Cornerstone

Styx | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 25, 1990)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: A&M
• ASIN: B000002GBU
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (45 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,606 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #43 in Music > Music Deals > 3 CDs for $25, Plus FREE Super Saver Shipping
  • #56 in Music > Rock > Progressive > Progressive Rock
  • #76 in Music > Classic Rock > Arena Rock

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

If Styx didn't do enough to endear itself to a generation of prom-goers with its 1975 slow-dance classic "Lady," they closed the deal a few years later with Cornerstone's premiere hit, "Babe." Perhaps the prototypical I-love-you-but-I-just-gotta-go power ballad, the song was Styx's first No. 1 hit, and it propelled the album to platinum-plus status. Led by that track as well as "Why Me," another Top 40 hit, Cornerstone is Styx at their most accessible and melodic. The album experiments with some new sounds as well, with horns added to the mix on Dennis DeYoung's "Borrowed Time" and "Why Me" and mandolin on Tommy Shaw's "Boat on the River." If their album sales didn't offer the final word on the band's popularity at the close of the '70s, a 1979 Gallup poll did the trick: The group was named America's most popular rock band. It's you babe, indeed. --Daniel Durchholz

Product Description

Japanese-only SHM-CD (Super High Material CD) paper sleeve pressing of this album. SHM-CDs can be played on any audio player and delivers unbelievably high-quality sound. You won't believe it's the same CD! Universal. 2009. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

40 of 40 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars 4 3/4 stars--still great music, October 14, 2001

By 

Brad (CT) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Cornerstone (Audio CD)

The criticism of this album is well-documented--too many DeYoung ballads, not enough guitar-based rock. While I agree that "The Grand Illusion" and "Pieces Of Eight" are better rock albums, this one stands right up there as a pop/rock masterpiece. "Babe" is of course incredibly overplayed but is still a standout ballad, as is "First Time". Besides these songs, there are no other "sappy ballads" here. 2 out of 9 tracks as ballads is not a bad ratio. "Boat On The River" is mellow but a uniquely enjoyable Tommy Shaw tune--and NOT a ballad. "Lights", "Why Me" (the follow-up single to "Babe") and "Never Say Never" are good mid-tempo rockers. "Eddie" flat out rocks, as does "Borrowed Time". The chorus of "Love In The Midnight" is an example of the best of Tommy and Dennis when they collaborate together. In a nutshell, this album stands up musically to other Styx efforts while not quite as rocking as its predecessors.

As a side note, I totally disagree with those who say that Styx was a talentless band. Each member was musically talented in their own right, and the sum of those parts always made for an interesting and constantly changing sound. Those who call this band "the worst of corporate rock" simply don't like this type of music and should just stick to reviewing their annoying "political" and "alternative" bands or whatever crap they as well as the supposed "music critics" like. After all, you won't find me reviewing something like a Sonic Youth album any time soon.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Solid STYX that shows some very bright stars, June 14, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Cornerstone (Audio CD)

The strength of Cornerstone is clearly the ballads. I can't hear "Babe" or "First Time" without envisioning a beautiful young memory in a tight sweater at a school dance. Even without the ballads, several things stand out about this album. First, "Borrowed Time" and "Why Me" demonstrate that STYX is still in touch with its roots. Second, "Lights" and "Never say Never" show a new and interesting feel to the group's style. Third, "Eddie" is a fabulous tail-twister for Senator Kennedy. Most of all, Tommy Shaw really showed why STYX brought him in with his unique and wonderful "Boat on the River". Overall, this is a very good album.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Rock Sound Drops Off, March 16, 2001

By 

Chess and Music (Dallas, TX USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Cornerstone (Audio CD)

After turning up the volume on Pieces of Eight throughtout 1978 and the first part of 1979, Cornerstone was a bit of a letdown. Lights by Tommy is fine. I generally skip to Borrowed Time, Eddie and Love in the Midnight though after that. I think I've had enough of Babe for all time, but it did hit #1 and win a Grammy, so somebody out there has to like it. Kind of a 2nd cousin to Billy Joel's Just the Way You Are. I read the official review and was wondering if Daniel Durchholz has even listened to Borrowed Time. With the exception of a cool synthesizer into, which sounds nothing like 'horns', it's all hard guitar and actually kickstarts the CD back to life. Oh wait, he just got his songs mixed up. First Time by Dennis has the horns. Never listen to that one either :)