Difference In The World

[Archetype]

This song really grows on you. I remember not being particularly thrilled with it when it came out. This morning it came on when I had my playlist on shuffle, and now I think that it's one of the top 10 strongest Tommy-led songs that Styx has done. Too bad it didn't take off.

[RumTumJM]

I remember this song having a profound impact on me.

When it came out, spring 2010, I was weeks away from my college graduation. Given the job market at the time and my impending entrance in to the adult world, it really felt like a a band from the late 70s was actually writing a song for a 22 year old in 2013.

[Baron Von Bielski]

I thought it was okay when it came out. With time having gone by its grown on me a bit more, but in no way could be compared to his 70's, early 80's material.

[Archetype]

I thought it was okay when it came out. With time having gone by its grown on me a bit more, but in no way could be compared to his 70's, early 80's material.

Oh, come on! It beats the shit out of almost all of his 1980s material She Cares? Cold War? Those songs are bad. Difference in the World wouldn't have been out of place on the Crystal Ball or Pieces of Eight album.

[Archetype]

I remember this song having a profound impact on me.

When it came out, spring 2010, I was weeks away from my college graduation. Given the job market at the time and my impending entrance in to the adult world, it really felt like a a band from the late 70s was actually writing a song for a 22 year old in 2013.

Interesting you told that story. I'm having a similar experience with the song now. Sort of a what it might have felt like to be 22-23 in 1976 and have Crystal Ball come out.

[Toph]

I remember this song having a profound impact on me.

When it came out, spring 2010, I was weeks away from my college graduation. Given the job market at the time and my impending entrance in to the adult world, it really felt like a a band from the late 70s was actually writing a song for a 22 year old in 2013.

Interesting you told that story. I'm having a similar experience with the song now. Sort of a what it might have felt like to be 22-23 in 1976 and have Crystal Ball come out.

I think it is a missed opportunity that Styx and Dennis don't come out with more one off singles. If, as JY and DDY, both say that music has returned to the 50s with singles and no albums, why not record a few in the hopes that one hits or generates a movie tie in or something? Why not try to remain relevant? Not saying record an album, but take. Few days when you are off the road and record a single or two. What's the harm?

[Archetype]

Mostly a lack of ambition I'd guess. Lawrence has stated in interviews that they can't take 9 months off of touring to write an album, despite how badly they want to. I don't think that Cyclorama really affected their touring very much at all. They toured a lot in 2002 and 2003. Technology has also progressed to the point where a lot of bands write and record right in their tour buses. If Styx or Dennis really wanted to record, there's nothing stopping them. Plus Tommy did The Great Divide, and Lawrence has stated that he's currently working on a solo album. How is there time for that but no time for Styx?

[Cassie May]

Mostly a lack of ambition I'd guess. Lawrence has stated in interviews that they can't take 9 months off of touring to write an album, despite how badly they want to. I don't think that Cyclorama really affected their touring very much at all. They toured a lot in 2002 and 2003. Technology has also progressed to the point where a lot of bands write and record right in their tour buses. If Styx or Dennis really wanted to record, there's nothing stopping them. Plus Tommy did The Great Divide, and Lawrence has stated that he's currently working on a solo album. How is there time for that but no time for Styx?

....But Tommy spent 9 years working on The Great Divide as well as Influence during his off times from being on the road with Styx. Which doesn't really explain why they couldn't work on songs during their slow touring times, such as the winter, and other breaks during the year, then put those songs out. If you want that badly to put out music, then just do it! Stop yapping about it and just do it!

[masque]

I remember this song having a profound impact on me.

When it came out, spring 2010, I was weeks away from my college graduation. Given the job market at the time and my impending entrance in to the adult world, it really felt like a a band from the late 70s was actually writing a song for a 22 year old in 2013.

Interesting you told that story. I'm having a similar experience with the song now. Sort of a what it might have felt like to be 22-23 in 1976 and have Crystal Ball come out.

I think it is a missed opportunity that Styx and Dennis don't come out with more one off singles. If, as JY and DDY, both say that music has returned to the 50s with singles and no albums, why not record a few in the hopes that one hits or generates a movie tie in or something? Why not try to remain relevant? Not saying record an album, but take. Few days when you are off the road and record a single or two. What's the harm?

dear god.....I have never seen anyone with the business sense you have......thats a great freaking idea toph......hot damn, right again! i think you should write both the styx and DDY camps and share your business model with them.....i doubt very seriously they have even thought of that.

[Toph]

Well masque since your man crush JY discussed it, but yet fails to execute on the idea, I would think you'd be all over it.

[masque]

Well masque since your man crush JY discussed it, but yet fails to execute on the idea, I would think you'd be all over it.

nope I must have overlooked it until you pointed it out. JY is having to move over in my world to make room for you!

[Boomchild]

Mostly a lack of ambition I'd guess. Lawrence has stated in interviews that they can't take 9 months off of touring to write an album, despite how badly they want to. I don't think that Cyclorama really affected their touring very much at all. They toured a lot in 2002 and 2003. Technology has also progressed to the point where a lot of bands write and record right in their tour buses. If Styx or Dennis really wanted to record, there's nothing stopping them. Plus Tommy did The Great Divide, and Lawrence has stated that he's currently working on a solo album. How is there time for that but no time for Styx?

....But Tommy spent 9 years working on The Great Divide as well as Influence during his off times from being on the road with Styx. Which doesn't really explain why they couldn't work on songs during their slow touring times, such as the winter, and other breaks during the year, then put those songs out. If you want that badly to put out music, then just do it! Stop yapping about it and just do it!

Clearly LG's as well as comments on this subject by other members is a smoke screen for the actual reason. My guess is that there's not enough money in it to motivate them to do it. Not to mention the odds of a new single from them getting enough airplay to create sales is a huge long shot. Higher then if they were an up and coming current musical act. I see the logic in sticking with what makes you money, which is performing. There is nothing wrong with it. But, please don't think that you are kidding the fans about why you have this position.

[masque]

Mostly a lack of ambition I'd guess. Lawrence has stated in interviews that they can't take 9 months off of touring to write an album, despite how badly they want to. I don't think that Cyclorama really affected their touring very much at all. They toured a lot in 2002 and 2003. Technology has also progressed to the point where a lot of bands write and record right in their tour buses. If Styx or Dennis really wanted to record, there's nothing stopping them. Plus Tommy did The Great Divide, and Lawrence has stated that he's currently working on a solo album. How is there time for that but no time for Styx?

....But Tommy spent 9 years working on The Great Divide as well as Influence during his off times from being on the road with Styx. Which doesn't really explain why they couldn't work on songs during their slow touring times, such as the winter, and other breaks during the year, then put those songs out. If you want that badly to put out music, then just do it! Stop yapping about it and just do it!

Clearly LG's as well as comments on this subject by other members is a smoke screen for the actual reason. My guess is that there's not enough money in it to motivate them to do it. Not to mention the odds of a new single from them getting enough airplay to create sales is a huge long shot. Higher then if they were an up and coming current musical act. I see the logic in sticking with what makes you money, which is performing. There is nothing wrong with it. But, please don't think that you are kidding the fans about why you have this position.

i dont think based on what I have read that any of them have tried to kid the fans.....I keep reading things like "their is no market for new music"......"why spend the money on recording and videos with no airplay?"......to me that are literally saying why bother doing this if I cant make any money at it.

and instead you hear them discuss having a viable market to play live and a viable market on selling DVD's.....to me that is epitome of being honest about your current business model.

[Archetype]

What they're saying is that they'd love to if they had the time, but obviously they do have time to record (Great Divide, Cyclorama, two Regeneration albums, Lawrence's in progress solo album) so they are kidding the fans when they say they really want to and would if they had the time. If they really wanted to, they could make time. Easily.

[masque]

What they're saying is that they'd love to if they had the time, but obviously they do have time to record (Great Divide, Cyclorama, two Regeneration albums, Lawrence's in progress solo album) so they are kidding the fans when they say they really want to and would if they had the time. If they really wanted to, they could make time. Easily.

i do agree with that. but as a musician myself I can tell you that it is much less time consuming to re-record an old song you have already done and played live for years or even a cover song you are very familiar with compared to the time it takes to write, arrange and record a new song from scratch......with some exceptions of course.

[FormerDJMike]

Personally I don't think it would be that hard to record a song or two and then release them digitally via the website, Amazon or iTunes. They all have their own studios so it wouldn't (logically) cost any money. Record them and then sell them for 99 cents or what ever. Maybe there is more involved in it than that but releasing a hard copy in this day and age isn't necessary.

[Boomchild]

i dont think based on what I have read that any of them have tried to kid the fans.....I keep reading things like "their is no market for new music"......"why spend the money on recording and videos with no airplay?"......to me that are literally saying why bother doing this if I cant make any money at it.

and instead you hear them discuss having a viable market to play live and a viable market on selling DVD's.....to me that is epitome of being honest about your current business model.

Then they should just flat out say that they are not interested in putting out new material. In addition to what you have stated they have said, they also have thrown in the comment that they wouldn't be doing full albums but rather releasing individual new songs. Something that they have yet to really do. That is the kidding part I am referring to.

[Boomchild]

Personally I don't think it would be that hard to record a song or two and then release them digitally via the website, Amazon or iTunes. They all have their own studios so it wouldn't (logically) cost any money. Record them and then sell them for 99 cents or what ever. Maybe there is more involved in it than that but releasing a hard copy in this day and age isn't necessary.

I've mentioned this before but I thought I would throw it in again here. Take Def Leppard's Sparkle Lounge album. They recorded that whole album with a mobile recording studio while they were touring. So to me the time thing can be overcome. For me it all comes down to the motivation to do it.