Crystal Ball, the title track off of Tommy Shaw's debut with Styx. The title track is a classic. But the rest of the CD doesn't hold up as near as well. Put Me On, is an interesting rocker, sung by JY, and a good song to start the CD off with. Mademoiselle has good harmony with a good guitar lick played through it. Jennifer and This Old Man by DeYoung are nowhere near his best work. The former has some interesting sound effects in the song, but nothing that helps the song out. While Jennifer is almost unlistenable . Tommy's other song, Shooz, tries to rock hard. but to me it is stale. For the most part this whole CD is pretty stale. Who would know,that this would be the superstar line, by listening to this CD?
The Grand Illusion-1977 (A+)
This is it, the greatest Styx cd, and one of the best cds in rock history. Not a bad or weak song on this disk. And it shows Styx at their best, as a group, and this is a group effort, from the opening title track, to the last. The first track, The Grand Illusion, is a heavy metal anthem on the illusions of life, for the rich or poor, the common man or the superstar. Come Sail Away, is the best track, about looking back on life, about your dreams. This is my favorite song period!! As it slowly builds from its piano opening, to its rocking ending, this song as you singing along with. Dennis also has two other songs on this disk, the mystical, and haunting Castle Walls (love the keyboard work in the middle of the song, have it for one of my ring tones), and the Grand Finale, which brings this great CD to a close. Tommy, also has some his best work, Man in the Wilderness, has a great guitar solo in the middle, and Fooling Yourself, with acoustic guitar and keyboards, makes for an interesting get up off your butt and sing along song. Superstar, is the only song that really doesn't hold up to rest, but it's still good. JY's one song, the rocking Miss America, is his best work, and the song that he is best know for. Blazing guitars, a sea of keyboards, and a wall of harmonies, all hidden behind lyrics about life, this makes for a awesome concept album. The songs, all fantastic, listened to by their selves, or on the radio, cannot do the album the justice, of sitting down and cranking it up, from start to finish. MY Favorite CD by Styx or anyone....
Pieces Of Eight-1978 (A-)
Pieces of Eight, is the hard rocking follow up to their 1977 heavy metal, prog rock cd, The Grand Illusion. And what a follow up it is. Like their previous cd, their is not a bad song on this outing. Most bands, now a days,would crack under the pressure, of having to record a follow up, to a highly successful cd. Plus the pressure of doing this in just over a year of their last release. Pieces starts off rockin, with The Great White Hope, a song written and sung by JY. This song deals with the success that the band was going thru, and how one minute your on top of the world, and the pressure you are under to stay on top. I'm Okay, is a brilliant song by Dennis, with a great organ solo in the middle, love the way the song starts too. But every one of us at one time or another has felt the way this song is singing about, am I really different, is it okay to be this way? Sing For the Day, a Tommy Shaw song, is very good and is one of four songs of his on this cd. Even though this cd is named after a Dennis song, Tommy is the hero on this outing, this is some of his best work, with Renegade, and Blue Collar Man, being two his greatest songs. Aku-Aku, is the ending song, and the weakest on this set. Queen of Spades, is a rocker, with a good beat. The title track is a haunting number, with a good piano part. The Message a keyboard instrumental, leads into the Lord of the Rings. JY handles vocals on Lords, this is a good song, with good guitar work in it, but JY's vocals are little too nasal in it. A great cd, from a great band, and one their last albums that seemed like a group effort, instead of individual efforts.
Cornerstone-1979 (A-)
A new CD, and a new direction, for STYX. Not only did this CD contain the #1 smash Babe, but it contained, some of the finest writing to date for the group. Borrowed Time, and Lights, were both co-written by Dennis and Tommy. And both are good songs, with the first having a great opening, but the lyrics, are a little dated today, (talking about here comes the 90's). Babe is the ultimate power ballad, before the term power ballad game into being. This song changed STYX and their musical direction. The First Time, another slow song, contains stringed instruments, and I'm not talking guitars. Why Me, a song dealing with, why does everything go wrong with me. It is also one of the first, if not the first Styx song to feature horns for the band. Yes, a new direction. Boat on the River, by Tommy, is simply beautiful, a peaceful song, that, if you close you eyes, you can imagine, that you are on a river bank, on a spring night ( I know that sounds corny, but hey..) Eddie, is your typical JY rocker, this seems to be the typical type of song for JY on each CD, and it getting a little old... Eddie rocks, but never really goes anywhere. Never Say Never Again, a mid tempo song, is the weak song on this outing. Love in the Midnight, with it's three part harmonies, and rockin interlude, brings this disk to a close.This CD is good, very good, but, it's the beginning of the end for STYX. Even though it has two songs co-written by Dennis and Tommy, it seems to be a Dennis CD, which there is nothing wrong with that, but STYX is a group. And has a group, it needs to be a group effort, or each member needs to take turns, being in charge of the direction of the album. Dennis was in charge of this disk, and the next two, Paradise, and Kilroy. Personally, Dennis, in my opinion, was the mastermind behind most of the hits, and is a brilliant keyboardist, an outstanding vocalist, and an underrated songwriter. But, STYX is a group, and Tommy and JY are excellent singers and songwriters too. I hope Tommy remembers this has STYX heads into the future with its new line up. But for this year that this CD was released, STYX was on top of he world, with their third straight smash CD.
Best Of Styx 1971 to 1975 -1980 (B)
When this album was released in 79, the line up that appeared on it had already changed. John C. had been replaced with Tommy. Plus the group was well on their way to superstar status by then. So wooden nickel released a best of record, from the four albums that STYX had recorded with them, before changing over to A&M records. This album contains the top ten hit Lady, and that's the only hit that is on this release. But that should not rule it out as a good cd, since it does a good job picking the better songs from that era of the band. Witch wolf, Man of Miracles, Southern Woman, Rock and Roll Feeling, and Lady are some of the songs on the cd. As a eleven track CD, it could have included a few more songs, but back when this was released, there were no Cd's, and album space was limited. So some better songs, by JY were left off, like Young Man. And not even represented, are JC's songs like A Day, The Serpent is Rising, or As Bad as This. But, this a good CD to start you the Wood Nickel years with.
Paradise Theater-1980 (A)
Paradise Theater is a work of art, a labor of love, from vocalist, keyboardist, Dennis Deyoung. From the opening piano note, of A.D. 1928, to the closing note of A.D. 1958, Paradise will hold you in awe. Not since the Grand Illusion, has STYX made an album this good. It all starts with A.D. 1928, which goes into Rockin the Paradise, and that is what this CD does, ROCKS. It's not the heavy metal / prog rock, of Grand Illusion, or the hard rock of Pieces of Eight, but it comes over strong, even on the slow songs. With the fist pumping anthems of Rockin the Paradise, a song about America needing to stand up and be counted, to Half Penny; Two Penny, which deals with the decay of the American dream. The Best of Times, and the disco-rock flavored Too Much Time on my Hands, have sing-a-long choruses, that has you humming along with them all day. Snowblind, is a rock radio classic, written by Dennis and JY, and sung by JY and Tommy. This song deals with substance drug abuse, and JY's singing on the beginning of it, is very haunting. The song was also accused of having backward satanic messages on it. My question who sits and plays a record backwards anyway. The lesser known songs on this disk, Nothing Ever Goes as Planned, and She Cares, are both very good, and deserve repeated listening, as does this whole CD. This is the last "true" Styx classic, with the line up of Dennis, Tommy, JY, John, and Chuck. There would be other STYX Cd's with this line-up, and different line-ups, but no other CD this great, has come out since.
Kilroy Was Here -1983 (B)
I remember buying this cd the day it came out, I don't remember making it past Mr. Roboto, the first day. The next day at high school, I was singing the song, all day, to anyone who would, or wouldn't listen. Later, I played the rest of the CD. I thought it was good, very good. Now as I listen to the cd, Kilroy, I find that it really doesn't really stand up to the test of time, or even other Styx Cd's. Mr Roboto, is still awesome, but its one of those songs that you crank up at home, but in public, you turn it down, and hope that no one hears you, but thanks to the Volkswagen commercial, a few years back, its now hip again to crank this song up in public. Don't Let End, is you typical Dennis Deyoung song, your typical good Dennis Deyoung song. The sing along chorus, and catchy beat of this song will, having you singing it all day. Cold War, suffers alot over time, seems very dated now, but the keyboard work in this song is very good. And the live version, of this song (see Caught in the Act video), really rocks. Tommy's other two songs , Haven't We Been Here Before, and Just Get Thru This Night, are both very good, with the latter, being very textured, a very pleasing song to listen, and relax to. Dennis' other song, High Time, is not a good song, its tied into the Kilroy concept, and that seems to bring it down. Even though Dennis ties a good beat to this song, it wobbles as bad as a Roboto. JY's two songs, are Double Life, and Heavy Metal Poisoning. Double Life, is a good song, and a little on the slow side for JY, one of the things that makes it an even better song. Heavy Metal Poisoning, is the most disappointing song on the CD. Just the name of the song promises, a get down, head banging, in your face song, but .... it's a song from the point of view of, Dr Righteous, the "bad guy" of the concept CD. So instead of this great hand pumping get down song, we get this slowed down song that sags under its own overblown weight. And JY's singing on it, is boring beyond tears. But I have to say JY does a great job of tying the song it with the Kilroy concept. The CD closes with Don't Let it End (reprise), a waste of space, it's an attempt to bring the concept to a close. It tries to tie a couple songs together, like the Grand Finale did for the Grand Illusion, but it never gets off the ground. If you don't take this CD serious,for the concept it is suppose to be, and you just sit back and listen to it, you'll find some good songs. But what this CD really needs is rocking song or two added to it..
Caught In The Act-1984 (B-)
Caught in the Act came out in 1984, just after the breakup of STYX. At the time it was the only live cd by the group. The disk is 14 songs, one of them is a new studio track, Music Time. Music Time is a fun light hearted song, not to be taken too seriously, and not to be mistaken as a good Styx song. It's not one of their best by far, but not near their worst. The live songs, are a mixed treat. Some songs come across flat, and boring, Babe, and Don't Let it End, Mr Roboto, all very good studio songs, are missing something on the live tracks, Fooling Yourself, tries very hard to rock, and almost does, but it misses the mark. Crystal Ball, seems uninspired. The Best of Times, holds its own, as does Come Sail Away. Blue Collar Man, Snowblind, And Rockin the Paradise, do just that Rock. Too Much Time on My Hands, is a pleasant surprise, no longer does it sound like a rocked up disco song, but a good rock and roller, with more guitar, and a more lively beat, plus the song ends better. But the true star of this cd is JY's Miss America. This song kicks some serious [...]. On the studio version, it's a great song, on a great cd, The Grand Illusion. On this cd, it sticks out, above and beyond the rest. As far as this cd goes, compared to their other live cds, it's the weak one. But still it's good.
Oh, I did I mention no Lady or Renegade on the cd!!!
CLASSICS-1987 (A-)
Classics came out in 1987 and as all the basic hit Styx songs. Missing is Lady (recorded on a different label)
Edge Of The Century-1990 (B)
Glen Burtnik, steps into Tommy Shaw's place on this cd. And does a fine job, better than Tommy did on his first Styx cd, Crystal Ball. From the opening track, Love is the Ritual, you know that STYX is in capable hands with Glen. Two of his other songs, Edge of the Century , and World Tonite, are both great rockers, but he misses the mark, with the ballad, All in a Days Work. Dennis, is still Dennis, turning out slow songs, like the moving Show Me the Way, Carrie-Ann, and Love at First Sight. Good instrumental on Back to Chicago, and a good song, but it doesn't feel like a STYX song, more like one of his solo songs. And the rocker Not Dead Yet, shows that Dennis can still sing a rock song, even if he doesn't write them any more. JY's one song is Homewrecker, a standard JY song, good keyboard playing in it, but it still feels like songs by the numbers. Over all not a bad start, for the new line up. Glen proved he could write for STYX, and after seeing him in concert with STYX, that he could sing Tommy's songs. The group proved they were not dead yet.
Greatest Hits, import,-1992 (A)
Good selection over CLASSICS above and more up to date. Includes songs from Classics and from Edge of the Century which wasn't out, when Classics was released. Love is the Ritual a song by Glen Burtnick is a nice welcome, since this is the only hits cd it is on, or that Glen sings lead on period. Since this is an Import Lady is included, but mastering is off and you have to turn the volume up on the song to make it as loud as the others. Another minus, Babe, Blue Collar MAn,Mr. Roboto are edited to make all the songs fit on one cd.
Greatest Hits- 1995 (A)
Greatest Hits 1995 included all the songs from Classics, minus Light Up, Added instead is Lorelei. Plus a newly recorded Lady, with Tommy Shaw playing on the song. This is the best of the hits cds
Greatest Hits part 2-1996 (A-)
Has all the other hits not on the above cds. These songs didn't really score on the charts, but did get radio airplay and are concert favorites. Plus two new songs, "It Takes Love" and "Little Suzie" Both are Glen Burtnick songs and both are pretty good. Suzie is a good rocker with Tommy singing lead . On Love Dennis has lead and the song has a snappy beat to it. Both songs while good do not quite hold up to the classic Styx songs.
The Best Of Times; The Best Of Styx-1997 (A)
The Best of Times; The Best of Styx 1997 is an import that combines the songs off of the 95 and 96 cds, plus the new songs. The only bad point is that it is one cd, so a lot of the songs are not on here, that were hits in America. It takes the hits from across the seas.
Return To Paradise-1997 (B+)
RETURN TO PARADISE, features three new studio recordings, plus two classic songs sung live, that were not on CAUGHT..., Renegade, and Lady. For the most part, the songs are equal to, the original studio versions, and way better than their last live versions. The only song that comes up short on this outing, when compared to its last live recording, is Miss America. It's a good recording on this disk, but on CAUGHT, it is awesome. Grand Illusion, is the big winner on this disk, the way they have reworked the song is great, it was a rocker before, but now it blows the original one away. Snowblind, and Too Much Time on My Hands, which were good last time, still rock. Dennis also does better on this CD, his song Babe, which was stale last time, comes across fresh. Crystal Ball which last time, was uninspired, now seems to be robust. Suite Madame Blue, Lady, Regenade, Rocking the Paradise, Blue Collar Man, Fooling Yourself, Come Sail Away, all rock, equal too or better than the original. Lorelei even comes on stronger. Show Me the Way, Best of Times, and Boat on the River, are good but are the weakest of the set. The new songs are good, but don't rank up there with the STYX classics. Paradise, is another Dennis ballad. Tommy's On My Way, is a rocker that could easily been on Cornerstone, or one of their Cd's from that time. Dear John, is a moving tribute to their drummer John Panozzo, who died a year earlier.RETURN TO PARADISE, is better than CAUGHT IN THE ACT, and the following live cds released up to 2001. So start here, for a great live CD.
Lady -1998 (C-)
This is the Best of Styx 1971 to 1975 minus one song. And also the tracking is off stops one song in the middle and starts another.
Brave New World-1999 (C)
When the word was out that STYX was recording a new CD, I was ready. My favorite rock group, was back, after recording some new songs on two greatest hits cds, and a live CD. But upon hearing it I was disappointed. What we got was a STYX cd without Dennis, and we got a Dennis solo CD. Both good, in their own right, but both a MAJOR let down, when put together. As a STYX CD, it rocks, really rocks. JY and Tommy both put out some good songs on this CD. Where Dennis is I don't know. He isn't heard on background vocals, and his keyboards are almost non-existent. I Will be Your Witness, sounds like a classic STYX song. Brave New World, also, could belong on any 70's STYX CD. Everything is Cool, is the best STYX song on this CD, this is the song that should have started the CD off. Heavy Water is one of STYX' hardest rockin songs in years. JY also does good on What Have They Done to You. Number One tries hard to rock, but falls short. And on the STYX part of the CD, Just Fell In, should have JUST BEEN LEFT OFF, it's the worst song on the CD, sounds like Tommy, doing CHEAP TRICK, doing Elvis. On the Dennis solo part, his songs sound like they could have come off any of his 80 cds (DESSERT MOON, BACK TO THE WORLD, and BOOMCHILD). All three good to great cds. Goodbye Roseland, is his best song in many years, it's a touching and moving song. High Crimes and Misdemeanors, is a jab at both government officials, and rappers. While There's Still Time, is good, but a standard Dennis ballad, and you can hear Tommy in the vocals, just enough to let you know, that this is a STYX CD and not a solo. Fallen Angels, is a look at being in the lime light, and that we shouldn't look to "stars" to be a guide in our lives. Great Expectations, is a clunker, even though the message is good. All songs on the Dennis part are ballads, or slow tempo songs, sure wish Dennis would rock again. Another thing that hurt was the order of the songs. Not having the same producer for the two different parts didn't help either. Must say I like Dennis's production better. But lean toward the STYX part more. Over all a very very disappointing Styx cd!!!!
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