Big Bang Theory or Big Dud Theory ?

[classicstyxfan]

Andrew poses a good question...now that the CD has run it's course on the charts, and many of us have had our copies long enough to form an opinion ABOUT THE MUSIC ( Let's set aside the politics for this thread please....)

What do you think of the CD ? will it be a dust collector keeping that dust off of the CD's below it ? or is it redeeming enough that you will pull it out for a spin occasionally ? or frequently ?

What songs would you pull off of the CD to make it "better" in your opinion ? Do you like Gowan's sister on the backing vocals of Wishing well and It don't make sense ?

I'll be back later to answer my own questions.......Discuss.

[froy]

Andrew poses a good question...now that the CD has run it's course on the charts, and many of us have had our copies long enough to form an opinion ABOUT THE MUSIC ( Let's set aside the politics for this thread please....)

What do you think of the CD ? will it be a dust collector keeping that dust off of the CD's below it ? or is it redeeming enough that you will pull it out for a spin occasionally ? or frequently ?

What songs would you pull off of the CD to make it "better" in your opinion ? Do you like Gowan's sister on the backing vocals of Wishing well and It don't make sense ?

I'll be back later to answer my own questions.......Discuss.

The cd is a loser even the die hard fans do not want to hear covers at the shows . Thats what I was told by a cool person on the inside. It was a stupid idea one of many and it lasted 3 days and that was it, Even the bands fake hype could not do anything for it, Cover cds are fillers and excuses to tour .
Thats exactly what it did for STYX .
They say the sucsess of walrus made them do it well I hate to tell them there was no sucsess of Walrus its in there heads just like there a better band without Dennis.
Tommy Shaw has burned himself out so bad he can't even tell what city he is in, The guy looks tired sick and in need of a bath.
Time for him to get healthy and break away from his diseased band.

[styxfanNH]

Andrew poses a good question...now that the CD has run it's course on the charts, and many of us have had our copies long enough to form an opinion ABOUT THE MUSIC ( Let's set aside the politics for this thread please....)

What do you think of the CD ?

I like the cd. It's not a new material cd, but it is what it is. Some nice music to get us through until they put a new material cd together. It will hold up because it really shows where this band is now and it harkens back to much of the music styles I listened to as a kid. It also introduces Ricky's talents on a cd and I believe is giving us a peek into what stylisticly the next album will be like. It's also a good in your car driving around cd.




will it be a dust collector keeping that dust off of the CD's below it ?

In another couple of months it will drop into the regular rotaion of cd's i listen to. But not into the pile of I own the cd but haven't listened to it in years collection. Right now it's in pretty regular rotation.

or is it redeeming enough that you will pull it out for a spin occasionally ? or frequently ?

see above

What songs would you pull off of the CD to make it "better" in your opinion ?

I like bcm, but it seems a bit out of place here. Would be nice on an acoustic cd. I would also pull Don't Make Sense, only because I am not a fan of that particular song.

Do you like Gowan's sister on the backing vocals of Wishing well and It don't make sense ?

That is Mary Clayton, she sang on the original Wishing Well. I don't have an opinion on her one way or another other than it is nice to see them reaching out on a regular basis to the music veterans.

Regardless of what the post above this says. It's a solid album. And maybe it's me, but I have heard more of the original artists on these songs than I have heard in a long time which says to me that it is having an effect. There simply can't be just a coincidence that these songs have once again gained popularity since BBT was released.

If you think that these guys need a new album to tour then you haven't paid attention to the last 5 years of concert dates.

And there are die hard fans that consider this lineup as viable as any of the other lineups.

Favorite songs on this album are A Salty Dog, Summer In The City, Locomotive Breath, I Don't Need No Doctor, and Talkin About the Good Times.

There really isn't a song on this I detest. Which is unusual.

[swwskj]

I've been kinda holding back on this very topic for a while. I've noticed I tend to listen to the CD in pieces now.

Track 1-still like, but getting worn thin-sometimes skip.
Track 2-Listen
Track 3-Skip
Track 4-SKip
Track 5-Turn volume up
Track 6-Skip
Track 7-Listen to once, then usually again.
Track 8-Listen
Track 9-Skip
Track 10-Listen
Track 11-Skip
Track 12 Listen to now with more appreciation than before.
Track 13-Listen, then eject CD
Track 14-Skip

That's about 50/50 anymore. But still worth the $7.99 I paid for it.

You ought to check out the reviews the album is getting on Amazon. BRUTAL!!! Over 70 replies so far and several beg Amazon to allow them to give it zero stars. There are the usual 'three is no styx without dennis' posts and there are some 'go find dennis in the broadway section' type posts too. But not good overall. Probably 3 to 1 against. Makes for some interesting reading though. Did anyone here post a review on Amazon? Just curious.

Scott

[Monker]

Time for him to get healthy and break away from his diseased band.

Why can't you let Styx fans have a decent conversation about Styx on the Styx forum without adding YOUR disease to the thread?

As for your "cool person on the inside". Here is what Vosse wrote to the Styx mailing list...You remember him, the only person who took Dennis' side on the BTM?


Everybody,

I've been sitting back watching the fireworks online this July 4th week and started to comment many times but stopped myself. Finally, I've seen something that gets my fingers moving on the keyboard.

Rick, BINGO! You've hit the nail on the head! THEY ARE ALL MUCH HAPPIER! What has happened is a mega group has not split up and gone away like most, never to be heard from again. It has divided into 2 groups that are finally doing exactly what those in command want to do. Dennis has his complete family out with him doing the music the way he wants it WHEN he wants to do it. JY and Tommy are out touring their asses off and playing songs that excite them and crowds the way they always wanted. What could be more ideal! We all benefit.

Instead of arguing, you, the fans, should be rejoicing. You can have it both ways.

In the last month I have gone against one of my personal rules. I actually bought Styx music.(just a personal rule, please don't copy me..LOL) I picked up a few copies of Big Bang and bought Dennis' double album to keep it fair. (I also picked up a used CD of Equinox to see if I was in the credits on the little disk.................Arghh heads will roll!)

I like them both. Why? They are both Styx! If it weren't for that mega group that can't be in the same room together we wouldn't have this new music. Accept and appreciate this.

In addition, Styx played my new hometown of Muskegon Michigan this week. 17,000 paying fans. The guys kicked butt! They were excellent. I saw a very tired, from the European tour, bunch of guys dig down deep into their energy reserves and put on a great show. I know I had been critical in the past and regret my quote on behind the Music. These guys have worked hard enough in recent years to earn the name Styx. And best of all, they plan to keep it going. Yes some of the venues are smaller than what we were used to but that's life in the music business today. Most bands from the good old days of arena rock are gone. As long as there is a bunch of people that want to hear Styx, these guys will be there to play. Don't criticize this, be thankful for it.

Now I'm going back into lurk mode but not before I give one more warning...If you start putting words in my mouth or saying things about me that aren't true, I'm heading to Chicago, picking up Hank and together we'll hunt you down!


Peace and love to all,

VOSE


Grow up Froy, what you want will never happen. What others want IS happening. You're not going to get your way by being gnat, an insignificant pest, on an internet forum. People liked BBT. Radio liked BBT. VH1 like Walrus. People go see Styx without Dennis. People enjoy it and return time and time again. Styx enjoys it and they keep touring and recording.

What you want is over. It will never return. Even if Dennis went back to the band, you wouldn't have what you want...a band that has some resemlence of their heyday. It is not Tommy's or JY's or anybody's fault in the band. It is yours, and people like you, who demand the impossible from people who don't even acknowledge that you exist.

As for BBT, yes I enjoy it. Yes, I'll listen to it over and over again. No, I doubt I'll talk about it much here because Froy, and others like him, won't allow a decent conversation to occur. It's better to talk about it in Email with a few choice people.

[sadie65]

Taking Scott's approach:

Track 1-skip
Track 2-Listen
Track 3-sometimes
Track 4-sometimes
Track 5-skip
Track 6-Listen
Track 7-skip
Track 8-Listen
Track 9-Skip
Track 10-skip
Track 11-sometimes
Track 12 sometimes
Track 13-skip
Track 14-listen

[Adam]

Even if this disc were over now and was past it's peak, I think it was a good move. If JY & Tommy were given the choice to get on radio w/ Walrus vs. releasing another Cyclorama - recieving the resistace at radio THAT disc got (and Brave New World too) - I'd think more progress was made with this release.

It's a tough battle they wage, and every little bit helps. It at least doesn't HURT. You can gripe about what they've done all you want, but it seems like they're holding up pretty darn well for a band in their position.

[bugsymalone]

I think everyone has made valid points here. I do not think Current Styx needed this album to stay a viable touring band. You are right, NH. They have proved they are, even with two mediocre CD's made with two different lineups. They remain popular as a live act.

As to BBT. I am simply unimpressed with the entire project. Are there one or two I like? Yes. But I like the original versions far, far better. Other than Walrus, I was astounded at the poor production quality of this CD.

Classic, this one will not be in any kind of rotation on my CD player or individual songs on my mp3 player.

I still contend this recording was not ever a "hit." It caused a tiny stir, but mostly with diehard fans of the current lineup and little else. That is not to argue that this new lineup did get exposure to a larger audience via some classic rock radio stations and VH1 Classic. They did and this was very good for them. However, I think it pushed sales for their classic catalog far more than for the covers CD. And, as I said above, the enthusiasm for their live concerts would be there if there had not been a CD at all, in my estimation.

Bugsy

[RossUK]

Track 1 : Listen
Track 2 : Sometimes
Track 3 : Sometimes
Track 4 : Skip
Track 5 : Rock my socks off while busting my speakers!
Track 6 : Skip
Track 7 : Listen
Track 8 : Listen
Track 9 : Skip
Track 10: Sometimes
Track 11: Skip
Track 12: Sometimes
Track 13: Rockin again
Track 14: Listen

I didnt agree with this release. But will play this cd probably as much as Brave New World.

Looking forward to an album of originals from the boys soon and a live dvd (produced/packaged like RTP) and not 21st Century Live.

And.....a new studio album from Dennis. I would defo buy it just to see what he comes up with

[Zan]

Walrus - Love it.
See for Miles - Thank God for Todd
Can't Find My Way - Like it better than original, but it's kinda boring. GREAT guitar work.
Don't Make Sense - Can't get into it. I've tried.
No Doctor - Yeah, baby. Especially now that I have a visual to go with it.
One Way Out - Love it. Todd rocks my face.
Salty Dog - Love it.
Summer in the City - MY FAVORITE (still)
Manic Depression - Drums are great. I hate Hendrix. I really hate this song. JY did it justice, if you like Hendrix, that is.
Good Times - Cool harmonies, good tune.
Locomotive Breath - Thank god for this JY song.
Cost of Freedom - eh
Wishing Well - ok
BCM - I really like the vocals in this, more than I thought I would.

[styxfanNH]

Walrus - Love it.
See for Miles - Thank God for Todd
Can't Find My Way - Like it better than original, but it's kinda boring. GREAT guitar work.
Don't Make Sense - Can't get into it. I've tried.
No Doctor - Yeah, baby. Especially now that I have a visual to go with it.
One Way Out - Love it. Todd rocks my face.
Salty Dog - Love it.
Summer in the City - MY FAVORITE (still)
Manic Depression - Drums are great. I hate Hendrix. I really hate this song. JY did it justice, if you like Hendrix, that is.
Good Times - Cool harmonies, good tune.
Locomotive Breath - Thank god for this JY song.
Cost of Freedom - eh
Wishing Well - ok
BCM - I really like the vocals in this, more than I thought I would.

Yeah, what Zan said

ANd if you don't know. Todd did the drum track for I can see for miles in one take with no overdubs. He is an animal..

[Zan]

Todd did the drum track for I can see for miles in one take with no overdubs.

SWOOOOOON...

(Have I mentioned that Todd rocks my face?)

[classicstyxfan]

Woah !!! I gues we have some opinions that were festering and ready to
come out here, dont we ?

Nice to see you are all so wishy washy about this release !

Special thanks to Froy for his thoughts on the MUSIC, and for leaving the politics out of his post ( ....NOT !......)

[SuiteMadameBlue]

I didn't like any of the songs originally (or the original bands) so I knew whoever was singing these, I wouldn't like it either, gasp, even Dennis or Steve Perry or double gasp, even Rob Thomas sang these songs.

The only song that I do like better than the original is "Can't Find My Way Home", but I like House of Lords version better than Carrot Styx. "Summer in The City" is okay too, that one grew on me.

I've given the cd quite a few spins to give it a chance. I still like Tommy's voice. Still looking forward to Shaw/Blades cd

Todd is a GREAT drummer, one of the best out there.

[styxfanNH]

Here's another thought on the cd.

The cd was released just before the guys went to Europe to tour. Other than a couple of weeks to promote the album before taking off, the timing of the European tour was really awkward with the release of the album.

Early August will be the next time to see how the album does with the release of Can't Find My Way Home and a music video to support it.

Appears that Tommy is lost in Europe and is trying to get back to the US.

[DeeJaySTYX]

I will take a slightly different approach.....


Big Bang Theory Tracks...

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

10.

11.

12.

13.

14.

Overall a good album...

[styxmike]

MONKER
gotta agree with you word for word for the above post
ZAN
I love "Doctor" even more now I have the visuals, fanbloodytastic performance

BBT is a sound album that does "exactly what it says on the tin" nothing more or less
There are some track I love and some I skip, but I will continue to play it

[ek88]

Well, I'm probably still a bit up in the air on this one. I listened to it quite a bit early on but haven't been giving it as many spins lately, but I've been a bit distracted by my recent Bowling For Soup and Goo Goo Dolls purchases. I really like Can't Find My Way Home and I Don't Need No Doctor. Walrus isn't bad and I LOVE Locomotive Breath (blows the Tull version away, IMO). I'm still formulating opinions on the other tracks. All in all, I think there's enough to like on the CD to make it a worthwhile effort. I'm glad they did it.

Monker: GREAT post! Vose is the man!

[froy]

Time for him to get healthy and break away from his diseased band.

Why can't you let Styx fans have a decent conversation about Styx on the Styx forum without adding YOUR disease to the thread?

I guess the facts are hard to handle eh Monk ?

As for your "cool person on the inside". Here is what Vosse wrote to the Styx mailing list...You remember him, the only person who took Dennis' side on the BTM?

See now your adding your disease to this thread
Why do you always have to turn each thread into a Dennis bashing session>
Bing Band sucks Monk nobody is buying the scam .

Grow up Froy, what you want will never happen.

You know what Monk
You don't know what I want
In fact Im working on what I want right now
If I make what I want happen you are going to be the first person to know it .

What others want IS happening.

What others the 650 at the HOB in Ohio ?
Enjoy this lineup they don't even know what city they are playing in anymore,

You're not going to get your way by being gnat, an insignificant pest, on an internet forum. People liked BBT.

Yea for 3 days
BBT is garbage
Stand up for a loser Monk they love ya for it,

Radio liked BBT.

Wake Up Monk

VH1 like Walrus.

Yea they played it 2 times

People go see Styx without Dennis.

People go see Creedence Clearwater Revisited also
Shows how smart people are MONK .

People enjoy it and return time and time again.

And they all leave blitzed and out of there minds they don't know what city they are in either

Styx enjoys it and they keep touring and recording.

And nobody buys there cds
Sounds like a waste of time

[Abitaman]

I was not happy with the idea of Stryx doing a cover cd. But I was not going to do a Froy and condem it before I heard it. Glad I kept my mouth shut. This cd is good. Still want a new cd. But his is a good way to spend the time waiting.-ERIC

[classicstyxfan]

Another thread about the music, hijacked by the politics.

( sigh.............. )

[thebook]

Another thread about the music, hijacked by the politics.

( sigh.............. )

shocking eh.
I wouldn't consider it a dud or a bang, in Detroit it got some airplay when it first came out, and JY and Tommy guest hosted for a day.
it is a covers CD afterall, I wouldn't expect to stay on the charts or sell huge numbers.

[kansas666]

I think BBT was an appropriate follow up to Cyclorama. I thought Cyclorama was an outstanding album and it would have been hard to top with another album of new material.

BBT has some good songs on it. But it won't get the time in my player that Cyclorama did and still does.

I Don't Need No Doctor is one of the best songs they are doing in concert right now. And it really showcases Gowan's talent.

I think audiences are more accepting of cover songs they have heard than new material that they haven't . I saw STYX at Summerfest with friends that are casual fans. When they played One With Everything my friend said "this isn't my STYX anymore" They followed up with Lady and my friend said "Now THIS! is my STYX"

[Hippie]

Still like and still listening to it!

The only track I'd lose is "One Way Out". (Good song, but it kinda bores me)
When I saw Styx in '99, they actually did an acoustic version of "Sweet Home Alabama" I wish they had put that one on instead.

I'm definitely giving this CD more spins than BNW.

My favs:

"I Can See for Miles" This was perfect song for Styx to cover!
"Talkin' About the Good Times" See above note.
"It Don't Make Sense" (cringe if you want, but it's my favorite track on the CD! What can I say? I'm a huge JY fan!
"Wishing Well" Another solid Styx track. I'd love to hear it live!

Overall, I'd still rather have a CD of new songs, but this is a good Styx CD. Despite what Froy-baby preaches, it's not a sin to do covers. I think 10 On Broadway contains some of DDY's best work to date.

[evileyes]

Well, I purchased it, based mainly on the comments I read here. Being a "DeYoungian", it is the first "Styx" purchase I've made since the change in membership. I was not overly familiar with the songs included, recognizing only Walrus, I Can See for Miles, Locomotive Breath, and of course Blue Collar Man. I've given it only a few spins, but that's mainly limited because I have no CD player in the car, can't listen to CDs at work, and very little downtime at home. (it's not uncommon for me to go weeks without listening to CDs-gasp) For the most part, I've liked what I've heard, being most surprised by Locomotive Breath because, gasp, I didn't hate it! (Is that JY actually singing?!) Anyway, it's not the first CD I'll reach for, but I'm not relegating it to the give-away pile either. I will say that I was most disappointed by the new version of Blue Collar Man; to me it just seems like someone's turned the speed down on the record player.

JMHO

[jrnyman28]

I do not like the idea of covers CDs. B-sides or bonus tracks are cool, but covers CDs usually feel like a filler. Sadly, it seems like cover CDs have NO Shelf life and that appears to be true with BBT. Therefore, I have not listened to the CD. I am intrigued on Styx' spin on these songs and I want to check out "Can't Find My Way Home" because I LOVE that song. (The House Of Lords version was SO good! and the original still stands)

In the end, covers CDs give the fans something to listen to and talk about for awhile. That means BBT is a success...