AOR-Styx?

[AOR rules]

As you can see from my username I´m not prog fan but Styx is obviously band which have so much melody in their music that even AOR fan can enjoy it. Unfortunately my Styx collection is pretty sparse, I have only Paradise Theater, Pieces of eight and Crystal ball (Paradise Theater works best for me, Can pop/rock song be more beautiful than “The best of times”?). So could you give me hints what other Styx albums could go well for AOR fan? It´s obvious that pre-Shaw stuff is too complex for my taste.

[ChicagoSTYX]

Cyclorama from 2003 is one of their best albums.

[SuiteMadameBlue]

Hi AOR Rules

Here are the STYX albums.

Styx
The Serpent is Rising
Styx II
Man of Miracles
Equinox
Crystal Ball
The Grand Illusion
Pieces of Eight
Cornerstone
Paradise Theatre
Kilroy Was Here
Edge of the Century
Brave New World

I'm terrible since I like them all. But if you would like to add a few individual cd's I would probably add: Equinox, Grand Illusion and maybe Cornerstone.

I personally think Grand Illusion is a MUST have for almost any STYX fan.

I would also buy The Complete Wooden Nickel Recordings. You can't go wrong buying this 2-disc cd and it's a combination of the 4 first albums. You even get the bonue of "Unfinished Song"!!

Here's the link to Amazon, it's a reasonable price for a double cd:

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/de ... c&n=507846

Just my opinions

[bugsymalone]

I would think you might enjoy Cornerstone. And, of course, The Grand Illusion is considered the finest Styx album ever. It is a bit more progressive rock oriented than Cornerstone, however.

Bugsy

[SuiteMadameBlue]

ChicagoStyx says:

Cyclorama from 2003 is one of their best albums.

See, it's so great to have our opinions on this board!!

By the way Chicago, I'd recommend changing your tagline for the new album in 2007.

[froy]

Cyclorama from 2003 is one of their best albums.

Yea it sold 20 thousand copies that how best it is.

[yogi]

Equinox & The Grand Illusion are TOTAL Musts. Purchase those two first.

After that add Cornerstone, Edge Of The Century, Cyclorama, and Return To Paradise in that order.

Glen Burtnik's ( replaced Tommy Shaw in 1991 for the Edge Of The Century album and tour, and replaced Chuck Panozzo in 1999) CD Welcome To Hollywood, and Tommy Shaw's Seven Deadly Zens are both AWESOME CD's.


It's ALL GOOD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[sadie65]

I'd add Equinox, Grand Illusion, and Cornerstone. Then if those draw you in you can expand to Wooden Nickel collection, and perhaps the remaining albums or some of the solo material out there as well.

[Adam]

ChicagoSTYX: Cyclorama from 2003 is one of their best albums.
Froy: Yea it sold 20 thousand copies that how best it is.
Adam: And since Froy’s point is that QUANTITY SOLD indicates QUALITY then what are we doing at a STYX board? Shouldn't we be yapping at places glorifying those great artists who have outsold STYX?

You know, undeniable talents such as Michael Jackson, Madonna, Eminem, A-ha, the Bay City Rollers, Kylie Minogue, Pearl Jam, The Monkees, Paul Anka, Christina Aguilera, Ace Of Base, Destiny's Child, Bananarama, NSYNC, Jennifer Lopez, Bjork, Donna Summer, Britney Spears, The Spice Girls, The Backstreet Boys, Savage Garden, Pet Shop Boys, Bobby Vinton, ABBA, Nana Mouskouri, Celine Dion, Julio Iglesias, Tom Jones, Johnny Mathis, R.E.M. Janet Jackson, Kenny Rogers, Barbra Streisand, Brenda Lee, New Kids On The Block and Woody Woodpecker!

In fact, according to the RIAA, recording artists who have outsold Styx also include such unforgettable names as Wei Wei (??), B'z, OmPrakash, Victor Silvester, Vicente Fernandez, Ayumi Hamasaki (?????), Andy Lau (???), Marianne James, Mireille Mathieu, Alla Pugacheva, Vicky Leandros, Christian Dome, Roberto Carlos, Adriano Celentano
and Modern Talking.

Come to think of it, Bob Dylan? He’s outsold Dennis DeYoung’s solo recordings so much that Froy must listen to him constantly.

(Note to the self appointed Adam Only Posts Anti-Froy Patrol:
Here's the deal: as long as Froy keeps repeating the same redundant comments, I'll keep repeating the obvious counterpoint. Don't like it? Simply move along.)

[bugsymalone]

Well, AOR Rules, welcome to our board, LOL! You see we do a bit more than just give album advice.

I would asume you are more into the melodic sounds, since that is what you stated in your original post.

I still stand with Cornerstone as probably being an album someone into that type of music might enjoy.

I agree with Yogi, it is ALL good, but perhaps you can gradually get into some of the other great sounds of Styx.

You might also give the double live Music of Styx from Dennis DeYoung a try. "Best of Times" sounds great on it and he uses an orchestra to fill out the sound of many of the songs he wrote both with Styx and as solo works.

Happy music listening!!:D

Bugsy

[yogi]

That damn Black Walnut tree cut Woody Woodpeckers career short after his TRULY UNBELIEVEABLE debut album 'Peck This'. His song Barney Google is AWESOME. ' The googlie googlie eyes, his wife three times his size' That song just sends chills.

Then the invention of the chain saw all but finished him.

I saw, and admired his comeback tour years later. His voice had changed. Too much morning wood I suspect.

His 'Beak It' CD eight years later was horrible.

He has some boots out there but the sound quality is poor on the ones I have heard.

Styx covered his hit Barney Google, and it can be found as the bonus on the Russian version of Big Bang Theory. Gown does an excellent job on it, but I like the orginal better.

Finally, I have heard he did a pretty good rendition of Blue Collar Man on his covers CD. Ive never heard it, but its out there on E-bay.

[ChicagoSTYX]

This is a great STYX cd.

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/de ... ce&s=music

Listen to the samples and hear for yourself.

[gr8dane]

Hi AOR.
Nice to see a fellow Scandinavian in this nick of the wood.
Actually Crystal Ball is pretty mellow with the exception of the opening track.Great cd.
Most aor is definately Cornerstone.
All the best.
gr8

[styxmike]

Its very hard to choose between PIECES OF EIGHT and GRAND ILLUSION two of the best back to back albums ever. I would go with PIECES OF EIGHT for a more AOR feel, BLUE COLLAR MAN and QUEEN OF SPADES just raaawwwwwwwwwwwwwwwk

[gr8dane]

Ooopsies.
I see you already have Crystal Ball.

[ek88]

I'd recommend Cornerstone or Cyclorama for the AOR ear. In general, Grand Illusion would be my first recommendation. Hope this helps.

[classicstyxfan]

You cant really go wrong


EXCEPT for Kilroy was here or Brave New World.........

[SuiteMadameBlue]

Classic says:

EXCEPT for Kilroy was here or Brave New World.........

Now, now, these are GREAT albums too

Kilroy has "Mr. Roboto", "Don't Let It End" and "Haven't We Been Here Before"!!!

Brave New World has "While There's Still Time" and "Goodbye Roseland".

Great, great songs!!

[classicstyxfan]

Now Suite, you know I love you and all, BUT.............

"Mr Roboto" and "Great Great song" should not be used in the same sentance, unless the words "not even close to being" appear immediately before the 2 "Greats".......

I love DDY's body of work and all, but that song represents one of his darkest moments.......and the "selling out" of Styx.

as far as the other songs, good songs, but not Great IMO.

In fact, it's my opinion that backlash against Roboto / Kilroy is what's keeping them out of the R&R H.O.F.

[SuiteMadameBlue]

Classic says:

Now Suite, you know I love you and all, BUT.............

Awwwwwww, somebody loves me!!

"Mr Roboto" and "Great Great song" should not be used in the same sentance, unless the words "not even close to being" appear immediately before the 2 "Greats".......

I LOVE "Mr. Roboto"!! It is a GREAT, GREAT song!! I love cranking in the van!!

Thank you-thank you, thank you
I want to thank you, please, thank you

[classicstyxfan]

Poor Suite.......clearly has an acute case of robotosis earinfectus a disease seldom seen around these parts since the initial outbreak in Junior High Schools in the early 80's.........

Most people recovered upon hearing Styx music of obviously higher quality...they seem to snap right out of it, but sadly, there are a few Motherly, Lunch lady types out there, who never could seem to shake the persistant virus from their systems, who will likely be plagued with symptoms all the days of their lives. ( sigh )

Tragic......truly tragic.

[AOR rules]

Wow, you guys really are emptying my wallet with the list of recommendations. I´ll probably start slowly with Cornerstone and I´m really curious what Styx sounds nowadays so Cyclorama will be on my purchase list soon (I listened few samples and Waiting for our time had chorus which was pleasure for my AOR ears). Many of you praise Equinox but I´m still a bit prejudised that it´s too progressive for me. Also I´m familiar with song “Mr.Roboto” but I thought that it sounds a bit like Kraftwerk so that´s why I haven´t bought Kilroy was here. But probably it has more traditional Styx songs too.

[classicstyxfan]

There are a few Progressive sounding songs on Equinox but there are also a few, lmost never heard on the Radio songs that absolutely Smoke !

Side 2 alone is worth the purchase price of the CD......

And you have now certainly learned this is a place where opinions are NOT in short supply !!!

[Monker]

To break it down simply:

If you want mostly AOR:
Cornerstone
Edge of the Century
Brave New World
Cyclorama
Big Bang Theory

If you want AOR mixed with Progressive:
Equinox
Crystal Ball
Grand Illusion
Pieces of Eight
Paradise Theater
Kilroy Was Here

If you want Progressive with a taste of AOR:
Styx
Styx II
Man of Miracles
Serpent Is Rising

With some exceptions (Styx II, Cornerstone), the further back in time you go, the more Progressive Styx music is. Their newer music, like Cyclorama, is more AOR with very little Progressive.

[SuiteMadameBlue]

Classic says:

Poor Suite.......clearly has an acute case of robotosis earinfectus a disease seldom seen around these parts since the initial outbreak in Junior High Schools in the early 80's.........

Most people recovered upon hearing Styx music of obviously higher quality...they seem to snap right out of it, but sadly, there are a few Motherly, Lunch lady types out there, who never could seem to shake the persistant virus from their systems, who will likely be plagued with symptoms all the days of their lives. ( sigh )

LOL, ah yes, Junior High School, only if I could go back in time. That's probably why I love all my 80's music!!

Ya know Classic, you're right, I think I love Mr. Roboto so much now because of my kids and they play it over and over and over. As for the "lunch lady", I took this year off. I sure miss being a lunch lady. I'm now a room Mom in 3 classrooms - LOL

YES, Days of Our Lives!! BTW: Did you know that Carrie is coming back?

Domo arigato, Mr. Roboto, domo...domo
Domo arigato, Mr. Roboto, domo...domo
Domo arigato, Mr. Roboto, domo...domo

[ek88]

(I listened few samples and Waiting for our time had chorus which was pleasure for my AOR ears).

AOR: I love this song! Hope you enjoy it as much as I do!!!!!!