MR

I've always been a little curious, can anyone explain what exactly the concept to the album was about? I realize the album came out during the hype of Y2K, but is that as deep as the theme goes? The anticipation of what was possibly to come with the new millennium? I was just curious what songs like "Brave New World" and "Everything Is Cool" were actually about? Can anyone shed some light?

Also, is it true that "Everything Is Cool" was originally written as the title track, but that Dennis felt it wasn't strong enough to serve that purpose?

"Everything Is Cool" was originally "Brave New World". It was supposed to be to opening track of the album and lead vocals were supposed to be by Dennis. Tommy wrote it with him in mind but Dennis did not care for the song. Personally, I think it is the only good one on it, at least they were still working together as a band when this was recorded.

FormerDJMike wrote:"Everything Is Cool" was originally "Brave New World". It was supposed to be to opening track of the album and lead vocals were supposed to be by Dennis. Tommy wrote it with him in mind but Dennis did not care for the song. Personally, I think it is the only good one on it, at least they were still working together as a band when this was recorded.

I like a few on here, not just Everything is Cool. I Will Be Your Witness and Brave New World are both good.

To me, Dennis' weak contributions hurt the album badly. Maybe he just wasn't into it, I dunno. Sure seems like it.

Big J wrote:

FormerDJMike wrote:"Everything Is Cool" was originally "Brave New World". It was supposed to be to opening track of the album and lead vocals were supposed to be by Dennis. Tommy wrote it with him in mind but Dennis did not care for the song. Personally, I think it is the only good one on it, at least they were still working together as a band when this was recorded.

I like a few on here, not just Everything is Cool. I Will Be Your Witness and Brave New World are both good.

To me, Dennis' weak contributions hurt the album badly. Maybe he just wasn't into it, I dunno. Sure seems like it.

I would disagree in that I think ALL of the contributions on the album pretty much stunk. I think everyone can share in the blame on how hideous that album was. It is my least favourite Styx album.

I Will Be Your Witness - sounds like a Backstreet Boys/In Synch ripoff
Brave New World - Good song wish there were more Dennis in the background vocals.
While There's Still Time - Actually a good ballad - would have been a smash in the 80s
Number One - Some potential, but the guitars overpower the vocals - especially in the middle of the song
Best New Face - Terrible could have been a Tommy Solo song. No DDY in the backing vocals
What Have They Done For You - Nothing special - again where is DDY in the background vocals?
Fallen Angel - Good melody, but a bit too broadway for me
Everything Is Cool - I like the chorus, but I can see why Dennis did not like the verse - there is no melody here - it is Tommy shouting the words. Also, where are the keyboards (besides at the very end)?
Great Expectations - not Styx sounding at all - next!
Heavy Water - This just tries way too hard to have a heavy metal sound. Not good - JY hit his peak with Double Life
High Crimes - This is laughably horrid
Just Fell In - This is laughably horrid
Goodbye Roseland - I like the sentiments in the lyrics, but the tune just doesn't do it for me
Brave New World - Someone who was mixing/producing this was asleep at the wheel - and the song does nothing for the rest of the album.

So, my opinion is that this was a tremoendously weak effort with blame to be shared by EVERYBODY!!

Tommy refers to it as sounding like a family going through a bad divorce.


He's 100% right.

It was recorded in 2 different studios. Tommy and JY in one and Dennis in the other. Never should the 2 camps meet. Both camps were trying to prove they could do it without the other. Which only goes to prove that none of them were right. The only thing they ended up agreeing on was they could no longer work together.

I remember being disappointed with this album, but to be honest, with age, I'm finding that I appreciate it a little more. No, it's far from "The Grand Illusion" or "Paradise Theatre"(who knows, though, if this CD was only 8-9 songs long, it might have worked, too), but there are some good songs here. "I Will Be Your Witness", "Brave New World", "While There's Still Time", "Number One", "Fallen Angel", "Heavy Water", and "Goodbye Roseland" are all worthwhile tracks.

I actually remember reading an interview that Dennis did sometime around the album's release, and he stated that he thought if any song had potential, that it was "I Will Be Your Witness". He also made the point that it needed some production changes(which a lot of fans seem to agree with, but I honestly don't have a problem with the way the song was recorded), but that it was a missed opportunity. I agree with him as far as it would have been a much better choice than "Everything Is Cool" as a single.. I'm kinda with Dennis, as far as I just don't really think "Everything Is Cool" is that good of a song. I think the title track that they came up with was a much better effort.

"Number One" was a single, too, and I think that one was a good choice. I realize it's not really a favorite, but they did a really good job of sounding somewhat current, but also mixing in some of the classic Styx sound.

"Fallen Angel" has some really brilliant lyrics, but I can understand why fans might have been a little disappointed by the way the song was arranged(is it really that different than something he would have done for "Paradise Theatre"?) I'm sorry, though, the lyrics on this one would fit right in on "The Grand Illusion" level.

I think it should also be recognized how awesome "Brave New World" and "Heavy Water" sounded live.. just incredible..

I think Witness was by far the best tune on the album. Yes it was a bit of a departure but it had a really interesting groove and melody. It also showcased some incredible vocals.

As for the Concept behind the album, I think it's very loosely based around the book Brave New World by Aldous Huxley (probably spelled wrong). It takes place in the future when people are all hooked on this drug that makes them think life if perfect (take this little pill....). There are a few who haven't become part of this lifestyle who live secluded out in the deserts. I don't remember exactly how it goes but one of them gets brought back into the city (Best New Face) and then uh, stuff happens, I haven't read it in like 7 years, so my memory is a bit lax.

DamnYankee, thanks for the explanation. I've always just been a little curious as to what the concept was about. If that was the theme involved, it looks like they actually did a somewhat decent job in executing the idea.

Yeah no problem, back in high school when we read the book my friends and I used to play the album and try and put it together. It was a good time.

Brave New World and Y2K have one thing in common: they both were a fluke.

It would've been nice to see what the album would've sounded like with Dennis' input on the Tommy/JY stuff and vice versa. I think most of the songs had the potential to be a lot better, but it's too late now.

Brave New World has it moments but not many in my humble opinion. There are some songs that I enjoying listening too, "I"ll Be Your Witness", "Brave New World", "Fallen Angel", an over time "Goodbye Roseland" has grown on me. "Everything Is Cool" and "Heavy Water" are all right to listen too. Overall I think this was the "second falling out" between various members of Styx with maybe the only chance of any type of a reunion even for a few songs might be at the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame unless it turns out like it did for Blondie recently there. Like I said earlier, "in my humble opinion."

Everything Is Cool is nice musically - but TERRIBLE lyrically. Apart from the really, really bad english (and I ain't talking about the bass player they hired) - it's just a retarded attempt at trying to be youthful and be hopeful for the future. How can a bunch of 50something guys still be singing about this stuff. You'd think they could write something a bit more profound.

I dunno... I just think EIC is one of the most retarded songs Tommy Shaw ever had a part in and it came on the heels of some of the best music he'd ever done in his life EVER (7 Deadly Zens).

I think Hiphopcracy is equally terrible.

However I *do* like Great Expectations, Number One, I Will Be Your Witness...... When I heard "witness" I was like "oh yes... tommy.... dennis.... guitars.... life is good." The at the end of the record I found myself saying "what in the hell happened?!!"