30 Years since Paradise.....

[S2M]

I would probably say I dislike 98% of JY songs....it's all Tommy and Dennis for me....

[Boomchild]

Paradise Theater, Foreigner 4, Escape, and Hi Infidelity all hit with 18 months of each other and pretty much all are thought to be each group's best efforts when looking at their careers and the AOR genre as a whole.

Funny thing is that Paradise Theater is probably my least favorite Styx album from the A&M era; I really like even Kilroy Was Here a lot more than PT

Thats very interesting. While I liked KWH, I felt PT was a much stronger piece of work as a whole.

[Boomchild]

I would probably say I dislike 98% of JY songs....it's all Tommy and Dennis for me....

Are you trying to be some kind of Homewrecker?

[S2M]

I would probably say I dislike 98% of JY songs....it's all Tommy and Dennis for me....

Are you trying to be some kind of Homewrecker?

Don't Get Mad

[pinkfloyd1973]

I would probably say I dislike 98% of JY songs....it's all Tommy and Dennis for me....

Are you trying to be some kind of Homewrecker?

[Keiferb]

By many accounts Styx's biggest and most successful album...Congrats on hitting the big 3-0....

30 years. Remarkable. I'm not sure PT is the best (I too favor Equinox, GI, and PO8), but it's definitely one of my favorites, if for nothing else, sentimental reasons. I've seen this album get panned out here pretty often, and I've not understood why. I like it all - beginning to end (even She Cares, which gets extra criticism, I believe, for being during TS's drug period). Nonetheless, I feel it's a great effort soup to nuts. Some of my favorites on the album were Nothing Ever Goes as Planned, Lonely People, and Half Penny Two Penny (yes, a JY tune - surprised?). In my opinion, very few current bands make music this good. I know, our parents said the same thing about Elvis when we were growing up.

I didn't pick up on Styx until about 1983 (I was 15), when KWH was big. PT was the first cassette tape I owned. I grew up in a Christian home, where rock music was "forbidden". My friends all had stereos, and I remember hearing The Best of Times on the radio, and was drawn to the harmonies. It was during this same period that my friends brother owned Supertramp's Breakfast in America, which is why they too are one of my favorites to this day. Yet I digress.

I saved my money from a part-time job, and secretly bought a "SOUNDDESIGN" (remember them??) AM/FM Cassette player with headphones. It was hard to hide, but I managed. I bought Paradise Theater, and listened to that thing for the first time, in it's entirety, with a pair of headphones strapped to my head. I remember exactly the room I was in, the color of the wall, curtains, the silver cassette player, the blue headphone pads, etc. I was blown away, and the rest is history. I owned pretty much the entire catalog, on cassette (including KWH, which was peaking when I made this "discovery"). I also remember coming home from my after school job one night later, with my parents waiting w/all of my Styx tapes in hand, wondering what in the hell had happened to their son. Thank God there was not internet at that time, so I don't think they knew Styx was a river in hell!

Anyway, I've always considered myself late to the game - I feel like I've picked up on bands after the majority of everyone else jumped ship. Heck, I didn't become a Floyd fan until about 10 years ago, and they are now, far and away, my favorite.

So, count me among the silly, melancholy, "I wish things were like they one were" crazies. Whether right or wrong, that's probably one of the reasons I've never warmed up to the Gowan years. That, and he just sounds bad on DDY's material. To this day, I still listen to all the pre-BNW CD's and continue to wonder how in the hell this fractured relationship has tarried so many years, given how good they were together (not looking to start yet another thread on this topic!). I'm 43 now, and one thing that is kind of cool to me is that my boys (12 & 11) both like the music I discovered "late" relative to when they were popular. Mr. Roboto (although one of my least favorites) is a regular on Band Hero. They have asked to go see them next time they are around. I'll probably take them if they come by.

Thanks for posting this Toph. Man, made me remember things I hadn't thought of in many years. It's raining today, so I had some time to ramble.

[bugsymalone]

By many accounts Styx's biggest and most successful album...Congrats on hitting the big 3-0....

30 years. Remarkable. I'm not sure PT is the best (I too favor Equinox, GI, and PO8), but it's definitely one of my favorites, if for nothing else, sentimental reasons. I've seen this album get panned out here pretty often, and I've not understood why. I like it all - beginning to end (even She Cares, which gets extra criticism, I believe, for being during TS's drug period). Nonetheless, I feel it's a great effort soup to nuts. Some of my favorites on the album were Nothing Ever Goes as Planned, Lonely People, and Half Penny Two Penny (yes, a JY tune - surprised?). In my opinion, very few current bands make music this good. I know, our parents said the same thing about Elvis when we were growing up.

I didn't pick up on Styx until about 1983 (I was 15), when KWH was big. PT was the first cassette tape I owned. I grew up in a Christian home, where rock music was "forbidden". My friends all had stereos, and I remember hearing The Best of Times on the radio, and was drawn to the harmonies. It was during this same period that my friends brother owned Supertramp's Breakfast in America, which is why they too are one of my favorites to this day. Yet I digress.

I saved my money from a part-time job, and secretly bought a "SOUNDDESIGN" (remember them??) AM/FM Cassette player with headphones. It was hard to hide, but I managed. I bought Paradise Theater, and listened to that thing for the first time, in it's entirety, with a pair of headphones strapped to my head. I remember exactly the room I was in, the color of the wall, curtains, the silver cassette player, the blue headphone pads, etc. I was blown away, and the rest is history. I owned pretty much the entire catalog, on cassette (including KWH, which was peaking when I made this "discovery"). I also remember coming home from my after school job one night later, with my parents waiting w/all of my Styx tapes in hand, wondering what in the hell had happened to their son. Thank God there was not internet at that time, so I don't think they knew Styx was a river in hell!

Anyway, I've always considered myself late to the game - I feel like I've picked up on bands after the majority of everyone else jumped ship. Heck, I didn't become a Floyd fan until about 10 years ago, and they are now, far and away, my favorite.

So, count me among the silly, melancholy, "I wish things were like they one were" crazies. Whether right or wrong, that's probably one of the reasons I've never warmed up to the Gowan years. That, and he just sounds bad on DDY's material. To this day, I still listen to all the pre-BNW CD's and continue to wonder how in the hell this fractured relationship has tarried so many years, given how good they were together (not looking to start yet another thread on this topic!). I'm 43 now, and one thing that is kind of cool to me is that my boys (12 & 11) both like the music I discovered "late" relative to when they were popular. Mr. Roboto (although one of my least favorites) is a regular on Band Hero. They have asked to go see them next time they are around. I'll probably take them if they come by.

Thanks for posting this Toph. Man, made me remember things I hadn't thought of in many years. It's raining today, so I had some time to ramble.

Love this story! Thanks for sharing.

What initially drew me to Styx was, like you, the harmonies. In my case, Lady.

Bugsy

[Boomchild]

By many accounts Styx's biggest and most successful album...Congrats on hitting the big 3-0....

30 years. Remarkable. I'm not sure PT is the best (I too favor Equinox, GI, and PO8), but it's definitely one of my favorites, if for nothing else, sentimental reasons. I've seen this album get panned out here pretty often, and I've not understood why. I like it all - beginning to end (even She Cares, which gets extra criticism, I believe, for being during TS's drug period). Nonetheless, I feel it's a great effort soup to nuts. Some of my favorites on the album were Nothing Ever Goes as Planned, Lonely People, and Half Penny Two Penny (yes, a JY tune - surprised?). In my opinion, very few current bands make music this good. I know, our parents said the same thing about Elvis when we were growing up.

I didn't pick up on Styx until about 1983 (I was 15), when KWH was big. PT was the first cassette tape I owned. I grew up in a Christian home, where rock music was "forbidden". My friends all had stereos, and I remember hearing The Best of Times on the radio, and was drawn to the harmonies. It was during this same period that my friends brother owned Supertramp's Breakfast in America, which is why they too are one of my favorites to this day. Yet I digress.

I saved my money from a part-time job, and secretly bought a "SOUNDDESIGN" (remember them??) AM/FM Cassette player with headphones. It was hard to hide, but I managed. I bought Paradise Theater, and listened to that thing for the first time, in it's entirety, with a pair of headphones strapped to my head. I remember exactly the room I was in, the color of the wall, curtains, the silver cassette player, the blue headphone pads, etc. I was blown away, and the rest is history. I owned pretty much the entire catalog, on cassette (including KWH, which was peaking when I made this "discovery"). I also remember coming home from my after school job one night later, with my parents waiting w/all of my Styx tapes in hand, wondering what in the hell had happened to their son. Thank God there was not internet at that time, so I don't think they knew Styx was a river in hell!

Anyway, I've always considered myself late to the game - I feel like I've picked up on bands after the majority of everyone else jumped ship. Heck, I didn't become a Floyd fan until about 10 years ago, and they are now, far and away, my favorite.

So, count me among the silly, melancholy, "I wish things were like they one were" crazies. Whether right or wrong, that's probably one of the reasons I've never warmed up to the Gowan years. That, and he just sounds bad on DDY's material. To this day, I still listen to all the pre-BNW CD's and continue to wonder how in the hell this fractured relationship has tarried so many years, given how good they were together (not looking to start yet another thread on this topic!). I'm 43 now, and one thing that is kind of cool to me is that my boys (12 & 11) both like the music I discovered "late" relative to when they were popular. Mr. Roboto (although one of my least favorites) is a regular on Band Hero. They have asked to go see them next time they are around. I'll probably take them if they come by.

Thanks for posting this Toph. Man, made me remember things I hadn't thought of in many years. It's raining today, so I had some time to ramble.

Thanks for sharing, I enjoyed reading it.

[Baron Von Bielski]

It does really bother me that Styx has done nothing to commemorate the 30th anniversary of their only #1 album. That's kinda lame.

[bugsymalone]

It does really bother me that Styx has done nothing to commemorate the 30th anniversary of their only #1 album. That's kinda lame.

I agree with you, but if they didn't do it for GI, then they sure weren't going to do it for this one.


Bugsy

[gr8dane]

By many accounts Styx's biggest and most successful album...Congrats on hitting the big 3-0....

30 years. Remarkable. I'm not sure PT is the best (I too favor Equinox, GI, and PO8), but it's definitely one of my favorites, if for nothing else, sentimental reasons. I've seen this album get panned out here pretty often, and I've not understood why. I like it all - beginning to end (even She Cares, which gets extra criticism, I believe, for being during TS's drug period). Nonetheless, I feel it's a great effort soup to nuts. Some of my favorites on the album were Nothing Ever Goes as Planned, Lonely People, and Half Penny Two Penny (yes, a JY tune - surprised?). In my opinion, very few current bands make music this good. I know, our parents said the same thing about Elvis when we were growing up.

I didn't pick up on Styx until about 1983 (I was 15), when KWH was big. PT was the first cassette tape I owned. I grew up in a Christian home, where rock music was "forbidden". My friends all had stereos, and I remember hearing The Best of Times on the radio, and was drawn to the harmonies. It was during this same period that my friends brother owned Supertramp's Breakfast in America, which is why they too are one of my favorites to this day. Yet I digress.

I saved my money from a part-time job, and secretly bought a "SOUNDDESIGN" (remember them??) AM/FM Cassette player with headphones. It was hard to hide, but I managed. I bought Paradise Theater, and listened to that thing for the first time, in it's entirety, with a pair of headphones strapped to my head. I remember exactly the room I was in, the color of the wall, curtains, the silver cassette player, the blue headphone pads, etc. I was blown away, and the rest is history. I owned pretty much the entire catalog, on cassette (including KWH, which was peaking when I made this "discovery"). I also remember coming home from my after school job one night later, with my parents waiting w/all of my Styx tapes in hand, wondering what in the hell had happened to their son. Thank God there was not internet at that time, so I don't think they knew Styx was a river in hell!

Anyway, I've always considered myself late to the game - I feel like I've picked up on bands after the majority of everyone else jumped ship. Heck, I didn't become a Floyd fan until about 10 years ago, and they are now, far and away, my favorite.

So, count me among the silly, melancholy, "I wish things were like they one were" crazies. Whether right or wrong, that's probably one of the reasons I've never warmed up to the Gowan years. That, and he just sounds bad on DDY's material. To this day, I still listen to all the pre-BNW CD's and continue to wonder how in the hell this fractured relationship has tarried so many years, given how good they were together (not looking to start yet another thread on this topic!). I'm 43 now, and one thing that is kind of cool to me is that my boys (12 & 11) both like the music I discovered "late" relative to when they were popular. Mr. Roboto (although one of my least favorites) is a regular on Band Hero. They have asked to go see them next time they are around. I'll probably take them if they come by.

Thanks for posting this Toph. Man, made me remember things I hadn't thought of in many years. It's raining today, so I had some time to ramble.

Nice one.
Hope you can still look your parents in the eye.
At least they only found Styx cassettes and not the Playboy mags .

[Don]

A special edition PT CD with the laser etchings on it, just like the LP; that would be cool.

[Baron Von Bielski]

It does really bother me that Styx has done nothing to commemorate the 30th anniversary of their only #1 album. That's kinda lame.

I agree with you, but if they didn't do it for GI, then they sure weren't going to do it for this one.


Bugsy

It just seems weird. Most bands are doing it. Maybe next year they'll do a 35th anniversary for GI. It's their breakout album. It's almost like they don't wanna do anything that might improve their status and get there name out there even more.

[Archetype]

Maybe they're waiting for the 50th anniversary.

[froy]

It does really bother me that Styx has done nothing to commemorate the 30th anniversary of their only #1 album. That's kinda lame.

I agree with you, but if they didn't do it for GI, then they sure weren't going to do it for this one.


Bugsy

It just seems weird. Most bands are doing it. Maybe next year they'll do a 35th anniversary for GI. It's their breakout album. It's almost like they don't wanna do anything that might improve their status and get there name out there even more.

When STYX gets back together we can worry about what they should do, Right now its a payday band that's it,

[Boomchild]

It does really bother me that Styx has done nothing to commemorate the 30th anniversary of their only #1 album. That's kinda lame.

It could be that a certain replacement member does not sound so good on the notable songs off that album. On the other hand, maybe the project was not rockin' enough for this "Best Version of Styx Ever". You would think they would want to do something special.

[ManOfMiracles]

It does really bother me that Styx has done nothing to commemorate the 30th anniversary of their only #1 album. That's kinda lame.

Maybe since their reunion tour was Return to Paradise, and did the PT stage effects and all, they figured "been there, done that?" already? (Similarly the next year, with the 20th anniversary tour of the Grand Illusion. (I cannot believe it has been so long already since the reunion! Longer already as the initial break up!)