Through the Looking Glass

Through the Looking Glass is a strongly conceptual covers album on which TOTO translated a number of songs it reveres into their own sound. Rather than viewing it as a mere song collection, the interest of this record lies in hearing how TOTO re-places outside songs into their own timing, voice and guitar tone. Rather than relying on the fame of the originals, the band’s own outstanding skill and aesthetic surface in the push of the rhythm, the thickness of the choruses and the way the air is built before and after the solos. Rather than each song’s origin, listen for the unity that arises when passed through the TOTO filter. Precisely because they are a band gathering some of the world’s finest session musicians, their playing has overwhelming persuasiveness even when interpreting others’ classics. It is a project album outside the flow of the signature works, but the band’s musical roots and depth show strongly in such a work. From an angle different from the main albums, it is a flavorful record for confirming TOTO’s appeal.