Direction on next album?

[Archetype]

What would you want the next Styx CD to sound like? I'm hoping that they go in a prog rock direction in the lines of Dream Theater or Rush. The talent is there to blow away every "thinking man's band" fan's mind. Have Todd play to his full potential (lots of fast double bass, etc.), have Ricky add some Rush-esque basslines, have Larry write some very fast, classical sounding piano parts, and after seeing the guitar duel between JY and Tommy in Salamanca, I know that there are some real shredding capabilities between them. Think Styx meets Dream Theater meets Mozart/Beethoven. That would be incredible.

[Grotelul]

What would you want the next Styx CD to sound like? I'm hoping that they go in a prog rock direction in the lines of Dream Theater or Rush. The talent is there to blow away every "thinking man's band" fan's mind. Have Todd play to his full potential (lots of fast double bass, etc.), have Ricky add some Rush-esque basslines, have Larry write some very fast, classical sounding piano parts, and after seeing the guitar duel between JY and Tommy in Salamanca, I know that there are some real shredding capabilities between them. Think Styx meets Dream Theater meets Mozart/Beethoven. That would be incredible.

They should all go to a studio somewhere out in the hills for 3 months to write and record. I want a raw sounding record that is not over produced. Two or Three takes max. Let it go..I want to hear the JY and Tommy of old..shredding.

[StyxCollector]

What would you want the next Styx CD to sound like? I'm hoping that they go in a prog rock direction in the lines of Dream Theater or Rush. The talent is there to blow away every "thinking man's band" fan's mind. Have Todd play to his full potential (lots of fast double bass, etc.), have Ricky add some Rush-esque basslines, have Larry write some very fast, classical sounding piano parts, and after seeing the guitar duel between JY and Tommy in Salamanca, I know that there are some real shredding capabilities between them. Think Styx meets Dream Theater meets Mozart/Beethoven. That would be incredible.

I hope you're kidding. That would be wretched. Styx was never prog rock except maybe parts of Styx I. If they do another album (which is doubtful if you ask me), I hope it's closer to Cyclorama than Brave New World.

[Toph]

What would you want the next Styx CD to sound like? I'm hoping that they go in a prog rock direction in the lines of Dream Theater or Rush. The talent is there to blow away every "thinking man's band" fan's mind. Have Todd play to his full potential (lots of fast double bass, etc.), have Ricky add some Rush-esque basslines, have Larry write some very fast, classical sounding piano parts, and after seeing the guitar duel between JY and Tommy in Salamanca, I know that there are some real shredding capabilities between them. Think Styx meets Dream Theater meets Mozart/Beethoven. That would be incredible.

Keep holding your breath....

One album of new material since DDY left in 1999...That would be 9 going on 10 years....

[Ehwmatt]

Yeah, I love DT and Rush, but the beauty of Styx has always been in the song writing. And I do disagree that Styx was never "prog rock." Remember, prog encompasses more than merely instrumental virtuosity and fast breakdowns. Styx has always had a prog side to them. You can't call songs like Suite Madame Blue and Castle Walls, or to get more recent, One With Everything, straight-up arena rock/melodic rock songs.

[Archetype]

Cyclorama didn't allow any of the bandmembers to play to their full potential. Though I love it and still listen to it regularly, you can just feel in the music that a lot of talent isn't being released.

[Jodes]

Okay Toph, just how many DDY studio albums have been released stateside in those 9 years?

Please.. do tell us. No excuses, just tell us.

[Blue Falcon]

The prog left when DDY left. Now they're just a reg'lar ol' hard rock band. Just ask JY.

I honestly think there aren't going to be any more albums. JY himself said the demand for new Styx material isn't there...wonder why?

[kansas666]

What next record?

[classicstyxfan]

Dave , I hear they already have 2 possible names for the Next Styx CD. It will be called.........


Styx - Post Mortem

or

Styx - Pushing Daisies

[Toph]

Okay Toph, just how many DDY studio albums have been released stateside in those 9 years?

Please.. do tell us. No excuses, just tell us.

That would be zero.

But that doesn't mean that Styx has done much better...

[classicstyxfan]

Old men just cant write as fast/well as they used to......someone should invent the songwriters equivalent of Viagra !

[Blue Falcon]

Styx' next album will either be another greatest hits package with 1-2 new, forgettable songs, or another lame live album.

[kipthekid]

JY is a Hendrix disciple with a decidedly '70's pre-Van Halen/Randy Rhodes sound and Tommy is a southern blues guy. Neither of them have the chops to be in the same class as Dream Theater, a band made up of highly skilled jazz fusion musicians.

Besides, what Styx had that "true" prog rock groups, for the most part, lack was/is a sense of melody. Also, Styx in their heyday could sing rings around ANY prog rock band of their era. Styx was an excellent bar band with a gift for melody, playing live and the ability to weave in a few elements of prog - especially during the Wooden Nickle years.

[Monker]

Styx was never prog rock except maybe parts of Styx I.

That depends on your definition of Progressive rock. The theatrical and classical music infusion alone make it Progressive rock to some.

[Monker]

The prog left when DDY left.

There was absolutely no attempt at progressive rock on Edge...

So, the desire to say true to the roots of Styx left when Tommy left...and had to fight Hunchback when they decided to do BNW.

[MRMUSIC413]

I like the obvious prog elements & time changes in recent cuts like "One With Everything" and "Everything All The Time". Nice fusion of styles. As I've said before, the playing level in this current line-up (Sucherman & Gowan especially - who make their live gigs outstanding in recent years) is spectacular and I wouldn't change a thing. And the melodic side of the songwriting and their vocal harmonies are still very impressive.

As a 40-ish fan and musician, I'm satisified all the way around and would rather see a band happy
and functional then stuck in a rut playing material that doesn't appeal to them... with band members they can't relate too at all.

Never got into the whole fandom debates of past/present band members - serves little purpose. It's a band - it's up to them to decide who they work with and how they run their business. Period.

[classicstyxfan]

of course, it IS up to the fan base regarding buying the recordings and or concert tickets, isn't it ?

Always a consideration when you have bills to pay or rely on the income generated as your livelyhood......

Just sayin..................

[MRMUSIC413]

Sure...you "vote" with your dollars....but that has little to do with band chemistry and
direction. The smartest long term acts seem to know it's about pleasing yourself
first and welcoming fans along for the ride.

The sad part in the internet age is the overly critical/picky political fan bullshit
that usually has little to do with music and art...and clearly music is art. It's subjective.
Problem is many fans take it upon themselves to tell the artist what is "right or wrong".
That's a joke.

My favorite bands since the early 70's have had numerous line-up changes
(as most do) and the crime is watching fans of the band piss, moan, and argue
the relevance and lack thereof of a band pertaining to when it does/does not have
select members in it. It's a waste of time and energy and just upsets people for no reason.

We all have favorite aspects/preferences of the artists we enjoy - we just don't need to
act like hostile argumentative idiots when it comes to discussing them.

[sadie65]

Sure...you "vote" with your dollars....but that has little to do with band chemistry and
direction. The smartest long term acts seem to know it's about pleasing yourself
first and welcoming fans along for the ride.

The sad part in the internet age is the overly critical/picky political fan bullshit
that usually has little to do with music and art...and clearly music is art. It's subjective.
Problem is many fans take it upon themselves to tell the artist what is "right or wrong".
That's a joke.

My favorite bands since the early 70's have had numerous line-up changes
(as most do) and the crime is watching fans of the band piss, moan, and argue
the relevance and lack thereof of a band pertaining to when it does/does not have
select members in it. It's a waste of time and energy and just upsets people for no reason.

We all have favorite aspects/preferences of the artists we enjoy - we just don't need to
act like hostile argumentative idiots when it comes to discussing them.

As with any art form...it evokes a sense of feeling. People confuse that with reality and business. And that won't change.

Some will see that, some won't and the merry-go-round will continue to spin.

Peace

[bugsymalone]

My favorite bands since the early 70's have had numerous line-up changes
(as most do) and the crime is watching fans of the band piss, moan, and argue
the relevance and lack thereof of a band pertaining to when it does/does not have
select members in it. It's a waste of time and energy and just upsets people for no reason.

We all have favorite aspects/preferences of the artists we enjoy - we just don't need to
act like hostile argumentative idiots when it comes to discussing them.

I agree hostility is unwarranted, but personnel changes in a band inevitably lead to a difference in the music/sound that brought someone to a band in the first place. That is usually the core point that brings the, uh, sometimes energetically defended opinions among fans, pro and con.

To me a person has as much right to criticize changes in a band, and the direction that is taking them as artists, as the person who likes the new members and praises those very changes to the skies. And if sometimes people get a little hot headed, so be it.

Bugsy

[styxfanNH]

The uniqueness of Styx is that with three lead singers, each with their own writing style, that the fan base is fractured (and always has been) with the singer they identified the most. For many bands, lineup changes are tied to the musicians and not the lead singers - whom many fans identify with.

[MRMUSIC413]

I agree hostility is unwarranted, but personnel changes in a band inevitably lead to a difference in the music/sound that brought someone to a band in the first place. That is usually the core point that brings the, uh, sometimes energetically defended opinions among fans, pro and con.

To me a person has as much right to criticize changes in a band, and the direction that is taking them as artists, as the person who likes the new members and praises those very changes to the skies. And if sometimes people get a little hot headed, so be it.

Bugsy

That's usually where the problem lies. Saying you "like" something is positive and requires little ruffling of feathers amongst anyone (fans/band/management, etc). It could be equally met with the opposing view of, "I once loved the band and it's direction, but when "Joe Smith" left the style changed a bit too much for my liking." That would be an understood discussion that both sides could relate to. It rarely plays out like that.

But unfortunately, it's usually presented by some angry a**hole who feels the need to tell you why the bands you've loved for 30 years "currently suck" in their eyes. Pretty nuts, isn't it ? Somebody with no affiliation with the act, other than being a fan, is being judgmental on why certain members are no longer there. They don't know the business - can't relate to the personal variables - and the opinions basis often sound like the twisted ramblings of a teenage crush. That's like a nosy neighbor who hardly sees you or knows you being overly opinionated and outspoken on why you and the Mrs. are getting a divorce. It's overboard and completely out of line.

I've spent 25 years working around dozens and dozens of major arena acts throughout the Eastern seaboard (most who've had a revolving door situation), and regardless of our individual personal preferences in lead singers, direction, eras, etc.. none of my colleagues and I would ever say anything to these artists or others that is remotely close what is spewed on most of these music message boards. It's baffling that adults need to take that route to feel validated with their opinions.

More need to learn to agree to disagree and keep an open mind...as well as a cool head.

[MRMUSIC413]

As with any art form...it evokes a sense of feeling. People confuse that with reality and business. And that won't change.

Some will see that, some won't and the merry-go-round will continue to spin.

Peace

Very true, Sadie... and that's a shame.

[classicstyxfan]

but if all the posts/posters here were rational and presented their opinions without any emotion and or passion........

well, I wouldnt bother to show up, there would be no suspense.

Besides, Styx without ( insert bandmember name of your choice here ) really isnt Styx at all !

[MRMUSIC413]

but if all the posts/posters here were rational and presented their opinions without any emotion and or passion........

well, I wouldnt bother to show up, there would be no suspense.

What do you really want, an educated music discussion or a ringside seat to WWE "wrasslin'"...??? LOL

[bugsymalone]

but if all the posts/posters here were rational and presented their opinions without any emotion and or passion........

well, I wouldnt bother to show up, there would be no suspense.

What do you really want, an educated music discussion or a ringside seat to WWE "wrasslin'"...??? LOL

Maybe a little of both.

Bugsy

[styxfanNH]

but if all the posts/posters here were rational and presented their opinions without any emotion and or passion........

well, I wouldnt bother to show up, there would be no suspense.

What do you really want, an educated music discussion or a ringside seat to WWE "wrasslin'"...??? LOL

Apparently you are new to this forum. All in all, that is what you get here. Great characterization......unknowingly

[MRMUSIC413]

Apparently you are new to this forum. All in all, that is what you get here. Great characterization......unknowingly

Nah...actually been around a year or so - but never posted much.

I've moderated a few classic rock forums and musician forums and see how
it's gotten over the last 10 years or so.

It's almost like going to a concert. There are those of us who want to take in the
show and seriously enjoy every aspect of the musicianship, etc. And then there
are the yahoos who raise hell and spend the entire night trekking back and forth
in front of you to get to the beer line every other song. Both are fans and have a
right to be there, but one is a major pain in the ass to deal with and you wonder
why they even bothered to show up. LOL

[bugsymalone]

It's almost like going to a concert. There are those of us who want to take in the
show and seriously enjoy every aspect of the musicianship, etc. And then there
are the yahoos who raise hell and spend the entire night trekking back and forth
in front of you to get to the beer line every other song. Both are fans and have a
right to be there, but one is a major pain in the ass to deal with and you wonder
why they even bothered to show up. LOL

OMG. Been there! Seen that! Had those exact same thoughts.

Bugsy