I listened to it in its entirety, I dug it. Can't say there is any filler per se, even though the last track "A Secret Love" isn't really much of a great ballad. I loved the instrumentation on the title track, and how it kinda speaks in the way of the classic fairy tales, with modern day (well modern for '79) twists. I like the way Toto can mix different styling on their works. But this is a good purchase if you're a die hard Toto fan, or even if you're not, there might be a few gems on it that one might come to appreciate. A definite recommend in my book.

After a brilliant debut Toto returned in 1979 with their second effort, the odd Hydra. After amazing reactions to their first album, people were left cold by Hydra. So was I....ever so slightly.

Hydra, Starts off with the title cut. A seven and a half minute epic credited to the entire band. this catches you off guard right of the bat. A song with long instrumental passages and weird lyrics that seem to tell a story. This is something one would expect from Genesis. It is however an experiment that works. It flat out rocks too me. it's even better live but......I digress

St George and the dragon is another lyrically out their song. Maybe connected to the first song.....not sure. However this is poppy and melodic..and shorter. Another Paich lead like the first song. We come to 99.......Now we're talking the Toto we remember. A catchy funky song, In the spirit of their debut. Steve Lukather has said he hates 99. I enjoy it.

Lorraine follows and it's my favorite on the album. A song about the impending end of love. Surprisingly upbeat in it's chorus. A true Toto gem, by all rights. However after this it all goes south. To me the rest is unmemorable. All Us Boys, Mama, and White sister are all filler to me.....after the debut this is so disappointing. The does end a little better with A Secret Love. A short ballad beautifully sung by Mr Bobby Kimball. When it ends you're still left a little empty.

So there you have it. To me Hydra does not live up to the promise of it's first half. It falls flat. not a good place to start with Toto.

Mick

Released: Oct 1979 Produced by: Tom Knox, Reggie Fisher, Toto
Schizophrenic follow-up, dabbling in purer elements of punk, Boz Scaggs-style R&B, AM ballads, hard rock, and Sci-Fi prog rock. Nonetheless works, with dichotomy of trained, experienced studio musicians pulling off punk tunes one of the more adept accomplishments of early band. Title tack could have been plucked from Kansas' Point Of Know Return, "All Us Boys" from any Cheap Trick period output, and "99" (Billboard #26) from Scaggs' Silk Degrees. Though material somewhat jarringly jumps genres, result is solid album that only misfires on closing track, the misplaced "Secret Love." Other standouts: hard rock "St. George and the Dragon," funky "Mama," and tear-ass "White Sister" (featuring infernal solos by Lukather). Not for everyone. Highly recommended.