Styx with CYO - Reviews

[Zan]

Why is it (and I'm just asking) that we're always hearing the words "Styx" and "Missed Opportunity" in the same sentance release after release?

Maybe a lot of Styx FANS aren't telented enough on their own merit, so they have to rely on DDY's former work to make any kind of an impact.

[Ash]

I'm sure one of the reasons Monolith flopped was the whole American-Indians-wearing-space-helmets thing, which I'm sure went over everyone's head. Kansas also lacked any sort of visual identity...I could walk right past the original lineup on the street and not recognize a single one of them.

Thats a really good point. I really liked Monolith. On The Other Side and People of the South Wind are great songs that are very reachable - but then you had other songs like Angels Have Fallen and Stay Out of Trouble which are good songs, but you'd never in 1000 years hear them live or on the radio. Reason To Be could have been a radio single tho - very acoustic. I think by that time tho Kansas arrived at the Rush-Dress-Up party too late.

Styx is now in the dreaded 'release-one-album-and-then-a-live-album' cycle just to keep product in the stores. Too bad most of it is substandard.

Thing is - it didn't have to be this way. Bon Jovi's not here, neither is Aerosmith. Styx didn't have to be here. The whole thing is a missed opportunity. So there's yet another place to use that word.

Funny thought about 'Borrowed Time' from Cornerstone: the intro sounds like it could be the theme song for a show like Good Morning America. Just close your eyes and listen to it...you can almost smell the toast burning!

I never cared much for Cornerstone truthfully. I appreciate it's place and I like Lights, Babe, Boat on the River and Eddie. The rest I could take or leave.

[Jodes]

Eddie.. blech..

Worst JY Song.. EVER

Well apart from his craptacular "Out On A Day Pass" album..

That my friends was a truely horrible listening experience.. trust me on this one stay away!

Listen to JY/Jan Hammer, or even JYG, but at all costs avoid Out On A Day Pass like it has leprosy, cancer and the plague all rolled into one!

You've been warned!

[gr8dane]

Honestly - I couldn't care less really.

Kansas did what you suggested. Kansas is what Styx would have become.

Kansas released Point of Know Return when Styx released Pieces of Eight. Both progressive rock albums to the core. Both were big and had huge world tours.

After this album - can you name the next Kansas album recorded? It was called Monolith and was actually better than Point of Know Return musically. But it was too prog, too dark - and Kansas fell out of the limelight - something they never recovered from. Styx evolved their sound (something every successful band does) going more acoustic (the trend at the time) and producing Cornerstone and their greatest album - Paradise Theatre. Kansas produced Audio Visions (with one minor hit) and then Vinyl Confessions and Drastic Measures with a different vocalist. Kansas produced Paradise Theatre and Kilroy was Here - two of the most well known albums of their times.

Say what you want about what music you like and what music you do not like - but if you want to try and re-write what is part of history - then it is YOU, my friend, who needs to get a life.

Kansas and Styx were not the same kind of bands in my opinio. I always placed Kansas in the far prog rock crowd who happened to have a few hits and they lost their main man shortly after. Styx was always more commercial but never totally commercial before Cornerstone. You are right, a band should not remain the same but to go from POE to Cornerstone and then Kilroy? When I first listened to Grand Illusion and then POE, it was powerful interesting rock music. Sounded heavy and was just some great rock music in my opinion. Then came Cornerstone and it was such a drastic change. It was more than a change to acoustic, it was a totally different sound. If you listen to both POE and Cornerstone, if you didn't know any better, you would swear they could be two different groups. I was just disappointed in the direction they took, mainly due to one man's opinion on what direction they should go. I think they could have remained together throughout the 80's making something really special if not for one man wanting to dictate what the group was going to do.

For a minute I thought I had been sleepwalkin' gone to the Styxboard and changed my name to Grotelul and written this,'cause that is how it see it too.Sure Babe was a monster but that still means diddly ,except if you like a nice big dollup of cheese with your Styx.Not me.
Allow me to join your club,if I may.

[Ash]

Eddie.. blech..

Worst JY Song.. EVER

Well apart from his craptacular "Out On A Day Pass" album..

That my friends was a truely horrible listening experience.. trust me on this one stay away!

Listen to JY/Jan Hammer, or even JYG, but at all costs avoid Out On A Day Pass like it has leprosy, cancer and the plague all rolled into one!

You've been warned!

Heh..... well yeah. But I did enjoy Eddie. I really liked that song - and I am by NO means a fan of JY's voice.

I'll spare you my singing of "SSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSIIIITINNNNGGG ON TOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOP OF THE WORRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRLD"...oh wait... I just did it... nevermind

[Zan]

"SSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSIIIITINNNNGGG ON TOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOP OF THE WORRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRLD"...oh wait... I just did it... nevermind

Do you dislike this song, Ash? I'm not sure what's giving me this impression...could it be that you've beaten this horse to death these past couple months? *g*

I hope this song gets stuck in your head forever. LOL

[sadie65]

Honestly - I couldn't care less really.

Kansas did what you suggested. Kansas is what Styx would have become.

Kansas released Point of Know Return when Styx released Pieces of Eight. Both progressive rock albums to the core. Both were big and had huge world tours.

After this album - can you name the next Kansas album recorded? It was called Monolith and was actually better than Point of Know Return musically. But it was too prog, too dark - and Kansas fell out of the limelight - something they never recovered from. Styx evolved their sound (something every successful band does) going more acoustic (the trend at the time) and producing Cornerstone and their greatest album - Paradise Theatre. Kansas produced Audio Visions (with one minor hit) and then Vinyl Confessions and Drastic Measures with a different vocalist. Kansas produced Paradise Theatre and Kilroy was Here - two of the most well known albums of their times.

Say what you want about what music you like and what music you do not like - but if you want to try and re-write what is part of history - then it is YOU, my friend, who needs to get a life.

Kansas and Styx were not the same kind of bands in my opinio. I always placed Kansas in the far prog rock crowd who happened to have a few hits and they lost their main man shortly after. Styx was always more commercial but never totally commercial before Cornerstone. You are right, a band should not remain the same but to go from POE to Cornerstone and then Kilroy? When I first listened to Grand Illusion and then POE, it was powerful interesting rock music. Sounded heavy and was just some great rock music in my opinion. Then came Cornerstone and it was such a drastic change. It was more than a change to acoustic, it was a totally different sound. If you listen to both POE and Cornerstone, if you didn't know any better, you would swear they could be two different groups. I was just disappointed in the direction they took, mainly due to one man's opinion on what direction they should go. I think they could have remained together throughout the 80's making something really special if not for one man wanting to dictate what the group was going to do.

For a minute I thought I had been sleepwalkin' gone to the Styxboard and changed my name to Grotelul and written this,'cause that is how it see it too.Sure Babe was a monster but that still means diddly ,except if you like a nice big dollup of cheese with your Styx.Not me.
Allow me to join your club,if I may.

Perhaps Styx' greatest asset was its ability to be so many different acts rolled into one. It was for me. While I can and do respect that people have preferences as to what they want their music/art to sound/look like...I myself prefer those that evolve. If I want the same thing over and over again, I get bored. That isn't to say I don't respect divergence of taste and opinion. I really do.

I guess I just never understand why some people wish to limit output to their own comfort zone.

Nor do I see it as the acts of one man. They all had voices and options. Whether it was money, fame, adoration...they all opted to stay that course. We as a society love to build people up only to then topple them. I see this as no different. Much easier to armchair quarterback a situation than to recognize this as a mirror for everyone involved.

Like what you like. Seems a reasonble thing to do.

Peace

[Ash]

"SSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSIIIITINNNNGGG ON TOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOP OF THE WORRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRLD"...oh wait... I just did it... nevermind

Do you dislike this song, Ash? I'm not sure what's giving me this impression...could it be that you've beaten this horse to death these past couple months? *g*

I mean, doesn't JY have any other songs for you to rag on, or is this the only one? Because it sure seems like it is.

I hope this song gets stuck in your head forever. LOL

Did a long time ago. It's driven me to take anti-psychotic medication on a near-daily basis just to function. But I do digress, I could rag on a few other songs. Let me OUT OUt Out out ut t .... on a day pass... that one is a real gem. And lest we forget (or maybe we should) "Toys for American Boys" ::rollseyes::


I could just as easily rag on Boys will Be Boys from desert moon. I'm sorry, but that song is gawd awful too.

[Zan]

I could just as easily rag on Boys will Be Boys from desert moon. I'm sorry, but that song is gawd awful too.

yip yip yip yip yip BOW BOW.

[gr8dane]

Honestly - I couldn't care less really.

Kansas did what you suggested. Kansas is what Styx would have become.

Kansas released Point of Know Return when Styx released Pieces of Eight. Both progressive rock albums to the core. Both were big and had huge world tours.

After this album - can you name the next Kansas album recorded? It was called Monolith and was actually better than Point of Know Return musically. But it was too prog, too dark - and Kansas fell out of the limelight - something they never recovered from. Styx evolved their sound (something every successful band does) going more acoustic (the trend at the time) and producing Cornerstone and their greatest album - Paradise Theatre. Kansas produced Audio Visions (with one minor hit) and then Vinyl Confessions and Drastic Measures with a different vocalist. Kansas produced Paradise Theatre and Kilroy was Here - two of the most well known albums of their times.

Say what you want about what music you like and what music you do not like - but if you want to try and re-write what is part of history - then it is YOU, my friend, who needs to get a life.

Kansas and Styx were not the same kind of bands in my opinio. I always placed Kansas in the far prog rock crowd who happened to have a few hits and they lost their main man shortly after. Styx was always more commercial but never totally commercial before Cornerstone. You are right, a band should not remain the same but to go from POE to Cornerstone and then Kilroy? When I first listened to Grand Illusion and then POE, it was powerful interesting rock music. Sounded heavy and was just some great rock music in my opinion. Then came Cornerstone and it was such a drastic change. It was more than a change to acoustic, it was a totally different sound. If you listen to both POE and Cornerstone, if you didn't know any better, you would swear they could be two different groups. I was just disappointed in the direction they took, mainly due to one man's opinion on what direction they should go. I think they could have remained together throughout the 80's making something really special if not for one man wanting to dictate what the group was going to do.

For a minute I thought I had been sleepwalkin' gone to the Styxboard and changed my name to Grotelul and written this,'cause that is how it see it too.Sure Babe was a monster but that still means diddly ,except if you like a nice big dollup of cheese with your Styx.Not me.
Allow me to join your club,if I may.

Perhaps Styx' greatest asset was its ability to be so many different acts rolled into one. It was for me. While I can and do respect that people have preferences as to what they want their music/art to sound/look like...I myself prefer those that evolve. If I want the same thing over and over again, I get bored. That isn't to say I don't respect divergence of taste and opinion. I really do.

I guess I just never understand why some people wish to limit output to their own comfort zone.

Nor do I see it as the acts of one man. They all had voices and options. Whether it was money, fame, adoration...they all opted to stay that course. We as a society love to build people up only to then topple them. I see this as no different. Much easier to armchair quarterback a situation than to recognize this as a mirror for everyone involved.

Like what you like. Seems a reasonble thing to do.

Peace

Fair enough,but,
If Styx were to bring in an ompapah band and turn I'm OK in to a real footstomper,just for diversity,I would cringe.
If I want ompapah i go to Octoberfest,even if it was in June.
If I want love songs,I listen to Cris Deburgh and not DeYoung.
If I want in your face guitar and keyboard heavy and great harmonies rock with a tinge of prog I listen to Styx up until PO8.
Yes ,I like what I like,and I know you do too.

[Zan]

If Styx were to bring in an ompapah band and turn I'm OK in to a real footstomper,just for diversity,I would cringe.

Why is it that "Styx" and "cringe" are so often used in the same sentence when referring to the softer side of the band these days? *g*

[gr8dane]

If Styx were to bring in an ompapah band and turn I'm OK in to a real footstomper,just for diversity,I would cringe.

Why is it that "Styx" and "cringe" are so often used in the same sentence when referring to the softer side of the band these days? *g*

Ask Ash or the falcon.

[Ash]

If Styx were to bring in an ompapah band and turn I'm OK in to a real footstomper,just for diversity,I would cringe.

Why is it that "Styx" and "cringe" are so often used in the same sentence when referring to the softer side of the band these days? *g*

Ask Ash or the falcon.

Because listening to these guys trying to do softer songs is enough to make anyone cringe.

[Zan]

Because listening to these guys trying to do softer songs is enough to make anyone cringe.

I should have been more clear: I meant "these days" as in: Why is it that these days when anyone talks about the softer side of Styx (circa 1978-1993), the words "Styx" and "cringe" are used. That betterer?

[sadie65]

Because listening to these guys trying to do softer songs is enough to make anyone cringe.

I should have been more clear: I meant "these days" as in: Why is it that these days when anyone talks about the softer side of Styx (circa 1978-1993), the words "Styx" and "cringe" are used. That betterer?

Perhaps because the man giving most of the interviews these days (aka birthday boy) is doing his darnedest to convince people the band is some hard rocking entity. Lot of wearing of the emperor's new clothes. Is that betterer for you Zan?

[Ash]

Because listening to these guys trying to do softer songs is enough to make anyone cringe.

I should have been more clear: I meant "these days" as in: Why is it that these days when anyone talks about the softer side of Styx (circa 1978-1993), the words "Styx" and "cringe" are used. That betterer?

That new song "Just Be" from Styx sure is one OMFG ROKKING SONG DUUUUDE. I've never heard such a hard rocking band in my life. I'm sure glad they kicked out the guy who writes all the A-brand of slow shit so we can indulge in B-brand of slow shit. WOOOOOO HOOOOOOO I just LOVE competitency.

[SuiteMadameBlue]

I LOVE Cornerstone!!! One of my favorite albums!! Brings back a lot of memories when I would be playing it over and over and over!!

I need to listen to it right now!!!

[Zan]

I think you both missed the inside joke as it was intended.

DDY used the phrase "missed opportunities" a few times, and hence, now everyone uses the same phrase when they're talking about any new Styx material. JY used "cringe" a few times, and...well, therein lies the pun. It was in no means meant to get everyone all riled up again, as it was meant to be rhetorical. LOL

[brywool]

Eddie.. blech..

Worst JY Song.. EVER

Well apart from his craptacular "Out On A Day Pass" album..

That my friends was a truely horrible listening experience.. trust me on this one stay away!

Listen to JY/Jan Hammer, or even JYG, but at all costs avoid Out On A Day Pass like it has leprosy, cancer and the plague all rolled into one!

You've been warned!

Day pass makes you wonder if the Day Pass was from a mental institution. TRULY awful record. Embarrassing with his little shrieks and things, so bad. He doesn't have a self crapometer installed within him and can't seem to tell when his vocals are shite. I couldn't believe that on Cyclo ( a great album regardless) he had so many lead vocal cuts and Burtnik only had 2. RIDICULOUS.

The JY Group album, on the other hand is pretty damned good.

[yogi]

Personally, as BAD as 'Out On A Day Pass' was I thought Tommy's epic???? 'What If' was it's equal.

Remember the Tommy Shaw Classic ' This Is Not A Test' and the hard rockin 'Count On You'. Even the title track had me 'reaching for the bottle'. BRUTAL BRUTAL album.


You can start ripping on me now but I REALLY like JY's City Slicker album.

Now as for his Wild Dogs video. WORST video EVER!!!!!!!! 'They Blinded Me With Science' meets 'Love Is A Battlefield'.

[Ash]

Personally, as BAD as 'Out On A Day Pass' was I thought Tommy's epic???? 'What If' was it's equal.

Remember the Tommy Shaw Classic ' This Is Not A Test' and the hard rockin 'Count On You'. Even the title track had me 'reaching for the bottle'. BRUTAL BRUTAL album.


You can start ripping on me now but I REALLY like JY's City Slicker album.

Now as for his Wild Dogs video. WORST video EVER!!!!!!!! 'They Blinded Me With Science' meets 'Love Is A Battlefield'.

Yeah - but at least What If had some moments. Nature Of The Beast was an ok song - and the title track was acceptable. You're right on "This Is Not A Test" and "Friendly Advice". There wasn't a single good song on Day Pass. Not one.

City Slicker was pretty good - but I credit that more to Jan Hammer than to JY. Jan Hammer has more talent in his big toe than JY has in his whole body.

[yogi]

I forgot about Friendly Advice. Now I need to go throw up.

What If..... What If....... we made a mistake....... Something about the line of fire.... That song was also REAL REAL bad. Remo's theme??? Remo Williams- The Adventure Begins..

Nature Of The Beast was an EXCELLENT song, Reach For The Bottle and one other song( cant remember the name now) were good. The rest CRAPPER & Flush 10 times material.


Day Pass did have JY's remake of Young Man. I would deem that song acceptable.

[StyxCollector]

Day Pass did have JY's remake of Young Man. I would deem that song acceptable.

Agreed on that. This is why I was extremely surprised that STyx has not pulled out any WN material post-1999. It's been my pet peeve.

[Jodes]

But JY only had two songs on Cyclorama if memory serves me correct:

These Are The Times

Captain America

And Glen sang lead on two and "co" sang on a third..

It's not like JY sang like six songs on the CD like another Styx member..

[styxmike]

AAHEMMM
Back to the topic !!!!!!
just got my copy of the DVD , just skipping through it

CLASS!!!! SHEER CLASS

WHAT A SHOW , THIS IS HOW IT SHOULD BE DONE!! TO SEE KIDS ROCKIN' TO OUR MUSIC, OUR BAND , OUR SONGS FROM OVER 30yrs AGO IS SUCH A BUZZ
I'M GOING TO WATCH THIS IN DETAIL NOW
ZAN IS THAT A SHOT OF YOU DURING LORELIE???????
WOW

[styxmike]

MISS AMERICA HAS NEVER!!!NEVER SOUNDED SOOOOOOOOOO GOOD!!!!!!
WORTH THE PRICE OF THE DVD ALONE
GONNA HAVE TO GET A GIANT HD PLASMA TV NOW...........JUST TO WATCH THIS DVD

[Jodes]

Umm I thought Lorelei was not on the DVD or any other DDY penned or co-written tunes..

Nevermind lol..

[Rockwriter]

Honestly - I couldn't care less really.

Kansas did what you suggested. Kansas is what Styx would have become.

Kansas released Point of Know Return when Styx released Pieces of Eight. Both progressive rock albums to the core. Both were big and had huge world tours.

After this album - can you name the next Kansas album recorded? It was called Monolith and was actually better than Point of Know Return musically. But it was too prog, too dark - and Kansas fell out of the limelight - something they never recovered from. Styx evolved their sound (something every successful band does) going more acoustic (the trend at the time) and producing Cornerstone and their greatest album - Paradise Theatre. Kansas produced Audio Visions (with one minor hit) and then Vinyl Confessions and Drastic Measures with a different vocalist. Kansas produced Paradise Theatre and Kilroy was Here - two of the most well known albums of their times.

Say what you want about what music you like and what music you do not like - but if you want to try and re-write what is part of history - then it is YOU, my friend, who needs to get a life.

Kansas and Styx were not the same kind of bands in my opinio. I always placed Kansas in the far prog rock crowd who happened to have a few hits and they lost their main man shortly after. Styx was always more commercial but never totally commercial before Cornerstone. You are right, a band should not remain the same but to go from POE to Cornerstone and then Kilroy? When I first listened to Grand Illusion and then POE, it was powerful interesting rock music. Sounded heavy and was just some great rock music in my opinion. Then came Cornerstone and it was such a drastic change. It was more than a change to acoustic, it was a totally different sound. If you listen to both POE and Cornerstone, if you didn't know any better, you would swear they could be two different groups. I was just disappointed in the direction they took, mainly due to one man's opinion on what direction they should go. I think they could have remained together throughout the 80's making something really special if not for one man wanting to dictate what the group was going to do.

For a minute I thought I had been sleepwalkin' gone to the Styxboard and changed my name to Grotelul and written this,'cause that is how it see it too.Sure Babe was a monster but that still means diddly ,except if you like a nice big dollup of cheese with your Styx.Not me.
Allow me to join your club,if I may.

Perhaps Styx' greatest asset was its ability to be so many different acts rolled into one. It was for me. While I can and do respect that people have preferences as to what they want their music/art to sound/look like...I myself prefer those that evolve. If I want the same thing over and over again, I get bored. That isn't to say I don't respect divergence of taste and opinion. I really do.

I guess I just never understand why some people wish to limit output to their own comfort zone.

Nor do I see it as the acts of one man. They all had voices and options. Whether it was money, fame, adoration...they all opted to stay that course. We as a society love to build people up only to then topple them. I see this as no different. Much easier to armchair quarterback a situation than to recognize this as a mirror for everyone involved.

Like what you like. Seems a reasonble thing to do.

Peace

I totally agree with this. After all, it's not as if Dennis wrote all of the songs for the album, just his own. Tommy's contributions to CORNERSTONE were dramatically lighter and in a totally different vein as well, apart from LITM. I don't know how we can blame that on Dennis.

The reality is that prog was dying and most of the bands that did not jump off board at that time died with it shortly thereafter. Yes, ELP, Kansas, Tull . . . all experienced a big downward turn. Styx, Genesis . . . those that changed with radio continued to build.

BOTR is not exactly another "Renegade", nor is "Never Say Never". I like both, but it's clear Tommy at least was on board with changing. And it worked, so second-guessing it is kinda like saying Columbus shouldn't have sailed for America.

It's also true that while Styx' versatility was the band's greatest strength, it was also its greatest weakness. You have two or three different fan bases, wanting different things, for the same band.

I hope all is well.


Sterling

[shaka]

The reality is that prog was dying and most of the bands that did not jump off board at that time died with it shortly thereafter. Yes, ELP, Kansas, Tull . . . all experienced a big downward turn. Styx, Genesis . . . those that changed with radio continued to build.




Sterling

I thought Trevor Rabin did a great job with redirecting Yes. Leave It is one of my all time favorite songs.

Eric

[StyxCollector]

I thought Trevor Rabin did a great job with redirecting Yes. Leave It is one of my all time favorite songs.

IMHO it's different. When Jon Anderson left and they did Drama, Yes was essentially dead for a few years. Styx and Genesis had momentum and made the switch from prog rock band to popular. Journey did it, too (just listen to the 1st three Journey albums which are w/o Steve Perry).

Yes (the 1983 lineup) was supposed to be called Cinema until Jon Anderson re-joined, and then it made sense to call it Yes. Big Generator despite having a hit with "Love Will Find A Way", was not as worthy a successor. It doesn't hold up as well for me. 90125 is genius. Love that album. It was downhill from there for Yes. Subsequent albums such as Talk didn't do so well, and then you had the whole ABWH thing and then Union. So they had a brief Phoenix moment, only to sink again.