Classic Rock Revisited Review of 100 Years

[styxfansite]

Saw this review of 100 years by Jeb Wright posted on another board. It is a pretty good read and review.



Dennis DeYoung - One Hundred Years From Now
Universal Records
www.dennisdeyoung.com

Rating: B+

Dennis DeYoung has often been criticized for becoming too soft in his solo career. While he has had success as a solo artist many of his fans have wished he would return to writing music in the style he wrote for his former band Styx. Hold on to your seat because One Hundred Years From Now is DeYoung's most Styx-like offering yet.

The album opens up with the "One Hundred Years From Now" which is easily the best solo song written by DeYoung -- ever. It features an amazing guitar solo, great lyrics, big melodies and powerful vocals. This song is a throwback to Equinox era Styx and, truth be known, is the most Styx sounding song released by Dennis or anyone else connected to the band in the last twenty years.

The album does not stop with one song, though. "Rain" is an interesting tune where DeYoung steps outside his norm and delivers another not often seen side of his musical persona. "Save Me" is one of the best tunes on the album as well. This is not a rocker and not a ballad, instead it is somewhere in-between. But the song is well written and masterfully executed. The entire album should be listened to in one sitting if possible. While not a concept album as such, the songs are in the order they are in for a reason.

Two of the best are the two last tracks. "I Don't Believe in Anything" is another rocker that will remind one of the glory days of Styx and "Turn Off CNN" is a rocker with a message!

In the end, this is the strongest album of DeYoung's solo career and should do a lot to shut up the negativity he has had to live with for the past decade. One Hundred Years From Now makes it okay to like Dennis DeYoung again. He has removed the stigma that has been forced upon him, not by spewing words of hate or making excuses but instead by creating a wonderful album. In other words, he put his money where his microphone is. He has garnered respect the old fashioned way -- he has earned it. The bottom line here is that DeYoung has proven that in a hundred years no one will care about the controversy. They will only care about the music.

-- Jeb Wright

http://www.classicrockrevisited.com/reviews/Reviews_07/DennisDeYoungCD.htm

[froy]

Saw this review of 100 years by Jeb Wright posted on another board. It is a pretty good read and review.



Dennis DeYoung - One Hundred Years From Now
Universal Records
www.dennisdeyoung.com

Rating: B+

Dennis DeYoung has often been criticized for becoming too soft in his solo career. While he has had success as a solo artist many of his fans have wished he would return to writing music in the style he wrote for his former band Styx. Hold on to your seat because One Hundred Years From Now is DeYoung's most Styx-like offering yet.

The album opens up with the "One Hundred Years From Now" which is easily the best solo song written by DeYoung -- ever. It features an amazing guitar solo, great lyrics, big melodies and powerful vocals. This song is a throwback to Equinox era Styx and, truth be known, is the most Styx sounding song released by Dennis or anyone else connected to the band in the last twenty years.

The album does not stop with one song, though. "Rain" is an interesting tune where DeYoung steps outside his norm and delivers another not often seen side of his musical persona. "Save Me" is one of the best tunes on the album as well. This is not a rocker and not a ballad, instead it is somewhere in-between. But the song is well written and masterfully executed. The entire album should be listened to in one sitting if possible. While not a concept album as such, the songs are in the order they are in for a reason.

Two of the best are the two last tracks. "I Don't Believe in Anything" is another rocker that will remind one of the glory days of Styx and "Turn Off CNN" is a rocker with a message!

In the end, this is the strongest album of DeYoung's solo career and should do a lot to shut up the negativity he has had to live with for the past decade. One Hundred Years From Now makes it okay to like Dennis DeYoung again. He has removed the stigma that has been forced upon him, not by spewing words of hate or making excuses but instead by creating a wonderful album. In other words, he put his money where his microphone is. He has garnered respect the old fashioned way -- he has earned it. The bottom line here is that DeYoung has proven that in a hundred years no one will care about the controversy. They will only care about the music.

-- Jeb Wright

http://www.classicrockrevisited.com/reviews/Reviews_07/DennisDeYoungCD.htm

He's right on
Forgot to mention Rubicon and TTNY as well

[Higgy]

Great review of a great album. Its good to see that after 30 years of getting shit from critics and, worse yet, fans, he's finally getting respect.
"This Time Next Year" is becoming my favorite song on the album.

[yogi]

He had to get 100 Years From Now and Rubicon mixed up.

Rubicon is Equinox based Styx. To me it is kind of a cross between Suite Madame Blue and Castle Walls. One Hundred Years From Now is a VERY good song but it sounds NOTHING like Equinox era Styx.

I believe he misprinted on this one.

I hope Jeb responds and either sets me straight or states he goofed.

[froy]

He had to get 100 Years From Now and Rubicon mixed up.

Rubicon is Equinox based Styx. To me it is kind of a cross between Suite Madame Blue and Castle Walls. One Hundred Years From Now is a VERY good song but it sounds NOTHING like Equinox era Styx.

I believe he misprinted on this one.

I hope Jeb responds and either sets me straight or states he goofed.

Hey Yogi you going to the Owen Wilson concert ?

[bugsymalone]

I am a fan of that last paragraph in the review.



Bugsy

[MtlLady]

I am a fan of that last paragraph in the review.

Bugsy

I agree. Very well written on the author's part and nicely positive!

[brywool]

It will be nice to put the album to the test... if it EVER gets a US release.
C'mon already!!!

[kipthekid]

Some of the "anti-DeYoung" pabulum I see here is so simplistic and obvious, it wreaks of an odd sense of jealousy.

[rajah2165]

Some of the "anti-DeYoung" pabulum I see here is so simplistic and obvious, it wreaks of an odd sense of jealousy.

They ARE jealous. It pisses them off that DDY is having this type of success when their band is the first opening act. So they do one of two things...

They either react by trying to cut down it any way they can (Oh, its only in Canada...oh its only in Quebec....he's not releasing it in the States until next year...) - that goes to Groteful, ChicagoStyx, and Brywool

OR they are strangely silent either not saying anything or saying that the album doesn't fit their personal taste - that goes to The Night Bull (the fat guy who got into the altercation with Glen and DDY), Zan, and some others who I don't remember off the top of my mind.

As they say in Queen of Spades, "YOU LOSE!!!"

[rajah2165]

It will be nice to put the album to the test... if it EVER gets a US release.
C'mon already!!!

Just because he is smart about marketing the thing (unlike YOUR band) doesn't mean to doubt it will get a US release.

Put your energy on selling as much in Canada as the you can - give the album some momentum heading into a tougher US market.

And he does have a record deal in the US - on a major label. Styx wouldn't know what that was.

[Zan]

Just because he is smart about marketing the thing (unlike YOUR band) doesn't mean to doubt it will get a US release.

Unlike YOUR band? What are you, five? lol

[StyxCollector]

It will be nice to put the album to the test... if it EVER gets a US release.
C'mon already!!!

Just because he is smart about marketing the thing (unlike YOUR band) doesn't mean to doubt it will get a US release.

Put your energy on selling as much in Canada as the you can - give the album some momentum heading into a tougher US market.

And he does have a record deal in the US - on a major label. Styx wouldn't know what that was.

Let's put this in perspective. DDY is on Rounder, a division of Uni. Styx is on New Door, a division of Uni. Rounder has a slightly bigger name out there, but to say it's "major label" ... not quite. They both work for essentially the same parent.

[bugsymalone]

Let's put this in perspective. DDY is on Rounder, a division of Uni. Styx is on New Door, a division of Uni. Rounder has a slightly bigger name out there, but to say it's "major label" ... not quite. They both work for essentially the same parent.

Thanks for setting the record straight here, SC. I do not expect much from the release of DDY's CD here simply because he won't get the promotion DEP is giving him in Canada. If it matches the promotion he got from his last release from Rounder (zero), then there you go.

Both Current Styx and Dennis are very lucky to have any sort of record deal at all is my feeling.


Bugsy

[LordofDaRing]

My money is on Steve Perry doing the duet, I base that on nothing really. Well maybe just that small comment made by Suzanne in her crib. I can't help but thinking how that song would have sounded with TS dueting with DDY in Styx. Oh well.

[stabbim]

The album opens up with the "One Hundred Years From Now" which is easily the best solo song written by DeYoung -- ever.

Heh. A world of "No" to that.

In the end, this is the strongest album of DeYoung's solo career

But this I agree with. Some of the individual songs on his earlier albums are stronger, but this is his best collective work as a solo artist.

The bottom line here is that DeYoung has proven that in a hundred years no one will care about the controversy. They will only care about the music.

And thanks to the VH1's of the world, most folks will only care about a tiny slice of the music produced between 77-83, and most of said caring will based on kitsch value rather than merit. Which is sad. But you gotta take what you can get, I suppose.




<---feeling cynical about pop culture today

[kipthekid]

with that said, from a marketing/business perspective, Dennis' strategy APPEARS to be more sound than Styx' - at least with regard to marketing/selling albums. Income-wise, I would THINK that Styx is generating more annual $$ simply because they perform far more concerts.

As far as the reasons for the delay in releasing "100 Years" in the states, I can think of a couple of possibilities:

1. The success of the CD thus far in Quebec may be compelling Dennis to spend more time there - performing, appearing, etc. This may be pushing back the re-recording of "100 Years" as well as the recording of new track(s) for the U.S. version.

2. He may be trying to angle for something next year. The long-shot would be inclusion in some way in American Idol - perhaps early in the season. Another possibility could be a movie tie-in - inclusion of a few of his Styx tunes and/or POSSIBLY one of his tunes off of "100 Years" ("Save Me" could be a decent sound-track song). Marketing tie-ins could be a MAJOR reason for the delay.

[Ash]

Let's put this in perspective. DDY is on Rounder, a division of Uni. Styx is on New Door, a division of Uni. Rounder has a slightly bigger name out there, but to say it's "major label" ... not quite. They both work for essentially the same parent.

Thanks for setting the record straight here, SC. I do not expect much from the release of DDY's CD here simply because he won't get the promotion DEP is giving him in Canada. If it matches the promotion he got from his last release from Rounder (zero), then there you go.

Both Current Styx and Dennis are very lucky to have any sort of record deal at all is my feeling.

Bugsy

If the news is true and Dennis gets a really big name duet on 100 years - then I think you may be in for a surprise in the states. For the sake of argument (and this ispurely hypothetical) say it was Steve Perry and Dennis. I think that would turn a LOT of heads in the rock radio world. The two guys who are the odd men out of their respective bands singing a relevant and powerful rock oriented song.

It could have a lot of potential. These guys aren't stupid. People need to realize that Dennis' management team hasn't lost yet. It's been one win after another with the symphony shows, the DVD, the addition of Glen and now the new record.

These have all been big wins. To some how be critical of them for taking their time and doing it right? I think someone else stated it right. Smacks of jealousy.

[blt man]

2. He may be trying to angle for something next year. The long-shot would be inclusion in some way in American Idol - perhaps early in the season.

Interviews from Dennis indicate he would love to be on American Idol. Considering the bigger and bigger names the show gets each year, I would be surprised if Dennis was on one of the ones for this upcoming year (unless his duet was with a past contestant).

[kipthekid]

I've never felt that she was "anti Dennis" per se - I think she may have (can't speak for her) come down on the side of Tommy, JY and Chuck during the "dispute" - but that's understandable - at the time. She seems to have given "100 Years" a fair listen/fair shake. One CAN be a fan of all involved - past and present - with Styx. I count myself as a fan of Tommy and JY (still love "City Slicker" - underrated solo effort IMHO). I don't really like LG overall - bad singer, mediocre songwriter IMHO - but, WOW, can the guy PLAY. Glen? Consumate professional with a tremendous pop sensibility.

Groteful's anti-"100 Years" posts, at times, seem to be tinged with jealousy. Now, everyone is most definitely entitled to their opinions, but it's interesting how he picks one of the songs "Rubicon" - that most everyone, including those who aren't necessarily DeYoung fans or apologists, really like and consider to be "classic Styx worthy" - and ridicules it. IMHO, it's not the best tune on "100 Years" (the title track and Save Me are better) but it would have been the best - or one of the two best - tunes on Cyclorama or BNW.

I DO think that anti-DeYoungians have a problem with "100 Years" and with the success - whatever the degree - Dennis has had. While DeYoung apologists were certainly wrong about Styx falling apart without him, it's still a fact that the "non-Styx" diehard fan still associates Dennis with Styx. For many, Dennis IS Styx. "100 Years" has more than supplemented the momentum his "twighlight" career has generated.

Is he "bigger" than NewStyx? I don't know - but, IMHO, he's in a better place career-wise than his former bandmates.

[bugsymalone]

I think there is probably a whole lot cooking in the DeYoung camp right now pointed towards the change in the release of his CD here. He has given little hints in his current note on the website (duet on 100 years, see you on TV) that may mean not much or may mean a whole lot.

It could have a lot of potential. These guys aren't stupid. People need to realize that Dennis' management team hasn't lost yet. It's been one win after another with the symphony shows, the DVD, the addition of Glen and now the new record.

This speaks volumes, Ash.

Honestly, I think Dennis is carving out his own place now, separate from Styx, and one really does not have much to do with the other unless one is inclined to look upon all of this as some sort of competition.


Bugsy

[blt man]

Groteful's anti-"100 Years" posts, at times, seem to be tinged with jealousy...

Jealous of what? You need to have a greater vested interest than simply being a fan of someone or something to be jelous at someone else's success.

People should realise that what people post is sometimes simply a character to play, to cause controversy, to provide a counterpoint, etc.

e.g. Person1 (say Grote) thinks Person2's (say Froy) posts bashing Styx are annoying. Person1 supports new Styx but does not mind Dennis. Person1 plays the anti-Dennis to counter balance Person2. Does not mean there is jealousy.

[LtVanish]

2. He may be trying to angle for something next year. The long-shot would be inclusion in some way in American Idol - perhaps early in the season.

Interviews from Dennis indicate he would love to be on American Idol. Considering the bigger and bigger names the show gets each year, I would be surprised if Dennis was on one of the ones for this upcoming year (unless his duet was with a past contestant).

I'm thinking that a duet with Chris Daughtry is in the mix. I think the duet needs to be with an upcoming star, it would draw a lot of attention. Kinda like what Rob Thomas did for Santana. If Dennis were to land on American Idol, or Oprah that could really excell his album sales.

[brywool]

It will be nice to put the album to the test... if it EVER gets a US release.
C'mon already!!!

Just because he is smart about marketing the thing (unlike YOUR band) doesn't mean to doubt it will get a US release.

Put your energy on selling as much in Canada as the you can - give the album some momentum heading into a tougher US market.

And he does have a record deal in the US - on a major label. Styx wouldn't know what that was.

Raj, I'm in a cover band you Ahole. As for promtion, I've played a ton of shows this year both in my home state and just played in Oregon the past weekend and made great money and had a blast while you and your mom were surfing for porn.
I'm in a weekend band and have pretty much played every weekend of the year and done quite well. You have ZERO info about me or my band and you just look for anything to be a jerk about. What is your problem? How can you be such a complete Fwad without ONE redeeming quality??
By the way, I would be willing to bet I played more shows this year than Dennis has.

You're such an idiot and can turn ANYTHING into anti Styx rhetoric...
You're so dumb that you even take a pro -DeYoung post and turn it into something else.

I'm supporting Deyoung's new album. I've wanted to buy it for months, and I've posted that here a bunch. I just don't understand why it takes a year to get it in the US and that dissapoints me (believe it or not). My comment was NOT "anti -DeYoung Pablum" to the other wackjob, it is frustration over the fact that it takes that long to get it here. Also, how smart is it to release it in Canada and wait for file sharing to destroy ANY success it will have in the US? That's what will happen because of the long wait. Same thing happens all the time. Ask Journey. Now THERE'S a band that's completely screwed themselves UNLIKE Styx who is working their ass off and putting on better shows than most bands out there INCLUDING Dennis. Dennis shows look like they should be in Branson. They're so WHITE. The guy needs to get back to being a ROCK singer and keyboardist. That's what he's best at. Because he had success with Babe, everything has been that ever since. I think Dennis needs to be challenged and I think that with this album, he has done that, but I don't know for sure because I can't buy it until 2010.

The fact that I don't want every song to be a ballad and the way his wife and his ego have caused him to be out of Styx doesn't mean I 'hate DeYoung'. I just think the guy should've been more of a team player and by ALL accounts ('cept you and Froy), he was not. I've got all his solo stuff (though I can't remember the last time I listened to any of it because, it was pretty unexciting) and I will buy the new album too. Somebody offered to send it to me and I held off because I wanted to buy it to help the guy out.

For you to hate Styx because Dennis isn't in it, and to repeatedly put that in each and every one of your posts is moronic and quite predictable.

[brywool]

Both Current Styx and Dennis are very lucky to have any sort of record deal at all is my feeling.


Bugsy

WINNER!

[stabbim]

Just because he is smart about marketing the thing (unlike YOUR band) doesn't mean to doubt it will get a US release.

You have ZERO info about me or my band and you just look for anything to be a jerk about.

Pssst....dude... not to discourage your vitriol or anything, but I'm pretty sure that's not what he meant by "your" band.

[brywool]

Just because he is smart about marketing the thing (unlike YOUR band) doesn't mean to doubt it will get a US release.

You have ZERO info about me or my band and you just look for anything to be a jerk about.

Pssst....dude... not to discourage your vitriol or anything, but I'm pretty sure that's not what he meant by "your" band.

"MY band" isn't Styx so I think that was how it was meant. Also, I believe he's used that on me before. Fine, I guess.
If that's not what he meant, then appoligies to him for missing his point. I'm not sure why EVERY post he makes has to be a negative on Styx and a positive on Deyoung. More importantly, not sure why it's so bloody annoying to me ...

[kipthekid]

but it's problematic coming from the likes of "brywool." As for his other comments, New Styx still sounds good live - but their touring strategy is putrid IMHO and is doing nothing to improve the image of the band - not to mention the way their record # of live albums wreaked of exploitive cynicism.

Their show compared with Dennis? It's all a matter of opinion- I know Mr. Wool bases his opinion on a video image from Seaworld, but Dennis and his band certainly don't take a back seat performance-wise to new Styx. I enjoyed both shows, save for LG butchering Come Sail Away, Lady and The Grand Illusion.

Finally - sorry brywool. Whack job or not, what you write smacks of vacuous pabulum.

[Blue Falcon]

New Styx still sounds good live - but their touring strategy is putrid IMHO and is doing nothing to improve the image of the band - not to mention the way their record # of live albums wreaked of exploitive cynicism.

Which is why I refer to 'New Styx' as 'Stynx'.

I enjoyed both shows, save for LG butchering Come Sail Away, Lady and The Grand Illusion.

Which is why they are 'Stynx' to me. The fact that three of their best-known songs are mangled by some Scottish goofball every night just further tarnishes the Styx name.

[rajah2165]

It will be nice to put the album to the test... if it EVER gets a US release.
C'mon already!!!

Just because he is smart about marketing the thing (unlike YOUR band) doesn't mean to doubt it will get a US release.

Put your energy on selling as much in Canada as the you can - give the album some momentum heading into a tougher US market.

And he does have a record deal in the US - on a major label. Styx wouldn't know what that was.

Raj, I'm in a cover band you Ahole. As for promtion, I've played a ton of shows this year both in my home state and just played in Oregon the past weekend and made great money and had a blast while you and your mom were surfing for porn.
I'm in a weekend band and have pretty much played every weekend of the year and done quite well. You have ZERO info about me or my band and you just look for anything to be a jerk about. What is your problem? How can you be such a complete Fwad without ONE redeeming quality??
By the way, I would be willing to bet I played more shows this year than Dennis has.

You're such an idiot and can turn ANYTHING into anti Styx rhetoric...
You're so dumb that you even take a pro -DeYoung post and turn it into something else.

I'm supporting Deyoung's new album. I've wanted to buy it for months, and I've posted that here a bunch. I just don't understand why it takes a year to get it in the US and that dissapoints me (believe it or not). My comment was NOT "anti -DeYoung Pablum" to the other wackjob, it is frustration over the fact that it takes that long to get it here. Also, how smart is it to release it in Canada and wait for file sharing to destroy ANY success it will have in the US? That's what will happen because of the long wait. Same thing happens all the time. Ask Journey. Now THERE'S a band that's completely screwed themselves UNLIKE Styx who is working their ass off and putting on better shows than most bands out there INCLUDING Dennis. Dennis shows look like they should be in Branson. They're so WHITE. The guy needs to get back to being a ROCK singer and keyboardist. That's what he's best at. Because he had success with Babe, everything has been that ever since. I think Dennis needs to be challenged and I think that with this album, he has done that, but I don't know for sure because I can't buy it until 2010.

The fact that I don't want every song to be a ballad and the way his wife and his ego have caused him to be out of Styx doesn't mean I 'hate DeYoung'. I just think the guy should've been more of a team player and by ALL accounts ('cept you and Froy), he was not. I've got all his solo stuff (though I can't remember the last time I listened to any of it because, it was pretty unexciting) and I will buy the new album too. Somebody offered to send it to me and I held off because I wanted to buy it to help the guy out.

For you to hate Styx because Dennis isn't in it, and to repeatedly put that in each and every one of your posts is moronic and quite predictable.

I don't understand the point you are making with this diatribe to be perfectly honest with you, but I'm sure you enjoyed writing it...

Just to be clear, I don't give two shits about your cover band, and I'm not sure what it has to do with the price of tea in China...