STYX, JOURNEY and REO SPEEDWAGON, Delta Center, Wednesday.

Journey, Styx and REO Speedwagon duked it out in the Delta Center Wednesday night.

REO won.

Singer Kevin Cronin's rants and Dave Amato's lead guitars soared during "Don't Let Him Go," "Keep on Lovin' You," "In Your Letter" and "Take It on the Run," all from the 1980 album "High Infidelity."

"In My Dreams" was stripped to its acoustic bones as keyboardist Neil Doughty squeezed an accordion and drummer Bryan Hitt settled for a tambourine and shaker.

Bassist Bruce Hall pounded out "Back on the Road Again" just before "Roll With the Changes." The band's encore was "157 Riverside Avenue."

The audience had to hear a few songs before it warmed up to Styx. A draggy "Too Much Time on My Hands" sung by guitarist Tommy Shaw opened the set, and it wasn't until his "Blue Collar Man" that Styx found its groove.

Keyboardist Lawrence Gowan belted out "Lady," while bassist Glen Burtnick ventured into the audience for a mobile rendition of "Kiss Your A-- Goodbye." Then Gowan's "Fields of the Brave" slowed the momentum, before the classics "Fooling Yourself" and James Young's "Miss America" brought things back to life. The obligatory but well-paced "Come Sail Away" and "Renegade" ended right.

Journey's set also got better toward the end.

Vocalist Steve Augeri hit the right notes, but Ross Valory's bass muddied the mix, hiding Jonathan Cain's piano chords. Drummer Deen Castronovo cut through tunes like "Separate Ways," "Stone in Love," "Don't Stop Believin' " and "Lights."

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Guitarist Neal Schon did his country proud with "Star-Spangled Banner" and his trademark leads.

Augeri's slow strut was too mellow for the power chords of "Wheel in the Sky" and "Chain Reaction." But he got more animated with "Higher Place," "Ask the Lonely" and "Escape." The singer also serenaded and hugged a cheering older woman in the front row during "Be Good to Yourself."

"Anyway You Want It" rocked with a ton of energy before the band wrapped it up with "Lovin' Touchin' Squeezin' " and the sentimental "Faithfully."


E-MAIL: scott@desnews.com

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