One expects a backlash to anything that is overtly successful.

One also expects a backlash when something is extremely polished and professional sounding.

To all the reviewers who have lambasted or said this album is worth only two songs (which makes it better than the first TOTO album) -- think of songwriting like somebody building you a house. Now if you find a person who builds you a house, you move in, and you find it has charm but is built like c**p, you of course will be pleased with how it makes you feel, but disappointed that what you paid for, you didn't get. Now say you find another person who builds you an expertly crafted house, but it lacks a certain homely charm. Does that mean you race back to the cr***y house?

Songwriting is a craft, like any other trade, any other thing you can do with your mind, hands or both. Like blacksmiths, carpenters, and farmers, the artist / musician is constantly developing and improving their technique and proficiency to present you (a person who may not be skilled in such a craft) a thing which is well presented and should suit your tastes in somehow,someway. Whether this is overall, or momentary is up to you as 'the buyer'. But if you're satisified at least once, then they have succeeded.

And TOTO succeeded with TOTO IV in a major way. To fault them for finally honing a songwriting craft after 4 years of steady work, and 10 years of professional session work, and that people of all types responded to it enthusiastically, is more to do with you than them. I'm not trying to look at TOTO IV with rose coloured glasses, but one thing that cannot be found on here is bad musicianship.

As a musician, I learned an immense amount of craft from TOTO, and I will always be thankful to them (primarily the Kimball / Hungate / Paich / Porcaro / Lukather / Porcaro lineup)and I find nowhere else in their first four albums where this craft is presented so refined and polished than on TOTO IV. To maybe a listener who is just looking for gripping songs, or dramatic flourishes, or fits of anger or paeans to love, they will not find it here. For me, what I look for is someone who cares about what they're doing, shows it, and walks away saying 'I did my best'. And TOTO IV delivers that.

How anyone can say 'Waiting For Your Love' is a filler tune to the likes of Africa and Roseanne, I cannot comprehend. Have you actually heard the groove of this song? I hate to get all imploring, but have you heard the way Jeff Porcaro plays the hi-hat on this song? If it was jazz great Harvey Mason, you may say different, you might even listen, because its Mason and you're supposed to, but the playing of these musicians is almost perfect - the right amount of technique and feel. So it's alright if its Steely Dan, but not TOTO aye?

'Waiting For Your Love' and 'Good For You' are absolutely my favourite songs on here for the reasons stated above, the musicianship and playing skills of these people, and how much it adds to just a song. If you cannot find heart or soul in the playing of these musicians, or at least some passion for what they are doing, then maybe I can only suggest picking up an instrument and learn these songs, because you will find how 'on' you have to be to play them with as much 'feel' thats in them.

I just think you have to be at a certain point where crash crash bang bang just doesn't hold as much interest any more, and funnily enough I reached that point at 20 years old. And I thank TOTO for showing me that being a musician is more than just flicking your hair, and drinking booze and talking about your car.

This is my favorite album from Toto. They did a great job on this album. This is one of those rare albums that doesn't have any filler, and every song stands on its own. The musicanship is great and very tight. My favorites are "Africa," "I Won't Hold You Back," and "Make Believe." "I Won't Hold You Back," is a classic ballad with great vocals from Steve Lukather. Toto's best album. Recommended.

This is one of my all-time favorite albums. The songs are all so different, yet each is musically intricate and complex. The lyrics are great, the music is great. But what really made me respect this album is something I caught after many, many run-throughs. Intended or otherwise, it's a concept album. Think about it. The songs trace a man from love, to breakup, to strife, to hope, to new love and hope for the future. Let me demonstrate. Here are key lyrics from each track, and my impression:

1: All I wanna do when I wake up in the morning is see you rise.

2: Why don't we make believe we're in love again

3: I won't hold you back.

4: I could be good for you! You could be good for me too!

5: It's a feeling, you never belonged to me. You're fighting me.

6: I like the way you move and just the way you are. I can't take anymore, 'cause girl, you're pushing too hard. 'Cause I've never been afraid of love 'till I met you.

7: You know she's gonna make you cry, you know she's gonna make you cry. She'll have you walk beneath the ladder you were meant to climb.

8: We made it, made it, made it before, I know that we can make it again.

9: I've been waitin' for your love, And it's been here all the time right in front of me. I've been sitting, waiting for your love, And all the time it's been here right in front of me

10: It's gonna take a lot to drag me away from you. There's nothing that a hundred men or more could ever do. Gonna take some time to do the things we never had.

Having been one if the infinite number of men, and women, who has been in these places and can relate with this perception of this album, I just find it almost chillingly accurate. Sometimes we feel as though we're the only ones who have felt this way.

From this album I came away with the following: You're not the only one. There's always tomorrow; always hope.

While brief in minutes, this album is an epic of emotions. Try it. I think you'll relate.

Toto is one of the bands that started as an FM rock staple in the 70's, similiar to Foreigner, Kansas, Styx, and the many other acts, but made the transition to become a Top 40 pop/rock act. "Toto IV" was the album that redefined the type of music that the L.A. supergroup would release.

Many who are familiar with the early music of Toto would call the group a hard rocking bunch in vein with many album rock artists. This changed with "Toto IV", where the band made more accessable and mainstream pop/rock. The album launched three top ten hits with the number ones "Roseanna" and "Africa" and the top ten "I won't hold you back." The album tracks are also strong, such as "Make Believe." The jazzy and smooth pop would later be defined as "west-coast pop" or "L.A. pop." Because of the originality of the sound, and the beautiful instruments, the album went on to win numerous grammies, including album of the year. Many may think home cooking was involved (most of the band have relatives that are in some way related to the grammy board), but the album did have many strong cuts and a sound that was second to none.

Though this is a great album, it isn't perfect. Some songs are filler, though they are few and far between. Also those used to the hard rocking sound of earlier Toto might be disappointed by the number of slower paced, pop sounding songs that fill the album up. Still, for most music fans, this is a must have for great pop/rock and is a good introduction to a very talented group of musicians. Also recommended are the self-titled release, "Hydra", and any of their other earlier work. After this album, the group was happy with a job well done, and went on to help in the production of the smash "Thriller" and other side projects.

When you've had enough of pimple-faced rap-metal punks and exceedingly dull music and sub-standard playing, where do you go? Unless your bag is heavy metal, where guitar virtuosity will always have a noisy home, it means going back to an era that wasn't ashamed of its abilities and yet knew not to overplay it. Toto personify that classification - no slouch players here. Steve Lukather is a highly popular and influential axe slinger, who tours with the G3 lineup, a showcase for the best in the business.

"IV" pushed Toto over the top once again, following a slight dip after "Hydra", which, while a fine album, had only "99" as a single. "Rosanna" and "Africa" are radio stalwarts for good reason. The rest of the CD gives more of the same, with David Paich, Steve Porcaro and Lukather creating a great sound that in lesser more selfish hands would spill over to overkill territory, ala Yes or ELP. With an ear for jazz influence and just plain rocking out, Toto get it just right. One personal fave is "Waiting For Your Love", a very cool vamp that wouldn't have been out of place on any jazz great record from Miles Davis, Wes Montgomery or other jazz giants. For fans who demand more than just whining.