THE SERPENT IS RISING

Recently, I spent some time reading an interview with Dennis DeYoung regarding the first four Styx LPs. I'm not surprised how dissapointed he is with those albums. As a long time fan of his work I've always felt like this version of the band did not get the credit they were due. After reading his interview I went to allmusic.com then I got really frustrated because they did not even have all of the facts right about these albums. So just on the topic of The Serpent is Rising let me say this. It's a good record. I don't care what Dennis says. There are some awkward moments. Witch Wolf is the opening track and it's on fire! James Young (JY) demonstrates what hard rock is supposed to sound like. He has a great vocal range. I believe he was a big influence on a lot of the eighties guitarists even if they don't know it. The Grove of Eglatine is a solid Dennis DeYoung track. It was always one of my favorites to play along with on my old Korg. What's that? A harpsichord?!? This is a song that would have fit on to any of the big Styx albums of the late 70's. They go back to JY spreading the flame with Young Man. This track has great lyrics. "Who do they get to win the fight? A young man. Who do they send away to die? Young Man. I heard a lonely woman cry for a young man." John Curulewski brings a different feel with As Bad As This. Its a sleepy dreamy track with a lush bridge that hides a brief Spanish feel, hinting at the next track which is hidden, perhaps with good reason. What would they have titled the song? It appears to be sung by Dennis, JY and John C. as if they were Hispanic mothers cautioning their sons about the use of a "plexiglass toilet!" The boy in question is worried about the lid falling on his bananna. I'm sure this made for good laughs in the studio.

Side two opens with Winner Take All. Another song which would have fit in well on Crystal Ball or The Grand Illusion. I find it sad sometimes that Styx neglects this part of their career in their shows. This is one of those songs that either of the touring groups (Styx or DeYoung's group) could perform and brighten the night of some of the over 40's. 22 Years is a great classic rock/heavy blues track that features DeYoung and JY trading vocals. It was always one of my favorite Styx songs because of the rousing chorus and the swinging drum beat at the end of the final chorus that features JY's powerful high range vocal over the top.Jonas Psalter is an somewhat interesting song about pirates. I must admit though I was always in a hurry to get through this song to get to the title track. The Serpent is Rising is another swinging heavy blues riff featuring John Curulewski. While he was not the sweet sounding vocalist that Tommy Shaw was. He was a rocker, have no doubt. One must note here the forgotten members of Styx, the brothers Panozzo. Styx was a workhorse band of the early 70's playing all of the clubs of the midwest. This track shows how tight Chuck on bass and John on drums were. For me, this version of Styx, is not forgettable. It is part of the soundtrack of my youth.