Styx with CYO - Reviews

[StyxCollector]

Well, the DVD in 5.1 and the CD are night and friggin' day. Performances aside, you can *hear* the orchestra on the 5.1 mix. I only listened to the DTS track, though.

So if you're going to buy one version, get the DVD if you have surround.

[shaka]

It's sad that this band has sunk to such depths.

It's really starting to get embarassing at this point.

They need Dennis more than he needs them.

If you feel that way, why bother having anything to do with this lineup? There are other bands I no longer care to listen to for various reasons but I don't waste my time or anyone else's going on message boards to trash them. Why would I? BECAUSE I DON'T CARE!! This isn't your band or anyone else's. It's only the current members who are now STYX and it is their band. I appreciate objective criticism and the current lineup sometimes deserves some, but some of the criticism here is just plain retarded. Done wasting my time here folks. Enjoy the bashing!

8 posts - wow you "wasted" a lot of time here. Don't let the door hit you in the...... well you know.

Yeah but I think the man has a point.

[sadie65]

It's sad that this band has sunk to such depths.

It's really starting to get embarassing at this point.

They need Dennis more than he needs them.

If you feel that way, why bother having anything to do with this lineup? There are other bands I no longer care to listen to for various reasons but I don't waste my time or anyone else's going on message boards to trash them. Why would I? BECAUSE I DON'T CARE!! This isn't your band or anyone else's. It's only the current members who are now STYX and it is their band. I appreciate objective criticism and the current lineup sometimes deserves some, but some of the criticism here is just plain retarded. Done wasting my time here folks. Enjoy the bashing!

8 posts - wow you "wasted" a lot of time here. Don't let the door hit you in the...... well you know.

Yeah but I think the man has a point.

Absolutely he has a point. By the same token, each "side" can make the same claim...and often does. Let's face it, after the amount of time that has gone by, no one's mind is going to be changed as to what they like, or what they favor and believe in in terms of this band...past and present. And I see that happening on virtually every board/forum/group...whatever in terms of this band. Contrary to some people's opinions. LOL

Peace

And I'm outta here. Off to start my very long move.

Have a great weekend everyone.

[Ash]

True - everything has been reduced to sniping and making comments - but it's been that way for a very long time so I don't know why some continue to get surprised or upset really.

If you get tired of it, take a break. I've done it - you've done it - everyone has from time to time. I just don't know why when people need a break they have to stamp their feet, talk about how pissy it is, and then walk away.

In a way we all have a sense of friendship in the way we snipe at eachother. To be honest - I'm sure if all of us got together at a bar and listened to some netural act we'd have a blast together. If someone were to say "hey - ChicagoStyx, Froy, Zan, Monker, SuteMadamBlue, Sadie, Bugsy, Abitaman (and countless I can't think of while typing this) are getting together at {insert name of bar here} in {name city and state here} to listen to {insert band here that isn't DDY or his former band} then you couldn't keep me away. That would be a blast.

I finaly took the advice of many here and lightened up. There are very few of us here who are mean-spirited anymore. There was a time - but I think that's done. It's just mostly sarcastic play now ... at least for me.

And ultimately - thats what keeps me coming back. Not for the points or the arguments, but for the banter. Much the same way you smack talk people in pick up basketball or football.

Happy thanksgiving all. If our big problems are bantering over music, then we truly have much to be thankful for.

[Ash]

Incidentaly, I listened to the clip of Blue Collar Man from CYO on iTunes - and I have to say that it sounded pretty damn good. Can anyone post some kind of comparison of the sound of the DVD versus the CD? If so I'll buy the DVD - rip the audio from it and then re-sell it on Amazon (since I don't actually buy CD's anymore since iTunes came out).

[StyxCollector]

Incidentaly, I listened to the clip of Blue Collar Man from CYO on iTunes - and I have to say that it sounded pretty damn good. Can anyone post some kind of comparison of the sound of the DVD versus the CD? If so I'll buy the DVD - rip the audio from it and then re-sell it on Amazon (since I don't actually buy CD's anymore since iTunes came out).

Nice to see someone happy with inferior audio quality!

[shaka]

I need to clarify. I believe DarwinNebraska's comment was the usual bitter tripe.

It was Grotelul who had the point.

[ChicagoSTYX]

The DVD is incredible. All feelings aside, I think if anyone of us on this board could listen to the Medley in surround sound it will take you back to your early experiences at a Styx concert. That medley is worth the price of the DVD! I will admit that I miss some of DDY’s songs but these guys do a great job….all of them!

Ash I agree with you. If we were all to get together, I’m sure we would have a great time. After all, we all have one thing in common….. Styx!

btw, Ash if you are going to buy one I think you should get the DVD.

[StyxCollector]

The DVD is incredible. All feelings aside, I think if anyone of us on this board could listen to the Medley in surround sound it will take you back to your early experiences at a Styx concert. That medley is worth the price of the DVD! I will admit that I miss some of DDY’s songs but these guys do a great job….all of them!

The medley actually pisses me off. I get "I Don't Need No Doctor" but only a snippet of "Mademoiselle"? Bogus. Now, they are in a damned-if-you-do-damned-if-you-don't position, but I'd rather have 2 complete old songs than the medley.

JY's voice is not holding up nearly as well as DDY's or TS'. Just listen to him hit the falsetto stuff on things like the "Midnight Ride" in the medley. It's nowhere near what his voice was 30 years ago (not saying that I was expecting it at all), but it was surprising how much he had to slip into falsetto to do it instead of the natural singing ability he had back then. It didn't have the power it should. The notes were pretty much on, but it was lacking a bit. That said, I'd take that over anything from BBT any day, mind you, but it's clear to me that TS' voice has held up incredibly well all things considered. His voice is starting to show a little age as well - just listen to TMTOMH. He's not hitting all the high notes and singing/phrasing as he used to.

The only real standouts in that band these days continue to be Todd and Tommy. Ricky has yet to impress me (I've seen them live). He is a good bass player, but as a bass player myself, he ruined BCM. He's doing straight quarter notes all the way through instead of doing the dotted quarter/eighth note thing CHuck and Glen did in the appropriate parts. The song no longer has that slightly funky swagger it once did.

JY's guitar tone is horrible. I hadn't realized until this DVD how thin it is. I call it Eric Clapton syndrome (i.e. after he got the Lace Sensor pickups in his strat). His tone really doesn't have any balls to it. Same playing, so no real complaints one way or the other there. Word to JY: dust off a Strat with real pickups. Hell, even your Kramers sounded better!

Gowan has his moments for me. His voice is on or off, and his keyboard playing is OK. He does need to level his sounds a bit better, or the sound guy needs to deal with it better in the mix at points.

[shaka]

The DVD is incredible. All feelings aside, I think if anyone of us on this board could listen to the Medley in surround sound it will take you back to your early experiences at a Styx concert. That medley is worth the price of the DVD! I will admit that I miss some of DDY’s songs but these guys do a great job….all of them!

The medley actually pisses me off. I get "I Don't Need No Doctor" but only a snippet of "Mademoiselle"? Bogus. Now, they are in a damned-if-you-do-damned-if-you-don't position, but I'd rather have 2 complete old songs than the medley.

JY's voice is not holding up nearly as well as DDY's or TS'. Just listen to him hit the falsetto stuff on things like the "Midnight Ride" in the medley. It's nowhere near what his voice was 30 years ago (not saying that I was expecting it at all), but it was surprising how much he had to slip into falsetto to do it instead of the natural singing ability he had back then. It didn't have the power it should. The notes were pretty much on, but it was lacking a bit. That said, I'd take that over anything from BBT any day, mind you, but it's clear to me that TS' voice has held up incredibly well all things considered. His voice is starting to show a little age as well - just listen to TMTOMH. He's not hitting all the high notes and singing/phrasing as he used to.

The only real standouts in that band these days continue to be Todd and Tommy. Ricky has yet to impress me (I've seen them live). He is a good bass player, but as a bass player myself, he ruined BCM. He's doing straight quarter notes all the way through instead of doing the dotted quarter/eighth note thing CHuck and Glen did in the appropriate parts. The song no longer has that slightly funky swagger it once did.

JY's guitar tone is horrible. I hadn't realized until this DVD how thin it is. I call it Eric Clapton syndrome (i.e. after he got the Lace Sensor pickups in his strat). His tone really doesn't have any balls to it. Same playing, so no real complaints one way or the other there. Word to JY: dust off a Strat with real pickups. Hell, even your Kramers sounded better!

Gowan has his moments for me. His voice is on or off, and his keyboard playing is OK. He does need to level his sounds a bit better, or the sound guy needs to deal with it better in the mix at points.

Geez, I really need to get the DVD.

I hate Lace pickups. In fact, I hate any active pickup on a six string. I think part of JY's problem is his amps. Those Marshall TSL's aren't very good. How cool would it be if he got a Bogner, Soldano, Rivera, VHT or even an old plexi.

Eric

[Ash]

Incidentaly, I listened to the clip of Blue Collar Man from CYO on iTunes - and I have to say that it sounded pretty damn good. Can anyone post some kind of comparison of the sound of the DVD versus the CD? If so I'll buy the DVD - rip the audio from it and then re-sell it on Amazon (since I don't actually buy CD's anymore since iTunes came out).

Nice to see someone happy with inferior audio quality!

Not really sure I know what you mean. I heard 30 seconds of Blue Collar Man on iTunes and thought it had promise - so that makes me happy with inferior quality? I don't really think that's the case.

[StyxCollector]

Incidentaly, I listened to the clip of Blue Collar Man from CYO on iTunes - and I have to say that it sounded pretty damn good. Can anyone post some kind of comparison of the sound of the DVD versus the CD? If so I'll buy the DVD - rip the audio from it and then re-sell it on Amazon (since I don't actually buy CD's anymore since iTunes came out).

Nice to see someone happy with inferior audio quality!

Not really sure I know what you mean. I heard 30 seconds of Blue Collar Man on iTunes and thought it had promise - so that makes me happy with inferior quality? I don't really think that's the case.

You do realize that stuff on iTunes is lossy, meaning it is inferior to the source, right? They're not even selling the stuff at a decent bitrate, let alone lossless.

It has nothing to do with the music itself.

[Ash]

You do realize that stuff on iTunes is lossy, meaning it is inferior to the source, right? They're not even selling the stuff at a decent bitrate, let alone lossless.

It has nothing to do with the music itself.

Ah ok - I misunderstood the statement at first.

To your point tho - I worked in the music business as an engineer, I do not always find this to be the case - hence why I listen to the samples. I do not care to pay for packaging, marketing and other costs associated with spending $15-$18 on a CD. If I can get it under $10 on Amazon or at Walmart, then I pay attention - otherwise what iTunes has is good. Not to mention that I get instant delivery.


Speaking of Walmart, they had an endcap display of CD's from the past and it had a space for about 40 or 50 copies of the first Greatest Hits album by Styx for $9.99 and they were almost out of them. Pretty cool - unless they just didn't order many

[bugsymalone]

Speaking of Walmart, they had an endcap display of CD's from the past and it had a space for about 40 or 50 copies of the first Greatest Hits album by Styx for $9.99 and they were almost out of them. Pretty cool - unless they just didn't order many

This seems to be the most consistent seller of all the Styx catalog. I think anyone nowadays newly exposed to Styx music, at a Current Styx concert or a DDY concert, likely goes out and purchases this album as their first choice.

Bugsy

[kansas666]

You do realize that stuff on iTunes is lossy, meaning it is inferior to the source, right? They're not even selling the stuff at a decent bitrate, let alone lossless.

It has nothing to do with the music itself.

The audio on a DVD is lossy too. But no one seems to care.

[StyxCollector]

You do realize that stuff on iTunes is lossy, meaning it is inferior to the source, right? They're not even selling the stuff at a decent bitrate, let alone lossless.

It has nothing to do with the music itself.

The audio on a DVD is lossy too. But no one seems to care.

Not in all cases. Some DVDs have PCM or LPCM, or if there is DVD-Audio, MLP which is lossless. Most DVDs are (i.e. Dolby Digital, DTS). However, the compression is not nearly as bad as a 128 MP3. It's generally 48k/24-bit in a lot of cases, so there's more to the sound.

[Ash]

You do realize that stuff on iTunes is lossy, meaning it is inferior to the source, right? They're not even selling the stuff at a decent bitrate, let alone lossless.

It has nothing to do with the music itself.

The audio on a DVD is lossy too. But no one seems to care.

Not in all cases. Some DVDs have PCM or LPCM, or if there is DVD-Audio, MLP which is lossless. Most DVDs are (i.e. Dolby Digital, DTS). However, the compression is not nearly as bad as a 128 MP3. It's generally 48k/24-bit in a lot of cases, so there's more to the sound.

It's 128mb ACC not MP3. ACC is a LOT better quality than MP3. Just FYI.

[StyxCollector]

You do realize that stuff on iTunes is lossy, meaning it is inferior to the source, right? They're not even selling the stuff at a decent bitrate, let alone lossless.

It has nothing to do with the music itself.

The audio on a DVD is lossy too. But no one seems to care.

Not in all cases. Some DVDs have PCM or LPCM, or if there is DVD-Audio, MLP which is lossless. Most DVDs are (i.e. Dolby Digital, DTS). However, the compression is not nearly as bad as a 128 MP3. It's generally 48k/24-bit in a lot of cases, so there's more to the sound.

It's 128mb ACC not MP3. ACC is a LOT better quality than MP3. Just FYI.

We were talking about DVD in this case, not iTunes.

AAC is not necessarily better than MP3. Personally, I use ATRAC3+, but lossy is lossy. It all boils down to your bitrate as well as your encoder. Codecs are codecs: they're only as good as the tools and the hardware which decodes 'em.

[DarwinNebraska]

I need to clarify. I believe DarwinNebraska's comment was the usual bitter tripe.

It was Grotelul who had the point.

5 live albums and one studio album since Dennis left.

Sorry, but JY and Tommy are milking this machine for all it's worth. Nothing more than that.

[BlackWall]

Sorry, but you all knew it was bound to happen:

"DDY, Live With Symphony Orchestra " ****
"Styx, One With Everything" **1/2

In the defense of "OWE", I've only sampled it in my friends car.. Upon my initial listening, my first thought took me back to 1982 and a classic Billy Joel album called "The Nylon Curtain"; where the question posed was "Where's The Orchestra?"

Exactly, where was the "CYO"? They did do a pretty nice intro for "Fooling Yourself" and "Miss America", but that's honestly about all that I can remember about their performances on the album. I guess J.Y. thought it'd be acceptable for Styx 2000 to copy Dennis' orchestra idea, as long as the orchestra didn't overpower their "rock" show. If they truly wanted to have a "rock" show, though, they should have added in a few sizzlin' licks from "Cyclorama"; songs like "Yes, I Can", "Together", and "Fields Of The Brave". Oh well, "missed opportunities"..

This compilation does nothing but show just how much Dennis brought to the table for this band. They couldn't even do "Snowblind", a song that would have smoked with an orchestra.



All I know is their next CD better have the word "contradiction", somewhere in the title.

[shaka]

I have to agree with the comments about the CD. I think it was a lost opportunity. However, I just got the DVD and it's a whole different story. The DVD is MUCH better than the CD. I'll post my thoughts about it when I've watched a bit more.

Eric

[styxfansite]

Was scanning the Journey Board, and came accross these reviews of the Styx CYO.

http://forums.melodicrock.com/phpBB/vie ... hp?t=21195

[SuiteMadameBlue]

Was scanning the Journey Board, and came accross these reviews of the Styx CYO.

http://forums.melodicrock.com/phpBB/vie ... hp?t=21195

You think Liam would post it here - LOL

I haven't seen a real great review yet. Most of the reviews on other sites are always comparing Dennis' orchestra show and this one. Not too shocked !

[mr.v]

Found this and thought I would share, I have not checked to see if the link is still good - it's been up a while.
Cut and paste the link at the bottom, use winrar to open and password is HAVEDAT.


STYX LIVE - ONE WITH EVERYTHING – 2006
WITH THE CONTEMPORARY YOUTH ORCHESTRA OF CLEVELAND
DVD AUDIO RIP
PASS=HAVEDAT

Styx Live - 01 Blue Collar Man.mp3
Styx Live - 02 Lorelei.mp3
Styx Live - 03 One with Everything.mp3
Styx Live - 04 It Don't Make Sense.mp3
Styx Live - 05 I Am the Walrus.mp3
Styx Live - 06 Just Be.mp3
Styx Live - 07 Everything All the Time.mp3
Styx Live - 08 Crystal Ball.mp3
Styx Live - 09 Miss America.mp3
Styx Live - 10 A Criminal Mind.mp3
Styx Live - 11 Too Much Time on My Hands.mp3
Styx Live - 12 Boat on the River.mp3
Styx Live - 13 I Don't Need No Doctor.mp3
Styx Live - 14 The Styx CYO Medley.mp3
Styx Live - 15 Fooling Yourself.mp3
Styx Live - 16 Renegade.mp3

BONUS CHRISTMAS SONGS

Styx Live - 17 All I Want.mp3
Styx Live - 18 Ring the Bells.mp3

http://www.filefactory.com/file/d4ab07/

[kansas666]

You do realize that stuff on iTunes is lossy, meaning it is inferior to the source, right? They're not even selling the stuff at a decent bitrate, let alone lossless.

It has nothing to do with the music itself.

The audio on a DVD is lossy too. But no one seems to care.

Not in all cases. Some DVDs have PCM or LPCM, or if there is DVD-Audio, MLP which is lossless. Most DVDs are (i.e. Dolby Digital, DTS). However, the compression is not nearly as bad as a 128 MP3. It's generally 48k/24-bit in a lot of cases, so there's more to the sound.

In order to get lossless 5.1 surround sound, you need to have a SACD or DVD-A disc, neither of which will play on a standard DVD player.

I just picked up the DVD of OWE at Best Buy and I am listening to it right now. I must say that the audio is quite a bit better than on the HD-Net version. It is much more balanced. This is definately the version I will rip to my ipod. The picture quality isn't nearly as good as the HD-Net version. But that is to be expected.

[stabbim]

The medley actually pisses me off. I get "I Don't Need No Doctor" but only a snippet of "Mademoiselle"? Bogus. Now, they are in a damned-if-you-do-damned-if-you-don't position, but I'd rather have 2 complete old songs than the medley.

I like -- no, love -- medleys and segues in general, so I'm not gonna complain about it on principle.

Can't really imagine why anyone would want to hear more than a snippet of "Mademoiselle," but your point is taken. Originals > Covers. I agree. That being said, I thought the orchestra was put to its best use on some of the covers. "Dont Make Sense" was an unexpected standout for me.

JY's guitar tone is horrible. I hadn't realized until this DVD how thin it is. I call it Eric Clapton syndrome (i.e. after he got the Lace Sensor pickups in his strat). His tone really doesn't have any balls to it. Same playing, so no real complaints one way or the other there. Word to JY: dust off a Strat with real pickups. Hell, even your Kramers sounded better!

Ayup. And it didn't help matters that said weak tone was trying to fight its way out of a very dense mix most of the time. TS fared much better, especially when he brought out the Les Paul. I think that may be my favorite version of the TMTOMH solo.

Gowan has his moments for me. His voice is on or off, and his keyboard playing is OK. He does need to level his sounds a bit better, or the sound guy needs to deal with it better in the mix at points.

I've never been a big fan of Gowan's voice, but I like what he did with "No Doctor." Instrumentally, it did kind of annoy me that he was still playing string pads and whatnot (and that they were so up front in the mix) when there was an entire string section backing up the band. I would have preferred the orchestra to be playing more parts.

I was pleasantly surprised how diverse the set list for this show was, considering how stagnant it's been in general over the past few years. Having OWE, ACM, two Christmas songs, two new songs, three covers and the Medley in addition to the usual suspects rounded things out nicely, IMO. That combined witht he orchestra was enough deviation from the norm to get me to plunk down the cash with no regrets.

[styxfanNH]

Aside from the songs that never hit the dvd, you get a much better flow of the concert on the dvd. On the cd they rearranged them. In particular off the top of my head, they splilt up the 2 new songs on the cd.

[brywool]

Got the DVD for Christmas. My one complaint so far (I've only listened to half of it) is that the orchestra just doesn't sound BIG. I wish it did.

[StyxCollector]

Got the DVD for Christmas. My one complaint so far (I've only listened to half of it) is that the orchestra just doesn't sound BIG. I wish it did.

The DVD audio mix is much better than the CD, so be thankful you didn't get that.

[brywool]

WHY wouldn't they capitalize on the orchestra, meaning, bring them to the front of the mix. It's dissapointing. I don't hate the DVD or anything, in fact, so far it's a very cool show, but to have the camera pointing to the harpest on Crystal Ball and only hearing Tommy's acoustic was a bit of a let down.

I did dig the Quake Cam thing. I'm already a guitarist/singer and I'm thinking of taking up the drums too. That bit with Todd was VERY cool.