The recomended CDs to start with???

[BRETT5150]

I'm getting "The Grand Illusion" and "Pieces of eight" off amazon.com this week. I only have "Return to Paradise" and "The Styx Anthology" on CD. Are these 2 albums the ones to start with? I'm in love with the material from "TGI" so far........I bought Tommy Shaws "Ambition" off amazon.com and it blew me away.....Man, this guy can make good music.

I may get "Paradise theatre" aswell, considering they are going at $7.95.

Is "Brave new world" an essential? "Heavy Water" sounds brilliant on the Styx/REO live DVD.

[stabbim]

Probably best to go with whatever moves you most on the compilations you've heard. Looks like you're off to a good start.

Brave New World is a pretty disjointed affair, as it was recorded during the band's split with DDY. Doesn't hold together as an album all that well, but has a few good tunes.

[leftovertu]

cyclorama is a great styx album, imo. i just wish glen burtnik had stayed in the fold longer for more recorded work.
michael

[froy]

Is "Brave new world" an essential? "Heavy Water" sounds brilliant on the Styx/REO live DVD.

[/quote]

Skip it
Get Cornerstone instead

Why Me
Lights
Borrowed Time
Love In The Midnight

Good cd

[Zan]

I'm still going to stand by my reluctant favorite album: Kilroy Was Here as a must-have. It isn't their best work by any means, but it was such an integral part in the band's legacy and really (I believe) paved the way for the 3 solo artists in the years to come. "Just get Through This Night" is reason enough to buy it, but "High Time," which sounds like a throw-back from Paradise Theatre and "Double Life," which is easily one of JY's best are also great tunes.

Cyclorama is fantastic, very little weak tracks on it.

EQUINOX for sure.

(and of course, the album that featured the jersey boy, Edge of the Century, disjointed as it was, still a pretty good album)

In fact, I think you need to get them all, just to be safe.

[Grotelul]

Is "Brave new world" an essential? "Heavy Water" sounds brilliant on the Styx/REO live DVD.

Skip it
Get Cornerstone instead

Why Me
Lights
Borrowed Time
Love In The Midnight

Good cd[/quote]


If you really like Grand Illusion, Pieces of Eight and Heavy Water, you may not care a whole lot for Why Me. Lights is a good song but on the lighter side. Borrowed Time and Love In The Midnight are not up to what I consider the classics (TGI/POE) but are some of the best songs off of Cornerstone. Cornerstone is this...Styx Lite. Recorded in a new studio and mixed differently than the previous albums, the songs come off as much softer.

Cyclorama has some really nice songs on it but no Dennis. Brave New World for the most part is for the most part a waste.

[Zan]

Brave New World for the most part is for the most part a waste.

I'm sorry, but you are wrong. lol

BNW was NOT a waste. There were some less-than-great songs on there, but there were also some gems: Goodbye to Roseland, Everything is Cool, Brave New World, Heavy water, I Will Be Your Witness, Great Expectations...all good tunes. Granted, you had "3 hots and a cot and cell mate who keeps calling me misses," but you also had a full album of TODD'S drums and really hot music in places. Plus, much like KWH, it was a turning point in the band's history. I recommend it for any fan of this band.

[leftovertu]

Is "Brave new world" an essential? "Heavy Water" sounds brilliant on the Styx/REO live DVD.

Skip it
Get Cornerstone instead

Why Me
Lights
Borrowed Time
Love In The Midnight

Good cd

If you really like Grand Illusion, Pieces of Eight and Heavy Water, you may not care a whole lot for Why Me. Lights is a good song but on the lighter side. Borrowed Time and Love In The Midnight are not up to what I consider the classics (TGI/POE) but are some of the best songs off of Cornerstone. Cornerstone is this...Styx Lite. Recorded in a new studio and mixed differently than the previous albums, the songs come off as much softer.

Cyclorama has some really nice songs on it but no Dennis. Brave New World for the most part is for the most part a waste.[/quote]

you say "no dennis" like it's a bad thing, lol... seriously, as vital as dennis was to "styx I," i believe that his absence is just as vital to "styx II" (or III, or IV, or whatever). having said that, parts of 100 years from now would've fit in nicely on cyclorama. certainly better than "hip-hop-cracy"

[bugsymalone]

Well, B5150, looks like you need to mortgage a few things, so you can buy all the suggestions!

I am with Zan -- Equinox. Essential Styx album for sure.

Since you mention liking Tommy, I really think his contributions on "Crystal Ball" are stellar, so I would go with that as well.

Happy buying! (Happy debt???)


Bugsy

[StyxCollector]

Pretty much you can't go wrong with the classic 8 - Equinox, Crystal Ball, Grand Illusion, Pieces of Eight, Cornerstone, Paradise Theater, and Kilroy. That period (75 - 83) is what Styx is best known for. Cornerstone would be last on that list for me, and I 100% agree with Zan that outside of the necessary "trilogy" (GI, Po8, PT), Kilroy would come next for me.

The early years (Styx I, Styx II, Man of Miracles, Serpent Is Rising) are VERY hit or miss. You can get all 4 albums in the Complete Wooden Nickel 2CD set which is pretty cheap. If you can't stomach that much, I'd say find a copy of the old "Best of Styx" from the RCA period.

Post-1983 is ... er, interesting. Edge, BNW, Cyclorama all have good and bad moments. They aren't as consistent as the albums from 75 - 83. Essential? Not for a casual fan.

[BidForGreen]

Brave New World for the most part is for the most part a waste.

I'm sorry, but you are wrong. lol

BNW was NOT a waste. There were some less-than-great songs on there, but there were also some gems: Goodbye to Roseland, Everything is Cool, Brave New World, Heavy water, I Will Be Your Witness, Great Expectations...all good tunes. Granted, you had "3 hots and a cot and cell mate who keeps calling me misses," but you also had a full album of TODD'S drums and really hot music in places. Plus, much like KWH, it was a turning point in the band's history. I recommend it for any fan of this band.

What Have They Done For You off BNW is a good rocker.

[BRETT5150]

I've got "Cyclorama". I forgot to list it. Tommys work on it is fantastic!!!!. I got the "Caught in the act" on DVD off Amazon.com, and thats ok......The videos are the best part about it.
......and to me, "Kilroy...." from what I've heard so far, does'nt sound that bad. "Heavy metal poisening" does make me laugh though. It sounds like a song that influenced Spinal Tap.

[cittadeeno23]

1. The Grand Illusion
2. Peices of Eight
3. Paradise Theatre
4. Cornerstone (Love in the midnite and Borrowed time are 2 of my favorite Styx songs)
5. Crystal Ball
6. Equinox
7. Kilroy Was Here
8. Edge of the Century
9. Man of Miracles
10. Styx 2
11. Serpent is rising
12. Styx
13. Brave New World

I have been a Styx Fan for almost 35 years and purchased every single album Starting with Equinox on the day they came out. I beleive I bought Styx 2 around 1974. I got Styx 1, MOM and Serpent also around 1974-75.

Brave New World has some good songs on it. Everything is cool is fantastic and so is Goodbye to Roseland.

Jimmy

[Higgy]

Start with Paradise Theatre - which, despite what the hardcore Dennis haters would have you believe, is the quintessential Styx album - their number 1 classic. Follow this with the Grand Illusion - which was their first classic (if you want to put it into Pink Floyd perspective - grand Illusion is their Dark Side, Paradise is their The Wall). Then get Kilroy. After that you'll be well versed and anything before the 90s will be great. Don't waste your time with anything after Caught In The Act.

[stabbim]

(if you want to put it into Pink Floyd perspective - grand Illusion is their Dark Side, Paradise is their The Wall).

That analogy would make Po8 their Wish You Were Here, and thus their best album. Works for me.

[Grotelul]

Brave New World for the most part is for the most part a waste.

I'm sorry, but you are wrong. lol

BNW was NOT a waste. There were some less-than-great songs on there, but there were also some gems: Goodbye to Roseland, Everything is Cool, Brave New World, Heavy water, I Will Be Your Witness, Great Expectations...all good tunes. Granted, you had "3 hots and a cot and cell mate who keeps calling me misses," but you also had a full album of TODD'S drums and really hot music in places. Plus, much like KWH, it was a turning point in the band's history. I recommend it for any fan of this band.

I is sorry but I is right...

Nothing stands out for me except Everything Is Cool. Everything else to me is basic standard material..nothing original or unique sounding. Solo material thrown together on one album....I agree KWH was definitely a turning point in the band's history....

[BRETT5150]

Well...."Grand illusion". "Pieces of eight" and "Paradise theatre" are officially on the way....I ordered them off amazon.com this morning.

[Barbara]

"You had to be there". Have you ever heard that expression?

If I could Influence you in any way, I would say start with "STYX II" Then, just take your time and check out the rest as you go along. STYX music has Progressed since they started. Their early stuff may be too "raw" sounding to someone who doesn't know their music. I find their music as a continuous adventure. I'm probably alone in this mindset but, you know what? I don't give a shit.

Hope you ENJOY it as much as I have!!

[kansas666]

I agree the first ones to have are Grand Illusion, Pieces of 8 and Paradise Theater. They were all group efforts with some great music.

If you like that sound, then the next one to get is Equinox. This is the album that put them on the map.

If you want to continue in the same vain, get Crystal Ball after Equinox. It is their first album with Tommy Shaw. Although it is slightly eneven, it still has some very good music.

In my opinion, Cyclorama sits right there in the top 3. But with new members contributing it has a different sound and feel.

Edge of the Century is interesting. But came at a time when they really needed to get the original band back together but couldn't pull it off.

Big Bang Theory is fun at parties.

I don't recommend Cornerstone. Even though a couple of their biggest hits are on it, overall the writing and production are pretty weak.

Kilroy is the album that broke up the band. Take it for what it is.

The Wooden Nickel Albums show the band in it's formative years. They are hit or miss, mostly miss.

Brave New World makes a good coaster.

[BidForGreen]

Start with Paradise Theatre - which, despite what the hardcore Dennis haters would have you believe, is the quintessential Styx album - their number 1 classic. Follow this with the Grand Illusion - which was their first classic (if you want to put it into Pink Floyd perspective - grand Illusion is their Dark Side, Paradise is their The Wall). Then get Kilroy. After that you'll be well versed and anything before the 90s will be great. Don't waste your time with anything after Caught In The Act.

I disagree - Edge of the Century was good 90s pop metal - at least on the some of the Glen Burtnik songs and JY's Homewrecker.

[chowhall]

What's wrong with this thread? There was some actual discussion of music without the hyperbole thown in.

[Blue Falcon]

[JY]

In order to reduce exposure to cringe-inducing songs, the ONLY Styx you will ever need is Cyclorama.

[/JY]

[Bearded Clam]

It's amazing how some poor sap, probably just got out of prison, trying to change things around, sample some new music, staying away from his old peeps in the hood, asks a simple question and has to be bombarded with the usual bullshit.

If you're still here OP, then be advised that some members of this forum hate some members of Styx, and vice-versa I'm sure. But not all Members hate all members. If some forum members are Styx members do they hate Kajagoogoo?

[BRETT5150]

Nothing bothers me Bearded Clam, but thanks for sticking with me. I have'nt just come out of prison either. I've been a Kiss, Van Halen and Sammy Hagar fan nearly all my life.....I'm nearly 36 now. Styx just grabbed me when I first heard "Return to Paradise" about 3 years ago, and its become one of my fave live albums ever. I just love this band all of a sudden, and I'm regretting I had never heard there stuff earlier.

"Come sail away" has probably become my all time fave song, and "Suite madame blue" not far behind it.

The Dennis De Young years are in my opinion, the greatest material I've ever heard, aside from the Hagar years with Van Halen. But thats my opinion.

[MCM]

Brave New World for the most part is for the most part a waste.

I'm sorry, but you are wrong. lol

BNW was NOT a waste. There were some less-than-great songs on there, but there were also some gems: Goodbye to Roseland, Everything is Cool, Brave New World, Heavy water, I Will Be Your Witness, Great Expectations...all good tunes. Granted, you had "3 hots and a cot and cell mate who keeps calling me misses," but you also had a full album of TODD'S drums and really hot music in places. Plus, much like KWH, it was a turning point in the band's history. I recommend it for any fan of this band.

BNW is a must have, it isn't a traditional/typical Styx album as it is kind of disjointed, but if you look at each song individually it's good. (even three hots and a cot) but it doesn't flow like you would expect a Styx album, pay special attention to the drum work in Goodbye to Roseland, it's spectacular!

You must also have Equinox, and don't forget Cornerstone, take away Babe it's one of my favorites, I love the writing on it. Crystal Ball is a must as it is first with Tommy. I would pass on KWH if you have a budget issue. I also would recommend the Wooden Nickel collection, it's dirt cheap on Amazon and it may be the only place to get the original studio version of Lady. (someone correct me if I'm wrong on that)

Bottom line, get them all!! (except the 47 million greatest hits collections and the covers album)

[Bearded Clam]

Nothing bothers me Bearded Clam, but thanks for sticking with me. I have'nt just come out of prison either. I've been a Kiss, Van Halen and Sammy Hagar fan nearly all my life.....I'm nearly 36 now. Styx just grabbed me when I first heard "Return to Paradise" about 3 years ago, and its become one of my fave live albums ever. I just love this band all of a sudden, and I'm regretting I had never heard there stuff earlier.

"Come sail away" has probably become my all time fave song, and "Suite madame blue" not far behind it.

The Dennis De Young years are in my opinion, the greatest material I've ever heard, aside from the Hagar years with Van Halen. But thats my opinion.

Sorry Man, I was just trying to bring some levity to this thread. I was JK about the prison thing...

And I agree with you, " Come Sail Away" is an awesome song

[Classicrockr]

Start with Paradise Theatre - which, despite what the hardcore Dennis haters would have you believe, is the quintessential Styx album - their number 1 classic. Follow this with the Grand Illusion - which was their first classic (if you want to put it into Pink Floyd perspective - grand Illusion is their Dark Side, Paradise is their The Wall). Then get Kilroy. After that you'll be well versed and anything before the 90s will be great. Don't waste your time with anything after Caught In The Act.

I think Edge of The Century was a great CD. "Show me the way" gave a lot of us inspiration during the Gulf War & still gives me inspiration now when things get tough. "Love is the ritual" was a great song from Glen, "Not dead yet" is great - it tells you to keep going & tells your opponents "Bring everything you got 'cause you're gonna need it against me" And last but not least "Homewrecker" was great - as many people here that hate JY, his vocals were great & the music was also.

[sniper16]

kilroy gets the shaft, because roboto was a pop song, there are song very good songs on there, and overall is a very good album. buy it before anything released after.