The Seventh One

The Seventh One is a work on which TOTO unified detailed rhythm, thick keyboards and soaring singing. While showing high studio craft, the songs never turn cold, and the warmth of the melody always remains at the center. As a second album with Joseph Williams on vocals, the band builds a full set of songs. From the accessibility of “Pamela” and “Stop Loving You” to the grand breadth of “Home of the Brave,” there is a different rich color for each song. Songs like “Mushanga,” “Anna” and “Straight for the Heart” house playing skill and melodic appeal too. Naturally binding outstanding playing skill to pop persuasiveness, it is a rewarding record conveying the fullness of late-1980s TOTO — a highly complete work fit to cap the band’s golden era.