Most Helpful Customer Reviews
|
|
5.0 out of 5 stars
One Of The Better Styx Compilations Available, September 22, 2007
This review is from: Classics (Audio CD)
This 15th volume in the multi-volume A&M Records 25th Anniversary series pulls together some of the classic offerings of the Chicago-based group named after the River Styx in Hades, as mentioned in Greek mythology. Initially the band consisted of vocalist/keyboardist Dennis DeYoung, who wrote most of their hits, lead guitarist John Curulewski, twin brothers John [drummer] and Chuck Panozzo [bass], and guitarist James Young.
After starting out as TW4, they changed their name to Styx and scored their first three hits for the small Wooden Nickle label, the first [Best Thing - # 82] coming in late 1972. A 1973 release, Lady, did not get off the ground, but when re-issued in late 1974 it took off, reaching # 6 early in 1975. Their last hit for Wooden Nickle came in mid-1975 when You Need Love topped out at # 88.
In 1976, however, they moved to the much larger A&M Records, the year in which Curulewski was replaced by Tommy Shaw [who would also write some of their material]. With that label they would rack up 17 more Billboard Pop Hot 100 hits to 1984, the year in which the band broke up with DeYoung and Shaw going solo [4 hits each], before reuniting in 1990 [with Glen Burtnick replacing Shaw who had hooked up with Damn Yankees]. In 1990/91 they added three more A&M hits.
In this compilation, which has excellent sound reproduction, you get nine of the biggest A&M hits registered from 1977 [Come Sail Away - # 8] to 1983 [Don't Let It End - # 6]. This includes their only # 1, Babe, which reached that pinnacle in December 1979, as well as # 9 on the Adult Contemporary (AC) charts. You also get Light Up, the uncharted flipside of Mademoiselle [# 36 in December 1976] - but not the hit itself.
It's a matter of opinion, but I would not consider that, nor tracks 4, 11, 12, and 16, as "classics" by the group, which could have been left out in favour of their first A&M hit, Lorelei [# 27 in early 1976], along with Mademoiselle, Why Me [# 26 in January 1980], Music Time [# 40 in 1984] and, perhaps, one from their reunion days, Show Me The Way [# 3 Hot 100 and AC in January 1991].
The three pages of liner notes written by Bob Garcia are informative, but there is no discography of the contents. One member, John Panozzo, passed away at age 47 on July 16, 1996.
All in all, not a bad collection of their material. The only problem is, you can't find it here by searching under Styx - something Amazon may wish to correct to help boost sales.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you?
 
|
|
|
|
|
|
7 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
One of the greatest Stage and popular rock bands ever., May 2, 2004
This review is from: Classics (Audio CD)
Styx were the masters of starting with a ballad that built into a solid rock song. I don't remember anyone doing it better. For sheer power, Blue Collar Man, Come Sail Away and Miss America were great. Miss America came at a time when the country was torn by the Vietnam War, and this song salutes America. I am not sure the hate America first crowd never forgave them. Styx produced a lot of wonderful, feel good music. Depravity and anger drove many of the bands that critics liked better. Styx was and is family friendly. This CD is best purchased along with Styx Greatest Hits Part 2 to get all their best songs. This band still holds the record in rock for consecutive number 1 albums, yet the critics at VH1 and their 500 experts could not find room in their top 100 for Styx, Boston, Heart, Kansas or Journey. They went with mostly British bands, many that I never heard of. The band members never seemed to go Hollywood and mostly continued to live in Chicago between tours.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you?
|
|
|
|
|
|
3 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Awesome Album, September 9, 2006
This review is from: Classics (Audio CD)
A spectacular collection of great songs by Styx (the greatest band of all-time). I feel there are a few songs missing like Lady, Lorelei, and it's pre-Edge Of The Century so there is no Show Me The Way. But that is the case with all greatest hits albums. This is a great album but you should really get their greatest hits 1 & 2.
Anyway here is my review:
1. Babe (20/10) The best love song of all-time. Dedicated to Dennis DeYoung's wife Suzanne. Off of Cornerstone.
2. Blue Collar Man (Long Nights) (35/10) My favorite song and their best song. Features every instrument espececially John Panozzo's drums. And the vocals and guitar solo by Tommy Shaw is so good. Gets you pumped to go out and work hard. Off the album Pieces Of Eight
3. Come Sail Away (30/10) Enough Said. Off The Grand Illusion
4. Crystal Ball (22/10) First Hit with Shaw singing. Off of Crystal Ball.
5. Fooling Yourself (The Angry Young Man) (26/10) A nice song the keyboard work by DeYoung is spectacular. Tells you to get over problems and move on. Off of The Grand Illusion.
6. Light Up (15/10) Some great keyboard work and very good drum work. Off of Equinox.
7. Mr. Roboto (17/10) Kinda off-beat very thought provoking song. Off the album Kilroy Was Here.
8. Renegade (30/10) Has the greatest guitar solo of all-time (done by JY). Drum work is excellent all about an outlaw who finally got caught and is telling his story to his mom. Off the album Pieces Of Eight.
9. Best Of Times (24/10) Classic. Good guitar solo. Lyrics and vocals are awesome. Off the album Paradise Theatre.
10. Don't Let It End (25/10) The lyrics here are unbelievable and a good guitar solo. Off of Kilroy Was Here.
11. Grand Illusion (22/10) Dennis DeYoung's classic warning on the influence of the media. Two great guitar solo's and the drum work is awesome. Off of The Grand Illusion.
12. Suite Madame Blue (19/10) A great hard rocker. Guitar work is good. The keyboard solo is breathtaking. Bass is good. And the drum work is great. Off of Equinox
13. Too Much Time On My Hands (21/10) A classic pop rocker. A really nice catchy tune. A great guitar solo too. Off of Paradise Theatre.
14. Miss America (23/10) The classic growling rocker done and sung by JY. The guitar work is excellent. Dennis' keys are great and of course John keeps goin strong on the drums. Off of The Grand Illusion.
Well There you have it my review. This is a great album a great one to finish off your collection.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
~ REO Speedwagon
~ Journey
~ Air Supply
~ Styx
~ Stevie Ray Vaughan
is one of Styx's 45 releases. Browse Styx's Discography 
