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Unitron
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Joined: April 29 2014
Location: iceland
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Points: 56
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Topic: Styx Appreciation Posted: July 28 2014 at 23:11 |
Why.
That is all I feel like I have to say, why is Styx hated on so much on here? They were one of the bands that introduced me to prog, and still one of my top 5 favorite prog bands.
Am I the only one who enjoys them?
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Tom Ozric
Prog Reviewer
Joined: September 03 2005
Location: Olympus Mons
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Points: 15926
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Posted: July 29 2014 at 00:25 |
They're very good at what they do, but always inconsistent.
On one hand, you can have the track 'A Day' (definite Prog masterpiece), but have something like 22 Years or Winner Take All. Grove Of Eglantine vs Light Up.
Chalk and Cheese, I declare. Many serious Proggers appreciate their more complex things, after all, there's no doubt that many of us agree they are top musicians.
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Unitron
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Joined: April 29 2014
Location: iceland
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Posted: July 29 2014 at 00:40 |
Tom Ozric wrote:
They're very good at what they do, but always inconsistent.
On one hand, you can have the track 'A Day' (definite Prog masterpiece), but have something like 22 Years or Winner Take All. Grove Of Eglantine vs Light Up.
Chalk and Cheese, I declare. Many serious Proggers appreciate their more complex things, after all, there's no doubt that many of us agree they are top musicians. |
I agree with the inconsistency, but they don't have good ratings on here at all other then The Grand Illusion and Pieces of Eight (Well deserved) Like I think The Serpent is Rising is one of the finest prog albums I've ever heard.
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Tom Ozric
Prog Reviewer
Joined: September 03 2005
Location: Olympus Mons
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Points: 15926
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Posted: July 29 2014 at 01:08 |
Hey, I voted/reviewed Serpent with 4 stars. Love it to death. My fave from them, though each album (from the debut, through to Kilroy) have excellent tracks. Didn't venture further, I am aware that Dennis is a virtuoso pianist/keyboardist, and Tommy & JY are excellent guitarists (I guess, even Curulewski I guess). The Panozzo bros. form a solid (if only occasionally complex) and tight rhythm section.
Don't Let It End is a superb power-ballad, much stronger than Babe, and miles ahead of most of Journey's similar tracks (although 'Who's Crying Now' is spot-on).
Dunno what more I can say ??
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Unitron
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Joined: April 29 2014
Location: iceland
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Posted: July 29 2014 at 02:30 |
Well, I'm glad there is someone else who likes Styx out there.
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Tom Ozric
Prog Reviewer
Joined: September 03 2005
Location: Olympus Mons
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Points: 15926
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Posted: July 29 2014 at 03:07 |
^ I'm sure you'll get more.........
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Jeffro
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Joined: March 29 2014
Location: USA
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Posted: July 29 2014 at 05:59 |
I've been recently checking out early Kansas and pre-Steve Perry Journey. Early Styx is definitely on my list. Just haven't gotten to it yet.
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HolyMoly
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Retired Admin
Joined: April 01 2009
Location: Atlanta
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Posted: July 29 2014 at 07:17 |
I have a passing familiarity with most of their albums, and I like them okay. Suite Madame Blue is among my favorite songs by anybody, and in fact most of their mainstream hits are really good songs. And I'll give them props for writing a song about a toilet.
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My other avatar is a Porsche
It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle if it is lightly greased.
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Guldbamsen
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Joined: January 22 2009
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Posted: July 29 2014 at 07:20 |
Maybe it's largely an American thing. I have tried a couple of their albums, and none of em made an impression on me.
Oh and I moved this to prog related.
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“The Guide says there is an art to flying or rather a knack. The knack lies in learning how to throw yourself at the ground and miss.”
- Douglas Adams
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Catcher10
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Location: Emerald City
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Posted: July 29 2014 at 09:44 |
Not categorizing Styx into a prog band, I think they are an amazing group. With Dennis DeYoung at the helm, vocally some of the best music out there.
I always felt they played very tight, concise and clean. The dual guitars worked very well and yes the Panozzo brothers were an excellent section. I thought John was an amazing drummer
On occasion you had some quirky lyrics and songs, but what band does not? A string of excellent albums from Serpent to Kilroy...simply great music.
Clearly some progressive attributes, but not always, what I call just good hard rock.
As a "prog band" I doubt they get much love here on PA, they do not work that way. Jump over to a mainstream rock, metal forum and I think they get deserved love.
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rushfan4
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Joined: May 22 2007
Location: Michigan, U.S.
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Posted: July 29 2014 at 10:02 |
I am a Styx fan. They are one of the best bands within AOR, which is America's answer to the prog movement. I've always been a fan of their radio hits and have collected all of their studio albums over the years. Dennis DeYoung had/s one of the best voices of rock n' roll. I saw them live a few years ago when they were touring with Journey and Reo Speedwagon. Dennis was no longer in the band at that point, but they still sounded really good with Tommy Shaw and Lawrence Gowan singing for them.
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bloodnarfer
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Joined: April 15 2010
Location: Austin, TX
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Posted: July 29 2014 at 10:15 |
I like Styx just fine. In fact, they were the first concert I ever saw, and I was pretty young at the time (12?)
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LSDisease
Forum Senior Member
Joined: April 29 2008
Status: Offline
Points: 494
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Posted: July 29 2014 at 10:25 |
Half penny two penny is a song about Rockafella
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"Du gehst zu Frauen? Vergiss die Peitsche nicht!"
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O666
Forum Senior Member
Joined: September 20 2009
Location: TEHRAN-IRAN
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Points: 2619
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Posted: July 29 2014 at 10:30 |
Tom Ozric wrote:
They're very good at what they do, but always inconsistent.
On one hand, you can have the track 'A Day' (definite Prog masterpiece), but have something like 22 Years or Winner Take All. Grove Of Eglantine vs Light Up.
Chalk and Cheese, I declare. Many serious Proggers appreciate their more complex things, after all, there's no doubt that many of us agree they are top musicians. |
100% Agree
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Tom Ozric
Prog Reviewer
Joined: September 03 2005
Location: Olympus Mons
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Points: 15926
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Posted: July 29 2014 at 12:24 |
Mr Roboto is awesome....
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Finnforest
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Posted: July 31 2014 at 20:18 |
I love Styx just as I love Triumph, two bands that get flak frequently. I think the combination of Shaw and DeYoung was a good mix for several years, and the early stuff is cool too, though somewhat inconsistent.
My favorites are Grand Illusion, Cornerstone, and Paradise.
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Tom Ozric
Prog Reviewer
Joined: September 03 2005
Location: Olympus Mons
Status: Offline
Points: 15926
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Posted: August 01 2014 at 01:22 |
I once bought Paradise Theatre (laser etched vinyl) and thought that most tracks had a 'samey' feel about them. The only album from them that didn't do one iota for me
I only hung onto the first 4 'Wooden Nickel' LP's, and Illusion, Pieces and Kilroy. Still all have superb tracks throughout, worthy of any self-respecting Prog-head.
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musitron
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Joined: March 10 2014
Location: Gatineau Canada
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Points: 142
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Posted: August 14 2014 at 11:00 |
I used to like Styx. Especialy Equinox but I was 14. Now I just can't stand that band. Poor prog imitation.
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“One good thing about music, when it hits you, you feel no pain.”
Dark Side Radio - Best new Prog 2015 mixed with good old stuff. - www.live365.com/stations/young_gun
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Tom Ozric
Prog Reviewer
Joined: September 03 2005
Location: Olympus Mons
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Posted: August 15 2014 at 01:07 |
Musically, I'd say they had the chops, financially, they let themselves give in to the industry. Still love all the good they've done (sheez, I love Serpent.......)
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AEProgman
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Joined: August 11 2012
Location: Toadstool
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Points: 1787
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Posted: August 16 2014 at 22:02 |
Quite like Styx back in the day. Very underated album in my opinion is Styx II (mostly in Wooden Nichel collection now) which included their break through song, "Lady". Two songs on there I still love and play today, "A Day" and "Father O.S.A.". Also like Grand Illusion, love "Castle Walls" from it. Equinox is good too. Their hits got so much airplay, you could not listen to them back then. Now is a guilty pleasure now and then!
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