MR

This is an AWESOME album. The harmonies in "I Believe In You" and the sheer power in DDY's voice on "Breathe Again" are just phenomenal. My only complaint is the title track. Do the WHOLE thing in English and make the french version a bonus track. It's a rockin' song musically...lyrically, right now...I hate it.

Still...Styx ain't Styx without DDY. You can't replicate that voice.

Check out the write-up on the front page of melodicrock.com. Quite cool.

Yep. Saw this a few days ago thanks to a friend who sent me the newspaper link. A very complimentary review of his concert.

His success IN PART of Canada has given him a whole new music life.

Bugsy

Liam wrote:This is an AWESOME album. The harmonies in "I Believe In You" and the sheer power in DDY's voice on "Breathe Again" are just phenomenal. My only complaint is the title track. Do the WHOLE thing in English and make the french version a bonus track. It's a rockin' song musically...lyrically, right now...I hate it.

Still...Styx ain't Styx without DDY. You can't replicate that voice.

I know what you mean about the French . . . I prefer to know what the hell people are singing, LOL . . . but I've also gotten used to it. If this song were in English and had another vocalist I liked better, it would be my favorite song on the record. I could see somebody like Ronnie James Dio for the English version, if you wanted to keep that rougher quality (plus he's got a lot of visibility due to the Heaven and Hell tour right now), or if you wanted to go for a younger demographic, Chris Daughtry could tear this song up AND bring a lot of younger people in, and we know he's a Styx fan already. I bet he'd do that in a second.


Sterling

Rockwriter wrote: or if you wanted to go for a younger demographic, Chris Daughtry could tear this song up AND bring a lot of younger people in, and we know he's a Styx fan already. I bet he'd do that in a second.


Sterling

This is exactly who I was thinking. Its the only chance of getting the album and song to chart in the US. But, would his handlers really let him do it? Would Dennis want to share the spotlight on it?

blt man wrote:

Rockwriter wrote: or if you wanted to go for a younger demographic, Chris Daughtry could tear this song up AND bring a lot of younger people in, and we know he's a Styx fan already. I bet he'd do that in a second.


Sterling

This is exactly who I was thinking. Its the only chance of getting the album and song to chart in the US. But, would his handlers really let him do it? Would Dennis want to share the spotlight on it?

Dennis has already demonstrated the willingness to share the spotlight on it, in Canada, so the question is would Daughtry do it? Interesting question . . . if left to his own devices I would think yes, but you raise an interesting point about whether his management, label and so on would think it a good idea. I sure would like to see that song get the widest possible stateside exposure.


Sterling

Rockwriter wrote:

Dennis has already demonstrated the willingness to share the spotlight on it, in Canada, so the question is would Daughtry do it? Interesting question . . . if left to his own devices I would think yes, but you raise an interesting point about whether his management, label and so on would think it a good idea. I sure would like to see that song get the widest possible stateside exposure.


Sterling

While probably not Dennis' intention, do you think it is too "anti war" to successfully play and gain large exposure in the US?

blt man wrote:

Rockwriter wrote:

Dennis has already demonstrated the willingness to share the spotlight on it, in Canada, so the question is would Daughtry do it? Interesting question . . . if left to his own devices I would think yes, but you raise an interesting point about whether his management, label and so on would think it a good idea. I sure would like to see that song get the widest possible stateside exposure.


Sterling

While probably not Dennis' intention, do you think it is too "anti war" to successfully play and gain large exposure in the US?

Since a clear majority of the country is now firmly against the war, I don't think it's an issue anymore. Even though the classic rock audience is, demographically, slanted toward the right in the same way that country music is (because of the redneck factor), I think that issue is a dead one now. In fact I think we're heading for a time when we are going to start seeing some anti-war country songs on the airwaves, which would have been unthinkable a few years ago with the Dixie Chicks flap. It's different now, and I know some writers here in Nashville who are actively pitching some anti-war stuff. The rock audience is FAR more accepting of that. Hell, Springsteen called for impeachment years ago and it didn't even touch him. And although Dennis does not specify his political beliefs in public, I would be very surprised indeed if that song is not absolutely intended as a comment on what's going on in Iraq and elsewhere. Why else would he write and release it now? He's not stupid. He would know how that would be pereived.


Sterling

Rockwriter wrote:Even though the classic rock audience is, demographically, slanted toward the right in the same way that country music is (because of the redneck factor), I think that issue is a dead one now.
Sterling

hey sterling- just out of curiousity, and not trying to make waves here, but why do you think that the classic rock audience is slanted towards the right? Rock n Roll has traditionally been linked to rebellion and protest- encouraging freedom of self expression, questioning authority, being non-traditonal and non conformist, etc. How many "rock stars" would typically be embraced by the bible belt? Look how they treated Elvis! Especially considering the music we call "classic rock" (beatles, stones, csn&y, the doors, ccr...heck, just about all the 60s-70s artists had some sort of political agenda) Perhaps it has to do with where you live and the political climate of your area. Just wondering, because i know a heck of a lot of left wingers who are heavily into classic rock.

stmonkeys wrote:

Rockwriter wrote:Even though the classic rock audience is, demographically, slanted toward the right in the same way that country music is (because of the redneck factor), I think that issue is a dead one now.
Sterling

hey sterling- just out of curiousity, and not trying to make waves here, but why do you think that the classic rock audience is slanted towards the right? Rock n Roll has traditionally been linked to rebellion and protest- encouraging freedom of self expression, questioning authority, being non-traditonal and non conformist, etc. How many "rock stars" would typically be embraced by the bible belt? Look how they treated Elvis! Especially considering the music we call "classic rock" (beatles, stones, csn&y, the doors, ccr...heck, just about all the 60s-70s artists had some sort of political agenda) Perhaps it has to do with where you live and the political climate of your area. Just wondering, because i know a heck of a lot of left wingers who are heavily into classic rock.

I think the classic rock audience is slanted to the right because the demographic studies clearly demonstrate that it is. It's not my opinion, it's something that numbers bear out. That doesn't mean that there are not a lot of liberal people in that mix, but the artists are very aware of this. Like I said, it's changing. The artists you named, their agenda impact was decades ago, not current. Someone having been against the Vietnam war, for instance, who cares now? But when it comes to CURRENT political issues, everyone I know in classic rock radio feels the need to be careful. Many, if not most of the artists themselves are pretty liberal, but the audience demographic skews conservative . . . which is why most classic rock people studiously don't address politics. JY is a good example . . . in private, a very, very rabid liberal who once refused the chance to meet Ronald Reagan because he hated his presidency so much. But in public he is careful not to address that too much. He knows that's not the fan base. Like I said, a huge part of that is because classic rock and rednecks are so interwined. Thus the success of shows like John Boy and Billy and such with classic rock audiences.

Not too long ago, just a couple of years, a station in New Jersey banned Jethro Tull music for life because Ian Anderson mentioned in an interview that the rest of the world had a negative view of the United States because of the Iraq war. It's that sort of thing that has everyone scared. But like I said, it's changing now, albeit slowly.


Sterling

Rockwriter wrote:

stmonkeys wrote:

Rockwriter wrote:Even though the classic rock audience is, demographically, slanted toward the right in the same way that country music is (because of the redneck factor), I think that issue is a dead one now.
Sterling

hey sterling- just out of curiousity, and not trying to make waves here, but why do you think that the classic rock audience is slanted towards the right? Rock n Roll has traditionally been linked to rebellion and protest- encouraging freedom of self expression, questioning authority, being non-traditonal and non conformist, etc. How many "rock stars" would typically be embraced by the bible belt? Look how they treated Elvis! Especially considering the music we call "classic rock" (beatles, stones, csn&y, the doors, ccr...heck, just about all the 60s-70s artists had some sort of political agenda) Perhaps it has to do with where you live and the political climate of your area. Just wondering, because i know a heck of a lot of left wingers who are heavily into classic rock.

I think the classic rock audience is slanted to the right because the demographic studies clearly demonstrate that it is. It's not my opinion, it's something that numbers bear out. That doesn't mean that there are not a lot of liberal people in that mix, but the artists are very aware of this. Like I said, it's changing. The artists you named, their agenda impact was decades ago, not current. Someone having been against the Vietnam war, for instance, who cares now? But when it comes to CURRENT political issues, everyone I know in classic rock radio feels the need to be careful. Many, if not most of the artists themselves are pretty liberal, but the audience demographic skews conservative . . . which is why most classic rock people studiously don't address politics. JY is a good example . . . in private, a very, very rabid liberal who once refused the chance to meet Ronald Reagan because he hated his presidency so much. But in public he is careful not to address that too much. He knows that's not the fan base. Like I said, a huge part of that is because classic rock and rednecks are so interwined. Thus the success of shows like John Boy and Billy and such with classic rock audiences.

Not too long ago, just a couple of years, a station in New Jersey banned Jethro Tull music for life because Ian Anderson mentioned in an interview that the rest of the world had a negative view of the United States because of the Iraq war. It's that sort of thing that has everyone scared. But like I said, it's changing now, albeit slowly.


Sterling

i tend to disagree- while many of the artists i mentioned are no longer "relavant", their influence most certainly is. Classic rock tends to favor liberal issues, and more curent artists like u2, pearl jam, REM, green day are politically outspoken and have not suffered sales-wise. I remember in '04 there was a type of rock the vote tour which tried to drum up some political outrage against the current "administration". Springsteen was one of the artists on this tour, i believe REM were as well- i wish i could remember who else was involved, but they were all fairly prominent bands.

as for a radio station banning tull for a statetment he made (which is grounded in truth) that's pretty sad. but then again, that's pretty typical of the current political climate. scare tactics and stripping away civil liberties.

stmonkeys wrote:

Rockwriter wrote:

stmonkeys wrote:

Rockwriter wrote:Even though the classic rock audience is, demographically, slanted toward the right in the same way that country music is (because of the redneck factor), I think that issue is a dead one now.
Sterling

hey sterling- just out of curiousity, and not trying to make waves here, but why do you think that the classic rock audience is slanted towards the right? Rock n Roll has traditionally been linked to rebellion and protest- encouraging freedom of self expression, questioning authority, being non-traditonal and non conformist, etc. How many "rock stars" would typically be embraced by the bible belt? Look how they treated Elvis! Especially considering the music we call "classic rock" (beatles, stones, csn&y, the doors, ccr...heck, just about all the 60s-70s artists had some sort of political agenda) Perhaps it has to do with where you live and the political climate of your area. Just wondering, because i know a heck of a lot of left wingers who are heavily into classic rock.

I think the classic rock audience is slanted to the right because the demographic studies clearly demonstrate that it is. It's not my opinion, it's something that numbers bear out. That doesn't mean that there are not a lot of liberal people in that mix, but the artists are very aware of this. Like I said, it's changing. The artists you named, their agenda impact was decades ago, not current. Someone having been against the Vietnam war, for instance, who cares now? But when it comes to CURRENT political issues, everyone I know in classic rock radio feels the need to be careful. Many, if not most of the artists themselves are pretty liberal, but the audience demographic skews conservative . . . which is why most classic rock people studiously don't address politics. JY is a good example . . . in private, a very, very rabid liberal who once refused the chance to meet Ronald Reagan because he hated his presidency so much. But in public he is careful not to address that too much. He knows that's not the fan base. Like I said, a huge part of that is because classic rock and rednecks are so interwined. Thus the success of shows like John Boy and Billy and such with classic rock audiences.

Not too long ago, just a couple of years, a station in New Jersey banned Jethro Tull music for life because Ian Anderson mentioned in an interview that the rest of the world had a negative view of the United States because of the Iraq war. It's that sort of thing that has everyone scared. But like I said, it's changing now, albeit slowly.


Sterling

i tend to disagree- while many of the artists i mentioned are no longer "relavant", their influence most certainly is. Classic rock tends to favor liberal issues, and more curent artists like u2, pearl jam, REM, green day are politically outspoken and have not suffered sales-wise. I remember in '04 there was a type of rock the vote tour which tried to drum up some political outrage against the current "administration". Springsteen was one of the artists on this tour, i believe REM were as well- i wish i could remember who else was involved, but they were all fairly prominent bands.

as for a radio station banning tull for a statetment he made (which is grounded in truth) that's pretty sad. but then again, that's pretty typical of the current political climate. scare tactics and stripping away civil liberties.

Like I said, there are certainly some exceptions and there are some artists who speak their mind anyway. I'm not saying otherwise. I AM saying that the demogaphic studies that classic rock radio stations do tend to return with a conservative slant in the audience base. That's all.
The Tull thing I thought was disgusting, but typical. Don't like an alternate point of view? Then refuse to hear it. That's always been the last refuge of idiots.


Sterling

Liam wrote:This is an AWESOME album. The harmonies in "I Believe In You" and the sheer power in DDY's voice on "Breathe Again" are just phenomenal. My only complaint is the title track. Do the WHOLE thing in English and make the french version a bonus track. It's a rockin' song musically...lyrically, right now...I hate it.

Still...Styx ain't Styx without DDY. You can't replicate that voice.

Now that I've had time enough, here's what I think: overall, '100 Years From Now' is not my favorite solo album that Dennis has ever released. BUT, the standout tracks from this record are the best individual tracks of his solo career.

The title track, like a lot of people, I really love the music and arrangement, and I like where he's going with it lyrically, but I don't care for the French or the other singer. I know it's a marketing thing and it worked, but I'm looking forward to the English-only version. It could be Dennis alone, or if he wants to remain a duet, I hope he will approach someone young and relevant like Chris Daughtry, who could DESTROY that vocal part and is a Styx fan. Done right, in an English version, this would be my favorite track on the record.

"This Time Next Year" is great. It sounds like 'Crystal Ball' or 'Equinox' era Styx, with those kinds of vocal arrangements and that kind of instrumental arrangement. If it were me, this would be the single in the US. It's new and familiar at the same time. "Rain" is also like 'Equinox' era Styx, in fact it reminds me quite a bit of "Lorelei" in its arrangement and tempo. Great song, one that should be featured live.

"Save Me" is a song I would lose, personally. It's not bad, but it's rather predictable. There are a lot of songs called "Save Me" (most notably Queen), and they're basically all about the same thing: saving someone. This one is just another in that vein, for me. Not bad, but unremarkable. "Breathe Again", I like the music and the arrangement, but not the lyrics. I think it might have played better if he did not specify to whom it was written. It's better when you don't say a name and people can project their own lives into it, like with "Babe". That could be anyone's babe, while "Breathe Again" is clearly addressed to one person.

"Crossing The Rubicon" is not only one of my favorite songs on this record, it's perhaps my favorite song Dennis has written since "Outside Looking in Again". I particularly like the bridge and how it departs and then goes back into the main theme. Classic Dennis.

"Respect Me" I could take or leave. Same with "I Believe In You". Not exactly filler, but certainly not the stronger tracks on the record either in my view. "Forgiveness" I like although I think it's another idea that has been explored elsewhere, and better.

"I Don't Believe in Anything" I like a lot, with a few reservations. I like the first two verses and the last verse, but I don't like the verse about the CGI, there's really only twenty guys. The song would be better overall if that verse were removed, in my opinion. At first listen I didn't think the verses and the chorus went together, but I have gotten used to it and now I see where he's going. A good song that I like, but still don't think it's as good a song as it is an idea. It doesn't entirely deliver on its own premise, for me. Funny, because this song could be my theme song. I REALLY don't believe in anything, LOL.

"Turn Off CNN" is a great closer for the record, plus with an interesting lyric. I could see this one winding up on TV as the buffer music to one of the political commentary shows. I think it would be a good live closer before the encore.

All in all, this is an album that Dennis can be very proud of, one that is arguably the closest to classic Styx of any solo album he has ever done. It's also well worth having if you are a fan of either Dennis or Styx.


I hope all is well.


Sterling

I am listening to 100 years for the 1st time, I did hear the 30 second snipets a few months back and wasnt overly impressed.
Lesson learned is I wont judge music by short low fidelity snipets.

I'm looking forward to the US version of the title track....the french guys voice is all wrong for this song.......Hell, I'd rather hear him duet with GOWAN on this Other than that, vocals are outstanding as expected, and DDY hasn't lost his ability to produce album/CD. I can definately see several of these tracks may grow on me with additional spins.

If this is his last CD as a solo artist he's going out on a high note ( no pun intended )

I'm thinking this will put some pressure on Styx to put out a quality new CD of originals sooner rather than later, and has set the bar fairly high. I wonder if they will rise to the occasion ?

-CSF

classicstyxfan wrote:I am listening to 100 years for the 1st time, I did hear the 30 second snipets a few months back and wasnt overly impressed.
Lesson learned is I wont judge music by short low fidelity snipets.

I'm looking forward to the US version of the title track....the french guys voice is all wrong for this song.......Hell, I'd rather hear him duet with GOWAN on this Other than that, vocals are outstanding as expected, and DDY hasn't lost his ability to produce album/CD. I can definately see several of these tracks may grow on me with additional spins.

If this is his last CD as a solo artist he's going out on a high note ( no pun intended )

I'm thinking this will put some pressure on Styx to put out a quality new CD of originals sooner rather than later, and has set the bar fairly high. I wonder if they will rise to the occasion ?

-CSF

It took me several listens just to process this whole thing. I liked it from the start, but there was so much I liked about it, I had to kind of sit back and really listen to each song a lot and decide if what I thought at first (that it was really good) was not just me glad to hear ANY new DDY music after so many years.

I agree with you. If this would be his last CD, well, it would be going out at the top of his game, for sure.

Your last comment made me want to ask here (if anyone pops into this thread). Is there a new Current Styx album in the works? And I mean NEW, new. No rehash or covers. I thought I had read recording in the fall for a spring release. But I will admit I pay very little attention to anything they are doing, so I may have that information wrong.

I have not heard anything mentioned in awhile and it looks like Tommy is off and touring this fall. Anyone know??



Bugsy

Saw something on Todd's website a while back that said something on the lines of it will be next year before a new album is released.

bugsymalone wrote:

classicstyxfan wrote:I am listening to 100 years for the 1st time, I did hear the 30 second snipets a few months back and wasnt overly impressed.
Lesson learned is I wont judge music by short low fidelity snipets.

I'm looking forward to the US version of the title track....the french guys voice is all wrong for this song.......Hell, I'd rather hear him duet with GOWAN on this Other than that, vocals are outstanding as expected, and DDY hasn't lost his ability to produce album/CD. I can definately see several of these tracks may grow on me with additional spins.

If this is his last CD as a solo artist he's going out on a high note ( no pun intended )

I'm thinking this will put some pressure on Styx to put out a quality new CD of originals sooner rather than later, and has set the bar fairly high. I wonder if they will rise to the occasion ?

-CSF

It took me several listens just to process this whole thing. I liked it from the start, but there was so much I liked about it, I had to kind of sit back and really listen to each song a lot and decide if what I thought at first (that it was really good) was not just me glad to hear ANY new DDY music after so many years.

I agree with you. If this would be his last CD, well, it would be going out at the top of his game, for sure.

Your last comment made me want to ask here (if anyone pops into this thread). Is there a new Current Styx album in the works? And I mean NEW, new. No rehash or covers. I thought I had read recording in the fall for a spring release. But I will admit I pay very little attention to anything they are doing, so I may have that information wrong.

I have not heard anything mentioned in awhile and it looks like Tommy is off and touring this fall. Anyone know??



OOOPS answer here:In the interview with JY,that was posted by Cara's Cave(I think it was called),he mentionrd they were going to record again.
I forget the exact wording.
Unless the interview was old enough to be from before Cyclo ofcourse.

gr8dane wrote:

bugsymalone wrote:

classicstyxfan wrote:I am listening to 100 years for the 1st time, I did hear the 30 second snipets a few months back and wasnt overly impressed.
Lesson learned is I wont judge music by short low fidelity snipets.

I'm looking forward to the US version of the title track....the french guys voice is all wrong for this song.......Hell, I'd rather hear him duet with GOWAN on this Other than that, vocals are outstanding as expected, and DDY hasn't lost his ability to produce album/CD. I can definately see several of these tracks may grow on me with additional spins.

If this is his last CD as a solo artist he's going out on a high note ( no pun intended )

I'm thinking this will put some pressure on Styx to put out a quality new CD of originals sooner rather than later, and has set the bar fairly high. I wonder if they will rise to the occasion ?

-CSF

It took me several listens just to process this whole thing. I liked it from the start, but there was so much I liked about it, I had to kind of sit back and really listen to each song a lot and decide if what I thought at first (that it was really good) was not just me glad to hear ANY new DDY music after so many years.

I agree with you. If this would be his last CD, well, it would be going out at the top of his game, for sure.

Your last comment made me want to ask here (if anyone pops into this thread). Is there a new Current Styx album in the works? And I mean NEW, new. No rehash or covers. I thought I had read recording in the fall for a spring release. But I will admit I pay very little attention to anything they are doing, so I may have that information wrong.

I have not heard anything mentioned in awhile and it looks like Tommy is off and touring this fall. Anyone know??



OOOPS answer here:In the interview with JY,that was posted by Cara's Cave(I think it was called),he mentionrd they were going to record again.
I forget the exact wording.
Unless the interview was old enough to be from before Cyclo ofcourse.

They have said for awhile that recording a new album was on the slate for teh fall/winter.

The cd has the benefit of a lapse of time, several layers of introspection, and some of the bombast that he excels at. There are songs that do little for me overall, however I think it is a strong piece of work from him. Whether he, or Styx for that matter chooses to record anything else, obviously remains to be seen (stating the obvious...aren't I?-LOL). I do think however, I prefer this to Cyclorama, which perhaps shows bias.

Would that each could be spared comparison, I doubt it can happen on the net.

Peace to all

It just seemed like there was more talk from various members of Current Styx about recording a new album and then it all seems to have tapered off. Looks like this fall Tommy will be touring to support his album with Jack Blades. So I was wondering....that's all.



Bugsy

bugsymalone wrote:It just seemed like there was more talk from various members of Current Styx about recording a new album and then it all seems to have tapered off. Looks like this fall Tommy will be touring to support his album with Jack Blades. So I was wondering....that's all.



Bugsy

I noticed an interview with Tommy Shaw coming up on this website. Maybe he will shed some light on this.

This album shits all over Cyclorama.

All this talk and rumor about Styx recording a new CD. I guess the question remains, then... will we see it by This Time Next Year? Or maybe One Hundred Years From Now..?

styxfansite wrote:

bugsymalone wrote:It just seemed like there was more talk from various members of Current Styx about recording a new album and then it all seems to have tapered off. Looks like this fall Tommy will be touring to support his album with Jack Blades. So I was wondering....that's all.



Bugsy

I noticed an interview with Tommy Shaw coming up on this website. Maybe he will shed some light on this.

Yup. According to the interview, they will not be recording anything this year.

So, is this album going to be available on Itunes any time soon?

DarwinNebraska wrote:This album shits all over Cyclorama.

Too funny.
It must be full of shit then.
I must give you 10 points for effort darwypoohs.