Customer Reviews

Icon: Styx

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This double disc compillation is not a must have for any and all STYX fans... but is a very nice overview of the classic A&M years for novice fans who are interested only in the hit songs from the halcyon days of the band, with the original version of LADY added on.

Not as encompassing as the two disc COME SAIL AWAY: THE STYX ANTHOLOGY (which is now sold as STYX GOLD), but more of a value ladened set than buying the 1995 and 1996 STYX Greatest Hits and Greatest Hits Part 2.

As mentioned the original WOODEN NICKLE version of LADY is here as well as the full length version of MAN IN THE WILDERNESS, which was first released on the ANTHOLOGY in 2003.

The sound quality of these two discs is excellent, with vibrant sound but never harsh. Very clear sounding but never attempting to mask over the flaws of the original recording technology - removing too much hiss can have a negative effect on vocals and certain instrumentation.

The liner notes include only authorship of songs. There is not any comments, commentary, factoids of other... just the required information for copyrighted material.

This is a great set for those who wish to play the hit songs in the car stereo system or for taking to parties, etc... without risking the loss or damage of an expensive release that would cause distress to the wallet or the psyche.

It is a shame that LOVE IS THE RITUAL is included (along with SHOW ME THE WAY) instead of ALL IN A DAY'S WORK or some of the best songs recorded after 1996. I, for one, beleive that the LADY '95 version is superior to the original... but I am biased.

Overall, a very good buy if you are in need of a greatest hits set from STYX... not necessary for die hard fans who already own everything in other releases.

Here we go again. More re-hash from Shaw Young. Because they're incapable of writing a decent song or producing a decent album without Dennis Deyoung (the leader of the band that they forced out). Since then, countless live albums, repackages, cover songs, even re-recordings of the same old songs. You know the line-up- Blue collar man, Renegade, Come Sail away, yada yada yada. I'll admit, it's a good collection, but so was Greatest Hits, Greatest Hits 2, Classics, The Best of Times, the Singles Collection, Gold, 20th Century Masters, etc. Not including the disgusting Yesterday & Today and Rockers. Including Live albums, songs like Come Sail Away and Renegade must be on at least a dozen different Styx albums by now. Get the picture? In the 14 (!) years since they booted Dennis they have released ONE album of orginal new songs (that stynx by the way).

Sadly, this is all they're capable of producing these days, but I already have these songs several times over.

As far as Band for the Buck is concerned, this 2 CD set of Styx songs from the A&M years is worth its price. It loads you up with 24 songs and gives it to you at a superb, budget price. It even brings back the original, top ten version of "Lady" from 1974, replacing the Tommy Shaw "Lady 95" from the greatest hits collection. It covers mainly the superstar years from "Equinox" to the Dennis DeYoung centric "End of The Century," with nothing after that album.

However, the packaging is minimal. The sole photo of the band is the back cover, from what looks like an alternate shot from "The Grand Illusion." The inner-sleeve is a listing of the songs and writing credits, production credits, but with no listing of dates or albums. I must add the the remastering sounds terrific and makes me wish for some deluxe versions of the original albums! If you don't already have "Styx: Gold" (2 discs and 35 songs) or the 1995 single disc Greatest Hits, this will suit you well. But this is likely best for the casual Styx fan.

Mike Jones has done it again, with this quality digitally assembled Styx reissue. The breadth and depth of equalization is without a doubt the best of any Styx reissue to date. Listen to the "bell" coming from the left channel on "Lady" and you will agree. And at a budget price to boot! ddj

There are a good number of tracks on this compilation. There are some strange choices though. For instance, why put some of their weakest songs like Sing for the Day, One with Everything on the cds? Also, the tracks chosen from their Wooden Nickel years are a bit odd, where is Witch Wolf (a radio favorite) or Southern Woman, 22 Years, Unfinished Song, Young Man, Quick is the Beat of My Heart etc?

Well, regardless, for the A & M years, i suggest the Best of tracklisting from my iPod as follows:

1. AD 1928 / Rockin' the Paradise 2. Snowblind 3. Nothing Ever Goes As Planned
4. Too Much Time On My Hands 5. Half-Penny, Two-Penny 6. Come Sail Away
7. All in a Day's Work 8. Eddie 9. The Best of Times 10. Renegade 11. Mr. Roboto 12. Boat on the River 13. Midnight Ride 14. Suite Madame Blue 15. Lights 16. Miss America 17. Babe 18. Crystal Ball 19. Love is the Ritual 20. AD 1958 21. Blue Collar Man 22. Music Time

And while I was at it, I also put together a further compilation built around the Kilroy Was Here story with the following tracks which works really well:

1. Mr. Roboto 2. Cold War 3. Double Life 4. High Time 5. Love in the Midnight
6. Into the Fire 7. Why Me 8. Just Get Through This Night 9. Show Me the Way
10. City of Holy Faith 11. Haven't We Been Here Before 12. Not Dead Yet
13. Still Feel Your Love 14. Girls with Guns 15. Don't Let It End
16. Man in the Wilderness 17. Heavy Metal Poisoning 18. Castle Walls
19. Little Girl World 20. Don't Let It End - reprise 21. Back to Chicago

Thank you very much for the quick service & quality product. I will be sure to shop with your company again in the future and recommend you to anyone !