Customer Reviews

Styx II

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I grew up listening to Styx in the eighties(i'm only 22)I was familiar with the Shaw-era of the band. My brother-in-law found this on vinyl and gave it to me. This is an awesome album. "You Need Love" and "Lady" are the songs that most people seem to relate to. But"A Day" is a powerful and beautiful song. And "Father O.S.A."shows DeYoung at his best. His songwriting has always ben an inspiration, and this song just blows me away. And John's drumming is so powerful that you can't help but air drum to it. I like Tommy Shaw, but i think this was the most true era of the band. I was gonna go see Styx on the "Brave New World" Tour, but decided not to go, because of DeYoung's absence. I hope, as I'm sure all Styx fans do,that he returns. If not, Styx needs to quit.

I have been trying to rebuild my music collection over the last 14 years, and keep trying to remember things I had in a different format. I first owned this as an 8-track and remember purchasing it and Queen II about the same time. I had put off getting this on CD as I don't remember liking it all that well. Shows how my memory has faded over the years. "Lady" is what drew me to this in the first place, but turned out not to be my favorite song. In fact, "A Day", "Father O.S.A" and "I'm Gonna Make You Feel It" are my personal favorites. Even "Earl of Roseland", which is a little wierd, and begins a road Dennis DeYoung kept going down in later work sounds good here. Granted this is pre-Tommy Shaw, but it has a lot ballzier feeling than the more commercial stuff that came later. Yes, I have those also, but this will be in my CD player for the next couple weeks as I think back and remember when. Listening to this and the music I grew up with makes me sad for the kids that have to choose from the...that is coming out today. No originality and it all sounds the same. I'm sure I'm prejudice, and my Dad said the same thing about my music, but this one is a keeper and was well worth the bucks. Of the 50 CD's I've purchased this year, this one and Rare Earth's 20th Century Masters were by far the best two that are now back in my collection.

Originally released in 1973, as ' Styx II ' was the band's second effort. Remember,guitarist/vocalist Tommy Shaw had not joined the band as of yet. This considered by most fans to be decent '70's album rock. Tunes I was semi-impressed with were "You Need Love",their first top ten hit single "Lady","Father Of O.S.A." and "I'm Gonna Make You Feel It". Ironically,all four of those cuts were penned by Dennis DeYoung.Wanted to mention something here,I don't care WHO says that "Lady" was one of the wimpiest,lamest or worse power ballads ever written. Personally,I've ALWAYS liked this tune.

While this definitely is not the ideal Styx album, it does deserve some merit and it's really about the only place you can find the group's first top ten single "Lady".
Let me start by saying, I'm really in the dark as to why John Curlewski was kept in the background so much, he had a good voice, better than J.Y.'s(sorry), most of his songs seem to be crafted a little better than the other guys, and he managed to incorporate a certain amount of humor into his material.. Don't get me wrong, I think Tommy was a great addition to the group, but it's too bad they had to lose John and that they didn't really use him all that much when they had him..Ahh, what could have been..
My favorite track would probably have to be the John Curlewski penned "You Better Ask", it doesn't seem like many other reviewers share my appreciation for the song, but it's catchy, and pretty funny too; who knows, it might have made a good single..
Next in line would have to be the classic "Lady", the DeYoung song that finally gave the band a breakthrough(nearly two years after this album's release); the drumming near the end is classic, and no other drummer, except for Mr. John Panozzo has ever gotten it exactly right; "Earl Of Roseland" has some great, classic rock music, set to some DeYoung lyrics on the verge of sentimentality; and finally, Curlewski hits it again with "A Day", a song that has always reminded me a bit of Pink Floyd..
Unfortunately though, other than these four songs, I don't find this album to really feature anything else too worthwhile.. I just don't think that "I'm Gonna Make You Feel It" is a good song, and while "You Need Love" has a somewhat catchy chorus, I feel it misses the mark as well..
When it comes to Styx, while being a pretty big fan, I'm really more partial to the Tommy years, but I find the earlier releases have their moments too.
Also, a word of advice.. if you are just now delving into the earlier releases of Styx(RCA, Wooden Nickel), and you consider yourself to be a somewhat big fan, it would probably be worth your while to attempt to find all four of the albums, rather than going with the best of compilation that RCA put out in the early '80s. For one thing, the sound quality is fairly poor, and it just misses on too many of the better songs from this period..

Styx started in Chicago, and actually had used the name TW4 from 1964-1972. At that time the Panozzo brothers Dennis Deyoung and John Curulewski added a guitar player (James Young). Since there were more than four members TW4 needed a name change and chose Styx. This line up produced 4 albums for Wooden Nickle records, and The album Equinox for A&M. At that point John Curulewski quit and was replaced by Tommy Shaw. It may be noted that Styx had established its sound and platinum status before Tommy Shaw's arrival. It may also be noted that none of the original TW4 lineup is now a member of Styx and neither is the man who created the fomula with his song Lady. That song can be found on Styx 2 which was released in 1973. That song set the groundwork when it hit big for the sound Styx would stick to in the future. Styx without Dennis Deyoung is like Wings without Paul MCcartney. No knock on Tommy Shaw or Denny Laine.

I love this album. I first heard it in 1974 when my roommate put it on. Until that time I never heard of Styx. He put on Lady and was drilling me about whether or not it was a guy or girl singing it. I thoroughly enjoyed the song and had to listen to the whole thing. I went out and bought it immediately and whatever other Styx album was out at the time. Ever since then I've been a Styx fan. Since I love classical music, Little Fugue in G really caught my attention. I love the way it runs into Father OSA. The whole album is supurb and I would suggest it for any true, blue Styx fan. A definate must!!!!

This CD got the best reviews for "Lday". However, upon listening to "Styx II" you can see the talent JC possessed on tracks like "A Day". This track is very jazz influenced and show cases the Panozzo Brothers' craftsmanship on bass and drums. "You Need Love" is a kick butt opening song. Styx II does have weak moments, but only when compared to the "prime 70's" stuff. Styx II is a must have for any fan or art rock.

I think the reason i dont like Tommy Shaw that much. See, he replaced John Curulewski the original guitarist with James Young. Tommy Shaw seems so arrogant. Aside from that, it was the first Styx release i ever heard. On my fathers old 8-track. This was one of my favorite 8-tracks to listen to.

Even though there are only 8 songs. Quality over Quantity.

You Need Love: One of the singles. One of the heaviest songs on the album. Some KILLER lead guitar work on this song!

Lady: The original version that you hear on the radio. Not that remake they did for the greatest hits album.

A Day: Actually this seems like it is 2 songs. The ballad, which takes about 5 minutes of the song. and the rocking instrumental solo part which takes up about 3:20 in the middle of the song. I have this on a very rare 45 white label promo. (I actually own 2 copies) Apparently it was considered for single release. The song is split into the 2 parts (soft and inst. heavy)
I always thought that women were singing this one. As if maybe someone in the band lost a bet and their wives got to record a song.

You Better Ask: also released as the flip to you need love. I always like songs when the drummer does a good cowbell beat.
I also (if you have read other reviews you will know) LOVE lyrics. This one has another of my faves:

"You know what you gotta do
Theres no one else to blame but you
Nobodys gonna tell you so next time you just had better ask"

Little Fugue In G/Father OSA: The first part is just over a minute long and sounds like a church hymn on the organ. (or horror music) It segues into a WONDERFUL rocker called Father OSA. What OSA means is anyones guess. However, the last 2-3 minutes has some classic Styx Instrumental action. Frenetic drumming by the dear departed John Panozzo. Plus some dual guitarwork that would have made the Allman Brothers jealous.

Earl Of Roseland: Another great rocker. More great guitars and drumming. (makes me wonder why Curulewski left, they had some great promise)

I'm gonna make you feel it: The third single. Sounds like a trademark Styx song from the later periods.


This CD is essential listening if you are a classic rock fan and ESPECIALLY if you are a Styx fan. This cd is JUST as essential as Rubber Soul, A Night At The Opera, Abbey Road, The Wall Etc....

PS, yes, little fugue in G has about 1/2 a second chopped off of the first note. It doesnt sound bad but if you want that 1/2 second. Spend over $10 more for the import. TRUST ME, as a fan of this album, it doesnt make THAT much of a difference. The only other complaint is a little tape hiss in the quiet parts. Otherwise it is perfect

This is a fine CD. Yes Mr. Austin Texas, this is a band I grew up with in junior high when they were TW4 in Chicago. They were and are one heck of a Rock band. Mr. Deyoung taught music in 69 and 70 in my south Chicago suburban school. His passion for Bach as well as Rock was a site to see and appreciate. So relax, listen and enjoy!

I also grew up in Chicago, a couple neighborhoods from Roseland where the band basically grew up. I can remember going to see Styx at St. Xavier College in Evergreen Park in the early '70s. It only cost me $0.50 then. I can still remember the Dex Card promos on WLS radio. I still live in the western suburbs - a couple towns away from JY.

If you skip ahead to "Brave New World", most people are all excited about DD, JY and Tommy Shaw getting back together. But I'll always remember the Panozzo brothers and the forgotten Styx member - John Curulewski (JC) who died many years ago after leaving the band (after the Equinox release).

While Styx II may not be their best work, the overall attraction to Styx was JY's blazing guitar work and DD's "music for the common man" theme. Styx in general and DD in particular always stressed that "Hey, young folks - we are the next generation. Stop trying to screw the system and start standing on your own two feet and pull your weight." This theme reached a zenith in what I consider to be their best song - Suite Madame Blue. It also came through very strongly in "Paradise Theatre" and the "we're just average schmoes working for a living - not rock stars" attitude in "The Grand Illusion".

Say what you want about Styx, but I feel their music and their message meant a lot to this area. Say "Chicago's own" to anyone who grew up in the '60s and '70s in Chicago and they'll immediately respond "STYX"!!!