Monday, March 23, 2015

TOTO XIV out in North America today

Make sure to check Toto's highly-anticipated "Toto  XIV" out today. I've heard the album and it's fantastic (my full-length review will run in my syndicated column next week). Below is the official media release issued today in connection with the album's release in several different formats...

Toto's first studio album in ten years, TOTO XIV, is out today in North America.  Frontiers Music Srl has released it in Europe and Oceania as well.  The album will hit retail globally, with specific dates for territories in Asia, South America and others to follow.   
 
Configurations for TOTO XIV include a CD, with a deluxe edition available featuring a "making of" documentary on DVD, expanded booklet that includes an in depth story and interview about the new album alongside exclusive pictures in ecol-book packaging. Additionally Toto XIV will be available as a 2LP vinyl set, and a Super Deluxe limited edition which includes the Deluxe CD/DVD edition, 2LP vinyl, an exclusive poster, t-shirt (large size only), and lithograph. 
 
TOTO XIV is a realized vision three plus decades in the making exhibiting world-class musicianship, masterful arrangements, topical lyrical commentary, and melodies that the collective genius of Lukather, Paich, Porcaro, Williams and their assembled band-mates bring to life. TOTO XIV is the band’s first album of new material since 2006’s Falling In Between.  However, the band personally considers the new album to be the true follow-up to TOTO IV, which made the band global superstars.
 
Keyboardist Steve Porcaro reveals, "This is opposite of going through the motions.  We are treating this like it is Toto V, our follow-up to TOTO IV.  We just want to be the best version of ourselves that we can be.  Be true to ourselves and make the best music we can.  Entertain people which is what we were put on this Earth for."  Keyboardist David Paich reflects, "I think of TOTO as a unit and a band that carries a responsibility when it goes out there in to the public consciousness.   There is so much negativity and darkness that I think you have to be as Quincy Jones puts it, 'beams of light that blast through the darkness'." 
 
As they began the process of a return the studio, all of the principle long-term members brought their A-game to the table.  Guitarist Steve "Luke" Lukather offers, "When you put us in a room, and everybody brings in their pieces, the next thing you know it all fits together. Everybody's performances are top notch.  We are really bringing our best out, forcing ourselves to make personal best choices, what's best for the music.  I'm really excited to hear what people think."  Singer Joseph Williams adds, "We are talking about a band where everybody is a writer, and everybody is a lead singer, and everybody is a player.  All involved brought this trio to the table where it could just live on its own." 
 
The band will hit the ground running with an extensive European headline arena tour with appearances at key festivals. The itinerary begins in Glasgow on May 21, and takes Toto through the UK, France, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Poland, Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria, Serbia, Italy, and Belgium.  Ticket sales came out of the box with strength, with some appearances selling out within days of on-sale.  A North American tour will follow in the summer of 2015.  The band is also in the planning stages for their return to Asia later this year.
 
The last couple of years have been active, with a seven show sold-out tour of Asia that took them through Nagoya, Osaka, Tokyo, Sendai and Sapporo in April, 2014.  Also that month, the 35th Anniversary Tour - Live In Poland title was released, debuting at #1 in territories across the globe.  Last August and September, the band hit the road travelling across North America as co-headliners with Michael McDonald, which when it was all said and done was their most comprehensive tour on the continent in years. 
 
An EPK featuring the band's insights can be viewed here: http://youtu.be/vsBf9hSkOPQ
 
TOTO XIV TRACK LISTING
1.     Running Out Of Time
2.     Burn
3.     Holy War
4.     21st Century Blues
5.     Orphan
6.     Unknown Soldier (For Jeffrey)
7.     The Little Things
8.     Chinatown
9.     All The Tears That Shine
10.  Fortune
11.  Great Expectations
 
TOTO TOUR DATES
5/21     Glasgow, UK                                                  Glasgow Royal Concert Hall
5/23     Dublin, Ireland                                               Vicar Street (SOLD OUT)
5/25     Manchester, UK                                             02 Apollo Manchester
5/26     London, UK                                                    Apollo Hammersmith
5/28     Paris, France                                                   Zenith
5/29     Esch Sur Alzette, Luxembourg                       Rockhal
5/30     Amsterdam, Netherlands                                Ziggo Dome
6/02     Sonderborg, Denmark                                     Molleparkens Friluftscene
6/03     Copenhagen, Denmark                                    Falkoner Theatre
6/04     Solvesborg, Sweden                                        Sweden Rock Festival
6/06     Bergen, Norway                                              Bergen Calling
6/07     Oslo, Norway                                                 Sentrum Scene (SOLD OUT)
6/10     Bremerhaven, Germany                                  Stadthalle
6/11     Berlin, Germany                                             Tempodrome
6/12     Leipzig, Germany                                           Parkbuhne
6/13     Dresden, Germany                                          Junge Garde
6/15     Cologne, Germany                                          Tanzbrunnen
6/16     Offenbach, Germany                                      Stadthalle
6/17     Stuttgart, Germany                                         Freilichtbuhne Killesberg
6/18     Abenberg, Germany                                        Burg Abenberg
6/20     Hinwil, Switzerland                                        Rock The Ring Festival
6/21     Klam, Austria                                                 Castle Clam
6/23     Wroclaw, Poland                                             Orbita Hol
6/24     Warsaw, Poland                                              Torwar
6/26     Budapest, Hungary                                         Petofi Hall
6/27     Bucharest, Romania                                        Sala Palatului
6/28     Sofia, Bulgaria                                                Arena Armeec
6/30     Belgrade, Serbia                                               Kalemegdan Fortress
7/03     Milan, Italy                                                     City Sound Milan
7/05     Rome, Italy                                                     Cavea Auditorium
7/07     Kufstein, Austria                                            Festungsarena
7/08     Munich, Germany                                          Olympiahalle
7/10     Zottegem, Belgium                                          Rock Zottegem Festival
7/13     Morzine, France                                             Morzine Harley Days
7/15     Nimes, France                                                 Festival de Nimes
7/16     Vienne, France                                                Theatre Antique
7/19     Taormina, Italy                                               Anfiteatro Romano

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