Styx Wooden Nick Review classic Rock Mag May 2005

[gr8dane]

Wood Nick was the obscure label that put out pomprockers first 4 records,before A&M in 75.It was the slowburning singles chart success the song'Lady'from IIin 73 though it did not become a hit until 1 1/2 year later-that ultimately enabled Styx to go on to greater things.
Styx early carreer was notable for the absence of TS,whose boyish good looks and writing skills helped propell to super stardom.Shaw provided counterpoint to JY's hard-rocking sensibilities and DDY's at times overwhelming tweeness.In the early days it was JC on guitar.Styx 1 is a bit of a dogs dinner.They plainly weren't too confident,with many outside writers in evidence.Best track here is 'After you leave me'.
Styx 2 finds the band much improved.Lady which sounds like a less syropy 'Babe'.There's a charming JC track 'A day" which is probably his finest moment.But DDY was already heading out of control:he decided to record 'Little fugue' on a church organ a block away,running cables into the studio.
SIR is a fabulous record,with JY finally asserting himsef to fierce rocking tracks Witch wolf and young Man.Album closes with Kraka & Halleluja.Styx's screws were clearly loose at this point,and all the better for it.
MOM finds the oft-detested DDY taking a back seat-but somehow Styx fail to benefit from the absense of his mawkish wittering.Having a ball and Southern woman is boring.But redemption is at hand DDY perks up to link with JY for the title trac,a bombastic marching song bristling with verve and drama.Sadly only one bonus track.Thanks guys.
7 out of 10 *.
Geoff Barton Classic Rock Magazine.

Pardon spelling and other errors.

[Ash]

wow... glad this is an a-political, unbiased version of Styxstory.

[Guest]

wow... glad this is an a-political, unbiased version of Styxstory.

Yea really. Don't you love it when people review music that they obviously can't stand from the get go.

[gr8dane]

wow... glad this is an a-political, unbiased version of Styxstory.

Yea really. Don't you love it when people review music that they obviously can't stand from the get go.

7 out of 10 is not that bad,you think??
Don't forget those Brits have a way with words.

[swwskj]

Since I already own the first 4 albums on CD, I haven't felt the desire to run out and get the "Complete Wooden Nickel" discs. I did however download 'Unfinished Song' since that was not on the originals. All I gotta say is WOW! Classic Dennis, easily one of the best from the entire wooden nickel catalog. Why this song was not included with the original recordings is beyond me. A true "lost treasure".

Scott

[Ash]

7 out of 10 is not that bad,you think??
Don't forget those Brits have a way with words.

Wasn't talking about the ratings... was talking about the one-sided commentary.

[Abitaman]

Since I already own the first 4 albums on CD, I haven't felt the desire to run out and get the "Complete Wooden Nickel" discs. I did however download 'Unfinished Song' since that was not on the originals. All I gotta say is WOW! Classic Dennis, easily one of the best from the entire wooden nickel catalog. Why this song was not included with the original recordings is beyond me. A true "lost treasure".

Scott

It was on the wooden nickel re-releases of the late 70's. I have it on record, with it replacing Lies.-ERIC