Classic Rock Revisited Review of 100 Years

[StyxCollector]

Let's put this in perspective. DDY is on Rounder, a division of Uni. Styx is on New Door, a division of Uni. Rounder has a slightly bigger name out there, but to say it's "major label" ... not quite. They both work for essentially the same parent.

Thanks for setting the record straight here, SC. I do not expect much from the release of DDY's CD here simply because he won't get the promotion DEP is giving him in Canada. If it matches the promotion he got from his last release from Rounder (zero), then there you go.

Both Current Styx and Dennis are very lucky to have any sort of record deal at all is my feeling.

... and DEP is Universal Canada. All one happy family!

NOw, I'm not saying that with a "name" duet for "100 Years From Now" it is impossible to have a song that charts, but the chances are not immense. I am pulling for him, but I'm also realistic as to today's music climate.

Look at Shaw/Blades - if DDY can get that kind of grass root effort behind the album, he may have some good success in the USA. That's the kind of promotion he needs. Labels these days have a tough enough time getting product into a store, let alone getting on radio.

I'm curious to see Soundscan numbers for Shaw Blades and compare them to everyone's projects from BNW on.

[Rockwriter]

I think there is probably a whole lot cooking in the DeYoung camp right now pointed towards the change in the release of his CD here. He has given little hints in his current note on the website (duet on 100 years, see you on TV) that may mean not much or may mean a whole lot.

It could have a lot of potential. These guys aren't stupid. People need to realize that Dennis' management team hasn't lost yet. It's been one win after another with the symphony shows, the DVD, the addition of Glen and now the new record.

This speaks volumes, Ash.

Honestly, I think Dennis is carving out his own place now, separate from Styx, and one really does not have much to do with the other unless one is inclined to look upon all of this as some sort of competition.


Bugsy

That's true, but let's not be naive. Whether WE view it as a competition or not, don't kid yourself for ONE SECOND that the guys in Styx and Dennis don't see it that way. Almost every single conversation I have ever had with anyone in either camp has included some permutation of comparing themselves to the other camp, and the funny part is, each side is very good at slanting the numbers and viewing them from the perspective that makes them look like the clear winner, LOL. It's just the newest aspect of the same ego battles that drove them apart in the first place. Have they changed? Matured? Yes . . . but not much, LOL. They're still artists and therefore see everything in terms of themselves.


Sterling

[blt man]

Is DEP and Rounder actually owned by Universal? I was under the belief that they simply have a distribution deal with one of the Universal lables to help get the product in the store and take care of sales. Not to say that Universal does not have a vested interest in the success, but I don't think it owns either label. Of course, I don't know how the music industry works so I could be wrong in terms of degree of involvement. Styx's label on the other hand is a label owned by Universal (as an outlet to help aging artists with a large back catalog sell new music).

[bugsymalone]

That's true, but let's not be naive. Whether WE view it as a competition or not, don't kid yourself for ONE SECOND that the guys in Styx and Dennis don't see it that way. Almost every single conversation I have ever had with anyone in either camp has included some permutation of comparing themselves to the other camp, and the funny part is, each side is very good at slanting the numbers and viewing them from the perspective that makes them look like the clear winner, LOL. It's just the newest aspect of the same ego battles that drove them apart in the first place. Have they changed? Matured? Yes . . . but not much, LOL. They're still artists and therefore see everything in terms of themselves.

I absolutely do not doubt this, Sterling. However, one would hope decisions are not being made on how well one side can whip the other side in this "competition". I would think that would be ultimately self-defeating on both sides.

HowEVER.... how well I remember that JY interview from a few years' back, I think when BBT came out and they were "charting" (in a very limited way, but still charting), where he talked about the "arc of our careers" and indicated that Current Styx' was soaring and Dennis' was flatlined. Heh. I always think about the karma of all that coming to bite JY in the butt.



Bugsy

[Rockwriter]

That's true, but let's not be naive. Whether WE view it as a competition or not, don't kid yourself for ONE SECOND that the guys in Styx and Dennis don't see it that way. Almost every single conversation I have ever had with anyone in either camp has included some permutation of comparing themselves to the other camp, and the funny part is, each side is very good at slanting the numbers and viewing them from the perspective that makes them look like the clear winner, LOL. It's just the newest aspect of the same ego battles that drove them apart in the first place. Have they changed? Matured? Yes . . . but not much, LOL. They're still artists and therefore see everything in terms of themselves.

I absolutely do not doubt this, Sterling. However, one would hope decisions are not being made on how well one side can whip the other side in this "competition". I would think that would be ultimately self-defeating on both sides.

HowEVER.... how well I remember that JY interview from a few years' back, I think when BBT came out and they were "charting" (in a very limited way, but still charting), where he talked about the "arc of our careers" and indicated that Current Styx' was soaring and Dennis' was flatlined. Heh. I always think about the karma of all that coming to bite JY in the butt.



Bugsy

LOL, yeah, I remember that quote well. I remember thinking how ungracious it came off at the time (and Dennis has had some of those as well, to be fair)and I also remember thinking, 'The more things change, the more they stay the same.' The reality is that there have been times when Styx appeared to be doing better, and there are times when Dennis appears to be doing better, but a lot of that is simply in how you choose to look at and interpret the numbers. Are they mapping their careers by that? No, I think each is following the path they want to follow. But I can't help but be amused by the way that each of them grasps at every concert and every review and every new number to try to justify themselves to themselves. I'm sorry, I hope that doesn't sound unkind. It's just funny when you research and research and research and see decade after decade after decade of it in an unbroken line, LOL.

As they say here in the South, "Bless their hearts!" They can't help it, LOL.

Sterling