StyxCollector wrote:Ash wrote:I can see what you're saying to a point, but I think any time a band makes a transition from a heavier style (Art Rock) to a more melodic, acoustic style there is going to be some grinding of gears. Cornerstone may have had some cringe moments (Never Say Never), but overall it's a very solid album from an artistic standpoint. Paradise Theatre is somewhat a masterpiece I think of what Dennis was trying to achieve by taking Styx from Art Rock to Acoustic driven melodic rock back in the early 80s and late 70s and it was absolutely nailed in my opinion.
Eddie is a really good song tho. You may not care for JY's vocal performance - and we can argue that. But the song style and lyrical message are pretty good (even if political).
I don't like Eddie from a song structure standpoint, either. Very repetitive in a non-interesting way. JY sounds like JY on it, so I don't hate the vocal performance. I can take or leave JY's "scathing" lyrics which don't disguise it's about Ted Kennedy. It's just not a good song; like the use of the guitar synth - that's it. Cornerstone is NOT one of my favorite Styx albums, and Eddie is another one of its victims.
Here's my issue with the so-called acoustic driven melodic rock band statement. PT and KWH were not acoustic driven. Are "Sing For The Day", "Fooling Yourself", "She Cares", "Boat on the River", or "Crystal Ball" DDY songs? No. Tommy is the acoustic guy in the band. Always was when he joined. It's who he is, and he's at his best when he's more folksy. Look at "Yes I Can" (barf) on Cyclorama. Point being, all this talk about Styx being such a hard driven rock band that just went soft with "Babe" is laughable.
This nailed it. Post of the YEAR.