Released: May 1993 / Produced by: Toto
After burning through three lead vocalists--culminating with the Jean-Michael Byron debacle in 1990--Toto hired from within, as Steve Lukather assumed the task. Released several months after Jeff Porcaro's death—on independent label Relativity in the US—seemed to have the deck stacked against Kingdom of Desire from the start.
However, where Turn Back and Isolation stumbled, KOD is blisteringly successful at what it does—rock hard. From the opening thunder of "Gypsy Train," it's apparent Lukather (and his guitar) are now front and center. Result is a sure-handed hard rock album that practically nobody liked. Too bad, because with the exception of trite "Kick Down The Walls" and so-so ballad "Only You," it's as consistent as the bands' best. Those who tuck-tail from balls-out crunch of "Don't Chain My Heart," "How Many Times," or bowel-shaking title track and ass-tearing funk of "She Knows The Devil," overlooked fine ballads "2 Hearts" and "The Other Side" (latter cries for a David Paich lead vocal, but those are inexplicably MIA here).
All four singles failed to chart in US or UK. Chick Corea Elektric Band meets its match on the instrumental jazz-fusion monster "Jake To The Bone." Throughout Kingdom of Desire Lukather proves a fine vocalist (and extremely underappreciated). Uncanny yet subtle chops and laid back grooves of late Porcaro were sadly on display for the last time here. Not for everyone (but highly recommended).
Track Listing
1. Gypsy Train
2. Don't Chain My Heart
3. Never Enough
4. How Many Times
5. Hearts
6. Wing Of Time
7. She Knows The Devil
8. Other Side
9. Only You
10. Knigdom Of Desire
11. Jake To The Bone
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