Published: September 23, 2024
This album was produced by Tom Knox, Reggie Fisher, and Toto, and all the songs were written by David Paich
Toto is a rock band that has made an impressive mark in the historical books of rock, with their diverse range of musical styles that span rock, jazz, blues, soul, funk, R&B, hard rock, AOR, and more. All these styles fused together have created gems that continue to transcend rock throughout the ages.
On this occasion, I want to talk about their second studio album titled Hydra, released on October 26, 1979. This album is a gem that seems to have been created in a medical laboratory, with the highest levels of sound purity, as its sound is one of the most impeccable that the world of rock has ever seen.
Talent is present in every corner of this album; it is impressive, refined, and seductive. Hydra emerged from the minds of a group of brilliant musicians whom we could consider Nobel Prize winners of music, and who long ago earned their place in rock forever.
This album was produced by Tom Knox, Reggie Fisher, and Toto, and all the songs were written by David Paich. Steve Porcaro and David Paich used Polyfusion synthesizers. Jeff Porcaro used Ludwig drums.
Although this album was not the most successful in terms of Toto's sales, it sold well and features singles that stood out on the charts, such as the track "99," inspired by the science fiction film THX 1138, which reached a respectable position on the Billboard Hot 100 and can be heard on the regular programming of many commercial radio stations.
In 2013, Toto's guitarist Steve Lukather said about the album:
"When you have success with something, it's always when you don't want to repeat it. So we tried something a little different with Hydra, and it sold well, although maybe it was a bit rushed for us. And here's the irony: Rolling Stone harshly criticized the first album, and then, when they reviewed Hydra, the first line of the review was something like: 'It doesn't have the magic of the first album.' We immediately burst out laughing. Who are these guys? Do they think we have amnesia? We were just following our muses, man. We were following our own rules and didn't want to listen to anyone."
Today, I was doing my weekly vinyl search, and I was fortunate to find the first Canadian edition of this album on vinyl, in perfect condition. Manufactured and distributed by CBS Records Canada Ltd. You have no idea the sound it has, as well as the overall art of this gatefold edition, with an inner sleeve that includes photos of the six musical masters who created this gem:
Bobby Kimball – lead and backing vocals
Steve Lukather – guitars, lead and backing vocals
Steve Porcaro – synthesizers, electronics, synthesizer programming
David Paich – acoustic piano, keyboards, lead and backing vocals
David Hungate – bass guitar, guitars
Jeff Porcaro – drums, percussion
The experience of listening to this album is unique, as you witness a quality that unfortunately can no longer be found these days. In a world of software and autotune, quality has diminished, but fortunately, we have these gems for eternity.
I invite you to discover or rediscover the beauty of this discographic work titled Hydra and to experience the slowness of technique, as well as one of the purest works that rock has ever released.
Gino Alache
