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27 of 33 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A departure from the norm, but very well done, October 16, 2004
First, understand that I wasn't around in the beginning, so I don't know Styx from their Wooden Nickel days. I was still in diapers, so sue me. I came in when Styx was reaching the height of poularity with Pieces of Eight, Paradise Theatre, Grand Illusion, Crystal Ball, et al. So when someone mentions the band Styx to me, that's what jumps to mind.
Now, I'm guessing the detractors of this album were around from the beginning, because I really don't see how Kilroy was that big a departure for Styx. Yes, it was experimental, but lighter? As if to say "Just Get Through This Night" is lighter than "Man in the Wilderness?" Or "Haven't We Been Here Before" is lighter than "Suite Madame Blue?" Please. This *is* Styx!
And while I like Styx' racier stuff (I'm the only one I know that loves "Half-Penny Two-Penny") most of the tracks on Kilroy are very well arranged and performed. I say most, because "Heavy Metal Poisoning" does suffer far too much from the "goofiness factor" another reviewer mentions. It reminds me too much of a cross between hard rock and showtunes, which is *not* a good thing. They definitely would have been better off keeping that track serious. And frankly, I think Styx' live version of "Don't Let It End" is far superior than the album version. As for the rest:
<li>Mr. Roboto: Synth heavy, not unpleasant, thought provoking lyrics
<li>Cold War: Catchy rhythym; almost rap-like
<li>High Time: Best adrenaline song on the album
<li>Just Get Through...: Quite possibly the best song on the album; very mellow and heartfelt. Tommy pours his soul out on this one.
<li>Double Life: My personal fave from this album; nothing complex about it, but best harmonies on the album. "Masquerade...you know we all live a masquerade..."
<li>Haven't We Been...: Starts slow and soft but builds quickly into a powerful ballad purely on the strength of Tommy. If you are a Tommy Shaw fan, do not miss this one.
<li> Don't Let It End (reprise): A reprise with homage paid to the bands that came before. A nice salute but nothing earth-shattering.
I agree with the other reviewers that new listeners to Styx should not start with this album; start with Grand Illusion and Paradise Theatre at the minimum, then make your way to Kilroy. Different, oft times eclectic, but whole-heartedly Styx.
-DDH
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12 of 14 people found the following review helpful:
1.0 out of 5 stars
A really hilarious cornball classic., May 29, 1999
By A Customer
Yeah I gave this album one star and delared it a classic anyway. It's one of those so bad it's good type things. I was in 5th grade when this thing came out, and "Mr. Roboto" seemed like the coolest song I ever heard. Then again, I thought "Pac Man Fever" by Buckner and Garcia was really hot too. Anyway, this is one of those albums that will bring back all those childhood memories if you're my age. So why one star then? Well just listen to the words, man...they're atrocious! The concept of Rock and Roll being banned by "moral majorities" was nothing new...Bowie tinkered with the idea years before and with much more finesse. "Heavy Metal Poisoning" is something straight out of Spinal Tap. "High Time" is equally ooky with lines like "We're gonna start a rockin' nation!" Hell yeah! If I want anyone to save rock and roll, it's gotta be Styx, baby! Still, the music *is* perversely catchy. There's hooks galore, and lots of way cool cheesy synth lines. James Young goes over the top in melodrama as always, and Dennis DeYoung still pretends to be a singer. Oh well, you can't win em all. Concept albums usually fall prey to their own ridiculous excesses, anyway. This one's no exception. At the time this poop was popular, I had a few friends who really hated Styx, and I just couldn't understand it. This stuff was rock and roll! Paradise Theater was really cool too! Why couldn't my moronic friends see that? Eventually my tastes escaped early 80s schlock and I too found that Styx was nothing but doo doo. But maybe you're like me and every now and then like a little cheese. Buy this immediately. It's one album every music lover with a perverse bent for the ridiculous should have, if only for the idiotic backwards messages contained within. Rock on!
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Blast from 80's past, March 23, 2007
I was really happy to find this on CD. I had the album and enjoyed it regardless of what the "Critics" said.
Now if only the short film that was made could be released on Itunes or DVD.
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