MR

This one is from the ClassicRockNews.

John Stefanis

STYX `Big Bang Theory' Frontiers (2005) www.frontiers.it

2005 certainly seems to be a year for established classic rock
bands and musicians to release covers albums. We have already had
ones from Leslie West, former Ozzy guitarist Jake E. Lee and Michael
Schenker with ones to come from Def Leppard, Shaw & Blades, Vivian
Campbell and a rumoured Tesla covers set. Here we have Styx's covers
album which includes a re-recording of their own classic `Blue Collar
Man', which gets an acoustic makeover on here. This track would be
one of the last recordings made by legendary piano player Johnnie
Johnson (Chuck Berry) prior to his death this year. `I am A Walrus'
has already enjoyed success in the US although I don't personally
like this track as I never liked the original! `I Don't Need No
Doctor' (originally Humble Pie and later covered by WASP) is another
skipable track especially the annoying babble going on at the end of
the song. But bar these two it is a very enjoyable set with Styx's
take on Free's `Wishing Well' an obvious highlight. Those trademark
Styx harmonies get a good work out on the Who's `I Can See For Miles'
and the brief CSNY `Find The Cost Of Freedom'. I love `Can't Fin My
Way Home', originally by Blind Faith and this version even beats the
excellent House of Lords cover as well. All the covers are from the
60's and 70's as the band pat homage to tunes and artists that were
doubtless an influence on them.
Essential for fans of the band although with a covers set I can't
see it appealing to many outside their fan base, although fans of the
original artists would surely enjoy the Styx-ified version on here.

Well, I like that the author included the original artists and sometimes the more well-known previous cover artists. Also, I liked the honesty, stating that some tracks (in the reviewer's opinion) are skippable and some are quite good. The reviewer is also right on target, I think, as to just who this release will appeal to. Should've had someone proof-read the review, though (one of my internet pet-peeves).

Thanks for posting the review, Suite. Does it make me want to run out and purchase the cd? No, but neither does the review turn me off to the cd.

So it seems “I Don’t Need No Doctor” is starting to get radio play. Could this mean that LG is becoming the voice of Styx? We’ll see what happens but if it makes the charts that would be 2 in a row for Larry.

ChicagoSTYX wrote:So it seems “I Don’t Need No Doctor” is starting to get radio play. Could this mean that LG is becoming the voice of Styx? We’ll see what happens but if it makes the charts that would be 2 in a row for Larry.

Not to take anything away from Larry and company, but Walrus charted in one place. It's nice to acknowledge they charted, but let's not get ahead of ourselves here.

The review was honest, which is great, since I'd rather have someone give a review of the material, as opposed to some other agenda.

[quote="sadie65"][quote="ChicagoSTYX"]So it seems “I Don’t Need No Doctor” is starting to get radio play. Could this mean that LG is becoming the voice of Styx? We’ll see what happens but if it makes the charts that would be 2 in a row for Larry.[/quote]

Not to take anything away from Larry and company, but Walrus charted in one place. It's nice to acknowledge they charted, but let's not get ahead of ourselves here.

The review was honest, which is great, since I'd rather have someone give a review of the material, as opposed to some other agenda.[/quote]

I will be giving a review as soon as I get a copy of the CD. I will try to be as honest as possible. I know I am somewhat biased but I will do what I have asked Froy to do in the past and just listen to the music and not let the band influence me. I know that some people already have the CD by downloading or other means. There was someone on another board who found it online with a few extra live tracks but I have not been able to find it.

I will be giving a review as soon as I get a copy of the CD. I will try to be as honest as possible. I know I am somewhat biased but I will do what I have asked Froy to do in the past and just listen to the music and not let the band influence me. I know that some people already have the CD by downloading or other means. There was someone on another board who found it online with a few extra live tracks but I have not been able to find it.

And I think that is what any of us should do. In no way was I trying to say you would do other wise. I just meant that while it was great that Styx charted somewhere, they hadn't charted on many charts, so not to get ahead of ourselves. It was the same with Dennis when he released Hello God. It made it on one or two charts, but none that were significant. And these days, charts are everywhere...unfortunately the ones that seem to still matter are radio and records and Billboard.

I agree, people in general should definitely review the music. Unfortunately, for some, that appears, sadly impossible.

Peace

sadie65 wrote:charts are everywhere...unfortunately the ones that seem to still matter are radio and records and Billboard....

I wonder how much longer this tradition (for lack of a better word) will last. With the advent of satellite radio, itunes (etc.), and mp3 players, radio & cd sales are losing ground, so it seems to me anyway. Where will we be able to find credible stats?

ChicagoSTYX wrote:So it seems “I Don’t Need No Doctor” is starting to get radio play. Could this mean that LG is becoming the voice of Styx? We’ll see what happens but if it makes the charts that would be 2 in a row for Larry.

Heh... To some people maybe. To a lot of people including the causal fans, Larry Gowan is to Styx what John Elefante was to Kansas..... maybe even not that significant since Elefante did have a couple of top-40 singles as part of Kansas.

Ash wrote:

ChicagoSTYX wrote:So it seems “I Don’t Need No Doctor” is starting to get radio play. Could this mean that LG is becoming the voice of Styx? We’ll see what happens but if it makes the charts that would be 2 in a row for Larry.

Heh... To some people maybe. To a lot of people including the causal fans, Larry Gowan is to Styx what John Elefante was to Kansas..... maybe even not that significant since Elefante did have a couple of top-40 singles as part of Kansas.

Larry Gowan is to Styx what Ray Wilson was to genesis
A bust

Sorry Froy BUT, You are 100% WRONG!!!!!!!!!

yogi wrote:Sorry Froy BUT, You are 100% WRONG!!!!!!!!!

Thats it no back up Yogi

Ok I try again Gowan is to Styx like Cherone was to Van Halen
A total bust

Im sorry there is nothing to back up Gowan being good
The guy is terrible
Just look at Styx there done .

This will be the last tour bet on it .

froy wrote:This will be the last tour bet on it .

"I'll take your bet, your gonna reget..." Sorry, wrong artist! But the sentiment's the same. I think Styx will continue to tour after they return from Europe. Touring is obviously a lucrative effort for them; it doesn't really matter that the venues are smaller--that just means lower overhead for the shows. Remember, DeYoung is playing in smaller venues as well.

Despite what you want to believe, people ARE paying money to see Styx--obviously enough to make it worth their while. And as long as people buy enough tickets, Styx will continue to tour. They're evidently happy doing it. So, so as long as they're covering the bills, they will tour. JMO, tho!

Why would this be the last tour when they just signed 2 new record deals (UA and Frontiers) and have started writing the next CD?

Hey Froy, wanna bet? Wanna put your money where your 'mouth' is?

ChicagoSTYX wrote:Why would this be the last tour when they just signed 2 new record deals (UA and Frontiers) and have started writing the next CD?

Last tour with this lineup
That I will bet ,

Froy,

I will bet you. We can bet some Styx items. The only stipulations I will make is that JY, Tommy & Lawerence will be in the band Styx. If Todd or Ricky leave I still win the bet. If both Todd & Ricky leave you win.

If Tommy takes a year off to go over to Damn Yankees/ cut a CD and tour its a push. If they take more than two years to get back together you win the bet.

What I basically am betting is that Lawerence will be in Styx until Styx is no longer an active band.

What I basically am betting is that Lawerence will be in Styx until Styx is no longer an active band.

I absolutely agree with that, Yogi. This guy is getting more exposure than he ever dreamed of in Canada.

And yes, I know he was a "big" recording star in his home country.

Bugsy

I'll open up a forum in the reviews area for BBT reviews shortly.