Classic Rock Mag Summer edition.
Posted: Sat Sep 10, 2005 6:32 amStyx Hammersmith Apollo Odeon.
After 24 years,and on the back of a hardly necessary album of cover versions,perhaps it was quite understandable that Hammersmith,where the band had actually lastplayed in 1980,was not exactly brimming to the rafters.Understandable,perhaps,but nothing to put off a band of like Styx.Ripping into there 1978 classic Renegade,this was Styx the rock band,a rare treat for the UK,where they've been tagged a ballad band for havingthe temerity to have a hit 1980 with the saccharine overdose of Babe.There was no sign of that side of the AOR giants tonight,despite keyboard player LG being equally flamboyant as his predecessor DDY.
This was a hard- working,hard-rocking Styx,reminding people why they becamea rock name in the first place:Miss America,Blue Collar Man,TGI and Snowblind all remain fine examples of 70s-era US melodic hard rock.
With TS ,in particular,firing on all six like a man possessed,especially on a stunning Crystal Ball,not even the inclusion of 5 of there new cover versions could spoil the fun.The band said they'd be back in less than 24 months too-but I wouldn't hold your breath.
Jerry Irwing.
After 24 years,and on the back of a hardly necessary album of cover versions,perhaps it was quite understandable that Hammersmith,where the band had actually lastplayed in 1980,was not exactly brimming to the rafters.Understandable,perhaps,but nothing to put off a band of like Styx.Ripping into there 1978 classic Renegade,this was Styx the rock band,a rare treat for the UK,where they've been tagged a ballad band for havingthe temerity to have a hit 1980 with the saccharine overdose of Babe.There was no sign of that side of the AOR giants tonight,despite keyboard player LG being equally flamboyant as his predecessor DDY.
This was a hard- working,hard-rocking Styx,reminding people why they becamea rock name in the first place:Miss America,Blue Collar Man,TGI and Snowblind all remain fine examples of 70s-era US melodic hard rock.
With TS ,in particular,firing on all six like a man possessed,especially on a stunning Crystal Ball,not even the inclusion of 5 of there new cover versions could spoil the fun.The band said they'd be back in less than 24 months too-but I wouldn't hold your breath.
Jerry Irwing.
