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</p><p class=”text-sm text-gray-700 grow”>The Classic Rock newsletter is an essential read for the discerning rock fan. Every week we bring you the news, reviews and the very best features and interviews from our extensive archive. Written by rock fans for rock fans.</p><p style=”display: inline;” class=”WPAuto_Base_Readability-styled”>
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</p><p class=”text-sm text-gray-700 grow”>The Prog newsletter brings you the very best of Prog Magazine and our website, every Friday. We’ll deliver you the very latest news from the Prog universe, informative features and archive material from Prog’s impressive vault.</p><p style=”display: inline;” class=”WPAuto_Base_Readability-styled”>
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</p><p id=”elk-bde5a5ee-551a-4bb8-9d04-1d42a53d23ca”>The roots of <a data-analytics-id=”inline-link” href=”https://www.loudersound.com/features/styx-the-press-slaughtered-us-i-was-convinced-prog-rock-was-dead” data-url=”https://www.loudersound.com/features/styx-the-press-slaughtered-us-i-was-convinced-prog-rock-was-dead” data-hl-processed=”none” data-mrf-recirculation=”inline-link” data-before-rewrite-localise=”https://www.loudersound.com/features/styx-the-press-slaughtered-us-i-was-convinced-prog-rock-was-dead”>Styx</a> lie in early-60s Chicago, where drummer John Panozzo and twin brother Chuck, a guitarist-turned-bassist, hooked up with singer and pianist <a data-analytics-id=”inline-link” href=”https://www.loudersound.com/bands-artists/interviews/dennis-deyoung-on-styx-and-stones” data-url=”https://www.loudersound.com/bands-artists/interviews/dennis-deyoung-on-styx-and-stones” data-hl-processed=”none” data-mrf-recirculation=”inline-link” data-before-rewrite-localise=”https://www.loudersound.com/bands-artists/interviews/dennis-deyoung-on-styx-and-stones”>Dennis DeYoung</a> as The Tradewinds. The band struggled for years before acquiring guitarists James ‘JY’ Young and John Curulewski, signing to RCA subsidiary Wooden Nickel.</p><p/><p>Renamed Styx – after the river that divided the Earth from the Underworld in Greek mythology – they played heavy prog on their first four albums, but it was a DeYoung ballad, <em>Lady</em>, that gave them their million-selling breakthrough hit in 1975. Their mastery of the idiom would transform Styx into one of the US’s biggest rock acts.</p><a id=”elk-seasonal”/><aside data-block-type=”embed” data-render-type=”fte” data-skip=”dealsy” data-widget-type=”seasonal” class=”hawk-root”/><p id=”elk-bde5a5ee-551a-4bb8-9d04-1d42a53d23ca-2″>Signing to A&;M for 1975’s <em>Equinox</em>, it was the arrival of pretty-boy Tommy Shaw, replacing Curulewski on guitar, that cemented the definitive Styx line-up. With Shaw and JY delivering the hard rock anthems, and DeYoung – the Barry Manilow of rock – providing the power-balladry and theatrical flourishes, Styx became an arena-rock behemoth. But creative friction between Shaw and DeYoung prompted them to split in 1984.</p><p/><div class=”van_vid_carousel”><div class=”van_vid_carousel__padding”><div class=”van_vid_carousel__container”><p><span class=”jw-carousel-signposting__title”/></p></div></div></div><p>Since then, the history of Styx has been turbulent. Their first reunion, minus Shaw, produced just one album, and when Shaw did return in 1995, John Panozzo tragically died. Styx hired new drummer Todd Sucherman, but DeYoung left the band in 1999 after being struck down with a rare virus that rendered him extremely sensitive to light. And in 2001, after Canadian singer Lawrence Gowan replaced DeYoung, Chuck Panozzo revealed that he had contracted HIV, which he has continued to battle while serving as a bit-part player in the band.</p><p/><p><em>The Mission</em> (released in 2017) was Styx’s first album of original material since 2003’s <em>Cyclorama, </em>and while those multi-million sales might be a thing of the past, the album signalled a return to (progressive rock) form, with two subsequent releases (2021’s <em>Crash Of The Crown</em> and 2025’s <em>Circling From Above</em>) both extremely well received. In 2026, Styx continue to tour, with a lineup that includes Shaw, JY, Sucherman and Gowan, plus multi-instrumentalist Will Evankovich and bass player Terry Gowan, brother of Lawrence.</p><figure class=”van-image-figure inline-layout” data-bordeaux-image-check=”” id=”elk-4738a634-7072-454f-9244-50e9a1cea9fb”><div class=”image-full-width-wrapper”><div class=”image-widthsetter” style=”max-width:600px;”><p class=”vanilla-image-block” style=”padding-top:5.67%;”> <picture data-new-v2-image=”true”>
<source type=”image/webp” srcset=”https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/9NEqLC5NR7NbqTgbAwFLMk-600-80.png.webp 1200w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/9NEqLC5NR7NbqTgbAwFLMk-600-80.png.webp 1024w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/9NEqLC5NR7NbqTgbAwFLMk-600-80.png.webp 970w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/9NEqLC5NR7NbqTgbAwFLMk-600-80.png.webp 650w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/9NEqLC5NR7NbqTgbAwFLMk-480-80.png.webp 480w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/9NEqLC5NR7NbqTgbAwFLMk-320-80.png.webp 320w” sizes=”(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw – 40px)”/>
<img src=”https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/9NEqLC5NR7NbqTgbAwFLMk.png” alt=”Lightning bolt page divider” srcset=”https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/9NEqLC5NR7NbqTgbAwFLMk-600-80.png 1200w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/9NEqLC5NR7NbqTgbAwFLMk-600-80.png 1024w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/9NEqLC5NR7NbqTgbAwFLMk-600-80.png 970w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/9NEqLC5NR7NbqTgbAwFLMk-600-80.png 650w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/9NEqLC5NR7NbqTgbAwFLMk-480-80.png 480w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/9NEqLC5NR7NbqTgbAwFLMk-320-80.png 320w” sizes=”(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw – 40px)” loading=”lazy” data-new-v2-image=”true” data-original-mos=”https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/9NEqLC5NR7NbqTgbAwFLMk.png” data-pin-media=”https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/9NEqLC5NR7NbqTgbAwFLMk.png” class=”inline”/>
</picture></p></div></div></figure><a id=”elk-collectionwidget-5270f5ed80341bb5cb3a60b00945de8b”/><a id=”elk-a73dba2e-41d1-4f66-91ff-81564fdc6e5c”/><div data-image=”https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/Fo89QHT732MDvi8wZaBhyb.jpg” data-link=”https://target.georiot.com/Proxy.ashx?tsid=38569&;GR_URL=https%3A%2F%2Famazon.com%2Fdp%2FB00TP8A5CG%2F%3Ftag%3Dhawk-future-20%26ascsubtag%3Dhawk-custom-tracking-20″ data-link-merchant=”Amazon US” data-link-text=”View Deal” data-merchant-id=”1471″ data-merchant-name=”Amazon US” data-merchant-network=”Amazonus” data-merchant-url=”amazon.com” data-model-name=”The Grand Illusion (A&;M, 1977)” data-render-type=”fte” data-widget-introduction=”<;p>;<;a href=";https://target.georiot.com/Proxy.ashx?tsid=38569&;GR_URL=https%3A%2F%2Famazon.com%2Fdp%2FB00TP8A5CG%2F%3Ftag%3Dhawk-future-20%26ascsubtag%3Dhawk-custom-tracking-20"; target=";_blank"; rel=";nofollow"; data-link-merchant=";Amazon US"; data-merchant-name=";Amazon US"; data-merchant-id=";1471"; data-merchant-network=";Amazonus"; data-merchant-url=";amazon.com";>;<;strong>;The Grand Illusion (A&;M, 1977)<;/strong>;<;/a>;<;/p>;<;p>;It was with their seventh album (released on 7/7/77, and their first to go platinum in the US) that Styx graduated to the superstar league. DeYoung’s title track is an appropriately pompous prog-rock overture, Shaw’s <;em>;Fooling Yourself<;/em>; is a Yes-inspired anthem, and James Young’s <;em>;Miss America<;/em>; a stinging rocker with a pro-feminist agenda. <;/p>;<;p>;But most famous of all is <;em>;Come Sail Away<;/em>;, a fantastical power ballad/prog hybrid that finds spiritual salvation aboard an alien spaceship. Even after <;em>;South Park<;/em>;’s Cartman murdered the song in the 90s, it remains DeYoung’s masterpiece.<;/p>;” data-widget-type=”deal” class=”hawk-root”><div class=”hawk-deal-widget-container” data-collapsible=”false”><div class=”hawk-deal-widget-wrap”><div class=”hawk-deal-widget-image-container”><a data-google-interstitial=”false” aria-label=”View The Grand Illusion (A&;M, 1977) on Amazon US” href=”https://target.georiot.com/Proxy.ashx?tsid=38569&;GR_URL=https%3A%2F%2Famazon.com%2Fdp%2FB00TP8A5CG%2F%3Ftag%3Dhawk-future-20%26ascsubtag%3Dloudersound-gb-1385395426445269679-20″ referrerpolicy=”no-referrer-when-downgrade” class=”hawk-affiliate-link-deal-widget” data-product-key=”” data-url=”https://target.georiot.com/Proxy.ashx?tsid=38569&;GR_URL=https%3A%2F%2Famazon.com%2Fdp%2FB00TP8A5CG%2F%3Ftag%3Dhawk-future-20%26ascsubtag%3Dloudersound-gb-1385395426445269679-20″ data-model-id=”0″ data-match-id=”0″ data-product-type=”300″ data-link-merchant=”Amazon US” data-merchant-id=”1471″ data-merchant-name=”Amazon US” data-merchant-url=”amazon.com” data-merchant-network=”Amazonus” rel=”sponsored noopener” target=”_blank” role=”link” tabindex=”0″><img src=”https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/Fo89QHT732MDvi8wZaBhyb-200-80.jpg.webp” alt=”The Grand Illusion (A&;M, 1977)” title=”The Grand Illusion (A&;M, 1977)” class=”hawk-lazy-image-deal-widget” draggable=”false” loading=”lazy” width=”140″ height=”160″/></a></div><div class=”hawk-deal-widget-text-cta-container”><div class=”hawk-deal-widget-text-body-container”><div class=”hawk-deal-widget-text-body-main” WPAuto_Base_Readability=”12.837152209493″><div class=”hawk-deal-widget-text-body-description” WPAuto_Base_Readability=”20.919803600655″><p xmlns=”http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml”><a data-google-interstitial=”false” aria-label=”View” href=”https://target.georiot.com/Proxy.ashx?tsid=38569&;GR_URL=https%3A%2F%2Famazon.com%2Fdp%2FB00TP8A5CG%2F%3Ftag%3Dhawk-future-20%26ascsubtag%3Dloudersound-gb-5532112043000824288-20″ target=”_blank” data-custom-tracking-id=”5532112043000824288″ data-raw-link=”https://target.georiot.com/Proxy.ashx?tsid=38569&;GR_URL=https%3A%2F%2Famazon.com%2Fdp%2FB00TP8A5CG%2F%3Ftag%3Dhawk-future-20%26ascsubtag%3Dhawk-custom-tracking-20″ referrerpolicy=”no-referrer-when-downgrade” rel=”sponsored noopener” role=”link” tabindex=”0″><strong>The Grand Illusion (A&;M, 1977)</strong></a></p><p>It was with their seventh album (released on 7/7/77, and their first to go platinum in the US) that Styx graduated to the superstar league. DeYoung’s title track is an appropriately pompous prog-rock overture, Shaw’s <em>Fooling Yourself</em> is a Yes-inspired anthem, and James Young’s <em>Miss America</em> a stinging rocker with a pro-feminist agenda. </p><p>But most famous of all is <em>Come Sail Away</em>, a fantastical power ballad/prog hybrid that finds spiritual salvation aboard an alien spaceship. Even after <em>South Park</em>’s Cartman murdered the song in the 90s, it remains DeYoung’s masterpiece.</p></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><a id=”elk-db119de1-7a96-4285-af27-cc4aa09cd9e1″/><div data-image=”https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/iesv4xNFUPhDyCy5fcENah.jpg” data-link=”https://target.georiot.com/Proxy.ashx?tsid=38569&;GR_URL=https%3A%2F%2Famazon.com%2Fdp%2FB000002GBW%2F%3Ftag%3Dhawk-future-20%26ascsubtag%3Dhawk-custom-tracking-20″ data-link-merchant=”Amazon US” data-link-text=”View Deal” data-merchant-id=”1471″ data-merchant-name=”Amazon US” data-merchant-network=”Amazonus” data-merchant-url=”amazon.com” data-model-name=”Paradise Theatre (A&;M, 1981)” data-render-type=”fte” data-widget-introduction=”<;p>;<;a href=";https://target.georiot.com/Proxy.ashx?tsid=38569&;GR_URL=https%3A%2F%2Famazon.com%2Fdp%2FB000002GBW%2F%3Ftag%3Dhawk-future-20%26ascsubtag%3Dhawk-custom-tracking-20"; target=";_blank"; rel=";nofollow"; data-link-merchant=";Amazon US"; data-merchant-name=";Amazon US"; data-merchant-id=";1471"; data-merchant-network=";Amazonus"; data-merchant-url=";amazon.com";>;<;strong>;Paradise Theatre (A&;M, 1981)<;/strong>;<;/a>;<;/p>;<;p>;For a band schooled in progressive rock, it was the sweetest of victories: in the era of new wave, this old-fashioned concept album topped the US chart, the only Styx album to do so. According to DeYoung, the album’s tale of a fictional Chicago music hall served as a metaphor for a rapidly changing America. <;/p>;<;p>;Filled with great tunes, its biggest hit was another DeYoung ballad, <;em>;The Best Of Times<;/em>;. Shaw’s futuristic <;em>;Too Much Time On My Hands<;/em>; also hit the Top 10. And in the stagey <;em>;Rockin’ The Paradise<;/em>;, DeYoung revealed his love of camp musical theatre.<;/p>;” data-widget-type=”deal” class=”hawk-root”><div class=”hawk-deal-widget-container” data-collapsible=”false”><div class=”hawk-deal-widget-wrap”><div class=”hawk-deal-widget-image-container”><a data-google-interstitial=”false” aria-label=”View Paradise Theatre (A&;M, 1981) on Amazon US” href=”https://target.georiot.com/Proxy.ashx?tsid=38569&;GR_URL=https%3A%2F%2Famazon.com%2Fdp%2FB000002GBW%2F%3Ftag%3Dhawk-future-20%26ascsubtag%3Dloudersound-gb-1385395426445269679-20″ referrerpolicy=”no-referrer-when-downgrade” class=”hawk-affiliate-link-deal-widget” data-product-key=”” data-url=”https://target.georiot.com/Proxy.ashx?tsid=38569&;GR_URL=https%3A%2F%2Famazon.com%2Fdp%2FB000002GBW%2F%3Ftag%3Dhawk-future-20%26ascsubtag%3Dloudersound-gb-1385395426445269679-20″ data-model-id=”0″ data-match-id=”0″ data-product-type=”300″ data-link-merchant=”Amazon US” data-merchant-id=”1471″ data-merchant-name=”Amazon US” data-merchant-url=”amazon.com” data-merchant-network=”Amazonus” rel=”sponsored noopener” target=”_blank” role=”link” tabindex=”0″><img src=”https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/iesv4xNFUPhDyCy5fcENah-200-80.jpg.webp” alt=”Paradise Theatre (A&;M, 1981)” title=”Paradise Theatre (A&;M, 1981)” class=”hawk-lazy-image-deal-widget” draggable=”false” loading=”lazy” width=”140″ height=”160″/></a></div><div class=”hawk-deal-widget-text-cta-container”><div class=”hawk-deal-widget-text-body-container”><div class=”hawk-deal-widget-text-body-main” WPAuto_Base_Readability=”13.807167235495″><div class=”hawk-deal-widget-text-body-description” WPAuto_Base_Readability=”22.853242320819″><p xmlns=”http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml”><a data-google-interstitial=”false” aria-label=”View” href=”https://target.georiot.com/Proxy.ashx?tsid=38569&;GR_URL=https%3A%2F%2Famazon.com%2Fdp%2FB000002GBW%2F%3Ftag%3Dhawk-future-20%26ascsubtag%3Dloudersound-gb-5532112043000824288-20″ target=”_blank” data-custom-tracking-id=”5532112043000824288″ data-raw-link=”https://target.georiot.com/Proxy.ashx?tsid=38569&;GR_URL=https%3A%2F%2Famazon.com%2Fdp%2FB000002GBW%2F%3Ftag%3Dhawk-future-20%26ascsubtag%3Dhawk-custom-tracking-20″ referrerpolicy=”no-referrer-when-downgrade” rel=”sponsored noopener” role=”link” tabindex=”0″><strong>Paradise Theatre (A&;M, 1981)</strong></a></p><p>For a band schooled in progressive rock, it was the sweetest of victories: in the era of new wave, this old-fashioned concept album topped the US chart, the only Styx album to do so. According to DeYoung, the album’s tale of a fictional Chicago music hall served as a metaphor for a rapidly changing America. </p><p>Filled with great tunes, its biggest hit was another DeYoung ballad, <em>The Best Of Times</em>. Shaw’s futuristic <em>Too Much Time On My Hands</em> also hit the Top 10. And in the stagey <em>Rockin’ The Paradise</em>, DeYoung revealed his love of camp musical theatre.</p></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><a id=”elk-7c636754-937e-4ea9-b4c9-1a7a9ca14df1″/><div data-image=”https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/hHCLAikKe4CjTp2UUrgWJ6.jpg” data-link=”https://target.georiot.com/Proxy.ashx?tsid=38569&;GR_URL=https%3A%2F%2Famazon.com%2Fdp%2FB000002GBB%2F%3Ftag%3Dhawk-future-20%26ascsubtag%3Dhawk-custom-tracking-20″ data-link-merchant=”Amazon US” data-link-text=”View Deal” data-merchant-id=”1471″ data-merchant-name=”Amazon US” data-merchant-network=”Amazonus” data-merchant-url=”amazon.com” data-model-name=”Pieces Of Eight (A&;M, 1978)” data-render-type=”fte” data-widget-introduction=”<;p>;<;a href=";https://target.georiot.com/Proxy.ashx?tsid=38569&;GR_URL=https%3A%2F%2Famazon.com%2Fdp%2FB000002GBB%2F%3Ftag%3Dhawk-future-20%26ascsubtag%3Dhawk-custom-tracking-20"; target=";_blank"; rel=";nofollow"; data-link-merchant=";Amazon US"; data-merchant-name=";Amazon US"; data-merchant-id=";1471"; data-merchant-network=";Amazonus"; data-merchant-url=";amazon.com";>;<;strong>;Pieces Of Eight (A&;M, 1978)<;/strong>;<;/a>;<;/p>;<;p>;A second consecutive triple-platinum seller, <;em>;Pieces Of Eight<;/em>; is also the heaviest album that Styx ever made. With enigmatic cover art by Hipgnosis, the album has an existentialist theme, an anti-materialist message powerfully expressed in DeYoung’s title track. <;/p>;<;p>;Allied to this lofty art-rock sensibility is a gritty rock edge, evident in JY’s <;em>;Great White Hope<;/em>;, and two Shaw songs that became top 30 hits: <;em>;Renegade<;/em>; and <;em>;Blue Collar Man (Long Nights)<;/em>;. Shaw claims that the latter’s staccato riff was inspired by his motorboat’s engine spluttering – as if he’d never heard of <;a href=";https://www.loudersound.com/features/deep-purple-every-album-ranked-from-worst-to-best"; data-link-merchant=";loudersound.com"; data-merchant-name=";loudersound.com";>;Deep Purple<;/a>;!<;/p>;” data-widget-type=”deal” class=”hawk-root”><div class=”hawk-deal-widget-container” data-collapsible=”false”><div class=”hawk-deal-widget-wrap”><div class=”hawk-deal-widget-image-container”><a data-google-interstitial=”false” aria-label=”View Pieces Of Eight (A&;M, 1978) on Amazon US” href=”https://target.georiot.com/Proxy.ashx?tsid=38569&;GR_URL=https%3A%2F%2Famazon.com%2Fdp%2FB000002GBB%2F%3Ftag%3Dhawk-future-20%26ascsubtag%3Dloudersound-gb-1385395426445269679-20″ referrerpolicy=”no-referrer-when-downgrade” class=”hawk-affiliate-link-deal-widget” data-product-key=”” data-url=”https://target.georiot.com/Proxy.ashx?tsid=38569&;GR_URL=https%3A%2F%2Famazon.com%2Fdp%2FB000002GBB%2F%3Ftag%3Dhawk-future-20%26ascsubtag%3Dloudersound-gb-1385395426445269679-20″ data-model-id=”0″ data-match-id=”0″ data-product-type=”300″ data-link-merchant=”Amazon US” data-merchant-id=”1471″ data-merchant-name=”Amazon US” data-merchant-url=”amazon.com” data-merchant-network=”Amazonus” rel=”sponsored noopener” target=”_blank” role=”link” tabindex=”0″><img src=”https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/hHCLAikKe4CjTp2UUrgWJ6-200-80.jpg.webp” alt=”Pieces Of Eight (A&;M, 1978)” title=”Pieces Of Eight (A&;M, 1978)” class=”hawk-lazy-image-deal-widget” draggable=”false” loading=”lazy” width=”140″ height=”160″/></a></div><div class=”hawk-deal-widget-text-cta-container”><div class=”hawk-deal-widget-text-body-container”><div class=”hawk-deal-widget-text-body-main” WPAuto_Base_Readability=”12.676565008026″><div class=”hawk-deal-widget-text-body-description” WPAuto_Base_Readability=”20.658105939005″><p xmlns=”http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml”><a data-google-interstitial=”false” aria-label=”View” href=”https://target.georiot.com/Proxy.ashx?tsid=38569&;GR_URL=https%3A%2F%2Famazon.com%2Fdp%2FB000002GBB%2F%3Ftag%3Dhawk-future-20%26ascsubtag%3Dloudersound-gb-5532112043000824288-20″ target=”_blank” data-custom-tracking-id=”5532112043000824288″ data-raw-link=”https://target.georiot.com/Proxy.ashx?tsid=38569&;GR_URL=https%3A%2F%2Famazon.com%2Fdp%2FB000002GBB%2F%3Ftag%3Dhawk-future-20%26ascsubtag%3Dhawk-custom-tracking-20″ referrerpolicy=”no-referrer-when-downgrade” rel=”sponsored noopener” role=”link” tabindex=”0″><strong>Pieces Of Eight (A&;M, 1978)</strong></a></p><p>A second consecutive triple-platinum seller, <em>Pieces Of Eight</em> is also the heaviest album that Styx ever made. With enigmatic cover art by Hipgnosis, the album has an existentialist theme, an anti-materialist message powerfully expressed in DeYoung’s title track. </p><p>Allied to this lofty art-rock sensibility is a gritty rock edge, evident in JY’s <em>Great White Hope</em>, and two Shaw songs that became top 30 hits: <em>Renegade</em> and <em>Blue Collar Man (Long Nights)</em>. Shaw claims that the latter’s staccato riff was inspired by his motorboat’s engine spluttering – as if he’d never heard of <a data-google-interstitial=”false” aria-label=”View” href=”https://www.loudersound.com/features/deep-purple-every-album-ranked-from-worst-to-best” data-custom-tracking-id=”5532112043000824288″ data-raw-link=”https://www.loudersound.com/features/deep-purple-every-album-ranked-from-worst-to-best” referrerpolicy=”no-referrer-when-downgrade” target=”_self” role=”link” tabindex=”0″ data-before-rewrite-localise=”https://www.loudersound.com/features/deep-purple-every-album-ranked-from-worst-to-best”>Deep Purple</a>!</p></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><a id=”elk-088dc6c3-e487-4b60-a9e6-5d848332d469″/><div data-image=”https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/WHz67QTjtXSgMJbqDESxuB.jpg” data-link=”https://target.georiot.com/Proxy.ashx?tsid=38569&;GR_URL=https%3A%2F%2Famazon.com%2Fdp%2FB000002GB4%2F%3Ftag%3Dhawk-future-20%26ascsubtag%3Dhawk-custom-tracking-20″ data-link-merchant=”Amazon US” data-link-text=”View Deal” data-merchant-id=”1471″ data-merchant-name=”Amazon US” data-merchant-network=”Amazonus” data-merchant-url=”amazon.com” data-model-name=”Crystal Ball (A&;M, 1976)” data-render-type=”fte” data-widget-introduction=”<;p>;<;a href=";https://target.georiot.com/Proxy.ashx?tsid=38569&;GR_URL=https%3A%2F%2Famazon.com%2Fdp%2FB000002GB4%2F%3Ftag%3Dhawk-future-20%26ascsubtag%3Dhawk-custom-tracking-20"; target=";_blank"; rel=";nofollow"; data-link-merchant=";Amazon US"; data-merchant-name=";Amazon US"; data-merchant-id=";1471"; data-merchant-network=";Amazonus"; data-merchant-url=";amazon.com";>;<;strong>;Crystal Ball (A&;M, 1976)<;/strong>;<;/a>;<;/p>;<;p>;When Tommy Shaw joined the band, Styx raised their game. gaining not only a fine guitar player, but also a third major songwriter. Shaw co-wrote four songs on <;em>;Crystal Ball<;/em>;, and the title track was his alone, reminiscent of <;em>;Harvest<;/em>;-era <;a href=";https://www.loudersound.com/features/the-best-neil-young-albums"; data-link-merchant=";loudersound.com"; data-merchant-name=";loudersound.com";>;Neil Young<;/a>; before climaxing in classic Styx style with power chords and zesty high vocal harmonies. <;/p>;<;p>;But there are great songs throughout, from <;em>;Put Me On<;/em>;, with its Queen-alike histrionics, to the epic <;em>;Clair De Lune/Ballerina<;/em>;. <;em>;Crystal Ball<;/em>; only made No.66 on the Billboard chart, but it set the template for Styx’s future success.<;/p>;” data-widget-type=”deal” class=”hawk-root”><div class=”hawk-deal-widget-container” data-collapsible=”false”><div class=”hawk-deal-widget-wrap”><div class=”hawk-deal-widget-image-container”><a data-google-interstitial=”false” aria-label=”View Crystal Ball (A&;M, 1976) on Amazon US” href=”https://target.georiot.com/Proxy.ashx?tsid=38569&;GR_URL=https%3A%2F%2Famazon.com%2Fdp%2FB000002GB4%2F%3Ftag%3Dhawk-future-20%26ascsubtag%3Dloudersound-gb-1385395426445269679-20″ referrerpolicy=”no-referrer-when-downgrade” class=”hawk-affiliate-link-deal-widget” data-product-key=”” data-url=”https://target.georiot.com/Proxy.ashx?tsid=38569&;GR_URL=https%3A%2F%2Famazon.com%2Fdp%2FB000002GB4%2F%3Ftag%3Dhawk-future-20%26ascsubtag%3Dloudersound-gb-1385395426445269679-20″ data-model-id=”0″ data-match-id=”0″ data-product-type=”300″ data-link-merchant=”Amazon US” data-merchant-id=”1471″ data-merchant-name=”Amazon US” data-merchant-url=”amazon.com” data-merchant-network=”Amazonus” rel=”sponsored noopener” target=”_blank” role=”link” tabindex=”0″><img src=”https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/WHz67QTjtXSgMJbqDESxuB-200-80.jpg.webp” alt=”Crystal Ball (A&;M, 1976)” title=”Crystal Ball (A&;M, 1976)” class=”hawk-lazy-image-deal-widget” draggable=”false” loading=”lazy” width=”140″ height=”160″/></a></div><div class=”hawk-deal-widget-text-cta-container”><div class=”hawk-deal-widget-text-body-container”><div class=”hawk-deal-widget-text-body-main” WPAuto_Base_Readability=”12.720713073005″><div class=”hawk-deal-widget-text-body-description” WPAuto_Base_Readability=”20.730050933786″><p xmlns=”http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml”><a data-google-interstitial=”false” aria-label=”View” href=”https://target.georiot.com/Proxy.ashx?tsid=38569&;GR_URL=https%3A%2F%2Famazon.com%2Fdp%2FB000002GB4%2F%3Ftag%3Dhawk-future-20%26ascsubtag%3Dloudersound-gb-5532112043000824288-20″ target=”_blank” data-custom-tracking-id=”5532112043000824288″ data-raw-link=”https://target.georiot.com/Proxy.ashx?tsid=38569&;GR_URL=https%3A%2F%2Famazon.com%2Fdp%2FB000002GB4%2F%3Ftag%3Dhawk-future-20%26ascsubtag%3Dhawk-custom-tracking-20″ referrerpolicy=”no-referrer-when-downgrade” rel=”sponsored noopener” role=”link” tabindex=”0″><strong>Crystal Ball (A&;M, 1976)</strong></a></p><p>When Tommy Shaw joined the band, Styx raised their game. gaining not only a fine guitar player, but also a third major songwriter. Shaw co-wrote four songs on <em>Crystal Ball</em>, and the title track was his alone, reminiscent of <em>Harvest</em>-era <a data-google-interstitial=”false” aria-label=”View” href=”https://www.loudersound.com/features/the-best-neil-young-albums” data-custom-tracking-id=”5532112043000824288″ data-raw-link=”https://www.loudersound.com/features/the-best-neil-young-albums” referrerpolicy=”no-referrer-when-downgrade” target=”_self” role=”link” tabindex=”0″ data-before-rewrite-localise=”https://www.loudersound.com/features/the-best-neil-young-albums”>Neil Young</a> before climaxing in classic Styx style with power chords and zesty high vocal harmonies. </p><p>But there are great songs throughout, from <em>Put Me On</em>, with its Queen-alike histrionics, to the epic <em>Clair De Lune/Ballerina</em>. <em>Crystal Ball</em> only made No.66 on the Billboard chart, but it set the template for Styx’s future success.</p></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><a id=”elk-a186fcf7-b92a-401c-b137-41379eac3bba”/><div data-image=”https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/7sE3THak7TkULrUzRPrKqG.jpg” data-link=”https://target.georiot.com/Proxy.ashx?tsid=38569&;GR_URL=https%3A%2F%2Famazon.com%2Fdp%2FB000002GBU%2F%3Ftag%3Dhawk-future-20%26ascsubtag%3Dhawk-custom-tracking-20″ data-link-merchant=”Amazon US” data-link-text=”View Deal” data-merchant-id=”1471″ data-merchant-name=”Amazon US” data-merchant-network=”Amazonus” data-merchant-url=”amazon.com” data-model-name=”Cornerstone (A&;M, 1979)” data-render-type=”fte” data-widget-introduction=”<;p>;<;a href=";https://target.georiot.com/Proxy.ashx?tsid=38569&;GR_URL=https%3A%2F%2Famazon.com%2Fdp%2FB000002GBU%2F%3Ftag%3Dhawk-future-20%26ascsubtag%3Dhawk-custom-tracking-20"; target=";_blank"; rel=";nofollow"; data-link-merchant=";Amazon US"; data-merchant-name=";Amazon US"; data-merchant-id=";1471"; data-merchant-network=";Amazonus"; data-merchant-url=";amazon.com";>;<;strong>;Cornerstone (A&;M, 1979)<;/strong>;<;/a>;<;/p>;<;p>;The song that gave Styx their only US No.1 single was <;em>;Babe<;/em>;, written by Dennis DeYoung for wife Suzanne, which drove sales of <;em>;Cornerstone<;/em>; to over two million. Adopting a more contemporary mainstream sound, they still rocked out – most notably on <;em>;Eddie<;/em>;, JY’s warning to Presidential hopeful Ted Kennedy. <;/p>;<;p>;There was also a prog influence in Shaw’s <;em>;Love In The Midnight<;/em>;, and a folk flavour to his brilliant <;em>;Boat On The River<;/em>;. But DeYoung’s material – <;em>;Babe<;/em>;, disco crossover <;em>;Why Me<;/em>;, and gloopy love song <;em>;First Time<;/em>; – was steering Styx into the middle of the road.<;/p>;” data-widget-type=”deal” class=”hawk-root”><div class=”hawk-deal-widget-container” data-collapsible=”false”><div class=”hawk-deal-widget-wrap”><div class=”hawk-deal-widget-image-container”><a data-google-interstitial=”false” aria-label=”View Cornerstone (A&;M, 1979) on Amazon US” href=”https://target.georiot.com/Proxy.ashx?tsid=38569&;GR_URL=https%3A%2F%2Famazon.com%2Fdp%2FB000002GBU%2F%3Ftag%3Dhawk-future-20%26ascsubtag%3Dloudersound-gb-1385395426445269679-20″ referrerpolicy=”no-referrer-when-downgrade” class=”hawk-affiliate-link-deal-widget” data-product-key=”” data-url=”https://target.georiot.com/Proxy.ashx?tsid=38569&;GR_URL=https%3A%2F%2Famazon.com%2Fdp%2FB000002GBU%2F%3Ftag%3Dhawk-future-20%26ascsubtag%3Dloudersound-gb-1385395426445269679-20″ data-model-id=”0″ data-match-id=”0″ data-product-type=”300″ data-link-merchant=”Amazon US” data-merchant-id=”1471″ data-merchant-name=”Amazon US” data-merchant-url=”amazon.com” data-merchant-network=”Amazonus” rel=”sponsored noopener” target=”_blank” role=”link” tabindex=”0″><img src=”https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/7sE3THak7TkULrUzRPrKqG-200-80.jpg.webp” alt=”Cornerstone (A&;M, 1979)” title=”Cornerstone (A&;M, 1979)” class=”hawk-lazy-image-deal-widget” draggable=”false” loading=”lazy” width=”140″ height=”160″/></a></div><div class=”hawk-deal-widget-text-cta-container”><div class=”hawk-deal-widget-text-body-container”><div class=”hawk-deal-widget-text-body-main” WPAuto_Base_Readability=”12.494077834179″><div class=”hawk-deal-widget-text-body-description” WPAuto_Base_Readability=”20.182741116751″><p xmlns=”http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml”><a data-google-interstitial=”false” aria-label=”View” href=”https://target.georiot.com/Proxy.ashx?tsid=38569&;GR_URL=https%3A%2F%2Famazon.com%2Fdp%2FB000002GBU%2F%3Ftag%3Dhawk-future-20%26ascsubtag%3Dloudersound-gb-5532112043000824288-20″ target=”_blank” data-custom-tracking-id=”5532112043000824288″ data-raw-link=”https://target.georiot.com/Proxy.ashx?tsid=38569&;GR_URL=https%3A%2F%2Famazon.com%2Fdp%2FB000002GBU%2F%3Ftag%3Dhawk-future-20%26ascsubtag%3Dhawk-custom-tracking-20″ referrerpolicy=”no-referrer-when-downgrade” rel=”sponsored noopener” role=”link” tabindex=”0″><strong>Cornerstone (A&;M, 1979)</strong></a></p><p>The song that gave Styx their only US No.1 single was <em>Babe</em>, written by Dennis DeYoung for wife Suzanne, which drove sales of <em>Cornerstone</em> to over two million. Adopting a more contemporary mainstream sound, they still rocked out – most notably on <em>Eddie</em>, JY’s warning to Presidential hopeful Ted Kennedy. </p><p>There was also a prog influence in Shaw’s <em>Love In The Midnight</em>, and a folk flavour to his brilliant <em>Boat On The River</em>. But DeYoung’s material – <em>Babe</em>, disco crossover <em>Why Me</em>, and gloopy love song <em>First Time</em> – was steering Styx into the middle of the road.</p></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><a id=”elk-12c2a3d5-0f01-4d33-9de9-3cfba15d24d9″/><div data-image=”https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/gSp64kVqDevFHtrKQ9MfuL.jpg” data-link=”https://target.georiot.com/Proxy.ashx?tsid=38569&;GR_URL=https%3A%2F%2Famazon.com%2Fdp%2FB00599UD86%2F%3Ftag%3Dhawk-future-20%26ascsubtag%3Dhawk-custom-tracking-20″ data-link-merchant=”Amazon US” data-link-text=”View Deal” data-merchant-id=”1471″ data-merchant-name=”Amazon US” data-merchant-network=”Amazonus” data-merchant-url=”amazon.com” data-model-name=”Kilroy Was Here (A&;M, 1983)” data-render-type=”fte” data-widget-introduction=”<;p>;<;a href=";https://target.georiot.com/Proxy.ashx?tsid=38569&;GR_URL=https%3A%2F%2Famazon.com%2Fdp%2FB00599UD86%2F%3Ftag%3Dhawk-future-20%26ascsubtag%3Dhawk-custom-tracking-20"; target=";_blank"; rel=";nofollow"; data-link-merchant=";Amazon US"; data-merchant-name=";Amazon US"; data-merchant-id=";1471"; data-merchant-network=";Amazonus"; data-merchant-url=";amazon.com";>;<;strong>;Kilroy Was Here (A&;M, 1983)<;/strong>;<;/a>;<;/p>;<;p>;Another concept album, this time a full-blown rock opera. With a plot lifted from the <;a href=";https://www.loudersound.com/features/rush-albums-ranked"; data-link-merchant=";loudersound.com"; data-merchant-name=";loudersound.com";>;Rush<;/a>; album <;em>;2112<;/em>;, <;em>;Kilroy…<;/em>; is a sci-fi fantasy in which the titular hero battles a fascist regime for the right to rock. In parts, it’s brilliant. Gonzoid top three hit <;em>;Mr Roboto<;/em>; is a work of genius bordering on insanity, DeYoung hamming it up over a disco-rock beat. <;/p>;<;p>;The equally gonzoid <;em>;Heavy Metal Poisoning<;/em>; is an excellent anti-censorship satire. But half of <;em>;Kilroy...<;/em>; is weak, plot-driven filler. While the album sold over two million, the stage show proved financially disastrous, and a squabbling Styx imploded.<;/p>;” data-widget-type=”deal” class=”hawk-root”><div class=”hawk-deal-widget-container” data-collapsible=”false”><div class=”hawk-deal-widget-wrap”><div class=”hawk-deal-widget-image-container”><a data-google-interstitial=”false” aria-label=”View Kilroy Was Here (A&;M, 1983) on Amazon US” href=”https://target.georiot.com/Proxy.ashx?tsid=38569&;GR_URL=https%3A%2F%2Famazon.com%2Fdp%2FB00599UD86%2F%3Ftag%3Dhawk-future-20%26ascsubtag%3Dloudersound-gb-1385395426445269679-20″ referrerpolicy=”no-referrer-when-downgrade” class=”hawk-affiliate-link-deal-widget” data-product-key=”” data-url=”https://target.georiot.com/Proxy.ashx?tsid=38569&;GR_URL=https%3A%2F%2Famazon.com%2Fdp%2FB00599UD86%2F%3Ftag%3Dhawk-future-20%26ascsubtag%3Dloudersound-gb-1385395426445269679-20″ data-model-id=”0″ data-match-id=”0″ data-product-type=”300″ data-link-merchant=”Amazon US” data-merchant-id=”1471″ data-merchant-name=”Amazon US” data-merchant-url=”amazon.com” data-merchant-network=”Amazonus” rel=”sponsored noopener” target=”_blank” role=”link” tabindex=”0″><img src=”https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/gSp64kVqDevFHtrKQ9MfuL-200-80.jpg.webp” alt=”Kilroy Was Here (A&;M, 1983)” title=”Kilroy Was Here (A&;M, 1983)” class=”hawk-lazy-image-deal-widget” draggable=”false” loading=”lazy” width=”140″ height=”160″/></a></div><div class=”hawk-deal-widget-text-cta-container”><div class=”hawk-deal-widget-text-body-container”><div class=”hawk-deal-widget-text-body-main” WPAuto_Base_Readability=”13.788765822785″><div class=”hawk-deal-widget-text-body-description” WPAuto_Base_Readability=”22.822784810127″><p xmlns=”http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml”><a data-google-interstitial=”false” aria-label=”View” href=”https://target.georiot.com/Proxy.ashx?tsid=38569&;GR_URL=https%3A%2F%2Famazon.com%2Fdp%2FB00599UD86%2F%3Ftag%3Dhawk-future-20%26ascsubtag%3Dloudersound-gb-5532112043000824288-20″ target=”_blank” data-custom-tracking-id=”5532112043000824288″ data-raw-link=”https://target.georiot.com/Proxy.ashx?tsid=38569&;GR_URL=https%3A%2F%2Famazon.com%2Fdp%2FB00599UD86%2F%3Ftag%3Dhawk-future-20%26ascsubtag%3Dhawk-custom-tracking-20″ referrerpolicy=”no-referrer-when-downgrade” rel=”sponsored noopener” role=”link” tabindex=”0″><strong>Kilroy Was Here (A&;M, 1983)</strong></a></p><p>Another concept album, this time a full-blown rock opera. With a plot lifted from the <a data-google-interstitial=”false” aria-label=”View” href=”https://www.loudersound.com/features/rush-albums-ranked” data-custom-tracking-id=”5532112043000824288″ data-raw-link=”https://www.loudersound.com/features/rush-albums-ranked” referrerpolicy=”no-referrer-when-downgrade” target=”_self” role=”link” tabindex=”0″ data-before-rewrite-localise=”https://www.loudersound.com/features/rush-albums-ranked”>Rush</a> album <em>2112</em>, <em>Kilroy…</em> is a sci-fi fantasy in which the titular hero battles a fascist regime for the right to rock. In parts, it’s brilliant. Gonzoid top three hit <em>Mr Roboto</em> is a work of genius bordering on insanity, DeYoung hamming it up over a disco-rock beat. </p><p>The equally gonzoid <em>Heavy Metal Poisoning</em> is an excellent anti-censorship satire. But half of <em>Kilroy...</em> is weak, plot-driven filler. While the album sold over two million, the stage show proved financially disastrous, and a squabbling Styx imploded.</p></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><a id=”elk-cf9f0bdc-e915-4ebb-bd15-be3e51efae58″/><div data-image=”https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/kd4Hk7eWrKg7Lr7aahmMQS.jpg” data-link=”https://target.georiot.com/Proxy.ashx?tsid=38569&;GR_URL=https%3A%2F%2Famazon.com%2Fdp%2FB000002GB2%2F%3Ftag%3Dhawk-future-20%26ascsubtag%3Dhawk-custom-tracking-20″ data-link-merchant=”Amazon US” data-link-text=”View Deal” data-merchant-id=”1471″ data-merchant-name=”Amazon US” data-merchant-network=”Amazonus” data-merchant-url=”amazon.com” data-model-name=”Equinox (A&;M, 1975)” data-render-type=”fte” data-widget-introduction=”<;p>;<;a href=";https://target.georiot.com/Proxy.ashx?tsid=38569&;GR_URL=https%3A%2F%2Famazon.com%2Fdp%2FB000002GB2%2F%3Ftag%3Dhawk-future-20%26ascsubtag%3Dhawk-custom-tracking-20"; target=";_blank"; rel=";nofollow"; data-link-merchant=";Amazon US"; data-merchant-name=";Amazon US"; data-merchant-id=";1471"; data-merchant-network=";Amazonus"; data-merchant-url=";amazon.com";>;<;strong>;Equinox (A&;M, 1975)<;/strong>;<;/a>;<;/p>;<;p>;In late ’74, Styx got lucky. After four underperforming albums, they signed with A&;M, while the ballad <;em>;Lady<;/em>;, originally from 1973’s <;em>;Styx II<;/em>;, belatedly powered into the Top 10. <;/p>;<;p>;<;em>;Equinox<;/em>;, didn’t break the Top 40, but it did produce a hit in <;em>;Lorelei<;/em>;, a joyous pop-rock tune, and was the strongest Styx album to date. Outgoing guitarist John Curulewski co-wrote the rowdy <;em>;Born For Adventure<;/em>; and the trippy <;em>;Mother Dear<;/em>;, both themed on hedonism and excess. But the album’s best and most overblown song is <;em>;Suite Madame Blue<;/em>;, DeYoung’s hymn to America.<;/p>;” data-widget-type=”deal” class=”hawk-root”><div class=”hawk-deal-widget-container” data-collapsible=”false”><div class=”hawk-deal-widget-wrap”><div class=”hawk-deal-widget-image-container”><a data-google-interstitial=”false” aria-label=”View Equinox (A&;M, 1975) on Amazon US” href=”https://target.georiot.com/Proxy.ashx?tsid=38569&;GR_URL=https%3A%2F%2Famazon.com%2Fdp%2FB000002GB2%2F%3Ftag%3Dhawk-future-20%26ascsubtag%3Dloudersound-gb-1385395426445269679-20″ referrerpolicy=”no-referrer-when-downgrade” class=”hawk-affiliate-link-deal-widget” data-product-key=”” data-url=”https://target.georiot.com/Proxy.ashx?tsid=38569&;GR_URL=https%3A%2F%2Famazon.com%2Fdp%2FB000002GB2%2F%3Ftag%3Dhawk-future-20%26ascsubtag%3Dloudersound-gb-1385395426445269679-20″ data-model-id=”0″ data-match-id=”0″ data-product-type=”300″ data-link-merchant=”Amazon US” data-merchant-id=”1471″ data-merchant-name=”Amazon US” data-merchant-url=”amazon.com” data-merchant-network=”Amazonus” rel=”sponsored noopener” target=”_blank” role=”link” tabindex=”0″><img src=”https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/kd4Hk7eWrKg7Lr7aahmMQS-200-80.jpg.webp” alt=”Equinox (A&;M, 1975)” title=”Equinox (A&;M, 1975)” class=”hawk-lazy-image-deal-widget” draggable=”false” loading=”lazy” width=”140″ height=”160″/></a></div><div class=”hawk-deal-widget-text-cta-container”><div class=”hawk-deal-widget-text-body-container”><div class=”hawk-deal-widget-text-body-main” WPAuto_Base_Readability=”14.018356643357″><div class=”hawk-deal-widget-text-body-description” WPAuto_Base_Readability=”23.202797202797″><p xmlns=”http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml”><a data-google-interstitial=”false” aria-label=”View” href=”https://target.georiot.com/Proxy.ashx?tsid=38569&;GR_URL=https%3A%2F%2Famazon.com%2Fdp%2FB000002GB2%2F%3Ftag%3Dhawk-future-20%26ascsubtag%3Dloudersound-gb-5532112043000824288-20″ target=”_blank” data-custom-tracking-id=”5532112043000824288″ data-raw-link=”https://target.georiot.com/Proxy.ashx?tsid=38569&;GR_URL=https%3A%2F%2Famazon.com%2Fdp%2FB000002GB2%2F%3Ftag%3Dhawk-future-20%26ascsubtag%3Dhawk-custom-tracking-20″ referrerpolicy=”no-referrer-when-downgrade” rel=”sponsored noopener” role=”link” tabindex=”0″><strong>Equinox (A&;M, 1975)</strong></a></p><p>In late ’74, Styx got lucky. After four underperforming albums, they signed with A&;M, while the ballad <em>Lady</em>, originally from 1973’s <em>Styx II</em>, belatedly powered into the Top 10. </p><p><em>Equinox</em>, didn’t break the Top 40, but it did produce a hit in <em>Lorelei</em>, a joyous pop-rock tune, and was the strongest Styx album to date. Outgoing guitarist John Curulewski co-wrote the rowdy <em>Born For Adventure</em> and the trippy <em>Mother Dear</em>, both themed on hedonism and excess. But the album’s best and most overblown song is <em>Suite Madame Blue</em>, DeYoung’s hymn to America.</p></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><a id=”elk-b5229df3-97ce-4fa7-9955-f495eb0eaa33″/><div data-image=”https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/wrXZDtvmxNRU6BQvtMQm2X.jpg” data-link=”https://target.georiot.com/Proxy.ashx?tsid=38569&;GR_URL=https%3A%2F%2Famazon.com%2Fdp%2FB0933KLQ36%2F%3Ftag%3Dhawk-future-20%26ascsubtag%3Dhawk-custom-tracking-20″ data-link-merchant=”Amazon US” data-link-text=”View Deal” data-merchant-id=”1471″ data-merchant-name=”Amazon US” data-merchant-network=”Amazonus” data-merchant-url=”amazon.com” data-model-name=”Crash Of The Crown (UME, 2021)” data-render-type=”fte” data-widget-introduction=”<;p>;<;a href=";https://target.georiot.com/Proxy.ashx?tsid=38569&;GR_URL=https%3A%2F%2Famazon.com%2Fdp%2FB0933KLQ36%2F%3Ftag%3Dhawk-future-20%26ascsubtag%3Dhawk-custom-tracking-20"; target=";_blank"; rel=";nofollow"; data-link-merchant=";Amazon US"; data-merchant-name=";Amazon US"; data-merchant-id=";1471"; data-merchant-network=";Amazonus"; data-merchant-url=";amazon.com";>;<;strong>;Crash Of The Crown (UME, 2021)<;/strong>;<;/a>;<;/p>;<;p>;The last thing we need is a bunch of successful AOR veterans telling us they’re determined to look on the bright side of life. And yet Styx’s 17th album succeeds admirably in its upbeat message. <;/p>;<;p>;<;em>;Fight Of Our Lives<;/em>; is a gung-ho anthem in which Asia-style vocal harmonies are punctuated by pugnacious riffs and proggy synth flourishes. <;em>;Reveries<;/em>; is a stirring rocker redolent of ELO, and the title track could be a lost Queen track, Lawrence Gowan sounding like Freddie Mercury arisen from the grave. As positivity goes, then, way more tonic than toxic. <;strong>;(JS)<;/strong>;<;/p>;” data-widget-type=”deal” class=”hawk-root”><div class=”hawk-deal-widget-container” data-collapsible=”false”><div class=”hawk-deal-widget-wrap”><div class=”hawk-deal-widget-image-container”><a data-google-interstitial=”false” aria-label=”View Crash Of The Crown (UME, 2021) on Amazon US” href=”https://target.georiot.com/Proxy.ashx?tsid=38569&;GR_URL=https%3A%2F%2Famazon.com%2Fdp%2FB0933KLQ36%2F%3Ftag%3Dhawk-future-20%26ascsubtag%3Dloudersound-gb-1385395426445269679-20″ referrerpolicy=”no-referrer-when-downgrade” class=”hawk-affiliate-link-deal-widget” data-product-key=”” data-url=”https://target.georiot.com/Proxy.ashx?tsid=38569&;GR_URL=https%3A%2F%2Famazon.com%2Fdp%2FB0933KLQ36%2F%3Ftag%3Dhawk-future-20%26ascsubtag%3Dloudersound-gb-1385395426445269679-20″ data-model-id=”0″ data-match-id=”0″ data-product-type=”300″ data-link-merchant=”Amazon US” data-merchant-id=”1471″ data-merchant-name=”Amazon US” data-merchant-url=”amazon.com” data-merchant-network=”Amazonus” rel=”sponsored noopener” target=”_blank” role=”link” tabindex=”0″><img src=”https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/wrXZDtvmxNRU6BQvtMQm2X-200-80.jpg.webp” alt=”Crash Of The Crown (UME, 2021)” title=”Crash Of The Crown (UME, 2021)” class=”hawk-lazy-image-deal-widget” draggable=”false” loading=”lazy” width=”140″ height=”160″/></a></div><div class=”hawk-deal-widget-text-cta-container”><div class=”hawk-deal-widget-text-body-container”><div class=”hawk-deal-widget-text-body-main” WPAuto_Base_Readability=”11.863327674024″><div class=”hawk-deal-widget-text-body-description” WPAuto_Base_Readability=”18.981324278438″><p xmlns=”http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml”><a data-google-interstitial=”false” aria-label=”View” href=”https://target.georiot.com/Proxy.ashx?tsid=38569&;GR_URL=https%3A%2F%2Famazon.com%2Fdp%2FB0933KLQ36%2F%3Ftag%3Dhawk-future-20%26ascsubtag%3Dloudersound-gb-5532112043000824288-20″ target=”_blank” data-custom-tracking-id=”5532112043000824288″ data-raw-link=”https://target.georiot.com/Proxy.ashx?tsid=38569&;GR_URL=https%3A%2F%2Famazon.com%2Fdp%2FB0933KLQ36%2F%3Ftag%3Dhawk-future-20%26ascsubtag%3Dhawk-custom-tracking-20″ referrerpolicy=”no-referrer-when-downgrade” rel=”sponsored noopener” role=”link” tabindex=”0″><strong>Crash Of The Crown (UME, 2021)</strong></a></p><p>The last thing we need is a bunch of successful AOR veterans telling us they’re determined to look on the bright side of life. And yet Styx’s 17th album succeeds admirably in its upbeat message. </p><p><em>Fight Of Our Lives</em> is a gung-ho anthem in which Asia-style vocal harmonies are punctuated by pugnacious riffs and proggy synth flourishes. <em>Reveries</em> is a stirring rocker redolent of ELO, and the title track could be a lost Queen track, Lawrence Gowan sounding like Freddie Mercury arisen from the grave. As positivity goes, then, way more tonic than toxic. <strong>(JS)</strong></p></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><a id=”elk-6e1ade5a-4e1f-4f9c-ac7e-0ca30a7b5a66″/><div data-image=”https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/bi9rgtWpXwma9aYoPw4D7c.jpg” data-link=”https://target.georiot.com/Proxy.ashx?tsid=38569&;GR_URL=https%3A%2F%2Famazon.com%2Fdp%2FB0FB5VQH6Y%2F%3Ftag%3Dhawk-future-20%26ascsubtag%3Dhawk-custom-tracking-20″ data-link-merchant=”Amazon US” data-link-text=”View Deal” data-merchant-id=”1471″ data-merchant-name=”Amazon US” data-merchant-network=”Amazonus” data-merchant-url=”amazon.com” data-model-name=”Circling From Above (UME, 2025)” data-render-type=”fte” data-widget-introduction=”<;p>;<;a href=";https://target.georiot.com/Proxy.ashx?tsid=38569&;GR_URL=https%3A%2F%2Famazon.com%2Fdp%2FB0FB5VQH6Y%2F%3Ftag%3Dhawk-future-20%26ascsubtag%3Dhawk-custom-tracking-20"; target=";_blank"; rel=";nofollow"; data-link-merchant=";Amazon US"; data-merchant-name=";Amazon US"; data-merchant-id=";1471"; data-merchant-network=";Amazonus"; data-merchant-url=";amazon.com";>;<;strong>;Circling From Above (UME, 2025)<;/strong>;<;/a>;<;/p>;<;p>;It’s not a bona fide concept LP à la 2017’s<;em>; The Mission<;/em>;, but Styx’s 18th album<;em>;Circling From Above<;/em>;continues Styx’s recent prog-orientated renaissance, and old-hands JY, Shaw and Panozzo all sound galvanised and vital.<;/p>;<;p>;If there’s initially a<;a href=";https://www.loudersound.com/features/supertramps-roger-hodgson-the-10-best-songs-ive-written-composed-and-sung"; data-link-merchant=";loudersound.com"; data-merchant-name=";loudersound.com";>;Supertramp<;/a>;-circa-<;em>;The Logical Song<;/em>;-vibe to<;em>;The Things That You Said<;/em>;, it soon opens out into<;a href=";https://www.loudersound.com/features/jeff-lynne-elo-early-years"; data-link-merchant=";loudersound.com"; data-merchant-name=";loudersound.com";>;ELO<;/a>;-ish territory. Elsewhere,<;em>;Blue-Eyed Raven<;/em>;’s Greek folk elements and<;em>;The Devil Went Down To Georgia-<;/em>;style fiddle – courtesy of guest musician Aubrey Haynie – suggest the band’s touchstone is<;em>;Boat On The River<;/em>;, from 1979’s <;em>;Cornerstone <;/em>;album. <;strong>;(JM)<;/strong>;<;/p>;” data-widget-type=”deal” class=”hawk-root”><div class=”hawk-deal-widget-container” data-collapsible=”false”><div class=”hawk-deal-widget-wrap”><div class=”hawk-deal-widget-image-container”><a data-google-interstitial=”false” aria-label=”View Circling From Above (UME, 2025) on Amazon US” href=”https://target.georiot.com/Proxy.ashx?tsid=38569&;GR_URL=https%3A%2F%2Famazon.com%2Fdp%2FB0FB5VQH6Y%2F%3Ftag%3Dhawk-future-20%26ascsubtag%3Dloudersound-gb-1385395426445269679-20″ referrerpolicy=”no-referrer-when-downgrade” class=”hawk-affiliate-link-deal-widget” data-product-key=”” data-url=”https://target.georiot.com/Proxy.ashx?tsid=38569&;GR_URL=https%3A%2F%2Famazon.com%2Fdp%2FB0FB5VQH6Y%2F%3Ftag%3Dhawk-future-20%26ascsubtag%3Dloudersound-gb-1385395426445269679-20″ data-model-id=”0″ data-match-id=”0″ data-product-type=”300″ data-link-merchant=”Amazon US” data-merchant-id=”1471″ data-merchant-name=”Amazon US” data-merchant-url=”amazon.com” data-merchant-network=”Amazonus” rel=”sponsored noopener” target=”_blank” role=”link” tabindex=”0″><img src=”https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/bi9rgtWpXwma9aYoPw4D7c-200-80.jpg.webp” alt=”Circling From Above (UME, 2025)” title=”Circling From Above (UME, 2025)” class=”hawk-lazy-image-deal-widget” draggable=”false” loading=”lazy” width=”140″ height=”160″/></a></div><div class=”hawk-deal-widget-text-cta-container”><div class=”hawk-deal-widget-text-body-container”><div class=”hawk-deal-widget-text-body-main” WPAuto_Base_Readability=”13.028391167192″><div class=”hawk-deal-widget-text-body-description” WPAuto_Base_Readability=”21.403785488959″><p xmlns=”http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml”><a data-google-interstitial=”false” aria-label=”View” href=”https://target.georiot.com/Proxy.ashx?tsid=38569&;GR_URL=https%3A%2F%2Famazon.com%2Fdp%2FB0FB5VQH6Y%2F%3Ftag%3Dhawk-future-20%26ascsubtag%3Dloudersound-gb-5532112043000824288-20″ target=”_blank” data-custom-tracking-id=”5532112043000824288″ data-raw-link=”https://target.georiot.com/Proxy.ashx?tsid=38569&;GR_URL=https%3A%2F%2Famazon.com%2Fdp%2FB0FB5VQH6Y%2F%3Ftag%3Dhawk-future-20%26ascsubtag%3Dhawk-custom-tracking-20″ referrerpolicy=”no-referrer-when-downgrade” rel=”sponsored noopener” role=”link” tabindex=”0″><strong>Circling From Above (UME, 2025)</strong></a></p><p>It’s not a bona fide concept LP à la 2017’s<em> The Mission</em>, but Styx’s 18th album<em>Circling From Above</em>continues Styx’s recent prog-orientated renaissance, and old-hands JY, Shaw and Panozzo all sound galvanised and vital.</p><p>If there’s initially a<a data-google-interstitial=”false” aria-label=”View” href=”https://www.loudersound.com/features/supertramps-roger-hodgson-the-10-best-songs-ive-written-composed-and-sung” data-custom-tracking-id=”5532112043000824288″ data-raw-link=”https://www.loudersound.com/features/supertramps-roger-hodgson-the-10-best-songs-ive-written-composed-and-sung” referrerpolicy=”no-referrer-when-downgrade” target=”_self” role=”link” tabindex=”0″ data-before-rewrite-localise=”https://www.loudersound.com/features/supertramps-roger-hodgson-the-10-best-songs-ive-written-composed-and-sung”>Supertramp</a>-circa-<em>The Logical Song</em>-vibe to<em>The Things That You Said</em>, it soon opens out into<a data-google-interstitial=”false” aria-label=”View” href=”https://www.loudersound.com/features/jeff-lynne-elo-early-years” data-custom-tracking-id=”5532112043000824288″ data-raw-link=”https://www.loudersound.com/features/jeff-lynne-elo-early-years” referrerpolicy=”no-referrer-when-downgrade” target=”_self” role=”link” tabindex=”0″ data-before-rewrite-localise=”https://www.loudersound.com/features/jeff-lynne-elo-early-years”>ELO</a>-ish territory. Elsewhere,<em>Blue-Eyed Raven</em>’s Greek folk elements and<em>The Devil Went Down To Georgia-</em>style fiddle – courtesy of guest musician Aubrey Haynie – suggest the band’s touchstone is<em>Boat On The River</em>, from 1979’s <em>Cornerstone </em>album. <strong>(JM)</strong></p></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><a id=”elk-9913d303-365b-4044-9e91-58b5a135d457″/><h2 id=”and-one-to-avoid-3″>...and one to avoid</h2><p class=”text-xs leading-5 mb-2 text-left py-2 md:px-4″ id=”how-we-test”>
<span class=”font-bold text-primary-500″>You can trust Louder
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<span>Our experienced team has worked for some of the biggest brands in music. From testing headphones to reviewing albums, our experts aim to create reviews you can trust. <a href=”https://www.loudersound.com/features/how-we-test-and-rate-products-at-louder” data-before-rewrite-localise=”https://www.loudersound.com/features/how-we-test-and-rate-products-at-louder”>Find out more about how we review.</a></span>
</p><a id=”elk-collectionwidget-15087cc0797ea3fe03d742d3f0d0c1ca”/><a id=”elk-f09be879-dbb3-4ba0-aa05-ac9cdf88909b”/><div data-image=”https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/moVuFfGNStn8JCzupq795h.jpg” data-link=”https://target.georiot.com/Proxy.ashx?tsid=38569&;GR_URL=https%3A%2F%2Famazon.com%2Fdp%2FB0007XBN1U%2F%3Ftag%3Dhawk-future-20%26ascsubtag%3Dhawk-custom-tracking-20″ data-link-merchant=”Amazon US” data-link-text=”View Deal” data-merchant-id=”1471″ data-merchant-name=”Amazon US” data-merchant-network=”Amazonus” data-merchant-url=”amazon.com” data-model-name=”Big Bang Theory (New Door, 2005)” data-render-type=”fte” data-widget-introduction=”<;p>;<;a href=";https://target.georiot.com/Proxy.ashx?tsid=38569&;GR_URL=https%3A%2F%2Famazon.com%2Fdp%2FB0007XBN1U%2F%3Ftag%3Dhawk-future-20%26ascsubtag%3Dhawk-custom-tracking-20"; target=";_blank"; rel=";nofollow"; data-link-merchant=";Amazon US"; data-merchant-name=";Amazon US"; data-merchant-id=";1471"; data-merchant-network=";Amazonus"; data-merchant-url=";amazon.com";>;<;strong>;Big Bang Theory (New Door, 2005)<;/strong>;<;/a>; <;/p>;<;p>;In 1999, Styx returned, with Tommy Shaw back on board. <;em>;Brave New World<;/em>; was billed as the band’s big comeback, but it was hopeless, featuring Dennis DeYoung’s appallingly titled <;em>;High Crimes And Misdemeanors (Hip Hop-cracy)<;/em>;. <;/p>;<;p>;Equally bad was Styx’s album of rock standards, <;em>;Big Bang Theory<;/em>;, which came out in 2005. It would be their highest-charting album for 14 years, but plodding through The Beatles’ <;em>;I Am The Walrus<;/em>;, Hendrix’s <;em>;Manic Depression<;/em>; and other old favourites, Styx simply sound like a bar band, and not a particularly good one.<;/p>;” data-widget-type=”deal” class=”hawk-root”><div class=”hawk-deal-widget-container” data-collapsible=”false”><div class=”hawk-deal-widget-wrap”><div class=”hawk-deal-widget-image-container”><a data-google-interstitial=”false” aria-label=”View Big Bang Theory (New Door, 2005) on Amazon US” href=”https://target.georiot.com/Proxy.ashx?tsid=38569&;GR_URL=https%3A%2F%2Famazon.com%2Fdp%2FB0007XBN1U%2F%3Ftag%3Dhawk-future-20%26ascsubtag%3Dloudersound-gb-1385395426445269679-20″ referrerpolicy=”no-referrer-when-downgrade” class=”hawk-affiliate-link-deal-widget” data-product-key=”” data-url=”https://target.georiot.com/Proxy.ashx?tsid=38569&;GR_URL=https%3A%2F%2Famazon.com%2Fdp%2FB0007XBN1U%2F%3Ftag%3Dhawk-future-20%26ascsubtag%3Dloudersound-gb-1385395426445269679-20″ data-model-id=”0″ data-match-id=”0″ data-product-type=”300″ data-link-merchant=”Amazon US” data-merchant-id=”1471″ data-merchant-name=”Amazon US” data-merchant-url=”amazon.com” data-merchant-network=”Amazonus” rel=”sponsored noopener” target=”_blank” role=”link” tabindex=”0″><img src=”https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/moVuFfGNStn8JCzupq795h-200-80.jpg.webp” alt=”Big Bang Theory (New Door, 2005)” title=”Big Bang Theory (New Door, 2005)” class=”hawk-lazy-image-deal-widget” draggable=”false” loading=”lazy” width=”140″ height=”160″/></a></div><div class=”hawk-deal-widget-text-cta-container”><div class=”hawk-deal-widget-text-body-container”><div class=”hawk-deal-widget-text-body-main” WPAuto_Base_Readability=”15.118760757315″><div class=”hawk-deal-widget-text-body-description” WPAuto_Base_Readability=”25.512908777969″><p xmlns=”http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml”><a data-google-interstitial=”false” aria-label=”View” href=”https://target.georiot.com/Proxy.ashx?tsid=38569&;GR_URL=https%3A%2F%2Famazon.com%2Fdp%2FB0007XBN1U%2F%3Ftag%3Dhawk-future-20%26ascsubtag%3Dloudersound-gb-5532112043000824288-20″ target=”_blank” data-custom-tracking-id=”5532112043000824288″ data-raw-link=”https://target.georiot.com/Proxy.ashx?tsid=38569&;GR_URL=https%3A%2F%2Famazon.com%2Fdp%2FB0007XBN1U%2F%3Ftag%3Dhawk-future-20%26ascsubtag%3Dhawk-custom-tracking-20″ referrerpolicy=”no-referrer-when-downgrade” rel=”sponsored noopener” role=”link” tabindex=”0″><strong>Big Bang Theory (New Door, 2005)</strong></a> </p><p>In 1999, Styx returned, with Tommy Shaw back on board. <em>Brave New World</em> was billed as the band’s big comeback, but it was hopeless, featuring Dennis DeYoung’s appallingly titled <em>High Crimes And Misdemeanors (Hip Hop-cracy)</em>. </p><p>Equally bad was Styx’s album of rock standards, <em>Big Bang Theory</em>, which came out in 2005. It would be their highest-charting album for 14 years, but plodding through The Beatles’ <em>I Am The Walrus</em>, Hendrix’s <em>Manic Depression</em> and other old favourites, Styx simply sound like a bar band, and not a particularly good one.</p></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><a id=”elk-e2d9205f-c6d1-40c7-89e2-cf6acfb3867e”/><iframe allow=”autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; fullscreen; picture-in-picture” height=”352″ width=”100%” id=”” style=”border-radius:12px” class=”position-center” data-lazy-priority=”low” data-lazy-src=”https://open.spotify.com/embed/playlist/4u5IQ77UcTAYCn1NRrSxzp?utm_source=generator”/><p style=”display: inline;” class=”WPAuto_Base_Readability-styled”>
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