STYXWORLD LIVE 2001

Anyone who has seriously listened to Styx' dramatic, pomped-up pop/rock has an opinion about ex-frontman/ keyboardist Dennis DeYoung. Many think DDY was an essential part of Styx, citing his tremendous singing voice and sweet songwriting touch. Some, however, think that DDY was holding the band back a bit, restraining them from reclaiming their old rockin' edge. For those who longed for a more rockin' Styx, this live album is for you.

That's right, "Styxworld" rocks. (It's worth repeating.) The four singer/ songwriters in the band --longtime guitarists James (JY) Young and Tommy Shaw, and recent additions bassist/guitarist Glen Burtnik and keyboardist Lawrence Gowan-- sound great together, hitting on cylinders that the Styx engine hasn't used for a long time. From the opening rush of "Rockin' The Paradise" to the extended axework and intense grooves of "Love Is The Ritual," the menacing hard rock of "Miss America," and the gloriously bombastic "Come Sail Away," Styx' new energy radiates throughout the album.

Sure, it's not the same without DeYoung's spectacular voice and lovely ballads, but with so much talent still in the band, it's no real shock that they rise to the occasion. JY sounds *amazing* singing DDY's lines on the hard-driving early Styx cut "Lorelei." Gowan's vocal harmonies are consistently strong, and he does surprisingly well with the lead vocals of "Come Sail Away"; less surprisingly, his keyboard performances shine on "Sing For The Day" and "Come Sail Away." And the abbreviated editions of Burtnik's "Sometimes Love Just Ain't Enough" and Shaw's "High Enough" show that this version of Styx has plenty of hit ballad potential. It's easy to hear a bright future in "Styxworld."

Gowan deserves special mention for bringing his own distinctive tones to DeYoung's old roles. He has all the command and the drama we could want --check out the wonderful Styx version of Gowan's intense "A Criminal Mind" for evidence-- without DeYoung's mainstream direction and pop polish. Effectively, Gowan brings rock substance at the expense of DeYoung's sweeter, more broadly accessible sensibilities. This may not be to everyone's tastes, but for rock-oriented Styx fans, even those who cherish DDY's contributions, it may well feel like a step up.

As Styx' third live album in their last four releases, "Styxworld" is essential to only the most devoted Styx fans. Nonetheless, it is something truly different from the pomp-rock heroes, with a renewed vitality that sets it apart. It is a welcome and long-overdue reminder of what Styx sounds like when they rock, and it whets the appetite for a first studio album from this energetic, talented lineup.