PsychoSy
03-06-03, 04:57 AM
Figured I'd kick off a thread like this since we don't have a Music forum!! *cough* :angel:
This morning, I'm going to tackle Cyclorama , the latest CD by Styx since I can't get enough of it. This sucker hasn't left my CD player since I bought it!! :cool:
-----
The past 5 years has been harsh times for STYX. They've grieved over the death of a founding member, exiled another one over creative differences, and witnessed another member nearly pass away from complications with AIDS. Yet, like their vintage "Come Sail Away" anthem, they've carried on.
On February 18th, STYX released "Cyclorama" - their first studio recording without Dennis DeYoung, who was exiled from the band back in 2000 just after the release of their last studio offering "Brave New World". Gone also is founding member and bassist Chuck Panazzo, who only joins the band when his health permits. Joining STYX's veteran members James "JY" Young and Tommy Shaw are Glen Burtnik (who originally filled in for Shaw for 1990's "Edge Of The Century" album which carried the hit "Show Me The Way"), Candian classical pianist Lawrence Gowan (who had a hit in his own right in Canada during the 1980s with "A Criminal Mind"), and the vastly talented "Neil Peart" disciple Todd Sucherman on the drums rounding out the now permanent roster.
Can STYX survive without Dennis DeYoung? That is the question. The answer to that is an emphatic Hell, Yeah!! "Cyclorama" returns STYX to their heavy metal/prog rock roots of the 1970s that attracted fans in the first place and it rocks hard! From the first track to the last, the CD is jammed packed with their strongest and best studio recording they've done since 1980's "Paradise Theatre".
The opening track - "DO THINGS MY WAY" is a strong opener that's radio friendly. Has a sound somewhat akin to a Damn Yankees tune but a chorus that'll remind die-hard Styx fans of such vintage albums as "Equinox" or "Man Of Miracles". This is followed by their current single "WAITING FOR OUR TIME" - An accoustic pop rock style tune sporting a sound simular to something off of "Crystal Ball" but a powerful "Peices Of Eight" style harmonized rock chorus and deep Creed-like chords keeps up the pace.
From here, we're treated with FIELDS OF THE BRAVE. The first one with Larry Gowan on lead vocals, this beautiful ode to native Americans has a Beatles-esque start but then a sudden harmonized chorus explodes so loudly that you'd swear they brought in the surviving members of "Queen" to pull it off. A very impressive tune!!
This segways into "BOURGEOIS PIG". Styx brings on a special guest for this one - Billy Bob Thorton! Weighing in at a hefty 50 seconds in length, this is Styx showing their sense of humor...but it's a rocking 50 seconds!!
Afterwards, Glen Burtnik's "KISS YOUR ASS GOODBYE" comes right of left field. This has got to be the most out of whack Styx songs to date. Why? Because it's sounds like a cut from a Sum 41 or Blink 182 offering than anything you'd expect from Styx! Glen Burtnik's said a recent interview, "You know, I’ve got three kids around my house, well my youngest, my 11-year-old daughter, listens to a lot of young punk bands. So I’ve been hearing a lot of that stuff through the walls and through osmosis and I’ve really come to like a lot of these bands like Sum 41 and Blink 182. A lot of those bands, so that probably has somewhat influenced me." Influence would be an understatement, Glen!! :D
This brings us to "THESE ARE THE TIMES", a song that Dennis DeYoung originally rejected from "Brave New World" but is one of the many standout tunes on the entire CD, which isn't an easy feat for the deep baritone pipes of JY. Inspired by a combination of intercession on the behalf of drug users and the personal trauma "JY" experianced over the untimely loss of a sibling, this track is vintage STYX from start to finish. Starting off with a traditonal accoustic and keyboard lead in, it explodes into a sing-along rocker that'll have "Grand Illusion" nuts pumping their fists in the air and swirling their noggins!!
This is quickly followed by their second single candidate. Entitled "YES I CAN". One of the many songs Ted Nugent scrapped from the first mix of the forthcoming Damn Yankees album and ressurrected here, this is the only ballad on the entire disc. This sucker has HIT SINGLE written all over it. If this track gets the attention it damn well deserves, it'll sky rocket to the Top 20. Powered by Tommy's accoustic guitar and mandolin, touching lyrics, and harmonies from Gowan & Burtnik, it's an absolutely beautiful, heartwarming, touching tune. It reminds me of "All In A Days Work" from their "Edge Of The Century" CD but much, much, much better.
Next up is MORE LOVE FOR THE MONEY. Gowan strikes again with this tune that, like his predecessor, starts off in the same Beatles fashion but amazingly sounds like a "Grand Illusion" style Styx tune during the chorus. Gowan is 2 for 2 on "Cyclorama" and proves his adoption into the fold isn't a fluke nor a mistake. There couldn't be a better replacement for Dennis DeYoung than Gowan! Period. In fact, a passage of the lyrics can sum up how I feel at any given moment...
A circus flea from A to B,
I jump for my keeper,
In search of true enlightenment
For 10 percent cheaper!
The following track - TOGETHER - is a traditional pop-tune from Tommy Shaw that's pretty decent! This is backed up by PALM OF YOUR HAND - a 40 second reprize version of the classic "Fooling Yourself" but with Brian Wilson of the Beach Boys contributing with the background vocals. It's acapella for the most part and it's very good in it's own right! Nice twist on a vintage classic.
JY is unleashed again with CAPTAIN AMERICA - A blues style rocker that gets up and moves. Excellent grove to it and the harmonized chorus sounds like it was ripped from "Paradise Theatre". This one is right up there with such head-swirling monsters such as "Half-Penny Two Penny" and "Miss America".
Next up, KILLING THE THING THAT YOU LOVE - An amazing tune sung by Glen Burtnik, it was originally entitled "Lennon's Assassin". The lyrics are a scathing commentary about people who are so full of arrogance and pride that they end up husks of their former self. Some people have taken this song to be a condemnation against former member Dennis DeYoung but it's not true as Glen wrote this song back in 1994. Nonetheless, A powerful track!!
We're then graced with ONE WITH EVERYTHING - this one sports a classic Styx sound but borrows heavily from prog rock masters such as Yes, especially in the keyboard department. Todd Sucherman's drum work here marks him as the most talented drummer to appear in rock and roll since Neil Peart of Rush...and someday, Todd may even surpass him!!
Finally, "GENKI DESU KA" draws us to a close and STYX is known for these off the wall closers to their CDs. This one isn't any different. Sounds very hip-hop with excellent drum loops from Todd and great harmonies from special guests Jude Cole and John Waite. Despite weighing in at 6 minutes, the track itself is short and if you let it continue, you're treated with some hidden material. Loosely translated, "Genki Desu Ka" means, "Do you feel good/healthy?" and the expected response is "Genki Desu Ne". :D
Overall, "Cyclorama" is a long 20+ year redemption of STYX to the rocking band they once used to be early in their days. But it also is powerful enough to make them relevant today if only they get the attention and exposure they truly deserve. It's a CD that proves a truth that some might argue with or find very hard to accept - STYX can indeed survive without Dennis DeYoung. In fact, I'd go so far as to say that Dennis DeYoung has been holding this band back for many years.
This CD is a testament of a band that is totally unified and totally on the same page with each member and you can tell they are having a ball with it. There isn't one sign of clashing egos or anything. What we have here is an unexpected treasure. The energy and vigor explode, and their creativity as a whole unit make "Cyclorama" the most enjoyable Styx CD in a long time. Truth be told, I enjoyed "Cyclorama" more than I enjoyed "Arrival" by Journey, which is powerful in it's own right.
When compared against the last few releases sporting all new material (2000's Brave New World, 1990's Edge Of The Century, and 1983's Killroy Was Here), STYX's "Cyclorama" beats them all - hands down. There's not many CDs that you can pop in and play from start to finish without skipping songs, but "Cyclorama" is that one sole diamond in the rough.
A timeless classic in the making!
RATING = ***** (5 STARS)
----------
Third-Party Reviews
Out of 81 Customer Reviews, Amazon.Com gives "Cyclorama" an average of 4 out of 5 stars.
Rolling Stone Magazine hates it (which means it's good). :D
Review from 411 Mania!
http://www.411mania.com/music/reviews/article.php?reviews_id=663
Melodic Rock Review (rating 91%)!!
http://www.melodicrock.com/reviews/styx-cyclorama.p3
This morning, I'm going to tackle Cyclorama , the latest CD by Styx since I can't get enough of it. This sucker hasn't left my CD player since I bought it!! :cool:
-----
The past 5 years has been harsh times for STYX. They've grieved over the death of a founding member, exiled another one over creative differences, and witnessed another member nearly pass away from complications with AIDS. Yet, like their vintage "Come Sail Away" anthem, they've carried on.
On February 18th, STYX released "Cyclorama" - their first studio recording without Dennis DeYoung, who was exiled from the band back in 2000 just after the release of their last studio offering "Brave New World". Gone also is founding member and bassist Chuck Panazzo, who only joins the band when his health permits. Joining STYX's veteran members James "JY" Young and Tommy Shaw are Glen Burtnik (who originally filled in for Shaw for 1990's "Edge Of The Century" album which carried the hit "Show Me The Way"), Candian classical pianist Lawrence Gowan (who had a hit in his own right in Canada during the 1980s with "A Criminal Mind"), and the vastly talented "Neil Peart" disciple Todd Sucherman on the drums rounding out the now permanent roster.
Can STYX survive without Dennis DeYoung? That is the question. The answer to that is an emphatic Hell, Yeah!! "Cyclorama" returns STYX to their heavy metal/prog rock roots of the 1970s that attracted fans in the first place and it rocks hard! From the first track to the last, the CD is jammed packed with their strongest and best studio recording they've done since 1980's "Paradise Theatre".
The opening track - "DO THINGS MY WAY" is a strong opener that's radio friendly. Has a sound somewhat akin to a Damn Yankees tune but a chorus that'll remind die-hard Styx fans of such vintage albums as "Equinox" or "Man Of Miracles". This is followed by their current single "WAITING FOR OUR TIME" - An accoustic pop rock style tune sporting a sound simular to something off of "Crystal Ball" but a powerful "Peices Of Eight" style harmonized rock chorus and deep Creed-like chords keeps up the pace.
From here, we're treated with FIELDS OF THE BRAVE. The first one with Larry Gowan on lead vocals, this beautiful ode to native Americans has a Beatles-esque start but then a sudden harmonized chorus explodes so loudly that you'd swear they brought in the surviving members of "Queen" to pull it off. A very impressive tune!!
This segways into "BOURGEOIS PIG". Styx brings on a special guest for this one - Billy Bob Thorton! Weighing in at a hefty 50 seconds in length, this is Styx showing their sense of humor...but it's a rocking 50 seconds!!
Afterwards, Glen Burtnik's "KISS YOUR ASS GOODBYE" comes right of left field. This has got to be the most out of whack Styx songs to date. Why? Because it's sounds like a cut from a Sum 41 or Blink 182 offering than anything you'd expect from Styx! Glen Burtnik's said a recent interview, "You know, I’ve got three kids around my house, well my youngest, my 11-year-old daughter, listens to a lot of young punk bands. So I’ve been hearing a lot of that stuff through the walls and through osmosis and I’ve really come to like a lot of these bands like Sum 41 and Blink 182. A lot of those bands, so that probably has somewhat influenced me." Influence would be an understatement, Glen!! :D
This brings us to "THESE ARE THE TIMES", a song that Dennis DeYoung originally rejected from "Brave New World" but is one of the many standout tunes on the entire CD, which isn't an easy feat for the deep baritone pipes of JY. Inspired by a combination of intercession on the behalf of drug users and the personal trauma "JY" experianced over the untimely loss of a sibling, this track is vintage STYX from start to finish. Starting off with a traditonal accoustic and keyboard lead in, it explodes into a sing-along rocker that'll have "Grand Illusion" nuts pumping their fists in the air and swirling their noggins!!
This is quickly followed by their second single candidate. Entitled "YES I CAN". One of the many songs Ted Nugent scrapped from the first mix of the forthcoming Damn Yankees album and ressurrected here, this is the only ballad on the entire disc. This sucker has HIT SINGLE written all over it. If this track gets the attention it damn well deserves, it'll sky rocket to the Top 20. Powered by Tommy's accoustic guitar and mandolin, touching lyrics, and harmonies from Gowan & Burtnik, it's an absolutely beautiful, heartwarming, touching tune. It reminds me of "All In A Days Work" from their "Edge Of The Century" CD but much, much, much better.
Next up is MORE LOVE FOR THE MONEY. Gowan strikes again with this tune that, like his predecessor, starts off in the same Beatles fashion but amazingly sounds like a "Grand Illusion" style Styx tune during the chorus. Gowan is 2 for 2 on "Cyclorama" and proves his adoption into the fold isn't a fluke nor a mistake. There couldn't be a better replacement for Dennis DeYoung than Gowan! Period. In fact, a passage of the lyrics can sum up how I feel at any given moment...
A circus flea from A to B,
I jump for my keeper,
In search of true enlightenment
For 10 percent cheaper!
The following track - TOGETHER - is a traditional pop-tune from Tommy Shaw that's pretty decent! This is backed up by PALM OF YOUR HAND - a 40 second reprize version of the classic "Fooling Yourself" but with Brian Wilson of the Beach Boys contributing with the background vocals. It's acapella for the most part and it's very good in it's own right! Nice twist on a vintage classic.
JY is unleashed again with CAPTAIN AMERICA - A blues style rocker that gets up and moves. Excellent grove to it and the harmonized chorus sounds like it was ripped from "Paradise Theatre". This one is right up there with such head-swirling monsters such as "Half-Penny Two Penny" and "Miss America".
Next up, KILLING THE THING THAT YOU LOVE - An amazing tune sung by Glen Burtnik, it was originally entitled "Lennon's Assassin". The lyrics are a scathing commentary about people who are so full of arrogance and pride that they end up husks of their former self. Some people have taken this song to be a condemnation against former member Dennis DeYoung but it's not true as Glen wrote this song back in 1994. Nonetheless, A powerful track!!
We're then graced with ONE WITH EVERYTHING - this one sports a classic Styx sound but borrows heavily from prog rock masters such as Yes, especially in the keyboard department. Todd Sucherman's drum work here marks him as the most talented drummer to appear in rock and roll since Neil Peart of Rush...and someday, Todd may even surpass him!!
Finally, "GENKI DESU KA" draws us to a close and STYX is known for these off the wall closers to their CDs. This one isn't any different. Sounds very hip-hop with excellent drum loops from Todd and great harmonies from special guests Jude Cole and John Waite. Despite weighing in at 6 minutes, the track itself is short and if you let it continue, you're treated with some hidden material. Loosely translated, "Genki Desu Ka" means, "Do you feel good/healthy?" and the expected response is "Genki Desu Ne". :D
Overall, "Cyclorama" is a long 20+ year redemption of STYX to the rocking band they once used to be early in their days. But it also is powerful enough to make them relevant today if only they get the attention and exposure they truly deserve. It's a CD that proves a truth that some might argue with or find very hard to accept - STYX can indeed survive without Dennis DeYoung. In fact, I'd go so far as to say that Dennis DeYoung has been holding this band back for many years.
This CD is a testament of a band that is totally unified and totally on the same page with each member and you can tell they are having a ball with it. There isn't one sign of clashing egos or anything. What we have here is an unexpected treasure. The energy and vigor explode, and their creativity as a whole unit make "Cyclorama" the most enjoyable Styx CD in a long time. Truth be told, I enjoyed "Cyclorama" more than I enjoyed "Arrival" by Journey, which is powerful in it's own right.
When compared against the last few releases sporting all new material (2000's Brave New World, 1990's Edge Of The Century, and 1983's Killroy Was Here), STYX's "Cyclorama" beats them all - hands down. There's not many CDs that you can pop in and play from start to finish without skipping songs, but "Cyclorama" is that one sole diamond in the rough.
A timeless classic in the making!
RATING = ***** (5 STARS)
----------
Third-Party Reviews
Out of 81 Customer Reviews, Amazon.Com gives "Cyclorama" an average of 4 out of 5 stars.
Rolling Stone Magazine hates it (which means it's good). :D
Review from 411 Mania!
http://www.411mania.com/music/reviews/article.php?reviews_id=663
Melodic Rock Review (rating 91%)!!
http://www.melodicrock.com/reviews/styx-cyclorama.p3