Show 76 - "Across The Styx"

[Rick and Roll]

Long derided by Prog Purists, secretly admired by rock and rollers, and generally miscast, Styx is an enigma wrapped in a riddle. On this show I'll show you the many faces of a great American prog rock band that hungered for success, laboring through lean years only to make it big and be thrown into the very commercial forefront they once chided.

Their timeline runs eerily close to Supertamp....

How's that for a soapbox post on the fly?

Album Code:

I = Styx I (1972)
II = Syx II (1973)
SIR = The Serpent Is Rising (1973)
MOM = Man of Miracles (1974)
E = Equinox (1975)
CB = Crystal Ball (1976)
GI = The Grand Illusion (1977)
POE = Pieces of Eight (1978)
C = Cornerstone (1979)
PT = Paradise Theater (1980)

Dennis DeYoung Set One

The Grand Illusion (GI)
The Grove of Eglantine (SIR )
Earl of Roseland (II)
A Song For Suzanne (MOM)
What Has Come Between Us (I)
Castle Walls (GI)
Christopher Mr. Christopher (MOM)
Clair de Lune/Ballerina (CB)

The songwriter who unfortunately brought you "Babe" and "Mr. Roboto" was a fine singer, keysman and songwriter. Here's a collection of some of his best, concentrating on mostly early material. "Eglantine" would fit on a Genesis record, and "Ballerina" incorporates Tommy Shaw and James Young into the flow of the song nicely. "Suzanne" is one of his finest compositions.

Tommy Shaw set

Tommy Shaw came on board for Crystal Ball, replacing John Curleweski. Completely opposite of his Chicago bandmates' style, the pairing worked wonders for the band's sound.

Sing For The Day (POE)
Love In The Midnight (C)
Fooling Yourself (The Angry Young Man) (GI)
Crystal Ball (CB)
Snowblind (PT)

This is a good cross-section of his work. Has his acoustic side and his aggressive side. James Young is an exciting guitar player, but Shaw holds his own. "Sing" has some stellar synthesizer work - that one could fit in easily on a Tull record. I included "Snowblind" becuase it is penned by Shaw but featues James Young prominently, connecting nicely into the next set.

James Young set

Intelligent and savvy, James Young (JY) is the last remaining original member. His searing guitar leads are unmistakable. He was the primary vocalist on the early records, but as the career went on, they gave him a song or two from each record, usually providing the punch. He actually did a so-so record with Jan Hammer (who didn't)?

You Need Love (II)
Put Me On (CB)
Jonas Psalter (SIR )
Eddie (C)
I'm Gonna Make You Feel It (II)
Young Man (SIR )
Man of Miracles (MOM)
Half-Penny Two Penny/A.D. 1958 (PT)

"Eddie" and "Penny" have vicious guitar riffs that stick with you. "Put Me On", while a goofy song lyrically, has the most blistering lead he's ever done.

John Curleweski set

The forgotten member, JC was in the band through Equinox. Although not a primary member, it's a given that once he left the prog dissipated from the Styx sound. Equinox may be the best Styx record, it's at least my favorite.

A Day (II)
The Serpent Is Rising (SIR )
Mother Dear (E)
Born For Adventure (E)

"Day" is the song that most people go, "whoa is that Styx"? Has a middle section to die for. "Mother Dear" is an interesting song. "Adventure" is a collective effort, but is indicative of his influence on the others' writing from that period.

Dennis DeYoung set two

Borrowed Time (C)
This Old Man (CB)
Best Thing (I)
Evil Eyes (MOM)
Lady (II)
Come Sail Away (GI)
Lonely Child (E)
Jennifer (CB)
Suite Madame Blue (E)
Queen of Spades (POE)

"Borrowed" has the funny line "Don't look now, here come the 80's"! A song about one of DeYoung's favorite themes, how the Man keeps us subservient and the shallowness of pop culture. "This Old Man" and is an emotional piece, "Evil Eyes" is good 70's prog. "Lady" and "Best thing" illustrate how 3-minute songs can be Progressive. "Jennifer" has incredible guitar work by James Young, and features the other favorite DeYoung theme, women. The lyrics were eye-opening for this 13-year old ("A child in her mother's arms, but a woman every night"). "Madame" is the best written song by Styx, a real powerhouse. And closing out the show is "Queen of Spades" my favorite Styx song.

So look both ways, stick your toe in the water, and dare to hum, sing or headbang to a great band... and forget for three hours about "Too Much Time On My Hands"