Styx. Once upon a time this legendary – no, iconic pomp-rock band was huge. But even though they might not be the huge draw they once were, they’re still going strong and making records even though they have a different line-up today. But then again, which band hasn’t? For me, personally, Styx was never a band I dug into and therefore most of their music has passed me by, the excellent Paradise Theatre (1981) as the exception to the rule. Don’t ask me why, but their music never stuck with me even though it might should have when you think about the fact that they have always consisted of top-notch musicians. That being said, I never had any dislike towards them either. Styx is now working on a new album as we speak and I guess I’ll give that one a go when it comes out.
Dennis DeYoung was once the lead singer and keyboard player in Styx. He was in the band from their self-titled debut album in 1972 and quit the band for the first time in 1984 only to rejoin them for a year in 1990-1991. He came back in 1995 and left again for the final (?) time in 1999. Even though there have been some internal troubles – mostly between DeYoung and guitarist/singer Tommy Shaw – DeYoung now says he’s open for another Styx reunion. We’ll just have to wait and see what happens there but according to Shaw we shouldn’t hold our breath. When it comes to DeYoung’s career outside of Styx, the 73-year-young has released six studio albums since 1984 and two live ones, his brand new record is #7.
Opener and first single “East Of Midnight” is a pop-rock fueled AOR track that has one feet in the early 80’s, making his Styx past coming up for air. With a chunky stomp, some church-organ like keyboards and some twin guitar rocking, the song takes a more swinging vibe of the AOR-ish melodies and arrangements. Memorable melodies everywhere, some big pomp and a refrain that really sticks takes the song all the way for a home-run. Very good. Second single and first video “With All Due Respect” is a more hard-rocking, in-your-face piece that holds some crafty guitar-riffing and a punchy drum-beat. Rhythmically, it sends a nod towards a song like Poison’s “Unskinny Bop” and the pissed off lyrics “With all due respect, you’re an asshole, you make me sick”, clearly about the situation in the US right now, makes the song come off as a bit goofy. That said, the chorus is the kind that gets stuck in your head no matter what you think of it. It’s a pretty good track, if you ask me.
The laid-back and somewhat quiet “A Kingdom Ablaze” holds a bit spacey and dreamy arrangement in the verses which reminds me of Ayeron for some reason. It’s an epic, pompous and bombastic number with choral chants, lots of keyboards and again, some Styx-like parts shows up. The chorus is easy to embrace with all it’s catchiness but don’t expect to hear it on the radio anytime soon – it’s not the least hit-laden even though there are traces of AOR in the melodies. Great stuff. “You My Love” takes us back to the cute and sweet balladry of the 1950’s and the whole thing is surrounded by pure Pop. It’s a quite charming little love-song with a slight nod towards Broadway but it’s also a bit of a bagatelle. Not bad but it doesn’t really last either.
The Jim Peterik (Survivor, Pride Of Lions) co-penned “Run For The Roses” is another ballad with even more musical-theatre touches but it’s also easy to spot Peteriks AOR past within the song. It’s a dramatic and theatrical tune reminiscent of Pride Of Lions but when the majestic refrain hits, it’s AOR of the 80’s that we’re treated with. It might be slightly sugary but it’s also very hard not to surrender to as catchy doesn’t even begin to describe it. Good tune, indeed. “Damn The Dream” is an upbeat, stompy and rhythmic AOR-rocker with a big soundscape, great vocal-arrangements and a good dose of Rock. The AOR-ism of the tune takes us back to the late 70’s/early 80’s and the fact that we get a slice of both City Boy and Foreigner as well as Survivor and of course Styx, makes me think it’s another Peterik co-write. The mastodon chorus on top is brilliantly catchy and is of the kind that a band like Cats In Space has been influenced by. This is awesome.
“Unbroken” is an uptempo but soft and poppy west-coast/AOR half-ballad. It holds some tasteful melodies, it’s hook-laden and the fingerprints of Peterik is all over the place. It’s a bit streamlined but it also holds a catchy as hell chorus with a real throwback to the mid 80’s vocal-melody. It’s a good song but nothing out of the ordinary. “The Promise Of This Land” is an upbeat pop-rocker on a danceable rhythm. It’s also quite dramatic with more references towards musical-threatre where the mixture of pomp-rock, Pop and AOR blends like it’s most natural thing in the world. All in all, it’s an uplifting, feel-good track with an infectious chorus. Good one.
Quite surprisingly, the upbeat, straight-forward yet slow ballad “To The Good Old Days” features av duet with Julian Lennon, son of John. It’s a slick, silky and very Pop ballad with smooth melodies and a taciturn arrangement all over. There’s more of that Broadway musical vibe mixed with a sugary refrain, a refrain that’s ok albeit a bit mawkish. It’s not a bad song but it never really grab me either. As a closer, “A.D. 2020” sends a clear nod back to Paradise Theatre (“A.D. 1928”, “A.D. 1958”) both lyrically and musically. It’s a soft ballad, piano and vocals outro that does its job as the curtain calls. I really like this one.
Not being familiar at all with DeYoung’s solo-work prior to this one, I can only state that I find this album a good one albeit a few steps from great. The many Styx references here might please Styx-fans all over the world and they’re easy to spot even for someone like me who hasn’t really digested much of Styx’s work at all. Musically, you get the feeling that this is a theme-album aiming for Broadway – or at least making it a musical at some point. The “Volume 1” in the title also suggests that a sequel will be – or has already been – written. I wasn’t too impressed by the album when I first heard it but a couple of spins later it had grown on me so who knows where this album will stand in a few months time. As for now, I say good job and it will be interesting to hear how volume two turns out.
6/10
Tracklist:
1. East Of Midnight
2. With All Due Respect
3. A Kingdom Ablaze
4. You My Love
5. Run For The Roses
6. Damn That Dream
7. Unbroken
8. The Promise Of This Land
9. To The Good Old Days
10. A.D. 2020
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