100 Years From Now

[brywool]

Got this from Itunes last night.

There are some brilliant songs on here. There are also some that fall short or are pretty corny.

Randomness...

"Private Jones"- Great song. Heavy with Dennis' patented political lyrics. Those types of lyrics are thankfully spread throughout the album.

"Crossing the Rubicon"- wow. This is a really really good song. Way deep lyrics imho. I like it a lot.

"100 Years from Now"- I love the beginning with the accordian, but it's a bit over blown. Definitely something that could've been on Hunchback, which I think is overrated. Still, this is a decent tune. WAY better than the duet version which I couldn't get into at all.

"I don't believe in anything" is lyrically stupid. It sounds like some old person who's afraid of the internet. Just didn't do much for me lyrically. Musically, it's pretty cool and reminds me of Henley. One thing I have to say, and maybe you've said it before- The high voice on the chorus sounds a Helluva lot like JY. I know it ain't, but it sure sounds like him. It actually makes the song.

"I Believe In You" sounds like one of the lamer songs from Dennis' past solo albums. Not a good track for him at all.

"Rain" sounds like a Hunchback tune. Does nothing for me and is wrecked by the synth in the intro. Just sounds dated.

"There was a Time"- This would've been a good Styx slow song in the tradition of "Don't Let It End". The chorus has that JY-ish harmony there too. This is a good song. Good lyrics. Could've benefited from acoustic guitar. It's very "Don't Let It End" to me.

"Breathe Again"- Nice nod to Prelude 12 at the beginning of the song. Other than that, this song is just not very good. Too 70's AM for me. The synth solo doesn't do anything to help it either. Maybe he wanted it to be a time capsule. I can see that, but as a contemporary song, it's pretty short of the mark.

"Forgiveness"- This one's okay, but neither bad nor good. It just doesn't do much for me either way.

"Turn off CNN"- Though I get the sentiment, the chord progression is pretty standard and nothing that original. Good chorus though. It's pretty decent, though not have as good as "Private Jones" Too bad "Fox News" didn't have the same syllables.

It's a good album, but I don't think it has the appeal of Cyclorama. That album was much more accessible, focused, and the production was better. Still, 100 years's got some really high points on it and it's cool to hear Dennis be heavier than he was during most of his solo career.
I give the album a B. It's better than all of his other solo albums though except for maybe "10 on Broadway". Nice to hear Dennis step up a bit. Woulda been nice if he put together an electric booklet for the downloaders out there.

Also downloaded "When I Hear a Christmas Song"- It's okay, but the mp3 has pops and skips all the way through it. Really annoying.

Also downloaded "Can't Stop Rockin"- There's some good energy here, but the mix seems pretty watered down. Can't say I'm a fan of Kevin Cronin's voice. Blech. It's okay, nothing horrible, nothing totally great. The end guitar solo reminds me of the Wooden Nickel days.

Yeah, go ahead and beat me up now.

[Ehwmatt]

I am a huge fan of Cyclorama too but I think I like 100 Years a lot more than you do. I haven't heard the American tracks yet, but I really like the whole album from start to finish. The synth tones are dated here and there, but I expect to hear some dated sounding stuff on most of these guys' new records. I like that sound!

I really wish he would have just recorded a live 100 Years From Now from this past summer. It was one of my least favorites on the album, but live it's much heavier and really works well. That woulda kicked ass. Other than that, there's no song I really dislike on the album. Some I skip more often than others. I'm gonna download the American version here shortly from iTunes and I'll get back with how I like Private and There Was A Time.

[Toph]

Got this from Itunes last night.

There are some brilliant songs on here. There are also some that fall short or are pretty corny.

Randomness...

"Private Jones"- Great song. Heavy with Dennis' patented political lyrics. Those types of lyrics are thankfully spread throughout the album.

"Crossing the Rubicon"- wow. This is a really really good song. Way deep lyrics imho. I like it a lot.

"100 Years from Now"- I love the beginning with the accordian, but it's a bit over blown. Definitely something that could've been on Hunchback, which I think is overrated. Still, this is a decent tune. WAY better than the duet version which I couldn't get into at all.

"I don't believe in anything" is lyrically stupid. It sounds like some old person who's afraid of the internet. Just didn't do much for me lyrically. Musically, it's pretty cool and reminds me of Henley. One thing I have to say, and maybe you've said it before- The high voice on the chorus sounds a Helluva lot like JY. I know it ain't, but it sure sounds like him. It actually makes the song.

"I Believe In You" sounds like one of the lamer songs from Dennis' past solo albums. Not a good track for him at all.

"Rain" sounds like a Hunchback tune. Does nothing for me and is wrecked by the synth in the intro. Just sounds dated.

"There was a Time"- This would've been a good Styx slow song in the tradition of "Don't Let It End". The chorus has that JY-ish harmony there too. This is a good song. Good lyrics. Could've benefited from acoustic guitar. It's very "Don't Let It End" to me.

"Breathe Again"- Nice nod to Prelude 12 at the beginning of the song. Other than that, this song is just not very good. Too 70's AM for me. The synth solo doesn't do anything to help it either. Maybe he wanted it to be a time capsule. I can see that, but as a contemporary song, it's pretty short of the mark.

"Forgiveness"- This one's okay, but neither bad nor good. It just doesn't do much for me either way.

"Turn off CNN"- Though I get the sentiment, the chord progression is pretty standard and nothing that original. Good chorus though. It's pretty decent, though not have as good as "Private Jones" Too bad "Fox News" didn't have the same syllables.

It's a good album, but I don't think it has the appeal of Cyclorama. That album was much more accessible, focused, and the production was better. Still, 100 years's got some really high points on it and it's cool to hear Dennis be heavier than he was during most of his solo career.
I give the album a B. It's better than all of his other solo albums though except for maybe "10 on Broadway". Nice to hear Dennis step up a bit. Woulda been nice if he put together an electric booklet for the downloaders out there.

Also downloaded "When I Hear a Christmas Song"- It's okay, but the mp3 has pops and skips all the way through it. Really annoying.

Also downloaded "Can't Stop Rockin"- There's some good energy here, but the mix seems pretty watered down. Can't say I'm a fan of Kevin Cronin's voice. Blech. It's okay, nothing horrible, nothing totally great. The end guitar solo reminds me of the Wooden Nickel days.

Yeah, go ahead and beat me up now.

Actually a pretty positive review for a guy who has been consistently anti-Dennis and pro current Styx. Of course your bias shows when you say that Cyclorama was more focused than 100 Years...really? Focused? Billy Bob Thornton? Yes I Can? Together? Do Things My Way? Gensu De Ka? Stupid jokes at the end...? I don't think so!

Some of your comments on songs are valid, but you totally miss the boat with Rain - classic song with a classic sound. And no mention of This TIme Next Year? And you say 100 years has Hunchback all over it? I certianly don't hear that. I will be providing my own review in the next day or two.

[ItsMyLife]

This album is head and shoulders above Cyclorama.... that album really only sounds like a Styx album in a few places where this album feels far more like the Styx I loved and grew up with from start to finish. The best album from any member of Styx (past or present) since 1983.

I think we can put to rest any questions once and for all about who the heart and soul of the band was. Yes they were a classic case of the whole is greater than the sum of the parts, but Dennis was certainly the main ingredient.

[bugsymalone]

Good reviews, bad reviews -- everyone's personal take on the album -- I appreciate people posting and I like reading them. (OK...the good reviews! )

I also like to read which songs have an appeal to some people and are disliked by others.

What I do have a problem with is comparisons of a 6 year old group effort to a solo recording by someone who is not associated with the band anymore. One has nothing, as far as I am concerned, to do with the other. Comparing 100 Years to work Dennis did with Styx when he was a singing and writing member of Styx has validity. Comparisons of 100 Years to Cyclorama are simply pointless, IMO.


Bugsy

[brywool]

Got this from Itunes last night.

There are some brilliant songs on here. There are also some that fall short or are pretty corny.

Randomness...

"Private Jones"- Great song. Heavy with Dennis' patented political lyrics. Those types of lyrics are thankfully spread throughout the album.

"Crossing the Rubicon"- wow. This is a really really good song. Way deep lyrics imho. I like it a lot.

"100 Years from Now"- I love the beginning with the accordian, but it's a bit over blown. Definitely something that could've been on Hunchback, which I think is overrated. Still, this is a decent tune. WAY better than the duet version which I couldn't get into at all.

"I don't believe in anything" is lyrically stupid. It sounds like some old person who's afraid of the internet. Just didn't do much for me lyrically. Musically, it's pretty cool and reminds me of Henley. One thing I have to say, and maybe you've said it before- The high voice on the chorus sounds a Helluva lot like JY. I know it ain't, but it sure sounds like him. It actually makes the song.

"I Believe In You" sounds like one of the lamer songs from Dennis' past solo albums. Not a good track for him at all.

"Rain" sounds like a Hunchback tune. Does nothing for me and is wrecked by the synth in the intro. Just sounds dated.

"There was a Time"- This would've been a good Styx slow song in the tradition of "Don't Let It End". The chorus has that JY-ish harmony there too. This is a good song. Good lyrics. Could've benefited from acoustic guitar. It's very "Don't Let It End" to me.

"Breathe Again"- Nice nod to Prelude 12 at the beginning of the song. Other than that, this song is just not very good. Too 70's AM for me. The synth solo doesn't do anything to help it either. Maybe he wanted it to be a time capsule. I can see that, but as a contemporary song, it's pretty short of the mark.

"Forgiveness"- This one's okay, but neither bad nor good. It just doesn't do much for me either way.

"Turn off CNN"- Though I get the sentiment, the chord progression is pretty standard and nothing that original. Good chorus though. It's pretty decent, though not have as good as "Private Jones" Too bad "Fox News" didn't have the same syllables.

It's a good album, but I don't think it has the appeal of Cyclorama. That album was much more accessible, focused, and the production was better. Still, 100 years's got some really high points on it and it's cool to hear Dennis be heavier than he was during most of his solo career.
I give the album a B. It's better than all of his other solo albums though except for maybe "10 on Broadway". Nice to hear Dennis step up a bit. Woulda been nice if he put together an electric booklet for the downloaders out there.

Also downloaded "When I Hear a Christmas Song"- It's okay, but the mp3 has pops and skips all the way through it. Really annoying.

Also downloaded "Can't Stop Rockin"- There's some good energy here, but the mix seems pretty watered down. Can't say I'm a fan of Kevin Cronin's voice. Blech. It's okay, nothing horrible, nothing totally great. The end guitar solo reminds me of the Wooden Nickel days.

Yeah, go ahead and beat me up now.

Actually a pretty positive review for a guy who has been consistently anti-Dennis and pro current Styx. Of course your bias shows when you say that Cyclorama was more focused than 100 Years...really? Focused? Billy Bob Thornton? Yes I Can? Together? Do Things My Way? Gensu De Ka? Stupid jokes at the end...? I don't think so!

Some of your comments on songs are valid, but you totally miss the boat with Rain - classic song with a classic sound. And no mention of This TIme Next Year? And you say 100 years has Hunchback all over it? I certianly don't hear that. I will be providing my own review in the next day or two.

Geez, easy there Toph- Yeah, I do feel that Cyclo was a more accessible album and more focused with better songwriting. Regarding Billy Bob (who's really a major dick, huh?), Genki, etc.- I liken those to Aku Aku, The Message, or Wild Honey Pie and Can you Take me Back from The Beatles White Album. Those are not made to be hit songs or anything but what they are- small little pieces of atmosphere. Shaw did the same thing on his Zens album (though they weren't as interesting as the Styx ones). So they put a comedy bit at the end of their album, so what? The Beatles put "Her Majesty" on Abbey Road and the "inner groove" thing on Sgt. Pepper. They released "You Know My Name, Look Up the Number". Who cares? They're just fragments and it's not that big of a deal and they do nothing to detract from the overall vision of the album.

Also, I'm not anti-Dennis. I know it seems like it. I'm "anti Dennis recording First Time over and over again" like most of his solo albums. His solo work has been dismal and not very interesting. It's almost like he's tried to write for AM radio. DeYoung's an incredible singer, decent keyboard player and was once a brilliant songwriter. To me, through MOST of his solo career, he lost his way. BoomChild, Harry's Hands, and Desert Moon were the exceptions. Great tracks that should've been Styx songs. Everything else in his solo career is pretty boring and follows that cookie cutter "I Love You, The Sky is Blue" mold. There were exceptions (Black Wall, etc.) but they just didn't come off. Now, we come to 100 Years- There are more great Dennis songs in one place than there has been since EOTC. This is good news. There are, unfortunately some real dogs here too, but hey, my CD player has a skip button. "Breathe Again" is particularly embarrassing. It's even worse than "First Time". Dopey backup vocals, etc. But there are some great moments on the album.

This album does NOT sound like a Styx album to me. Private Jones maybe, but the rest mostly sounds like things from Hunchback. Regarding Rain- I think the keyboard lick wrecks the song. Sorry. It's intrusive and just dates the song and not in a good way. Dennis' strong point has always been his voice and in some cases, his lyrics. I like his keyboard playing too, but with this album, the Oberheim stuff, or how he used it, just sounds out of place.

I wouldn't expect the pro-Dennis folks to agree. I could care less.

[chowhall]

What I do have a problem with is comparisons of a 6 year old group effort to a solo recording by someone who is not associated with the band anymore. One has nothing, as far as I am concerned, to do with the other. Comparing 100 Years to work Dennis did with Styx when he was a singing and writing member of Styx has validity. Comparisons of 100 Years to Cyclorama are simply pointless, IMO.


Bugsy

I wouldn't go so far as to call it pointless. Dennis said in multiple interviews that this CD allowed him to write as if he was still in Styx. Many of these songs would have been on a Styx CD if he were still in the group. Since Tommy and JY have gone in a different direction and taken Styx on another path(I know Froy will add an inane comment) it's fair to compare their work to Dennis'. I haven't heard the CD yet so I have no opinion on it's worth or whether it's better or not.

[brywool]

Comparisons of 100 Years to Cyclorama are simply pointless, IMO.

Yeah, maybe so, but I knew it was going to happen, so why not?

[ItsMyLife]

Certainly, you're not comparing Cyclorama to any Beatles albums.

Cyclorama was certainly not a cohesive work and had at least one song that sounded more like Blink 182 than Styx.

[blt man]

What I do have a problem with is comparisons of a 6 year old group effort to a solo recording by someone who is not associated with the band anymore. One has nothing, as far as I am concerned, to do with the other. Comparing 100 Years to work Dennis did with Styx when he was a singing and writing member of Styx has validity. Comparisons of 100 Years to Cyclorama are simply pointless, IMO.


Bugsy

I wouldn't go so far as to call it pointless. Dennis said in multiple interviews that this CD allowed him to write as if he was still in Styx. Many of these songs would have been on a Styx CD if he were still in the group. Since Tommy and JY have gone in a different direction and taken Styx on another path(I know Froy will add an inane comment) it's fair to compare their work to Dennis'. I haven't heard the CD yet so I have no opinion on it's worth or whether it's better or not.

You can stream the whole album for free for a limited period of time to find out: http://music.aol.com/new-releases-full-cds/#/10

[yogi]

I ALWAYS thought that 'Wont Go Wasted' & 'Outside Looking In' off of the Boomchild CD were two of his best efforts.

Boomchild was a very good & underrated CD.

[froy]

What I do have a problem with is comparisons of a 6 year old group effort to a solo recording by someone who is not associated with the band anymore. One has nothing, as far as I am concerned, to do with the other. Comparing 100 Years to work Dennis did with Styx when he was a singing and writing member of Styx has validity. Comparisons of 100 Years to Cyclorama are simply pointless, IMO.


Bugsy

I wouldn't go so far as to call it pointless. Dennis said in multiple interviews that this CD allowed him to write as if he was still in Styx. Many of these songs would have been on a Styx CD if he were still in the group. Since Tommy and JY have gone in a different direction and taken Styx on another path(I know Froy will add an inane comment) it's fair to compare their work to Dennis'. I haven't heard the CD yet so I have no opinion on it's worth or whether it's better or not.

First off you can't compare the 2 simply because Glen wrote most of Rammit
Try to compare 12 solo JY songs to 12 Dennis solo songs
Can't do that either cause JY can't write music.
Try it with Tommy and you have to add Cronin all the time
Not worth trying,

[cittadeeno23]

The best songs on Cyclo are One with Everything, These are the Times and Waiting for our Time. I like Glen's songs too.
The best songs on 100 years are the Title cut, CNN, Rain, Rubicon, Private Jones and This Time Next Year.
Both albums are good, but if Dennis, JY and Tommy had worked on all of the above mentioned songs TOGETHER, (except for of course Glen's tunes) it would have made for one hell of a STYX album.

As it is, we get 2 pretty good SOLO albums. And Zero GREAT Styx Albums, as could have been the case in a perfect world.

[shaka]

Certainly, you're not comparing Cyclorama to any Beatles albums.

Cyclorama was certainly not a cohesive work and had at least one song that sounded more like Blink 182 than Styx.

I think you completely miss the point.

[The Styx Ninja]

Look, I haven't been alive long enough to know Styx as well as you guys, but this bickering and arguing is stupid. Comparing One Hundred Years From Now to Cyclorama is retarded. You CAN'T. Right now, Styx is the Styx of JY and TS, no matter what anyone says. Dennis DeYoung is himself. In this album he presents the things he thought he gave the band, and everything in Cyclorama is basically everything in Styx which was not DDY. Personally, I'm a Dennis Sympathizer (let that be known). Now, if you took the songs from One Hundred Years From Now, and the songs from Cyclorama... as cittadeeno23 said, it would be a HELL of a Styx album... but it's not there. The idea of comparing can't happen because both albums represent Styx at different sides, one on the hard rock and one on the strong power ballads. Now, sometimes, these sides might take things from each other, and it sounds amazing and, if anything, those should be compared. And those, I have no doubt, would tie. Yet, this happens, what, here and there?

Look, I love this album. Dennis has an amazing voice and is the ideal musical writer. To nit pick saying "Oh well this doesn't have this so it's not good!" is stupid.

Maybe, as Dennis says, the whole group may make that album once again, this time --- this time next year.

(Oh, doesn't the beat in This Time Next Year want you to move your hips left and right like a metronome? It's pretty cool.)

[Ehwmatt]

Got the American version off of iTunes. Private Jones = WOW. Awesome. Proves Dennis can rock balls to the wall without JY or Tommy. Great guitar all over that song and just great hard rock. There Was A Time is straight Dennis by the numbers, but not a bad tune. I like the re-mix on This Time Next Year as well, I reallly took a liking to that song after seeing it live, and I feel like this ballsier re-mix captures how that song felt live better.

Cyc and 100 are both stellar albums in my book... these guys really should put their heads together again and give us one or two more great albums. Although I gotta say, Dennis's guitar players oughta come in and session for leads if that ever happens - they rock.

[bugsymalone]

Got the American version off of iTunes. Private Jones = WOW. Awesome. Proves Dennis can rock balls to the wall without JY or Tommy. Great guitar all over that song and just great hard rock.

I totally agree. This song really surprised me with how hard it was. Great guitar work in it indeed.


Bugsy

[Hippie]

I was listening to 100 Years on Rhapsody. And the more I listen, the more I like it! So good to hear DDY go Rock again!

I'm not going to get into a song for song comparison between 100 Years and Cyclo. However, I will say that just as critics said Cyclo would've been stronger w/ DDY's input, I think 100 Years would have been stronger with Shaw's & Young's guitars and particularly their vocals.

I felt the same absence in both efforts.

[Mr JY Roboto]

Got this from Itunes last night.

There are some brilliant songs on here. There are also some that fall short or are pretty corny.

Randomness...

"Private Jones"- Great song. Heavy with Dennis' patented political lyrics. Those types of lyrics are thankfully spread throughout the album.

"Crossing the Rubicon"- wow. This is a really really good song. Way deep lyrics imho. I like it a lot.

"100 Years from Now"- I love the beginning with the accordian, but it's a bit over blown. Definitely something that could've been on Hunchback, which I think is overrated. Still, this is a decent tune. WAY better than the duet version which I couldn't get into at all.

"I don't believe in anything" is lyrically stupid. It sounds like some old person who's afraid of the internet. Just didn't do much for me lyrically. Musically, it's pretty cool and reminds me of Henley. One thing I have to say, and maybe you've said it before- The high voice on the chorus sounds a Helluva lot like JY. I know it ain't, but it sure sounds like him. It actually makes the song.

"I Believe In You" sounds like one of the lamer songs from Dennis' past solo albums. Not a good track for him at all.

"Rain" sounds like a Hunchback tune. Does nothing for me and is wrecked by the synth in the intro. Just sounds dated.

"There was a Time"- This would've been a good Styx slow song in the tradition of "Don't Let It End". The chorus has that JY-ish harmony there too. This is a good song. Good lyrics. Could've benefited from acoustic guitar. It's very "Don't Let It End" to me.

"Breathe Again"- Nice nod to Prelude 12 at the beginning of the song. Other than that, this song is just not very good. Too 70's AM for me. The synth solo doesn't do anything to help it either. Maybe he wanted it to be a time capsule. I can see that, but as a contemporary song, it's pretty short of the mark.

"Forgiveness"- This one's okay, but neither bad nor good. It just doesn't do much for me either way.

"Turn off CNN"- Though I get the sentiment, the chord progression is pretty standard and nothing that original. Good chorus though. It's pretty decent, though not have as good as "Private Jones" Too bad "Fox News" didn't have the same syllables.

It's a good album, but I don't think it has the appeal of Cyclorama. That album was much more accessible, focused, and the production was better. Still, 100 years's got some really high points on it and it's cool to hear Dennis be heavier than he was during most of his solo career.
I give the album a B. It's better than all of his other solo albums though except for maybe "10 on Broadway". Nice to hear Dennis step up a bit. Woulda been nice if he put together an electric booklet for the downloaders out there.

Also downloaded "When I Hear a Christmas Song"- It's okay, but the mp3 has pops and skips all the way through it. Really annoying.

Also downloaded "Can't Stop Rockin"- There's some good energy here, but the mix seems pretty watered down. Can't say I'm a fan of Kevin Cronin's voice. Blech. It's okay, nothing horrible, nothing totally great. The end guitar solo reminds me of the Wooden Nickel days.

Yeah, go ahead and beat me up now.

Actually a pretty positive review for a guy who has been consistently anti-Dennis and pro current Styx. Of course your bias shows when you say that Cyclorama was more focused than 100 Years...really? Focused? Billy Bob Thornton? Yes I Can? Together? Do Things My Way? Gensu De Ka? Stupid jokes at the end...? I don't think so!

Some of your comments on songs are valid, but you totally miss the boat with Rain - classic song with a classic sound. And no mention of This TIme Next Year? And you say 100 years has Hunchback all over it? I certianly don't hear that. I will be providing my own review in the next day or two.

And your views are not biased? Give me a friggin break. Both albums have strong songs and both have weak songs. Dennis by himself is not Styx and Styx without Dennis is not the Styx everyone seems to love the most. In my opinion, Rain is not a good song and Rubicon is just okay, not a great song though. To me, this album has no "great" songs. Cyclorama has one great song in One With Everything and nothing on 100 Years From Now comes close to that in my view.

[Bearded Clam]

Kiss Your ass Goodbye was the best song on that album. IMO

[yogi]

Best 6 off of Cyclorama:
6. Yes I Can
5. More Love For The Money
4. Killing The Thing That You Love
3. One With Everything
2. These Are The Times
1. Kiss Your Ass Goodbye

Excellent CD- I also liked Waiting For Our Time, Do Things My Way

[Toph]

Got this from Itunes last night.

There are some brilliant songs on here. There are also some that fall short or are pretty corny.

Randomness...

"Private Jones"- Great song. Heavy with Dennis' patented political lyrics. Those types of lyrics are thankfully spread throughout the album.

"Crossing the Rubicon"- wow. This is a really really good song. Way deep lyrics imho. I like it a lot.

"100 Years from Now"- I love the beginning with the accordian, but it's a bit over blown. Definitely something that could've been on Hunchback, which I think is overrated. Still, this is a decent tune. WAY better than the duet version which I couldn't get into at all.

"I don't believe in anything" is lyrically stupid. It sounds like some old person who's afraid of the internet. Just didn't do much for me lyrically. Musically, it's pretty cool and reminds me of Henley. One thing I have to say, and maybe you've said it before- The high voice on the chorus sounds a Helluva lot like JY. I know it ain't, but it sure sounds like him. It actually makes the song.

"I Believe In You" sounds like one of the lamer songs from Dennis' past solo albums. Not a good track for him at all.

"Rain" sounds like a Hunchback tune. Does nothing for me and is wrecked by the synth in the intro. Just sounds dated.

"There was a Time"- This would've been a good Styx slow song in the tradition of "Don't Let It End". The chorus has that JY-ish harmony there too. This is a good song. Good lyrics. Could've benefited from acoustic guitar. It's very "Don't Let It End" to me.

"Breathe Again"- Nice nod to Prelude 12 at the beginning of the song. Other than that, this song is just not very good. Too 70's AM for me. The synth solo doesn't do anything to help it either. Maybe he wanted it to be a time capsule. I can see that, but as a contemporary song, it's pretty short of the mark.

"Forgiveness"- This one's okay, but neither bad nor good. It just doesn't do much for me either way.

"Turn off CNN"- Though I get the sentiment, the chord progression is pretty standard and nothing that original. Good chorus though. It's pretty decent, though not have as good as "Private Jones" Too bad "Fox News" didn't have the same syllables.

It's a good album, but I don't think it has the appeal of Cyclorama. That album was much more accessible, focused, and the production was better. Still, 100 years's got some really high points on it and it's cool to hear Dennis be heavier than he was during most of his solo career.
I give the album a B. It's better than all of his other solo albums though except for maybe "10 on Broadway". Nice to hear Dennis step up a bit. Woulda been nice if he put together an electric booklet for the downloaders out there.

Also downloaded "When I Hear a Christmas Song"- It's okay, but the mp3 has pops and skips all the way through it. Really annoying.

Also downloaded "Can't Stop Rockin"- There's some good energy here, but the mix seems pretty watered down. Can't say I'm a fan of Kevin Cronin's voice. Blech. It's okay, nothing horrible, nothing totally great. The end guitar solo reminds me of the Wooden Nickel days.

Yeah, go ahead and beat me up now.

Actually a pretty positive review for a guy who has been consistently anti-Dennis and pro current Styx. Of course your bias shows when you say that Cyclorama was more focused than 100 Years...really? Focused? Billy Bob Thornton? Yes I Can? Together? Do Things My Way? Gensu De Ka? Stupid jokes at the end...? I don't think so!

Some of your comments on songs are valid, but you totally miss the boat with Rain - classic song with a classic sound. And no mention of This TIme Next Year? And you say 100 years has Hunchback all over it? I certianly don't hear that. I will be providing my own review in the next day or two.

And your views are not biased? Give me a friggin break. Both albums have strong songs and both have weak songs. Dennis by himself is not Styx and Styx without Dennis is not the Styx everyone seems to love the most. In my opinion, Rain is not a good song and Rubicon is just okay, not a great song though. To me, this album has no "great" songs. Cyclorama has one great song in One With Everything and nothing on 100 Years From Now comes close to that in my view.

To each their own said the lady as she kissed the cow's ass.....