BIG BANG THEORY

So Styx was coming out with a cd covering other bands tunes.. they are a great group.. can they pull it off? Yes they Can! Wow, what a great collection of music. Songs were carefully chosen to feature each singers voice. Somes songs were very familiar and some were new to my ears.. but one thing in common....they all sounded great. This cd offers a great variety of sounds and it is a must for any Styx fan, or any classic rock fan. I am glad I bought it the day it was released because it is fun and fresh and going to give me hours and hours of listening pleasure!

This is one great rock CD. I never thought a cover CD could be soooo good. I bought in yesterday and have listened to it about 8 times so far. This morning I read that 10 songs from this CD have entered the album rock charts of Mediabase this week! That has to be a new record and shows the power of this release. Pick this one up, ypu'll love it!

This album rocks! I usually don't like cover tunes but they do an incredible job on this. Tommy Shaw kicks it with One Way Out and Summer in the City. JY pulls off a Jethro Tull song (Locomotive Breath), that even Tull would be proud of. Keep going guys, you rule!

Yes this album rocks, and it is very enjoyable (and easy listening!) but it's only a cover album with nothing special. It is a tribute to several great bands of the past, like The Who, Free, Jethro Tull and Procol Harum. I say "only" a cover album because the songs are too similar to the original ones and being ultra-famous songs i suggest you to listen to the origial ones. (Instead of Feedback E.P. by Rush that have a personal appeal and gives new life to old songs)! So if you wana listen to Styx i suggest you to try Paradise Theater or Equinox, if you wanna listen to these songs try the original versions.

This Album Rocks! Not only is the first Styx CD with Bassist Ricky Phillips on it, You don't even have to be a fan of Styx to get the album. JY does an amazing Jethro Tull on Locomotive Breath. Gowan is a real crowd pleaser with the new versions of the Beatles' I Am The Walrus and the Ashford/Simpson I Don't Need No Doctor. Tommy's vocals blow me away as usual on songs like Can't Find My Way Home. Blue Collar Man @ 2120 is awesome. It's cool to see a band cover itself once in a while. It's great to have Koko Taylor, the Oracle Diva, and the Late Johnnie Johnson on the CD too. Big Bang Theory proves Styx still has it after 15 studio albums....now if only Dennis could still be here...

This album is great as far as covers go. Styx didnt simply remake the songs to sound just as they did when performed by the original artists. They didnt ruin the songs by changing them too much either. This album is proof that Styx is quite talented musically and the songs on it are just classic. Good stuff for sure.

A hard rocking album, but don't look at it as a Styx album. Without Dennis DeYoung doing the lead vocals, it ain't Styx!! No offense to Tommy Shaw or the others, they are good in their own right. Enjoy this album as a great example of progessive Rock.

You people have got to be kidding me. I don't know how anyone can say this album is great. There are only two members of the real Styx and not one of the founding members is included. It is insulting to me that JY and Tommy Shaw can call themselves styx without THE voice of styx, Dennis DeYoung, and Chuck Panazzo being included. If this group is going to continue to release music they need to change their name and quit riding on the coattails of the name of a great rock band that no longer exists. You all are obviously not true fans of the band Styx.

What do you expect from a tribute album? The old and classic tunes performed differently by a band / artist who has its own musical identity? That's at least what I expect to happen, really. A good example of tribute is Esperanto delivering "Eleanor Rigby" where the music was totally rearranged differently in which you cannot identify at first part on what song the band was trying to deliver. This version by Esperanto is I think the best arrangement so far (my view) on Eleanor Rigby. The second best is the one performed by Indonesian band God Bless in their debut album in 1976. Another good example of tribute is Genesis' "Back In The New York City" rearranged and performed by Kevin Gilbert in "Supper's Ready" tribute CD.

STYX with this tribute album does not show the way I expect. First, there is no much different from the original version. Take example the opening track "I Am The Walrus" it does not sound different from The Beatles version, even it sounds worse. The other track is "Salty Dog" by Procol Harum (thanks GOD .. I've seen so many excellent reviews about Procol Harum by colleague collaborator Martin Vengadesan today - thank, mate!) which is not performed better than original recording. Second, this line- up of STYX does not carry the soul of Styx music I have heard in years. It's probably the unique vocal of Dennis De Young who is missing in this line-up. In a nutshell, I am not impressed at all with this album. It seems to me that this one is only released for commercial reason or probably a snob following RUSH who released "Feedback" that contained tribute to the legends as well.

However, there are good tracks that I can see it's worth listening to. The most rewarding one is the last track "Blue Collar Man" - the band's own song which has been completely rearranged and it sounds much better than the original version. If ypu ask me about the whole CD, this last track is the only one that intrigues me to have a spin. It's wonderfully rearranged! The other one worth listening to is Jethro Tull's "Locomotive Breath". Even though the arrangement is good but it does not show the soul of Styx music. This is different with the same song performed by Germany's power metal hero Helloween where they perform with the soul of the band.

How can I recommend you about this CD? Don't buy it. You'd better borrow your friend's CD collection. Unless, you are a completionist who wants to get a full collection of Styx album. In that case, you do not need to read my review at all. Keep on proggin' ..!

Peace on earth and mercy mild - GW

I have to agree with Chris above. I'm also a longtime Styx fan since I was in elementary school in the 70's. The songs on Big Bang Theory are well-done, but you really have to have an appreciation of Styx as a fan to really enjoy the album. Otherwise, all you have are slick renditons of classic tracks that don't really have too much that's special about them. There are some bright spots in there such as JY's work on "Locomotove Breath" and "it don't make sense". But I'm a rabid JY fan so I just enjoy anything that has that JY sound. Dennis' positive contribution to the "soul" of the styx sound (other than his unique voice) pretty much ran out in the late 70's. I am glad that Styx lives on without him. BTW, the reference to Pontius Pilate refers to the role that Dennis De Young played in the touring production of Jesus Christ Superstar in the 90's.

I must admit, I had lost interest through the years with STYX, only because they have not been do newer material. But now that they have released an excellent collection old cover tunes I must say, I was blown away. These guys have always been a tight band. Excellent vocals, harmony, sound engineered tunes. Yes Dennis DeYoung gets credit for the sweeter sound. Tommy and gang gets credit for the full powerhouse, yet still without Dennis....the harmonies on this album and the vocals accents that more closely match the original artists of each cover. I would say....guys please do another one soon. Your choices were some of my favorites for years. You topped most of them with your great production. The Who, Humble Pie, Free, Allman Brothers, even Willie Dixon & Sonny Boy Williamson tune and Summer in the City....wow look out folkies. How about doing some Spirit, Jame Gang, Head East on your next cover CD. Keep on rocking fellas....Tommy was right you are an arena band. Lance Beem, Sacramento, California

At first, I hadn't planned to buy this album. I figured, it wasn't the original line-up of Styx, with Dennis and the Panozzo brothers, and it was just covers anyway, so it would be nothing special. Then, just two days ago, me and a friend were hanging around in a local music store, waiting until we had to go to the Led Zeppelin tribute show we were playing in (which went very well, thanks for asking), when I spotted the familiar word "Styx" in the bargain $5-or-less rack. Well, this was too good of a deal for me to pass up, so I quickly snatched it up and bought it. I had to wait until later, after the concert, to listen to it, and I wasn't expecting all that much, for reasons I already stated. However, I was very pleasantly surprised about the quality of this album.

The unfortunate thing about this album was that the good songs were the ones I hadn't heard the originals of. I Am The Walrus did sound quite a lot like the Beatles, the vocals on Locomotive Breath and Manic Depression didn't do it for me, and I Can See For Miles and Find The Cost Of Freedom were nothing special. I was also disgusted with the remade Blue Collar Man; I've always loved the original, being a solid rocking tune, and this kind of softer version was a terrible way to end the album, in my opinion, when so many of the other songs were amazing. Can't Find My Way Home is a great song to kick the album with (not counting the first two), and the next five are songs I could listen to over and over. I have mixed feelings about Talkin' About The Good Times; still haven't quite decided what I think of it. Wishing Well was amazing, though, a truly solid end to a deliciously rocking album.

This is all coming from a rocker's point of view, someone who prefers 90125 to classic Yes. If you're more into true prog (which I love, just not as much as more hard-rock type progressive), I don't think this will be an album for you. But if you're able to look over the fact that these are covers, and by the new Styx as opposed to the old, I think you will enjoy this CD.

Normally don't care for tribute albums, because it's an excuse for some labels to keep the bands from their rooster in activity when they are not able to release own material, but when a band like STYX dares to make a tribute to the artists that influenced them and play songs of 13 different artists with different styles, then is something worth to listen.

Before buying the album, came to Prog Archives and read the reviews, most of them talk about a less than average album, and complain about Dennis De Young not being in the band, I must say I don't miss Dennis at all, he is a great composer, but also responsible for some of the worst tracks as "Babe" or "Mister Robotto" and Lawrence Gowan is a great performer with a better voice.

So a few days ago decided to ignore the bad reviews and bought "The Big Bang Theory" and not disappointed at all, of course there are weaker songs, being that I don't expect anybody to play HENDRIX music just like he did, but STYX shows respect for the authors and adds some of their unique style.

Normally I review each and every track, but being that we are talking about covers, of well known songs, I will mention the ones that impressed me more:

The first one that caught my attention is "I Can See for Miles" being that they don't try to re- create the style of THE WHO, something too hard to do, but instead they add the complex chorals something in which STYX are champions and make an interesting track to listen.

Trying to recreate a song by a supergroup as "BLIND FAITH" is always a hard task, specially when the original singer is so unique as Steve Winwood, so instead of searching for a more similar ranged voice as James Young, the band went with Tommy Shaw, one of the few vocalists that gets better with the years, he's so different that nobody will compare them, and the whole band does a great job.

"A Salty Dog" has never been among my favourite tracks by PROCOL HARUM, but loved STYX'S version being that the entrance with Lawrence Gowan in the vocals is delightful and the guy has a better voice than Dennis who always sounded to nasal to my ears. The orchestration is wonderful and JY'S guitar is precise and if we add Todd Sucherman in the drums, they hit the nail right in the head.

"Locomotive Breath" is simply fantastic and "James Young" in the vocals is the perfect choice if you want to do a respectful tribute, the guy really adds everything you need to perform one of the best JETHRO TULL songe ever, being that making radical changes would be a sacrilege, very good version.

"Blue Collar Man" has always been a classic by STYX, but this slower version is one of the best, the details can be appreciated more, Tommy Shaw in the lead, supported by Lawrence Gowan and the whole band adding the trademark chorus are fantastic, the jazzy piano is the cherry on the top of the pie, strong closer.

Despite all the negative opinions I read, loved this album from start to end, its' always a pleasure to listen well known hits with the touch of STYX

Excellent addition for any Rock or Prog music collection so can't rate it with less tthan four stars.

Thing is, this might be worth three, but only a few of these songs are essential. I mean, Styx did make onto 'progarchives', not that they were ever really a prog band. Maybe labels like 'art-rock' or 'semi-prog' would be appropriate, but the point is they have always experimented and tried ot be more that just a straight ahead rock band. However, with this release they have abandoned that all together and have become a classic rock band, with NO progressive elements at all. I don't really mind, but this is just such typical stuff. I know they're covers, but I haven't heard most of the originals, yet it still sounds like any decent American pub-rock band.

Actually, there are some highlights. This version of 'I can see for miles' is even better than the original. Although the original by 'The Who' is a terrific song, this one is punchier and to the point, even if Tommy;s vocals could do with a bit more enthusiasm. And James Young actually sings a folk song 'It don't make sense you can't make peace (with Dennis DeYoung)' extremely well, does a great job on that one, and Lawrence Gowan tears through an exciting 'I don't need no doctor' and Tommy does a great job on 'Can't find my way home', another acoustic gem. But after these four songs, which all come near the start, comes a bunch of average generic rock songs.

The slide downhilll begins with 'One way out', which starts off kind of groovy, good guitar lick, but the whole song feels like average pub-rock, as do most of what follows. James Young kind of makes 'Locomotive Breath' his own, but it doesn't really shine. And 'Manic Depression' doesn't really work, while Tommy does a lifeless version of 'Summer in the city', one of the few songs on here I actually knew well. The best of the rest is probably 'Talkin' bout the good times', which actually sounds like a Styx song, even though they didn't write it. The song has a good groove and good vocal harmonies.

A bit disappointing, but hopefully better is around the corner. It may be worth three stars but I'm going for the 2 star option.