Let's Settle This: Will We See A New Record This Year?

[Everett]

I say yes. What does everyone else say?

[kansas666]

I sure hope so. But the band has stated that there is not much incentive to release new material since people go to their concerts to hear the classics and with the state of file sharing such that it is, it is nearly impossible to make a profit off of a new release.

That said, I think they have a huge mountain to climb if they are going to try to make an album as good as Cyclorama was.

It's just too bad nobody heard that album

[styxfanNH]

In Todd's article, he says next year. JY and Tommy have both said, not this year.

[froy]

I say yes. What does everyone else say?

I say nobody cares except you

[Jodes]

And we are still awaiting Dennis's album to be released in the USA..

Any bets it gets put off til the summer since single #2 TANKED in Canada?

[sadie65]

And we are still awaiting Dennis's album to be released in the USA..

Any bets it gets put off til the summer since single #2 TANKED in Canada?

Did it actually get released (the 2nd single I mean) in Canada?

Please...can we be consistent here...either we count where a song or album/cd charts and agree it counts for both sides, or we agree it doesn't matter. Why do we bother to let a myopic buffoon on either "side" get our goat?

To get back to the question, I don't think the band has plans to record release anything this year.

[Jodes]

Yes, I'm pretty sure not only Froy, but Suite and a few others said that Save Me was officially released as Single #2 back in the fall..

[sadie65]

Yes, I'm pretty sure not only Froy, but Suite and a few others said that Save Me was officially released as Single #2 back in the fall..

Pretty sure they said it was supposed to be as per a comment from Dennis at a concert. Perhaps it was. I could be wrong. Though that would surely be a rare thing

[Grotelul]

And we are still awaiting Dennis's album to be released in the USA..

Any bets it gets put off til the summer since single #2 TANKED in Canada?

Dennis had a new album out? Oh yeah....I seemed to have forgotten.

[blt man]

I went to the concert back at the beginning of of Oct where Dennis said the English single (save me) was going to be released in Canada in a "couple of weeks". After that, I never heard anything.

Since then people on another site indicated that the single was held back (until this spring?) because the x-mas season was fast approaching and the target stations for it (AC stations) will only play x-mas music after a certain point and it made no sense to release it then. So, I am not really sure if it ended up being released. I don't think we can surmise until we know for certain. In any event, I don't think the song will be hit on the AC charts in Canada but it should get some air time.

[bugsymalone]

I do not expect Dennis' album to come out in the US until he is completely finished with getting Hunchback up an running. So I agree that it probably won't get released in the US until late spring, or, more likely, this coming summer.

From what I understand, there was no other single released from "100 Years" in Canada. His Christmas song actually charted up there, and in the US, albeit not very high and only briefly.

As to what the Current Styx will do is also anyone's guess. No one has been committing to an actual studio album, just from what has been said in recent interviews. Todd's interview made it sound like they will produce one, but he was also a bit vague.


Bugsy

[Jodes]

It charted here?

Must be Quebec again, because I heard a Crapload of Xmas music (new and old) and DDY's track wasn't one of them..

[Higgy]

It charted here?

Must be Quebec again, because I heard a Crapload of Xmas music (new and old) and DDY's track wasn't one of them..

Jodes,

Is there any way to crop DDY's photo out of your avatar since you hate him so much? Isn't he making your avatar lose its "rock" appeal? People might think you like songs like Babe or Mr Roboto if you keep him.

[Jodes]

F*ck, What The?

[StyxCollector]

New songs? Maybe, but they need another delivery vehicle. Given the tone of recent interviews, I get the sense JY wants to do new material more than Tommy.

I'm not sure if they still have a deal with New Door/Uni, but if they attempt to do an album, they'd do better recording it themselves and releasing it on their own.

Although they need stronger material than the songs they released on OWE. Those were pretty weak for the Styx canon.

[bugsymalone]

It charted here?

Must be Quebec again, because I heard a Crapload of Xmas music (new and old) and DDY's track wasn't one of them..

What??? You actually listen to the Christmas music on the radio??

Who knows what stations played that Christmas fluff from Dennis, but enough to put him on the Mediabase charts in the US and Canada for a little while.


Bugsy

[brywool]

New songs? Maybe, but they need another delivery vehicle. Given the tone of recent interviews, I get the sense JY wants to do new material more than Tommy.

I'm not sure if they still have a deal with New Door/Uni, but if they attempt to do an album, they'd do better recording it themselves and releasing it on their own.

Although they need stronger material than the songs they released on OWE. Those were pretty weak for the Styx canon.

They were decent songs. "Everything All the Time" was great. Why don't you like that one Alan?
I think until the record companies shake themselves out, that we're not going to be hearing much music from bands from those years. That's way too bad. How come the bands just don't go direct and sell it FROM their web sites alone and just cut the marketing people out of it? They probably wouldn't get it on the radio that way, but they would be able to retain more of their profits.

The fact that Styx isn't recording new music just bugs the crap out of me, and even if they recorded a great album (which they did with Cyclo) it still won't sell because of what's happened to the marketplace. Cheap Trick released "Rockford" last year. The best album they've done in a long time. It got tons of press. Tons of great reviews. It went NOWHERE. Sucks...

Yeah, it's a bit off topic, but I'd really like to hear Styx (and any band actually) doing NEW material. The new Loverboy album is really good too. I have to say I didn't buy it because it wasn't in any stores down here, but I recommend it highly.

[StyxCollector]

They were decent songs. "Everything All the Time" was great. Why don't you like that one Alan?

"Everything All The Time" is very bland and not a great contribution to the Styx catalog. The songs is just kinda there. It was OK live and I didn't head to the bathroom for a break. If that's the best Tommy can muster, I'd rather not hear it.

"Just Be" plods. It's a turd. I said it when I first heard it and my thought hasn't changed.

I also feel some of TS' contributions to Cyclorama were some of the weaker songs. I think he's just in a weird spot and isn't churning out much that's very good.

[styxfanNH]

I actually liked Everything All the Time, but Just Be did nothing for me.

I would have to say that if they believe that only their core fans are going to buy the album, then they might as well write and record a ton of stuff and release it through their website and iTunes. Their core fans already go there and they will be able to cut oput the record companies and major advertising. They could actually sell a cd for $10 and make tons of profit - proportional to a label.

[bugsymalone]

I would have to say that if they believe that only their core fans are going to buy the album, then they might as well write and record a ton of stuff and release it through their website and iTunes. Their core fans already go there and they will be able to cut out the record companies and major advertising. They could actually sell a cd for $10 and make tons of profit - proportional to a label.

Didn't someone post here that Tommy was building a recording studio? If so, I would think that it is not just for show, but he actually plans on recording in it. So it is possible they will self-produce something there. My guess is, looking at the new dates that will bring in even more $$, it will be state-of-the-art.

Bugsy

[shaka]

I would have to say that if they believe that only their core fans are going to buy the album, then they might as well write and record a ton of stuff and release it through their website and iTunes. Their core fans already go there and they will be able to cut out the record companies and major advertising. They could actually sell a cd for $10 and make tons of profit - proportional to a label.

Didn't someone post here that Tommy was building a recording studio? If so, I would think that it is not just for show, but he actually plans on recording in it. So it is possible they will self-produce something there. My guess is, looking at the new dates that will bring in even more $$, it will be state-of-the-art.

Bugsy

I thought he had the SHOP (Shaw House of Pain) at his home. He has made some pretty decent recordings from there so I don't know why they wouldn't use it. I think it would probably work fine for everything other than drums. Evidently Todd is constructing a studio for recording drums at his new home so that solves the drum recording problems.

Recording at home now is a viable alternative to recording in a commercial studio. With all the experience of Styx I doubt they will have much trouble coming up with a good sounding do-it-yourself record.

[stabbim]

I would have to say that if they believe that only their core fans are going to buy the album, then they might as well write and record a ton of stuff and release it through their website and iTunes. Their core fans already go there and they will be able to cut out the record companies and major advertising. They could actually sell a cd for $10 and make tons of profit - proportional to a label.

Agreed. Not only is this the path they ought to take now, but IMO it's one they should have started upon years ago. Might be a bit late to capitalize on it as fully at this point, but it's still better than a) waiting in vain for the mainstream music business to sort itself out, or b) giving up making new music altogether.

Recording at home now is a viable alternative to recording in a commercial studio. With all the experience of Styx I doubt they will have much trouble coming up with a good sounding do-it-yourself record.

Damn straight. The bulk of 7DZ was recorded at the S.H.O.P. (a decade ago, no less) and it's one of the best-sounding albums TS has ever made.

[Deuce]

I say yes. What does everyone else say?

Not in 2008. Maybe in 2009.

[sadie65]

I agree Styx should sell via their website. I guess I just wonder how this double standard works. Previously, when Dennis was doing that it was deemed unacceptable by some here. Now don't get me wrong, I think any artist who wants to make and promote new music should investigate their options and use whatever means they feel will work best for them. BUt why is it a valid option for one and not the other? Serious question there, not meant as a flame. Am I missing something?

[Higgy]

I agree Styx should sell via their website. I guess I just wonder how this double standard works. Previously, when Dennis was doing that it was deemed unacceptable by some here. Now don't get me wrong, I think any artist who wants to make and promote new music should investigate their options and use whatever means they feel will work best for them. BUt why is it a valid option for one and not the other? Serious question there, not meant as a flame. Am I missing something?

Simple, if DDY does it - its all for money and rife with the workings of an insane dictator. If Tommy or JY does it, its them being true to their rock'n'roll souls.
Kind of like, you know, the Kilroy album. Even if you hate it, you have to admit it was a ballsy ambitious and ARTISTIC move to put that album out. But because DDY did it, it gets accused of selling out and DDY doing it to make a buck not caring about what poor, rockin' Tommy and JY wanted.

[Rockwriter]

I would have to say that if they believe that only their core fans are going to buy the album, then they might as well write and record a ton of stuff and release it through their website and iTunes. Their core fans already go there and they will be able to cut out the record companies and major advertising. They could actually sell a cd for $10 and make tons of profit - proportional to a label.

Agreed. Not only is this the path they ought to take now, but IMO it's one they should have started upon years ago. Might be a bit late to capitalize on it as fully at this point, but it's still better than a) waiting in vain for the mainstream music business to sort itself out, or b) giving up making new music altogether.

Recording at home now is a viable alternative to recording in a commercial studio. With all the experience of Styx I doubt they will have much trouble coming up with a good sounding do-it-yourself record.

Damn straight. The bulk of 7DZ was recorded at the S.H.O.P. (a decade ago, no less) and it's one of the best-sounding albums TS has ever made.

I agree, with one reservation: no matter where the band works for the next batch of recordings, I sincerely wish they would consider working with an outside producer. Tommy is a great writer/performer, but not producer in my view. 7DZ was great, but it was also co-produced by a real producer. Ditto 'Ambition'. JY is an engineer, but not really a producer in the creative sense. One thing I feel they could really benefit from is an outside set of ears to help them sort through ALL of their songs (and in Tommy's case, I mean going through his entire backlog of hundreds of unrecorded songs) to choose the ones that will stand together and create the strongest album, and with no filler. They need to be as hard on each other as they were back in the day, with a mediator between them to keep it from getting too ugly and hand down a final decision. Take the kid gloves off, beat each other up a little, may the best song win (no matter who wrote/sang it), and make a really great album. When they produce themselves I think they are too polite sometimes, and the results can be self-indulgent in places.

I hope all is well.


Sterling

[bugsymalone]

I agree Styx should sell via their website. I guess I just wonder how this double standard works. Previously, when Dennis was doing that it was deemed unacceptable by some here. Now don't get me wrong, I think any artist who wants to make and promote new music should investigate their options and use whatever means they feel will work best for them. BUt why is it a valid option for one and not the other? Serious question there, not meant as a flame. Am I missing something?

Once again. Dennis, ahead of the curve. However, then it was a necessity for him since there was really no other way. No label deal. No promotion available other than his own.

What I find humorous, almost, is the fact that HE is the one with the record deal now and has had moderate success with his recorded music certainly north of the US border. (Enough to GET that deal)

I cannot put myself in the place of those who think it was a sad, pathetic attempt to hang on as a recording artist for Dennis to do, but a brilliant, sure-fire thing for his former band to do, but I think I can guess why they feel that way.

My opinion is, if you love the music of any artist, and they can still manage to record new stuff, how you are able to purchase it for your own collection is sort of beside the point. The point is new music that you enjoy from an artist that you truly admire.


Bugsy

[stabbim]

BUt why is it a valid option for one and not the other? Serious question there, not meant as a flame. Am I missing something?

Because there are folks who, in course of waging this silly little war of theirs, will take any opportunity to criticize the "other side" for any reason, whether it makes any sort of logical sense or not.

[sadie65]

BUt why is it a valid option for one and not the other? Serious question there, not meant as a flame. Am I missing something?

Because there are folks who, in course of waging this silly little war of theirs, will take any opportunity to criticize the "other side" for any reason, whether it makes any sort of logical sense or not.

Fair enough.

Even more illogical...responding to those people.