Music writer and historian Preston Frazier has released Toto the Band (Not the Dog), a comprehensive study examining the complete studio catalog of the Grammy-winning rock band Toto. The book spans the band's career from their 1978 debut through over four decades of releases, providing detailed track-by-track analysis of Toto's evolving sound, songwriting techniques, and musicianship.
The publication covers both the band's well-known hits and deeper album cuts, including analysis of signature songs such as Africa, Rosanna, and Hold the Line. Beyond the familiar radio singles, Frazier explores the band's extensive catalog of album tracks and solo projects by key members including guitarist Steve Lukather and vocalist Joseph Williams, providing context for their artistic development and musical contributions.
Significantly, the book places Toto's work within the broader context of their influential session musician careers. The band members collectively contributed to landmark recordings by major artists including Steely Dan, Michael Jackson, and Boz Scaggs. Frazier presents this session work alongside analysis of Toto's own music to illustrate the band's substantial influence across multiple genres including pop, rock, and R&B.
Frazier brings both fan enthusiasm and critical perspective to the project as a longtime Toto follower and co-host of the Slang of Ages podcast. His background in music writing and education informs the book's approach, which aims to serve both dedicated Toto enthusiasts and newer listeners seeking deeper understanding of the band's creative output.
The book's release comes at a time of renewed interest in Toto's music, particularly their 1982 hit Africa, which has experienced a cultural resurgence in recent years. Frazier's work provides scholarly examination of why the band's music continues to resonate with audiences decades after its initial release, analyzing the technical proficiency and musical innovation that characterized their work.
Toto the Band (Not the Dog) is now available in paperback and e-book formats through major online retailers, making this detailed musical analysis accessible to readers worldwide. The book represents one of the most comprehensive studies of Toto's complete body of work, filling a gap in serious musical literature about the influential band.
