Too Much Time On Our Hands: A STYX Tribute Album

Various Artists - Alternative - Pop/Rock | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (June 3, 2003)
• Original Release Date: June 3, 2003
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Salt Lady
• ASIN: B00009EBUR
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #288,484 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #46 in Music > Indie Music > Alternative Rock > Alternative Pop

Track Listings

1. Renegade (Echelon)

2. Lady (Alva Star)

3. Blue Collar Man (Tom Freund)

4. The Grand Illusion (Lost and Found)

5. Boat on the River (Jeff Krebs)

6. Don’t Let It End (Beki Hemingway)

7. Too Much Time On My Hands (Dag Juhlin)

8. Babe (Jim Roll & The Famous Authors)

9. Man in the Wilderness (Jerry Chapman & His Evil Herbivores)

10. Come Sail Away (Jonathan Rundman)

11. Lights (Bill Dankert & The Real Austinaires)

12. Queen of Spades (Jonathan & Bruce Rundman with The Rostenkowskis)

13. The Grand Finale (Heart Beats Red)

Editorial Reviews

Glen Burtnik, bass player for STYX, May 31, 2003

I dig the record. Tommy agreed with me there are some cool takes on it. I thought it's refreshing.

Product Description

Singer/songwriter Jonathan Rundman spent his elementary school days listening to albums by FM radio arena-rockers STYX. As a 25-year-old in the late-‘90s, Rundman moved to Chicago, STYX’s hometown, and began a career as a full-time traveling musician. While playing club gigs in Chicago, Rundman met Thomas Dunning, host of the infamous "Hoot Night" show at Schuba’s Tavern. Dunning had recently released I Wanna Be Kate: The Songs of Kate Bush, a tribute album on his own independent label featuring contributions from Midwestern bands. Dunning’s Kate Bush Tribute CD provided a catalyst and inspired Rundman’s plans for a STYX Tribute project.

Little did Rundman know that executive producing a compilation album with submissions from various bands across the country would take nearly two years to complete. Back in the Summer of 2001 initial invitations went out to artists that Rundman thought might be interested. After getting shot down by some big-time acts like Alison Krauss, Rundman got interest from numerous indie rock and alt-country bands who had been closeted STYX fans since the 1970s. As song submissions arrived Rundman was amazed at the way the musical arrangements had evolved beyond the original STYX album versions. Throughout 2002 Rundman collected STYX cover-songs from some of his favorite musicians from across the American rock & roll landscape

Finally in the Spring of 2003 the album’s songs were assembled and mastered. The CD artwork was created by painter/designer Kelly Newcomer, who brought her "peaceful technology" themes to the project. Now in the Summer of 2003 TOO MUCH TIME ON OUR HANDS: A STYX TRIBUTE ALBUM is finally ready for release. Coincidentally, the band STYX is simultaneously launching a national tour (with Journey) in support of a new studio album.

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars More interesting than exciting, September 9, 2003

By 

Christopher Proper (Hector, NY United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Too Much Time On Our Hands: A STYX Tribute Album (Audio CD)

If you do a cover of a well known song you must change it enough to distinguish your recording yet leave it recognisable. The versions on this album are distinct enough to be worth the effort but they lack the grandeur that makes the originals great. Gone is the extraordinary showmanship Dennis DeYoung brought to his vocals. Gone is the agony of JYs screaming guitar. In their place is a more respectable laid-back and folkish sound. These are good songs performed well but they don't inspire the way classics do.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Interesting Look @ Styx and indie artitsts, June 23, 2004

By 

Andrew Deitrich (Chicago, IL USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Too Much Time On Our Hands: A STYX Tribute Album (Audio CD)

This album makes an interesting study for any Styx fan, or a fan of any of the artists that contributed. Unique in its approach, Too Much Time On Our Hands emphasizes the vision of each artist's interpretation of the track to which they contributed. In that way, fans who know each artist's style will easiliy recognise their sound. Like any compilation or mix tape, there are highs and lows for every listener. Favorite moments: Lost and Found's freakish grade school recorder Grand Illusion, a heavy Man In the Wilderness by Jerry Chapman and His Evil Herbivores, and the album's cover design.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A new take on the old songs..., October 7, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Too Much Time On Our Hands: A STYX Tribute Album (Audio CD)

How could one not love Styx? Yeah, they're bombastic and their 70's and 80's hits sound a bit dated now, but Styx always crafted melodic rock that stuck with you.
Here's a fine and fun set of Styx songs done in decidedly unStyx ways. And it's a bit of a revelation.
My favorite tracks include Alva Star's lovely rendition of "Lady" (ditto for Jeff Krebs' version of "Boat on the River"), the bizzare take of "Babe" by Jim Roll and the Famous Authors, the emotional Beki Hemingway track, and the punk-indie "Grand Finale" by Hearts Beat Red.
Overall, it's a must for Styx fans...