Hydra

by Toto

Overview

If Toto's musical advantage was that, since its members continued to play on many of the successful records made in L.A., its own music was popular almost by definition, its disadvantage was that it made little attempt to seek an individual musical signature -- a particular style, say, or a distinctive singer (Bobby Kimball was not it) who could make its records immediately identifiable. "Hold the Line" had been a big hit, but who did it? Boston? Foreigner? As a result, Toto was less well positioned than most to come off a big debut album with the follow-up, and Hydra was unusually dependent on its leadoff single, "99." Maybe it was a tribute to the female lead on the old Get Smart TV show, but many listeners didn't get a song with a chorus that went, "Oh, 99, I love you," and the single stalled in the bottom half of the Top 40. The album went gold on momentum, but the songs, however well-played, simply were not distinctive enough to consolidate the success Toto had achieved with its debut album. ~ William Ruhlmann

Product Details

Release Date:	04/03/2020
Label:	Legacy / Sony Music
UPC:	0190758011011
Rank:	47466

Tracks

1. Hydra
2. St. George and the Dragon
3. 99
4. Lorraine
5. All Us Boys
6. Mama
7. White Sister
8. A Secret Love

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Toto   Primary Artist
Steve Porcaro   Vocals,Keyboards,Electronics,Synthesizer
Steve Lukather   Guitar,Vocals
Bobby Kimball   Vocals
David Hungate   Bass,Guitar
David Paich   Vocals,Keyboards
Jeff Porcaro   Drums,Percussion
Lenny Castro   Percussion
Roger Linn   Synthesizer
Michael Boddicker   Keyboards
Marty Paich   Strings

Technical Credits

Toto   Composer,Producer
Steve Porcaro   Composer,Group Member
Steve Lukather   Composer,Group Member
Bobby Kimball   Composer,Group Member
David Hungate   Composer,Group Member
David Paich   Composer,Group Member
Jeff Porcaro   Composer
Tom Knox   Mixing,Engineer,Producer
Grover Washington, Jr.   Composer
Dan Latham   Mixing,Engineer
Dave Donnelly   Remastering
Michael Manoogian   Calligraphy
Tony Lane   Art Direction
Jim Hagopian   Photography,Art Direction
Philip Garris   Design