One Hundred Years From Now-Review (Spoiler)

[froy]

I have listened to the complete CD and formed my OWN opinions that there are Desert Moon era styles there. Someone else is going to hear something other than that and that's fine. I can say this though, Froy is going way overboard on saying this is a GREAT set of songs. He is trying to pump up his man and that's fine, I just don't want to see people buying this CD and expecting Equinox. Sure there is maybe one section that sounds like it was lifted from Prelude 12 and that is about it. Other than that it sounds nothing like Equinox or in my opinion remotely close to the quality of Equinox. I have nothing against DDY just because I follow the current Styx. I just prefer the way he used to write and sing prior to 1979.

[/quote]

I did not say the entire cd sounded like Eq
When I heard songs months ago it was just one at a time
I heard Rubicon and it sounded like EQ to me
And then the Prelude 12 snip
After I heard the entire cd I did not say all of it was EQ
So forget it
There are all aspects of Dennis is this Paradise, EQ, Desert Moon and Boomchild and some Back To The World
I don t need to pump up Dennis
I like the cd its produced great and also you forget this is not the US version so lets keep a look out for that.

[froy]

You heard it here first!!

Nobody is listening;

[gr8dane]

Grotelul,I like what you are saying.
I have $8,93 left on my I-Tunes account.
I am willing to spend $4,94 ,as in 5 songs for starters.
Which ones do you recommend?
Pick your 5 favorites,and I will check 'em out.
This is a big investment for me ,so please be thorough

gr8dane....if I had to pick five....

1. Save Me
2. This Time Next Year
3. Respect Me
4. Forgivenesse
5. I Don't Believe In Anything

Save Me is nowhere near my favourite. Spend the $9.99 and purcahse all the tunes.

I did.
Thanx for your suggestions Grotelul.(What's a Grotelul anyways??).Will see if we agree.

I am listening to it for the 3rd time.
IT IS NOTHING LIKE EQUINOX.FALSE ADVERTISEMENT>

Now I have no problems saying it is his best solo cd ,easy.
It sounds like Tommy is singing backup on several songs.
If anything,it is a cross between Cornerstone and PT,and then something else.
(Dennis being in a playful mood.(About time))
I could do without the ,yet another song for Suzette.

There is plenty to dig into here.
And that I will.

Well you missed the Eq sounding songs
The intro to Breath Again is a total Prelude 12
Then Crossing The Rubicon is the other EQ sounding song IMO
No matter what the cd is new and creative and it shuts up that big mouth welcher Chicago Styx
who does not know his ass from a hole in the ground,

Ok,The intro does sound like Prelude 12.42 seconds,sure,fine.
There are all kinds of snippets that sounds like something already done before,which is fine.
It is a nice and entertaining cd.Dennis still gots his voice and playing some great keys.

Now ,I wonder how many of these songs are being played at shows and the next little while?
Then again,how many of these will Dennis play a year after it's released in the US,and Canada for that matter.
Maybe Uncle D will be playing his old standards again,just like Styx.

[blt man]

I have listened to the complete CD and formed my OWN opinions that there are Desert Moon era styles there. Someone else is going to hear something other than that and that's fine. I can say this though, Froy is going way overboard on saying this is a GREAT set of songs. He is trying to pump up his man and that's fine, I just don't want to see people buying this CD and expecting Equinox. Sure there is maybe one section that sounds like it was lifted from Prelude 12 and that is about it. Other than that it sounds nothing like Equinox or in my opinion remotely close to the quality of Equinox. I have nothing against DDY just because I follow the current Styx. I just prefer the way he used to write and sing prior to 1979.

It does not sound like Equinox and I think there is more paradise theatre than desert moon. In any event, I would be disappointed if it was simply a rehash of an old album. This is 2007 not 1977. There are more harmonies and electric guitars than previous solo efforts and there are a nice mix of tunes.

This Time Next Year, Rain, Turn off CNN are three of the ones at the top of my list. I think Rain would make a great Styx song easy. I don't Believe in Anything, Forgiveness, Crossing the Rubicon and Respect Me I need to listen to a few more times but I like them. Save Me is overrated and is not even the best ballad on the CD. I could do without it. Breath again has a great acoustic intro but does not keep the acoustic guitar going. I Believe in You is better than Save Me and could see it hitting the adult contemporary charts. Of course, this is all just my opinion...

[yogi]

Damn I hope my CD arrives soon!!!

[StyxCollector]

I'm looking forward to picking it up tomorrow when I'm in Montreal, and seeing some of it live on Saturday night.

[blt man]

I'm looking forward to picking it up tomorrow when I'm in Montreal, and seeing some of it live on Saturday night.

Let us know how the concert goes. With Glen there and possibly Stephane showing, I presume there will be 3 guitarists... should be a great show.

[MtlLady]

I'm looking forward to picking it up tomorrow when I'm in Montreal, and seeing some of it live on Saturday night.

Let us know how the concert goes. With Glen there and possibly Stephane showing, I presume there will be 3 guitarists... should be a great show.

A friend of mine checked LaPointe's schedule, and he's playing somewhere else that night, so it may be a good assumption that Stephane will be with LaPointe. I'll find out on Saturday, in any case.

But LaPointe (and probably Stephane) will be at the concert in Shawinigan on the 25th.

[yogi]

I have ALWAYS thought that two of Dennis's best solo efforts were the songs 'Outside Looking In' and 'Unanswered Prayers'. They were mid tempo type of rock songs that could not have been Styx songs. They were both excellent songs, that Dennis really did well.

Are there any of these type of songs on Dennis's new CD???

[froy]

I have ALWAYS thought that two of Dennis's best solo efforts were the songs 'Outside Looking In' and 'Unanswered Prayers'. They were mid tempo type of rock songs that could not have been Styx songs. They were both excellent songs, that Dennis really did well.

Are there any of these type of songs on Dennis's new CD???

I'll never tell.

[froy]

I Believe in You is better than Save Me and could see it hitting the adult contemporary charts. Of course, this is all just my opinion...

I agree totally
I Believe In You is a radio hit for sure
Save Me is great also

Nice cd
100 years needs to be fixed IMO

[bugsymalone]

I have ALWAYS thought that two of Dennis's best solo efforts were the songs 'Outside Looking In' and 'Unanswered Prayers'. They were mid tempo type of rock songs that could not have been Styx songs. They were both excellent songs, that Dennis really did well.

Are there any of these type of songs on Dennis's new CD???

Yogi. Just got mine today, so keep the faith!

I had actually had access to all the tracks, thanks to a friend who sent me a "preview." I need more listens to formulate an opinion, however.

As to your question, there are plenty of the quality of those two songs you mention (favorites of mine as well), but, well, different.

I can say right off the bat, there is not one song I want to skip on this CD. Not one.

And I want to listen to it over and over and over as something new can be found each time you listen -- a lyric line, a delivery, the instrumentation. That is always a good sign.

Bugsy

[froy]

[quote="bugsymalone

I can say right off the bat, there is not one song I want to skip on this CD. Not one.

I agree totally
Not 1 song is worth a skip
I would switch the order on some but not delete any.

[yogi]

My CD's arrived today from Canada also. I sure wish that I had a solo roadie on my horizon so I could REALLY crank up the volume in my car.

At any rate I am pretty pumped to know that I've got it and I CAN'T wait to listen.


One thing I must say at my initial CD glance: 'So much for Dennis taking the high road on the Styx issue. If you look waaayyyy waaayyyy faaarrrrrr in the back to the left and far behind the Merry Go Round at the Carnival on the CD cover that is Gowan and Styx that is playing at that very carnival. It looks pretty damn empty. No one is in the audience. Also the one horse to the far right has JY's face.


It's sly to put that there, BUUUTTTT , I TRULY thought that Dennis was bigger than pulling a stunt like this.


Still, I CANT wait to hear his new music!!!!!!!!!!!


It just shows that I dont know shit!!!!!

[bugsymalone]

If you look waaayyyy waaayyyy faaarrrrrr in the back to the left and far behind the Merry Go Round at the Carnival on the CD cover that is Gowan and Styx that is playing at that very carnival

Oh gawd, I actually looked!

Also the one horse to the far right has JY's face.

You know good and well that horse is a helluva lot better looking than JY.

Be sure you tell us what you really think of the CD, Yogi. You know, you hardly ever do that here.

Bugsy

[blt man]

One thing I must say at my initial CD glance: 'So much for Dennis taking the high road on the Styx issue. If you look waaayyyy waaayyyy faaarrrrrr in the back to the left and far behind the Merry Go Round at the Carnival on the CD cover that is Gowan and Styx that is playing at that very carnival. It looks pretty damn empty. No one is in the audience. Also the one horse to the far right has JY's face.


It's sly to put that there, BUUUTTTT , I TRULY thought that Dennis was bigger than pulling a stunt like this.

Robert Addison must have done a great job of predicting the future when he painted it years ago.

[yogi]

At the VERY beginning of Turn Off CNN does Dennis say Bush??

So far my favs are Turn Off CNN, Save Me & 100 Years From Now.

I have NOT been able to really give this CD a REAL good Yogi listen. That will take me driving by MYSELF for hours with my car stereo cranked WAAAYYY WAAAAYYYYY Up.

My initial( and its VERY VERY early) take on this CD is that it is decent. Not great, but good. It has NOT grabbed me at all like Cyclorama did. I REALLY REALLY liked Cyclorama from my very first listens. With that said I have NOT given it a true good listen.


I am VERY VERY glad that Dennis is back with new material. I hope this CD sells well, and that Universal markets it and gives it the respect that it & Dennis deserve. He is a TRUE SUPERSTAR!!


Finally, the pictures contained inside the CD of Dennis lead me to believe that he should of been on the Sopranos. He looks like an aging mob boss.

[LtVanish]

Has anyone received the cd ordered from Dennis' website? I'm wondering how long I'll be waiting.

[The Fly]

Has anyone received the cd ordered from Dennis' website? I'm wondering how long I'll be waiting.

Yeah I ordered mine (same place) the day before release and have been wondering the same thing. Anyone?

[bugsymalone]

Finally, the pictures contained inside the CD of Dennis lead me to believe that he should of been on the Sopranos. He looks like an aging mob boss.

"Every girl crazy 'bout a sharp dressed man!" ZZ Top

I think he looks quite dashing in those photos.

Bugsy

[yogi]

I have listened to NOTHING BUT 'Crossing The Rubicon' today.

AWESOME AWESOME song!!!

To me it is... Very Very Castle Walls ish.

[Jodes]

Well after hearing the album a few more times, I must say it's getting better with every spin (Just like Cyclorama did)

Here's my breakdown:

1) 100 Years From Now - I like almost everything about it except Eric Lapointe and his French lyrics. This is one NON-French Speaking Canadian that can't wait to hear the DDY only version, or a DDY-GB version.. Hell I'd even put up with SUZANNE singing the other verses.. PASS because of the French Guy (Sorry MtlLady, I just can't get into him!)

2) This Time Next Year - Very Edge Of The Century/Paradise Theater sounding. Didn't care for the live version I heard, BUT I must say it's growing on me.. The harmonies are solid, not overpowered by the ladies. Okay, I know this is going to sound weird but the "vibe" of this song and the "Remember" parts sound like "Tongue Tied" a song from the late 80's.. For you Red Dwarf Fans, that's the song the Cat sings.. If you don't believe me, listen to the "durble dabby, dabble durby" part.. and the "you've got me tongue tied" and you'l here it! KEEP

3) Rain - WOW. Okay it sounds dated, but still.. damn.. If this could have been on BNW, maybe TS and JY wouldn't have split. Smokin tune. It keeps soaring and doesn't let up! I would not be surprised if this was a demo from the Desert Moon days, because it definately has a "Don't Wait For Heroes" vibe to it. KEEP

4) Save Me - I like the Musicbox Dancerish keyboard sound at the beginning. A nice mid-tempo polished pop gem. This could have easily been on Kilroy (and in some ways it fits with the theme of the album) Edge, and would have definately fit well on BNW. The Lyrics. Wow, you know that I said there wasn't a song that "grabbed" me? Well I relistened to it and I take that back. With the situation that my dad's in right now, this song has definately touched me. With everything going on in my life, this song has pretty much summed things up. KEEP

5) Breathe Again - The Intro sent chills up my spine the 1st time I heard it, just like Prelude 12 still does today. Dennis definately looked back on that one. Now the question is, did he get permission from John C's family to basically re-record Prelude 12? It's so close, one has to wonder.. As for the rest of the song.. Fans of the first four songs might not really like this tune. It's another ballad to his wife Suzanne (Song #5 - Song For Suzanne, Lady, Babe, First Time). He reminds us how much he loves her (like we didn't know lol) and well, a lot of the lyrics have to deal with the split between him and DFB and how she was there for him, etc. It MAY get some airplay on Adult contemporary stations. Again maybe I'm just on cheap drugs, but the lyrics and the way they are sung reminds me of the Human League's "Don't You Wan't Me Baby". MIDDLE

6) Crossing The Rubicon.. WOW.. When Tim Orchard told me that there would be a very "Pieces of Eight" type song on the album, he wasn't kidding. This is a spectacular piece of Progressive Rock ala Castle Walls/Man In The Wilderness/Pieces Of Eight. Very chilling and haunting. If Dennis ever gets back with Styx, THEY HAVE TO DO THIS SONG LIVE. I definately think it's a message to his former band members as well. Just listen to the lyrics to see for yourself. This, like "One With Everything" harks back to Styx's progressive rock days. It's kinda cool how Dennis combines Mythology and his faith in the message of the song too. KEEP

7) Respect Me - A bluesy number that could have been on any of his solo albums kinda reminds me of his version of "Fire", it has that same vibe to it. Again another song that could very well be directed to his former bandmates. The chorus's though are not as strong on this song. It's not one of my favs on the album, but definately not the worse song. Be interesting to see if it stays on the American release. PASS

Believe In Me - It starts out like every other Dennis ballad, but when you hear the first harmonies, you know that it may not be the case. It picks up and turns it a real sweet number. Dennis delivers another positive, uplifting and love filled message, and that's what Dennis does best! It's another song that should be on Adult Contemporary radio. I absolutely adore the Piano at the end as well.. If you love Bruce Hornsby, you'll love the outro! KEEP

9) Forgiveness - Not a big fan of all the components of the song. Also, I think this is another song towards his former bandmates, especially Chuck.. Again, this is my own opinion, but check out these lyrics and make your own opinion:

Once In A Lifetime lightning strikes
When fate comes calling your name
And in an instant a flame ignites
And nothing's ever the same

And you wonder how things might have been
Yes you wonder can you shed your skin

All your excuses and regrets
They seem so tired and old
And when you speak then no one forgets
They sound like talkes you have told

So you suffer like you know you would
Oh yes you suffer
Like you know you should

Forgiveness waits for you
If you repent for your sin
Forgiveness through and though
Cause I know where you have been
I know just where you have been
And You suffer

All of your secrets hidden deep
Have come to settle the score
And every nightmare while you sleep
waits patiently by your door
And you wonder has the die been cast
Yes you wonder can you change the past

Forgiveness changes you
And gives you reason to live
Forgiveness through and through
But it ain't easy to give
Not it ain't easy to give
So you suffer

I give this one a PASS

10) I Don't Believe In Anything - WOW I never thought I'd ever hear DDY do sampling and fake drums, but in this case it pays off. Another track that could have been on any Styx album Post 1978. Love the slide guitar/dobro sound.. Hell At the beginning I was expecting Kid Rock to start screaming "Cowboy Baby" .. It's got that groove to it. Very modern sounding, with a twist of Dennis's sense of humour firmly planting tongue in cheek. Love the CGI part! KEEP

11) Turn Off CNN - Would have been great on Edge and a welcome relief on BNW. It rocks live (I heard a snippet of it in Edmonton). I think the dates where Dennis and Glen have been playing "Great Balls of Fire" and "Gonna Have Some Fun Tonight" have definately rubbed off on him for this song. It has that great old school rock vibe, and Tom Dziallo's playing is smokin on it. Great message about living life as well. One of my favs! KEEP


So there you go.. 7 Keepers, 3 Passes and 1 Middle

Good CD with some weak spots that may grow on me down the road, just like Cyclorama did. I would give it about an 8.5 out of 10.

Also, after listening to it post this review, did Dennis use a lot of drum machines on this CD? It sounds like it in places.

Oh, I thought Dennis's touring Keyboardist was named Giovanni.. yet there was no "Giovannia" listed on the CD. Is he still with him or is he gone?

Finally, Glen must be in his good books.. he gets TWO thank you's!

[stabbim]

Okay, I know this is going to sound weird but the "vibe" of this song and the "Remember" parts sound like "Tongue Tied" a song from the late 80's..

Thanks, now I'll never be able to take this tune seriously.

9) Forgiveness - Not a big fan of all the components of the song. Also, I think this is another song towards his former bandmates, especially Chuck.. Again, this is my own opinion, but check out these lyrics and make your own opinion:

'Fraid I don't see it.

[blt man]

This CD gets absolutely better and better everytime you hear it. The key is to crank it up loud. The tunes are very catchy. Rain is simply an amazing song. It would have been at home as a Styx song.

9) Forgiveness - Not a big fan of all the components of the song. Also, I think this is another song towards his former bandmates, especially Chuck.. Again, this is my own opinion, but check out these lyrics and make your own opinion:

Read the lyrics to This Time Next Year. In my mind it definately has some lyrics in there...
I have identified 4 songs where his multilayered lyrics may mean something.

[yogi]

At the VERY beginning of Turn Off CNN does Dennis say Bush?????

[styxfansite]

At the VERY beginning of Turn Off CNN does Dennis say Bush?????

Hearing the 30 second clip again of that song over and over, it sounds like he says "Push"

[yogi]

Bush makes more sense because of the content of the song, but I really can't tell.

I think that its Bush, but I WOULDNT bet on it.


Damn, Crossing The Rubicon is one AWESOME song!!!!

[StyxCollector]

Jodes - nice review. I'm going through my first spin right now and I'll post a review later.

I just got my copy here in Montreal. $13.99 Canadian - not bad.

I do agree with the comment that had some of this DDY been around for BNW, we may not have what we have now. But more thoughts on that later.

On first spin so far, I like it way more than I liked Cyclorama. I won't go so far as to say it's DDY's best solo effort since I haven't lived with it long enough, but it very well could be.

[blt man]

Bush makes more sense because of the content of the song, but I really can't tell.

I think that its Bush, but I WOULDNT bet on it.


Damn, Crossing The Rubicon is one AWESOME song!!!!

Sounds like push to me.

[Grotelul]

Bush makes more sense because of the content of the song, but I really can't tell.

I think that its Bush, but I WOULDNT bet on it.


Damn, Crossing The Rubicon is one AWESOME song!!!!

Really? You like Crossing The Rubicon that much? I just don't hear it. I mean I think it's okay but to me it's just missing that oooomph. Most of this CD sounds that way to me, much more so on the more guitar oriented songs.