The "Styx" Sound

[styxfanNH]

Regardless of the lineup. There is a certain "Styx" sound. What do you consider the "Styx" sound?

For me it is the three part harmonies, the dueling rhythm and solo guitars, with a blend of keyboards or piano.

In regards to an album, it is the diversity of musical styles of the lead singers. And every song tells a story. Lastly virtually every song has a great solo/instrumental section in it.

[froy]

Regardless of the lineup. There is a certain "Styx" sound. What do you consider the "Styx" sound?

Simple JY is crying like a baby and Tommy is sitting in the corner sleeping
Gowan is trying to learn Helter Skelter and Todd is learning Medley number 2 Rickie is on the phone with Foreigner seeing if they need a bass player That the Styx sound,

[ek88]

styxfanNH,

I think your description is about as good as any I've ever heard of the Styx sound. You pretty much nailed it on the head for me. The only thing I'd add is that some of their older stuff has an epic, or grand feel to it (whatever the heck that means ).

[Zan]

epic, or grand feel to it (whatever the heck that means ).

Majestic

[Hippie]

Froy wrote

Gowan is trying to learn Helter Skelter and Todd is learning Medley number 2

Goodness Froy!
Can't you give credit credit where credit is due?!
Gowen may not be a great singer, but is an outstanding keyboard player.
And what possible complaint can you have of Sucherman?! With respect to Panazzo (RIP), Sucherman's about the best drummer around!
I marvel at his work on Cyclorama particularly on "One With Everything".
Lighten up a little!

To return this thread back to subject, to me the Styx sound has always been something of a Majestic sound; very full and complex.

The dueling guitars and tri-part harmonies quickly come to mind; in particular, JY's backround vocals. He's always been really strong in that area.

Phillips sings too. I wonder if he'll sing any lead on the new album. I liked Styx having four lead vocals on Cyclorama. To me, that added even more dimension to their sound.

[Zan]

Froy wrote

Gowan is trying to learn Helter Skelter and Todd is learning Medley number 2

Goodness Froy!
Can't you give credit credit where credit is due?!
Gowen may not be a great singer, but is an outstanding keyboard player.
And what possible complaint can you have of Sucherman?! With respect to Panazzo (RIP), Sucherman's about the best drummer around!

Ya know, while there is no SANE person that would complain about Todd's drumming skills (case in point) , I gotta say...the persistant mediocre opinions of Gowan's singing abilities presented as fact or near-fact are getting tedious. I mean, "Gowan may not be a great singer" seems to be the running theme on this board. No, the man does not sing like Dennis (and who ever claimed he did besides one or two clueless "reporters" anyway?). But Dennis alone does not define what makes a "good voice." Gowan may not have the technical "crystal clear" sound that DeYoung has, but he has a style and uniqueness about him that Dennis cannot touch. I shudder at the thought of DDY tackling a "rock" song these days (and the first person who tries to tell me that "My God Can beat Up Your God" is ROCK, well, your sign will be waiting).

Gowan has a great ROCK voice (and HIS OWN ballad material sounds pretty damn good too). I can only imagine how sucky and boring the music world would be if everyone sounded like Steve Perry and Dennis DeYoung.

[sadie65]

Froy wrote

Gowan is trying to learn Helter Skelter and Todd is learning Medley number 2

Goodness Froy!
Can't you give credit credit where credit is due?!
Gowen may not be a great singer, but is an outstanding keyboard player.
And what possible complaint can you have of Sucherman?! With respect to Panazzo (RIP), Sucherman's about the best drummer around!

Ya know, while there is no SANE person that would complain about Todd's drumming skills (case in point) , I gotta say...the persistant mediocre opinions of Gowan's singing abilities presented as fact or near-fact are getting tedious. I mean, "Gowan may not be a great singer" seems to be the running theme on this board. No, the man does not sing like Dennis (and who ever claimed he did besides one or two clueless "reporters" anyway?). But Dennis alone does not define what makes a "good voice." Gowan may not have the technical "crystal clear" sound that DeYoung has, but he has a style and uniqueness about him that Dennis cannot touch. I shudder at the thought of DDY tackling a "rock" song these days (and the first person who tries to tell me that "My God Can beat Up Your God" is ROCK, well, your sign will be waiting).

Gowan has a great ROCK voice (and HIS OWN ballad material sounds pretty damn good too). I can only imagine how sucky and boring the music world would be if everyone sounded like Steve Perry and Dennis DeYoung.

Sorry I totally disagree. I've heard Gowan sing. He has, FOR ME, a very mediocre voice. I would not suggest he isn't talented, but to me he has always sounded like he represents the Lollipop Guild. He does indeed have a style, but as far as rock singing goes, he's just so-so.

You may not care for My God, but it is a rock song. And you can keep the sign. That's the cool thing about music, or any art form. It's subjective. I respect that Larry has a job to do. I think he does it as best he can. But his vocals alone would not make me want to see him in concert. BY the same token, I can respect that you think Dennis can no longer sing "rock" music. Shudder away.

And yes, it would be pretty boring if all singers sounded like Steve Perry or Dennis DeYoung. Luckily they don't, so we can discuss them on an internet chat board.

[Zan]

You may not care for My God, but it is a rock song. And you can keep the sign. That's the cool thing about music, or any art form. It's subjective. BY the same token, I can respect that you think Dennis can no longer sing "rock" music. Shudder away.

OK, it's a cheesy, schmaltzy, poor excuse for a rock song.

[bugsymalone]

The Styx sound, in my view, started with Lady. It came unto its own (again, my opinion) on "Equinox", particularly with Suite Madame Blue.

It is great harmonies, complex, intricate music, and the distinctive voice of Dennis DeYoung, even when it is used only in harmony.

That is what I consider the definitive "Styx sound."

In my opinion that distinctive sound went away with Dennis.

Not a single person on here needs to agree nor do I expect it. This is my view only.

Bugsy

[froy]

The Styx sound, in my view, started with Lady. It came unto its own (again, my opinion) on "Equinox", particularly with Suite Madame Blue.

It is great harmonies, complex, intricate music, and the distinctive voice of Dennis DeYoung, even when it is used only in harmony.

That is what I consider the definitive "Styx sound."

In my opinion that distinctive sound went away with Dennis.

Not a single person on here needs to agree nor do I expect it. This is my view only.

I agree
Bugsy

[thebook]

The Styx sound, in my view, started with Lady. It came unto its own (again, my opinion) on "Equinox", particularly with Suite Madame Blue.

It is great harmonies, complex, intricate music, and the distinctive voice of Dennis DeYoung, even when it is used only in harmony.

That is what I consider the definitive "Styx sound."

In my opinion that distinctive sound went away with Dennis.

Not a single person on here needs to agree nor do I expect it. This is my view only.

Bugsy

Nicely put.

[classicstyxfan]

Sorry Zan, but I have to disagree with you.........Gowan DOES have a good voice for Rock, BUT his voice doesn't blend well with the other voices
in the band....at least not to the extent that made the harmonies between
Tommy, JY and Dennis 2nd to none during the Classic Styx era.

He's one hell of a Keyboard player, and he sings OK, but it's a serious step backwards from what was. Just my opinion.

By the way, I don't mind his lead vocals on Cyclorama, but I can easily pick out which part he is singing in most of the harmonies on that CD.

[Hippie]

Zan wrote

Gowan has a great ROCK voice (and HIS OWN ballad material sounds pretty damn good too). I can only imagine how sucky and boring the music world would be if everyone sounded like Steve Perry and Dennis DeYoung.

Eloquently put as always Zan! I stand corrected.

I do like Gowan's originals; particulaly "More Love for the $"

[Monker]

The Styx sound, in my view, started with Lady. It came unto its own (again, my opinion) on "Equinox", particularly with Suite Madame Blue.

It is great harmonies, complex, intricate music, and the distinctive voice of Dennis DeYoung, even when it is used only in harmony.

That is what I consider the definitive "Styx sound."

In my opinion that distinctive sound went away with Dennis.

Not a single person on here needs to agree nor do I expect it. This is my view only.

Bugsy

That sound went away with EotC, IMO. It came back with "One With Everything" and "These Are the Times"...and it would NEVER be back with Dennis in the band.

[Monker]

You may not care for My God, but it is a rock song. And you can keep the sign. That's the cool thing about music, or any art form. It's subjective. BY the same token, I can respect that you think Dennis can no longer sing "rock" music. Shudder away.

OK, it's a cheesy, schmaltzy, poor excuse for a rock song.

LOL! You're too funny. "My God" rocks ALMOST as hard as Air Supply, seriously. I mean, it's a good song, but come on...a ROCKER? LOL.

[Zan]

The Styx sound, in my view, started with Lady. It came unto its own (again, my opinion) on "Equinox", particularly with Suite Madame Blue.

It is great harmonies, complex, intricate music, and the distinctive voice of Dennis DeYoung, even when it is used only in harmony.

That sound went away with EotC, IMO. It came back with "One With Everything" and "These Are the Times"...and it would NEVER be back with Dennis in the band.

Well, "Paradise" was beautiful as far as harmonies go. I think it has a classic Styx element, but only one - the harmonies. Still, a good song. HOWEVER, pretty much everything else - with one or two exceptions (BNW Reprise had some of it, as did Dear John) - that theory holds true for me.

I really, REALLY miss hearing Everything is Cool in concert, though. It just worked so wellas an opener. But I digress. lol

[Zan]

"My God" rocks ALMOST as hard as Air Supply, seriously. I mean, it's a good song, but come on...a ROCKER? LOL.

And therein lies the wedge between current Styx fans and the Dennis puritans. DDY purees think he still knows how to rock. The rest of us still have our hearing. lol

(I am just busting your chops, Sadie!)

[Zan]

Zan wrote

Gowan has a great ROCK voice (and HIS OWN ballad material sounds pretty damn good too). I can only imagine how sucky and boring the music world would be if everyone sounded like Steve Perry and Dennis DeYoung.

Eloquently put as always Zan! I stand corrected.

I do like Gowan's originals; particulaly "More Love for the $"

Oh thank goodness, Hippie! I was afraid you'd think I was putting the hurt on ya (and not in the good way)! I didn't mean to single YOUR post out - it was just the one that finally made me scream. LOL

[Abitaman]

The Styx sound, in my view, started with Lady. It came unto its own (again, my opinion) on "Equinox", particularly with Suite Madame Blue.

It is great harmonies, complex, intricate music, and the distinctive voice of Dennis DeYoung, even when it is used only in harmony.

That is what I consider the definitive "Styx sound."

In my opinion that distinctive sound went away with Dennis.

Not a single person on here needs to agree nor do I expect it. This is my view only.

Bugsy

I don't think the Styx sound went away with Dennis, it just changed. Every Styx cd has a different sound to it, while keeping and defining the Styx sound. Every cd has added tot he Styx sound, and slowly changed it's direction. It's easy to tell when something is Styx. I have stated before, when I was a kid, laying in bed, listening tot he Radio, and Music Time came on with no Intro, within 5 seconds I knew it was a Styx song. And there have been other occasions when I didn't know Styx had a new song out (and the album had been released yet), and I knew it was Styx!
So Styx does have a sound that is theirs.
Although I do not like the idea of a covers cd, I can't wait to hear, just to see what they have done, and to see if it has the Styx sound-ERIC

[gr8dane]

Froy wrote

Gowan is trying to learn Helter Skelter and Todd is learning Medley number 2

Goodness Froy!
Can't you give credit credit where credit is due?!
Gowen may not be a great singer, but is an outstanding keyboard player.
And what possible complaint can you have of Sucherman?! With respect to Panazzo (RIP), Sucherman's about the best drummer around!

Ya know, while there is no SANE person that would complain about Todd's drumming skills (case in point) , I gotta say...the persistant mediocre opinions of Gowan's singing abilities presented as fact or near-fact are getting tedious. I mean, "Gowan may not be a great singer" seems to be the running theme on this board. No, the man does not sing like Dennis (and who ever claimed he did besides one or two clueless "reporters" anyway?). But Dennis alone does not define what makes a "good voice." Gowan may not have the technical "crystal clear" sound that DeYoung has, but he has a style and uniqueness about him that Dennis cannot touch. I shudder at the thought of DDY tackling a "rock" song these days (and the first person who tries to tell me that "My God Can beat Up Your God" is ROCK, well, your sign will be waiting).

Gowan has a great ROCK voice (and HIS OWN ballad material sounds pretty damn good too). I can only imagine how sucky and boring the music world would be if everyone sounded like Steve Perry and Dennis DeYoung.

Tedious ,yes .Repetive,absolutely.
The answer to this maybe froy's selfannounced dopesmoking.Scientist say it may cause memory loss.Froy simply forgets he has already said the same things a hundred times.
The interesting part is where froy differs from the norm.Dopesmokers are usually happy and laid back..Froy blows his top.
What could this be.It must be a mix of something.
Could it be moonshine,meth or mescal maybe.
Anyways,not to point fingers,I'm not goody-two-shoes myself.I frquently wake up the morning after,wishing that I did not have that last bottle of wine.
gr8dane MDA PCB

[BlackWall]

"My God" is kind of interesting; to me, the verses build up and it leads you to believe that the chorus is going to rock out, but the chorus sounds very much like what we have come to expect from Dennis in recent years-very theatrical("High Crimes"). The song does have a little bridge where it does rock slightly, but.. to me, this part sounds fairly generic, it's been done before. All of this said, I still like the song; it features a pretty insightful lyric and it's where Dennis is at right now.. It has some of a rock element, but mixes in the theatrical/broadway formula and isn't that what Dennis has pretty much always wanted to do?

As for Gowan, I hate hearing him do most of Dennis' material, but he's really not so bad on his own. He does have a unique-gritty sound..

Believe it or not, I didn't absolutely always love Dennis' voice on every Styx song. I think he has a great voice, always has, but sometimes it was just a little too much. He sounded great on songs like "Suite Madame Blue", "Grand Illusion", and "Lady", but honestly, I've always cringed a little with the first verse of "Come Sail Away". I think his voice has only improved with age, I like the fact that now it's a little deeper.

[sadie65]

Believe it or not, I didn't absolutely always love Dennis' voice on every Styx song. I think he has a great voice, always has, but sometimes it was just a little too much. He sounded great on songs like "Suite Madame Blue", "Grand Illusion", and "Lady", but honestly, I've always cringed a little with the first verse of "Come Sail Away". I think his voice has only improved with age, I like the fact that now it's a little deeper.

[/quote]

Dennis has often mentioned how nasal he sounds at the beginning of the recorded version. I think his voice has gotten better over the years. I find I prefer his live version of it to the original myself.

[Zan]

Dennis has often mentioned how nasal he sounds at the beginning of the recorded version. I think his voice has gotten better over the years. I find I prefer his live version of it to the original myself.

With an exception of Ten On Broadway and Hunchback, I actually like his older voice better. What he has now is very much a voice for theatre or ballady type material.

[yogi]

Gowans voice is very good, DDY's is EXCEPTIONAL. I enjoy Gowans renditions of Dennis's songs. But, outside of Criminal Mind and Gurrilla Soldier all of Gowan's solo material blew chunks( Froys Dog). His tribute song to Princess Di probably had her doing backflips in the afterlife it was so AWEFUL!
Gowan does the job,still there is nothing like the orginal. Thats why Coke will always be better than Pepsi. That does not mean Pepsi is not good.

My god can Beat Up Your god is a cross between Hip Hop, Copa Cabana & Music Time. Benny Hill or Benny Hinn should use this song at one of his rallies. It's god aweful, but may bring in some more cash for this crack pot!!!

What came first Mellow Yellow or Mt. Dew?? I grew up on Mellow Yellow, now I cant find it, so now I like Mt. Dew better. There is a correlation!!!!

[Zan]

His tribute song to Princess Di probably had her doing backflips in the afterlife it was so AWEFUL!

Don't be so sure.

[froy]

Gowans voice is very good,

And your hearing is very bad
Gowan's voice is awefull case closed,

[Hippie]

Froy wrote

Gowan's voice is awefull case closed

"Awefull" As in full of awe? Awe inspiring? What r u trying 2 say Froy?

[yogi]

My hearing is 20/20 both ears!!!!!!!

[SuiteMadameBlue]

I wouldn't call "My God...." a ballad.

I personally don't care for Larry's singing, especially Dennis' songs. That's just my opinion and my hearing is pretty good.

I wouldn't want anyone else singing Tommy's songs either, just my opinion.

Here we go around with "rock" songs again. So do all of you think "Crystal Ball" is a "rock" song?

[ChicagoSTYX]

Froy has deemed himself the voice of all music fans. He has proclaimed that Larry has a bad voice “case closed”. If anyone is trying to use smoke and mirrors around here it is you Mr. Froy. I for one have no problem with the way LG sounds and especially like his work on Cyclorama. Is there anyone who reads this board that has changed their preferences because of what Mr. Froy has been crying about? Froy you have the right to your opinion just like the rest of us here and if you chose not to listen to anything Styx does without DDY that’s your choice. Enjoy the old records. I am one of the lucky ones who can still look forward to a new Styx CD and appreciate the music for what it is, entertainment! I like the type and sound of Styx music and to me the new Styx songs are as good as and in some cases better then SOME of the old stuff. If DDY recorded something that I liked I would be happy to say so. I would really like to see that happen.

Has anyone heard Ozzy’s new version of Mississippi Queen or Velvet Revolver’s version of Cheap Trick’s Surrender? I have seen TV ads for Joe Cockers New covers CD along with his greatest hits. He is on the same label as Styx and from what I have read Styx has been filming promo spots for “Big Bang Theory”. I would expect we will see the same type of TV spots for Styx that are running for Joe Cocker.