STYX - The Grand Illusion (1977)
Prog Related-USA“STYX is one of those bands that are always mentioned with some fear and shame by the progressive fan because they always played in the border that divides progressive rock from plain POP, I believe the best way to describe them is as Prog Related (understanding this description as the simplest and more commercial form of Progressive Rock) blended with AOR, somehow in the same vein as JOURNEY or BOSTON but a bit more complex.
Officially born in 1972 from the ashes of “The TRADEWINS” and “Tͪ” was formed by the Panozzo twins (Chuck on bass and John on drums), Dennis de Young (vocals and keyboards), James Young (guitar, vocals) and John Curulewski (guitar, vocals). In the first years they were closer to progressive rock than ever, from 1972 to 1974 the band released four albums, “Styx”, “Styx II”, “The Serpent is Rising” and “Man of Miracles”, even though they were popular in Chicago, still the band couldn’t reach commercial success. As a curiosity, in their first album they recorded “Movement for a Common Man” based in Aaron Copland’s Fanfare for the Common Man, almost five years before ELP. In 1975 they release their more commercially consistent album (at that point of course) “Equinox” which blended Rock & Roll, Pop and Progressive Rock in an efficient way, “Light Up”, “Lorelei” and “Suite Madam Blue” are the first songs in which the band achieve some financial success and show the sound they pretended to create.
1976 was a crucial year for “STYX”, John Curulewsky leaves the band and is replaced by Tommy Shaw who became the front man with his California boy image (Even when he was born in Montgomery Alabama) and lighter style, the band finally had the face capable of reaching the female public and massive acceptance. “Crystal Ball” was released in the same year with a moderate success, “Crystal Ball”, “Mademoiselle” and “Put me On” became favorites in their massive concerts, the band was reaching their commercial peak but started to abandon prog rock and turning into an ARENA band.At this point the story is well known, “The Grand Illusion” became a platinum album with major hits like “Fooling Yourself” and of course “Come Sail Away”, also their three next albums “Pieces of Eight″, “Cornerstone” and “Paradise Theater” reached commercial success with tracks that go from light prog’ to soft pop ballads. This era ends in 1983 with the infamous “Kilroy Was Here” a weak concept album, and which according to critics and fans reached their lowest musical point with the ultra commercial, repetitive and way bellow their standards track “Mr. Roboto″. Then came the Live album “Caught in the Act″ recorded before Tommy Shaw left the band, after that the tragedy hits the band, John Panozzo dies in 1996 and his brother Chuck contracted Aids, after a few albums the band joins again for another successful tour and the release of their album and video “Return to Paradise” featuring the excellent drummer Todd Sucherman.
The story turns more turbulent when Dennis de Young sues the rest of the band and settle in 2001. In the spring of 2003 they release “Cyclorama” with a different formation and only two members (James Young and Tommy Shaw) from the classic lineup.
review by Iván Melgar Morey, PERU
1. The Grand Illusion (4:36)
2. Fooling Yourself (The Angry Young Man) (5:29)
3. Superstars (3:59)
4. Come Sail Away (6:07)
5. Miss America (5:01)
6. Man in the Wilderness (5:49)
7. Castle Walls (6:00)
8. The Grand Finale (1:58)
Total Time: 38:59
Line-up/Musicians:
Line-up/Musicians:
- John Panozzo / drums, percussion, vocals
- Tommy Shaw / acoustic, electric and 12-string guitars, vocals
- Dennis Deyoung / keyboards, vocals, synthesizers
- James Young / guitars, vocals
Original post by Merlinus