ALBUM REVIEW: Bridges – Steve Lukather
TOTO lead guitarist STEVE LUKATHER is back with his ninth solo album Bridges, a record that is aptly named according to Lukather himself. In his own words, “I see it as a bridge between my solo music and TOTO Music,” a fact that is backed up thanks to appearances and contributions from both past and present members of TOTO. Yet, as heart-warming as that may be, it doesn’t change the fact the record itself falls flat during moments that you can tell are meant to sound epic.
As the album opens with Far From Over, listeners are first greeted with sound effects that can only be described as an interesting crossover between sci-fi and everyday life before it shifts into an alternative rock track. It’s frustrating though as, given the sound effects we just heard, you might have expected something with a little more power, but hey you’re willing to wait patiently for something epic. And yet that something doesn’t arrive. Again, it’s frustrating as there are so many factors that sound incredible on paper, such as its mix between modern and 70s/80s-inspired rock and pop elements, yet it feels so forced. It’s like it’s trying to be anthemic yet at no point does it offer lyrics worth singing along to.
That’s a bit of a theme that continues in some tracks where you can tell it wants to be stand out yet doesn’t quite grasp that wow factor. For example, Not My Kind Of People has such potential to be a cool grungy rock song with guitar riffs and vocals to match, yet the remainder of song feels slightly mediocre in comparison. Furthermore, some of the lyrics leave us with more questions than answers, such as “I’d piss in my pants if you were on fire,” which leaves us confused and doesn’t exactly paint the badass, angry image they wanted. We get what they’re trying to say, but it could’ve been worded better.
That’s not to say that the entire record is pointless as it does have moments that stand out. Someone is an interesting alternative pop-rock track that we can easily picture appearing on an 80s dark fantasy soundtrack; and When I See You Again is an upbeat song that feels like the love child of ELTON JOHN’s Saturday Night’s Alright For Fighting and HARRY STYLES’ Golden. What we’re trying to say is that we love the combination between modern and 70s/80s rock, and it could’ve offered some stand out moments, yet it feels wasted on songs that are otherwise dull and cheesy (we’re looking at you All Forevers Must End).
Ultimately, Bridges is a mixed bag of a record that offers so much potential to be epic yet somehow manages to feel lifeless and dull. There are some saving graces but they’re just not quite enough.
Rating: 6/10
Bridges is out now via The Players Club.
Like STEVE LUKATHER on Facebook.