Styx Wooden Nick Review classic Rock Mag May 2005
Posted: Tue May 17, 2005 10:46 amWood 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.
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.