First the Bad

[sadie65]

First the bad review:






Review: In leaving past behind, a revived Styx disappoints

09:42 PM CST on Sunday, January 9, 2005

By MARIO TARRADELL / The Dallas Morning News

FORT WORTH – It would be ridiculous to yearn for the same Styx of the band's '70s and '80s heyday, especially since today's Styx contains only two members from that million-selling era – vocalists and guitarists Tommy Shaw and James Young. Dennis DeYoung, whose high-pitched voice was a signature Styx sound, is gone.

Yet given the handicaps, Saturday night's Styx performance at Billy Bob's Texas should have been a fun trip down memory lane, even with a few tunes from Cyclorama, the band's serviceable if unremarkable studio album from 2003. The guys have a catalog of staples to play. Let the good times roll, right?

Wrong. For about 90 minutes the five Styx members padded their set with grandstanding, album cuts, not enough instantly recognizable songs, an interminable medley and a useless cover of the Beatles' "I Am The Walrus." The show felt long-winded, loud. The quintet wanted to prove they're hard rockers at the expense of the famed material.

Let's face it, whether you liked Mr. DeYoung's penchant for ballads or not, they were a hallmark of Styx.

From "Lady" to "Babe," "The Best of Times" to "Show Me The Way" the power ballads became a telltale part of the band. Styx began as a progressive rock ensemble, but it quickly tempered its noodlings with pop-rock hooks.

Plus, keyboardist Lawrence Gowan, who Saturday night sported a spinning electric piano, had Mr. DeYoung's pitch down pat. His "Lady" was right on. "Come Sail Away" and "The Grand Illusion" worked, too. The tunes still hold up in concert. Otherwise, Mr. Gowan was a showoff side man. He would've made a better impression by taking the lead mike more. Instead he kept wrapping his wiry body around the rotating keys.

Mr. Young was difficult to watch. He looks weathered and his flamboyant mannerisms are outdated. He sang "Snowblind," a who-cares cut from Paradise Theatre that proved a waste. Good thing Mr. Shaw slapped out a convincing rendition of "Too Much Time on My Hands," a hit from Theatre.

But Mr. Shaw was only so-so. He opened the gig with a rocking take on "Blue Collar Man (Long Nights)" from Pieces of Eight. Still, he seemed a reluctant front man. He's the name in Styx now, but didn't act like it.

It was funny, though, when he changed into a Damn Yankees T-shirt, the band he joined during his Styx hiatus. If only more of that humor permeated the performance.

E-mail mtarradell@dallasnews.com


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Online at: http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent ... a7611.html

[DarrenUK]

The reviewer thought Larry should of took the mic more often...

I take it the reviewer wasnt Bugsy then.

[bugsymalone]

Plus, keyboardist Lawrence Gowan, who Saturday night sported a spinning electric piano, had Mr. DeYoung's pitch down pat. His "Lady" was right on. "Come Sail Away" and "The Grand Illusion" worked, too. The tunes still hold up in concert. Otherwise, Mr. Gowan was a showoff side man. He would've made a better impression by taking the lead mike more. Instead he kept wrapping his wiry body around the rotating keys.

This reviewer seems to see very well. As to how well he hears.....that's another story.

Bugsy

[DarrenUK]

We had the same thought Bugsy...lol

[styxfanNH]

If nothing else, Everyone in the band understands there role. larry is not supposed to be "the" front man, just a front man at times. As is true for JY and Tommy.

When not singing, Larry's role is to put on his part of the show. It's time to get over the spinning keyboard thing. That's what he does to entertain. I vaguely remember a review of Dennis when the band reunited that said DDY acted robotic behind his keyboard rig and it was difficult to see him based on the setup. So do you want the burried in a cave set up or up front and visible keyboard player?

Would like a review of the show and not what you would like in a show.

[ek88]

I have to wonder what kind of a classic rock fan doesn't instantly recognize the six songs he listed in his review. Also sounds like he would've liked to hear a lot more Gowan renditions of DeYoung songs. Interesting take, at the very least

[gr8dane]

Froy must have been wetting his pants with delight reading this review.

[froy]

Froy must have been wetting his pants with delight reading this review.

I hear stuff like this about the current Styx all the time
You forget Im in Chicago here Styx is a joke
Can't even sell out a few nights at a 2000 seat theater
The review is correct I have been saying this for years,

I love this line

Otherwise, Mr. Gowan was a showoff side man

Or This

and a useless cover of the Beatles' "I Am The Walrus."

Where have you heard this before

[styxfanNH]

Apparently Froy wrote the review...

[froy]

Apparently Froy wrote the review...

Many thousands agree with Froy they just dont care about Styx anymore to say it ,

[classicstyxfan]

Gowan had DDY's pitch down flat ? After reading that, I realized this was no professional Music critic...........

well, maybe the Flat part was pertaining to the notes he hits vs the indended ones.......

It IS interesteing how different the reviews of what was apparently the same show were though.

[styxfanNH]

In all honesty, I know who Wendy is through another board (although not personally). She would never write a bad thing about Styx. But the points she makes are valid. Especially about the security.

[froy]

In all honesty, I know who Wendy is through another board (although not personally). She would never write a bad thing about Styx. But the points she makes are valid. Especially about the security.

Look at some of the people who posted comments under the review
Blasting Styx all over the place
She stopped letting the posts go through because they were getting Slammed.
Give Shaw and JY credit they just keep burning out the name till the bitter end, So many can't stand this band anymore as Dennis gets more and more popular,

[gr8dane]

Froy must have been wetting his pants with delight reading this review.

I hear stuff like this about the current Styx all the time
You forget Im in Chicago here Styx is a joke
Can't even sell out a few nights at a 2000 seat theater
The review is correct I have been saying this for years,

I love this line

Otherwise, Mr. Gowan was a showoff side man

Or This

and a useless cover of the Beatles' "I Am The Walrus."

Where have you heard this before

From you buddyboy,more than once.

But I am gonna repeat myself also.
I like seeing Styx with just a 1000 people or even less .Nice and cozy and no bad seat in the house.(or train station)
Again.I rather have the current Styx than no Styx.
Again.I would prefer the old Styx,but that ain't ahappenin'.
Again.Dennis is doin' his thing and Styx theirs.
And there is nothing we can do about it.

All the best , my friend.

[froy]

From you buddyboy,more than once.

Lets take a look

I like seeing Styx with just a 1000 people or even less .Nice and cozy and no bad seat in the house.(or train station)

I like seeing Styx with Dennis and 20 thousand other Die Hard Styx fans going crazy during the entire show, Nothing like hearing them all singing word for word.

Again.I rather have the current Styx than no Styx.

You assume that current Styx would be the only Styx and that is where you are dead wrong. Dennis has said many times he would be in right now, Only JY and Shaw make it current Styx or no Styx

Again.I would prefer the old Styx,but that ain't ahappenin'.

Never say never and never give up

Again.Dennis is doin' his thing and Styx theirs.

And the Styx name is being dragged through the mud
I DON "T LIKE IT>

And there is nothing we can do about it.

Oh yes there is just don't buy a plane ticket


All the best , my friend.[/quote]

Yep back at ya,

[styxfanNH]

Yup that's right ...slam Styx for playing in 2000 seat venues and praise DDY for playing to 500 on Valentines Day.

Email from DDY and Suzanne about Valentines Day Show.

"A very Special Valentines Night Performance at the Northern Lights Theater. This two tier intimate theater will be the spot for 500 lucky fans to watch DENNIS DEYOUNG WITH A ROCK SYMPHONY AND HIS 5 PIECE BAND PERFORM THE MUSIC OF STYX. It will be like watching the show in your living room with booth and table seating available."

[DarrenUK]

SUZANNE ALSO REMINDED POTENTIAL CONCERT GOERS....


DONT FORGET YOUR POPCORN

[gr8dane]

SUZANNE ALSO REMINDED POTENTIAL CONCERT GOERS....


DONT FORGET YOUR POPCORN

Or your chance to purchase products from Finesse.

[froy]

Yup that's right ...slam Styx for playing in 2000 seat venues and praise DDY for playing to 500 on Valentines Day.

Email from DDY and Suzanne about Valentines Day Show.

"A very Special Valentines Night Performance at the Northern Lights Theater. This two tier intimate theater will be the spot for 500 lucky fans to watch DENNIS DEYOUNG WITH A ROCK SYMPHONY AND HIS 5 PIECE BAND PERFORM THE MUSIC OF STYX. It will be like watching the show in your living room with booth and table seating available."

Slam Dennis for playing a small venue>
FYI there are more than 500 seats in this venue
He wants it to be small
He's not even selling all the seats in this place to make it small
Nice effort though

[SuiteMadameBlue]

gr8dane says:

Froy must have been wetting his pants with delight reading this review.

Thanks for the graphics - LOL

As for the Finesse tour, they give you free samples of their products I like that.

Like one of my posts under "venues". This Valentine's Show venue was picked on purpose. There are a ton of Dennis fans in the Milwaukee area. He's asked to come up here a LOT (not just by me-LOL). They wanted to make this show different and very special. His seats were very expensive and sold out before they even went on sale to the public. I'll take a very intimate show any day over any arena, stadium or any other type of venue. I have a booth seat, so we'll be very comfortable and enjoying the show. We'll have waitresses to take our orders so we'll be waiting on. Just like my living room when I'm waiting on, just kidding - LOL

[Adam]

styxfanNH: “Apparently Froy wrote the review..”

Adam: WRONG!

Froy: “The review is correct I have been saying this for years”

Adam: CAN YOU EVEN READ???? FOR CHRIST SAKE!!!!!!!!

The Dallas Morning News: “Lawrence Gowan…had Mr. DeYoung's pitch down pat…His ‘Lady’ was right on. ‘Come Sail Away’ and ‘The Grand Illusion’ worked, too…He would've made a better impression by taking the lead mike more.”

Adam: Froy agrees with this! He said so himself! And I quote: “The review is correct”

The Dallas Morning News: “‘Snowblind,’ a who-cares cut from Paradise Theatre…”

Adam: So, Froy considers this a so-so track. (“The review is correct”)

The Dallas Morning News: “It would be ridiculous to yearn for the same Styx of the band's '70s and '80s heyday”

Adam: Yet isn’t that EXACTLY what your entire point completely boils down to, Froy?

And as far as DeYoung’s playing 500 seat theatres…
Froy: “He wants it to be small
SuiteMadameBlue: “I'll take a very intimate show any day over any arena, stadium or any other type of venue.”

Give me a break. You damn Styx when they play a venue that holds anything under 5000 seats, as if it’s some kind of status symbol, and then proceed to defend DeYoung for playing a 500 seat hall.

Can you say “Prejudiced”? How about “Double-Standard”? How about “Hipocracy”? Can you say THAT?

[ek88]

Dennis gets more and more popular,

And, if he plays his cards right, he just might get voted prom king this year

[SuiteMadameBlue]

Hey, all I don't care who's playing, I'll still take a smaller venue than a bigger one.

I will make fun of any band that plays in a cornfield with the stalks still there - LOL

[Adam]

"I will make fun of any band that plays in a cornfield with the stalks still there"

Even Dennis...if he WANTED to?

[SuiteMadameBlue]

I would be so embarrassed if he did. If he did and he wanted to, I'd probably run and hide from this group - LOL

A cornfield still with stalks I just can't handle. I enjoyed watching bands at the zoo when people made fun of that, but tripping over stalks of corn I just can't handle.

Adam, are you having a bad day today?

[DarrenUK]

Adam you asked if Froy could spell Hipocracy ....he can but since the release of BNW he is convinced its spelt
HIPHOPHIPHOPCRACY
Dont try and tell him otherwise Froy knows best.

[LordofDaRing]

I'm going to dog pile on this subject if ever so lightly...I saw this version of the band a few months ago and was not impressed with Ricky Philips, despite his resume. I think they are at least in a live setting missing Glen Burtnik in a big time way. Glen's absence has caused this band (why I don't know) to put JY back into the forefront vocally. There are plenty of untapped TS tunes, and if the band continues to do DDY songs, let Gowan handle more of the load. By the way RP needs to allow Mrs Shaw a shot at those locks, the lady next to me kept referring to him as "cousin it" all night. Hey how bout that for a cover song on the new album..."they are creepy and there cooky, misterious and ookie, there all together spooky the adams family" Billy bob could do the finger snaps..."count it off son"!!

[DarrenUK]

If DDY could return they could be the Munsters...

JY as Hermann, Tommy as the little boy and DDY as the Vampire grandfather afraid to step in to the light

[ChicagoSTYX]

I live in Chicago and Froy is full of crap! I have not heard one person say that Styx is a joke. Froy is the joke!!!

[sadie65]

I live in Chicago and Froy is full of crap! I have not heard one person say that Styx is a joke. Froy is the joke!!!

Gotta tell you...I live here too, and they aren't thought of all that highly around here.

Now that's not to say they are thought of the way Froy speaks of, but no, they don't have the same love from the city they once did.

Peace,

Sadie