Though it hasn't produced a full-length album since 1990's "Edge of the Century," Styx has released a greatest hits album that's sure to have fans recalling the musical magic that made the band famous.
Major cuts from Styx's A&M releases "Equinox," "Crystal Ball," "The Grand Illusion," "Pieces of Eight," "Cornerstone," the No. 1 album "Paradise Theatre," "Kilroy Was Here" and "Edge of the Century" are included in this well-rounded compilation.Digital remixes of the 1979 No. 1 smash "Babe," the top 10 charters "Come Sail Away," "The Best of Times," "Mr. Roboto," "Don't Let It End" (which concludes the album on a hopeful note) and "Too Much Time On My Hands" are here, as are "Fooling Yourself (The Angry Young Man)" and "Show Me the Way."
Fans attracted to the heavier rock anthems will hear "Renegade," "Blue Collar Man," "Miss America" and "The Grand Illusion."
In addition to "Come Sail Away," the band's other trademark progressive tunes include "Suite Madame Blue," "Crystal Ball" and a re-recording of the early Wooden Nickle Record release "Lady."
Though it's true some of the selections present were not originally released as singles, leaving any of these off would have been a travesty. Styx could have easily released a two-disc compilation but didn't. As a result, some other charting hits, such as "Why Me," "Mademoiselle," "Music Time" and a handful of others didn't make the final grade.
- HOWEVER, fans will find new hope with "Lady '95." The song brought the classic Styx lineup - keyboardist Dennis DeYoung, bassist Chuck Panozzo and his drumming brother John, guitarists Tommy Shaw (of later Damn Yankees fame) and James Young - together for the first time in 10 years. The tune sounds fresher and is better delivered and tighter than the original, found on the album "Styx II."
"We made the decision that `Lady' should be on the album," Young told the Deseret News. "RCA wouldn't give the original tapes up, so Dennis and I decided to remake the song. We didn't know if Tommy would be able to come in for it, so we got to thinking about rearranging the vocals."
During that time, Young was involved in his own band, the James Young Group, and some of his promoters got hold of Shaw on the internet.
"The Shaw/Blades (`Hallucination') album didn't do as well as he had hoped," said Young about Shaw. "And he called me. We had a pleasant conversation and he said he'd like to come in and do the cut. After talking with Dennis, we felt the fans would absolutely love hearing the song, especially if Tommy was on it. The sessions went well, and though I will not say a regrouping is out of the question, the door is definitely unlocked."