One of the things that's become more and more apparent to me during years of watching SOT is the gulf of difference there is between the US and UK experience of growing up as a rock/metal fan during the 80s. Whilst Americans were getting sick of hearing Tom Sawyer and Bungle In The Jungle on the radio and gorging on the latest rock videos on MTV, us Brits had just two hours of radio on a Friday night. We would video tape Mike Reid's Pop Quiz just in case they played a four second clip of Judas Priest (which we would then watch over and over again). Those in Wales and nearby had S4C with it's late night 'ECT' live sessions (available in the north of my [English] town, but not the south where I lived!) We would scan the TV listings for very occasional, very late night showings of perhaps a Uriah Heep live video and the 'Arena' and 'Tube' heavy metal specials are burned into our memories from repeated viewings. Might be an interesting topic for discussion in this excellent show.
Same here, renegade was played in between top 40 s I will survive and stayn alive, so it stood out. Just What I Needed by the Cars was another one swaying me from disco
Isn't it fascinating how our choices all differ? I've listened to the Styx catalog in order over the last week or so, and I was sure I knew my favorites. I didn't. My favorites: Paradise Theater, with Pieces of Eight a close 2nd. My least favorites: Edge of the Century and Brave New World. My wildcard shows love to the band's current incarnation: The Mission. The only predictions I were right about are my least faves. This was a fun listen!
Favorites: 1. The Grand Illusion 2. Pieces of Eight 3. Equinox 4. Styx II 5. Paradise Theater 6. Edge of the Century 7. Brave New World 8. The Mission 9. Crash of the Crown 10. Cornerstone 11. Man of Miracles 12. Cyclorama Least Favorites 1. Kilroy Was Here 2. The Serpent is Rising 3. Styx 4. Crystal Ball
For me, it's got to be "Equinox"!! I saw Styx open for Kiss, and Styx were phenomenal!!! My friends and I got into Styx via "Serpent Is Rising", and saw them on that tour for $2.00 at Jacksonville University! They put on an amazing show, and John C. performed the most amazing live version of "Krakatoa". As soon as we could afford it, we grabbed the first two, which we also loved very much. Admittedly, "Man of Miracles" was a let down, but then when Tommy joined, and "Crystal Ball" was released, we were all back on board!! Great stuff!! We all got so tired of hearing so many people begin to trash Styx as an 'Over the Hill/Has Been' band. Everything else, including multiple concerts, were astounding. The only tour that was a bit weak, was the "Kilroy" show, as they spent far too much time on stage yakking the "Play" of the show. Simply too long a gap between tracks. I didn't see them again until a reunion tour with Pat Benatar, with Dennis back in the fold, and the show was flawless! It was like stepping into a time machine. I was surprised to find that was the last time that Dennis would tour with them. But I have to go with "Equinox", partly for nostalgic reasons, but their live performances of "Midnight Ride" and "Born For Adventure" were worth the massive $8 ticket price (at that time). A big part of my high school and college years!!
Thank you guys for your picks. All the damn time. I agree with, Pete. My two favorite Styx picks: 1. Grand Illusion 2. Pieces of Eight I currently, listen to the new, Styx - Crash of the Crown and love it !! 🎤🎸🎵🎹🥁 Life is better with music.
I don’t have near the depth of or capacity to appreciate music like you three do. Your catalog and love for music is much deeper than mine but Styx is my favorite band and it’s not even close. I really appreciate these videos
Cool episode. Cool band. Favorites: 01. Pieces of Eight (1978) 02. The Grand Illusion (1977) Least Favorites: 01. Kilroy Was Here (1983) 02. The Serpent Is Rising (1973) Wildcard: Equinox (1975)
Great shoe from the UK Connection. My favourite SOT show! 1. Pieces of Eight 2. The Grand Illusion Nothing before or after those two really float my boat. Glad they keep being an active touring & recording band though.
@@robertwatt4248 Well, "Equinox" (1975) has "Suite Madame Blue" on it, which is easily my favorite STYX tune of all time. "Crystal Ball" (1976) title track is very nice, of course "Cornerstone" (1979) features "Babe" and "Boat on the River", both outstanding and timeless classics for me. Also the earlier and later records feature some fine tunes here and there, but yes, all in all no consistent classics that are great from start to finish like those two albums.
Also some interesting trivia on the artwork for The Grand Illusion, it's a slight nod to works by famous Surrealism painter Rene Magritte, and to prove this was intentional they did it again with Cyclorama (floating apples, covering people's faces)
Excellent showing of beers, gents, and another top-notch UK Connection show. Styx is a band I loved 'back then' and SoT finally got me to hear some of the recent music. In fact, The Mission - likely my wild card choice today - could easily find itself as one of my favorite Styx albums if given the same amount of time as Paradise Theatre and The Grand Illusion [current favorites]. It's always interesting to hear about viewpoints outside of the U.S. where exposure to music could be so different than what kids in the U.S. grew up hearing. Or as Simon so succinctly states in a slightly different context...."Because you're American." Thanks again for an entertaining show and the great laughs that always come from time with you three.
Pete Arch Allies was in 2000. The name comes from the St. Louis Arch cause it’s from the St. Lois show where R.E.O. headlined with Styx opening but both played the same amount of time. Then finished the show as Simon said with both bands on stage together doing Blue Collar Man and Roll With the Changes. I was there
Just caught this one last night, great show guys!! My top Styx are the following Pieces of Eight, Grand Illusion, Paradise, Cornerstone & Equinox My least faves are Kilroy was here Man of Miracles
Cyclorama, The Mission, and Crash of the Crown are all three FANTASTIC!! Pete says it all the time and I'm gonna repeat it, if you haven't listened to anything since the 80s, you're REALLY missing out. And Simon is 100% spot on as These Are the Times is an amazing tune!
Styx have always been a "Greatest Hits only" band for me, so sitting back to enjoy the show with a bottle of Marston's Old Empire and waiting to be educated!
Saturday night's essential viewing! 👍 allowing me to avoid BGT! Favs Grand Illusion Pieces Of Eight Clunkers Kilroy Brave New World Wildcard The Mission
Love these episodes ... Styx is a band that passed me by - that you have NOW given me guidance what to listen to first (saw them supporting Purple - but they did not leave an impression - unlike Thunder.) Episode on Europe was also enlightening - have enjoyed your picks from them - several of your choices now taking up room on my hard disk. So keep up the good work. Now off to Spotify.....
you guys have become part of my real Saturday routine after i wake up and have breakfast (brunch cuz who gets up early on Saturdays) and just wanted to say thanks. i'm glad Steven gave Pete the tips on pouring last weekend, it was always painful to watch haha Now i have some homework to do for Styx and i'm starting with Edge of the Century. :) PS - i feel the same way about Black Sabbath Simon.
Another fun show as always. Big fan of Styx was lucky enough to see them with REO a few years back when I was in the States. My 2 favourite are the same as Steven and Pete’s.
I absolutely love these videos about Styx by Sea of Tranquility. Pete's interview of Dennis DeYoung in the middle of the pandemic was truly one of the highlights of my youtube year. I'm a massive Styx fan and consider them more "prog light". Grand Illusion tops my list, like many, but Cornerstone is a close second and an album I refer to as influencing my own personal style as a musician. Just a beautiful combination of hard rock, acoustic rock and even a little more out of the box with songs like Boat on the River and Love in the Midnight.I consider it vastly underrated, mostly because most everyone thinks "Babe" with this record, but have you really listened to "Lights" or "Never Say Never"? "Boat on the River" may be my favorite song of all time...of any band its so damn good! I consider it a wild card because I hardly hear anyone mention it when talking about the great Styx records for some reason. It actually finishes around 10th in many top Styx album lists...????? It feels overlooked to me as someone who believes it was a masterpiece. Btw- The Mission may be my favorite record of the 2000's it is so strong. Please keep doing these Styx videos...maybe rate Tommy and Dennis' solo records as mentioned? JY's albums are not my cup of tea. 😁
Was never a huge Styx fan, but they're ok to me. I like a number of their songs (I love "Mr. Roboto.") Steven's beverage looks absolutely gorgeous, as does Pete's. I can sympathize with the latter's distaste for coffee; Up until my early-'30s, I hated it. Love it now (But I can't stand all forms of the cold or 'Iced' kind - Yuck!) Simon is full of surprises: The Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin... and now Black Sabbath? Hahaha! These shows are worth it just to learn of all the 'sacred cow' artists he can't stand. Love it! Great episode, guys!
This is tough because actually my favorite Styx album is a 3-way tie. I'll go with the ones I've had the most time to listen to though as the other one is still relavitvely fresh (hint hint) Fav: Pieces of Eight - This is kind of the obvious one, but it's here for a reason. Everyone knows why this is great. Serpent Is Rising - Now this might be a bit of a controversial choice, but I really love The Serpent Is Rising. It's certainly a different album, but it's actually quite the inventive heavy prog album with the signature Styx pomp sound poking its head through only occasionally. I know Dennis DeYoung hates this album, but I really don't care. The title track is my favorite Styx song. Least: Edge Of The Century Brave New World I just don't get much out of either of these and have only heard them once each, being thoroughly bored by both. Wildcard: Now let me talk about Paradise Theater for a bit. An album I keep coming back to lately and kind of a rising star in their discography for me. Too Much Time On My Hands and Snowblind are some of my favorite Styx songs, so infectuous. And even aside from those this album just has this really cool atmosphere to it, quite a bit less jolly than most Styx albums.
Paradise Theater is my sentimental favorite, but, as " serious " music fans, we are supposed to say Pieces of Eight or Grand Illusion...go with the heart
Favorite Styx: 1. Equinox - I listen to this from beginning to end with no skips. JY's voice is mixed perfectly to where he doesn't sound like he's just yelling the lyrics like on the Wooden Nickel albums, JC's "Mother Dear" is, in imo, a precursor to "Come Sail Away" and the acoustic "Prelude 12"/"Suite Madame Blue" are just THE perfect way to end this A&M debut. Crystal Ball follows this same template, but with Tommy Shaw. 2. The Grand Illusion - Agree with Pete here, "Castle Walls" is just a KILLER tune. I love "Miss America"! I used to play that riff when I played guitar. This album was actually the first Styx album I had heard. Cool concept with a set of great songs. Least Favorite: 1. Kilroy Was Here - A couple of good tunes and a LOT of filler. 2. Cornerstone - This one coming after Pieces of Eight is just a MAJOR disappointment to me. Three great songs; "Lights"(which reminds me of Camel around the Richard Sinclair period), "Boat on a River" and "Love in the Midnight". "Babe" is ok and the rest is just hot garbage to my ears. Wildcard: Man of Miracles - every one of the Wooden Nickel albums have some goofy boogie rock tunes that do not work for me and also some great rock/proggy tunes, but I LOVE every one of them. The "Golden Lark"(such a gorgeous song) going into "Song For Suzanne" is a beautiful suite. And then side two starting with "Evil Eyes", then "Southern Woman", "Christopher, Mr. Christopher" and ending with the EPIC "Man of Miracles" is just a great slab of music. I actually dig the Plexiglass Toilet song. It showed that they didnt take themselves so serious and had a sense of humor... Frank Zappa once asked if humor belonged in music, I believe it does. I always wonder what would have happened if JC had stayed in the band since they were on an upward arc. Oh and that Hammond Organ solo by DDY on the song "Young Man" just slays me!!! I never knew that he could rip like that until I heard this song.
As usual I'll not be able to watch this until tomorrow probably, so being a big Styx fan I 'll post my 2 favourites and least liked and my wild card now. Favourites - have always been and will always be The Grand Illusion and Pieces of Eight - when I was goig through which albums should be in my top ten yesterday both of these were sitting in my top 50 grouping and one, though I flip flop between them, was in my top 25 grouping (I basically slimmed down my top 50 by just picking one from each band where there were multiples in my top 50). Least Favourite - Kilroy and Brave New World. Kilroy is probably an easy pick but it really isnt their best when compared to my favourites. Brave New World - even taking off the Dennis songs its sub par, theres a couple of good tracks but thats about it. The Dennis songs are ok too but all together, like Kilroy, it was a missed opportunity. Some people may well put Edge of the Century as a least favourite - I wouldnt becaue it does a least rock, where Kilroy and Barve New World dont, and although it doesnt have Tommy Shaw on it I think Glenn Burtnik did a great job. I was even considering it for my wildcard. Wild Card - Cyclorama - I could have gone for any of the albums just before and just after Grand Illusion and PIeces of Eight, and was also considering edge of the Century and Styx World Live 2001, however with Cyclorama I felt they had done something that had got them back more into the sound and style they had from Grand Illusion through to Paradise Theater, and for me Lawrence Gowan showed that he not only fitted in but was also a great writer - I did think it a shame that we only got a live version of A Criminal Mind as they did a cracking version of it, however his contributions to the album I thought were great and JY's These are The Times is a stand out track of his - I'm presuming its his as he sings the lead on it even though its a multi credit.
Big fan of Equinox - still have it on cassette somewhere! Tangentially related and I'm not sure where to let you guys know - I heard it through the grapevine that ProgDay is a GO this year over Labor Day weekend at Storybook Farm just outside Carrboro, NC!!! Very excited to get back there - Steven and Simon, I know it's a bit of a haul but I highly recommend it!
I love these guys. And the UK Connection is a fantastic show! I would have to go with Grand Illusion and Pieces of Eight as my favorites, But there are a few that are close too!
I don't usually provide my choices, but since the early albums didn't get any love, it must be an age thing. I'm here to say: Favorites: Equinox & Grand Illusion (of which I saw that tour at the Palladium in NYC, fantastic!) Least favorites: Kilroy Was Here & The Serpent is Rising Wildcard: Styx II
Favorite: Paradise Theater...it is the album I reach for first if I want A Styx album...as " serious " music fans we are supposed to cite Pieces of Eight or Grand Illusion, but, I just enjoy PT more. Also enjoy Equinox and Crystal Ball a bit more than GI or Pieces of Eight too. Worst is Kilroy is Here, by a country mile. Used to like Cornerstone more than I do now, other than the songs "Borrowed Time" and "Boat On The River", it hasn't aged well Wild card: Cyclorama
A friend once said that the music you listen to in your teens would be the music you would listen to for the rest of your life. Totally true. Almost every one of my favorite bands I discovered from 7th grade through 10th grade: Styx, AC/DC, Van Halen, Rush, Journey.
As a UK citizen, I have never heard a note from Styx until this morning, when I decided to give Crash of the Crown a listen, and as I got to the end......I immediately pressed repeat! Awesome stuff!
As a fan of Star Wars, Black Sabbath, prog and psychedelia, even I must admit that Simon Bray is the most insightful member of the SoT family. Not as familiar with the entire Styx discography so this was very entertaining education. Thanks everyone, keep doing what you're doing!
A good assessment of the Styx catalogue but I am going to agree, yes I am, with Simon. Sabbath and Ozzy aren't my favourite either, Dio, Hughes, Martin. The Gillan album...very odd (I saw that show). Ozzy solo, much better. That said should I have posted that on the Hudson Valley Square show???
Ok I was wrong, I picked Pieces of Eight as my ‘homework assignment’ & found I really enjoyed most of it, particularly Blue Collar Man & Renegade. Now going to listen to some more albums.
Hi Pete and Simon and Steven fun as always with you,as it is now Sunday morning I will have a drink later with you from Insel Brauerei Baltic stout as for Styx this is a band that I don't know much about the only two albums I have are Crash of the crown and The Mission I like both of them
Thanks again another great show. Styx are definitely a top ten band for me. Choosing a favourite wasn't easy . I purchased a limited edition 3lp set in 1978 comprising Crystal Ball,Grand Illusion and Pieces of Eight. If this was allowed it would be my favourite. And I would probably add new LP Crash of the crown .a fantastic album. Kind of stumped to pick least favourite. Probably the covers one. Wild card I would go for Cyclorama.as like Pete didn't really give it much love at the time but boy is it a good album . Keep up the good work ,hope for Styx to visit these shores soon .
Styx is one of those bands for me that a Greatest Hits CD will be plenty for me. Saw them twice in concert (West Germany [Cornerstone tour] & Japan [Paradise Theater tour]). But there's a few albums I liked to listen from them after all these years. And yes. I purchase some of their newer albums with Lawrence Gowan. Nothing on them said play me again. *My Favs:* Equinox Grand Illusion Pieces of Eight Styx Greatest Hits (1995) Rest of the catalogue. I can live without any of them.
@@truckerkevthepaidtourist - At that time Cornerstone soured me on Styx. I did like them live though.The songs I like from *Paradise Theater* was on The Greatest Hits CD from 1995. Besides the Greatest Hits the only Styx album I listen to regularly is Equinox.
Couldn't leave a message last night as I dashed off to watch the Champions League final but that was delayed. Anyway terrific show once again. I'll be honest and say I have never listened to Styx so can Pete, Steven or Simon recommend a starting place. By the way that Bellhaven looked nice.
Favorite 2, has to be the ones I've played the most: 1. The Grand Illusion 2. Pieces of Eight Least favorite: 1. Kilroy Was Here 2. Brave New World Wild Card: 1. Cornerstone 2. Man of Miracles
Another fun, interesting show. So, until about 4 months ago I owned no Styx, maybe heard a few songs, convinced I hadn't heard any albums. On a whim I picked up Pieces of Eight and was pleasantly surprised to discover I had heard it, but couldn't remember when or where. I then got Crystal Ball and Man of Miracles, both pretty good. Like Simon I attacked the catalogue in chronological order this last week. Giving them a few listens each. I found Steven 's point about alot of the albums not all sounding how we imagine Styx to be. My favourites are Pieces of Eight and The Grand Illusi;on, No, sorry I mean Pieces of Eight and Crash of the Crown. No, I was right first time. Least favourites are Edge of the Century and Brave New World. My wildcard is Kilroy was Here. No, I've done it again. It was an interesting journey, it took six albums to perfect their sound and two albums later they changed it again. With The Serpent is Rising, I really liked it until Plexiglas, the silent track and the next 2.
I forgot to mention that Suite Madame Blue starts off sounding like Priest's Beyond the Realms of Death, not just the guitar but the vocal melody. And Big Bang Theory, I agree with Simon. I Don't Need no Doctor sounds like they're covering the W.A.S.P. version.
Now I've seen it today on Sunday afternoon, what a fun show that was, and interesting to see my choices made before the show yesterday tend to veer more towards Steven's than Simons apart from our shared distaste for Kilroy, and our love of Cyclorama, especially These are the Times. I did consider the Big Bang Theory except that as a compilation of cover songs it is more listenable through than Deep Purple's recent abomination; and the one with the orchestra has that fantastic medley that Todd Sucherman pulled together which when I saw them live in Manchester in 2005 - at which I would presume Mr Simon was also in attendance? - was a highlight of one of my favourite gigs ever. I'm one of those people whose got most if not all their live CDs - there was a live CD/DVD combo Styx 21st Century Live that has a live version of These are the Times on the DVD. It was worth getting just for that. I'd also say that while Return to Paradise is perhaps their best live album it started to concern me when Dennis changed the synth solo sound in Crystal Ball from the sound on the original to a more pan pipe type of sound - thankfully he has since gone back to the original sound though, maybe he listened to it and went - nah that's not right? Pete - as for JY's solo albums I think the best starting point is 1988's Out on a Day pass as thats probably the closest he gets to prime Styx; then I'd go for the James Young Group's 1995 Raised By Wolves , its a bit heavier and maybe a bit darker . Lastly the JY - City Slicker - James Young with Jan Hammer and Colin 'Bomber' Hodgkinson. Its got Styx'ish rockers on it but also goes off into more new wavey territory - I'd say its the least JY of Styx like of all three, but its still pretty good, IMO.
Great video fellas, extra points for Pete's choice of beer!! I only got into Styx recently, well last 10 years but when you get older that is recent (as you all know!), so I have none of the nostalgia that a lot of their fans seem to have for certain albums. My favourites are... Cyclorama: the first Styx album I ever bought, before this I only knew Babe and renegade both of which I like but they never blew me away, but this album is amazing!! Crash of the crown: I can't think of a superlative big enough to say just how good this album is! Another classic band releasing some of their best work at such a late point in their life!! Absolutely amazing!! Least Favourites... Brave new world: this was the second Styx album I bought and it almost put me off the rest of their stuff, I thought maybe cyclorama was just a fluke!! Thankfully I decided to persevere. Edge of the century: beyond crap I'd rather have a colonoscopy!! Wildcard: Styx II: The early albums don't get enough love, and I think this is the best of them.
Yet another great video by you guys! I only have the Styx albums up to and including `Paradise Theatre`. My favourite two `Grand Illusion` and `Pieces of Eight` (closely followed by `Paradise Theatre`). Like Steven I have the four cd Wooden Nickel set and it`s `Serpent Rising` for me also that is my least favourite. The other three from the first four albums I`ve bought on vinyl separately but have never bothered to get `Serpent..` My wildcard is the debut album which I like a lot!
I was never been a big fan of Styx. I did see them play a half empty Wembley Arena on the Paradise Theatre tour and to be fair they were really good. Much better than I was expecting. Based on your enthusiastic show, I’m going to give them another go (again).
Yes I definitely agree with you Pete; that’s J. Y. singing on all of the songs; then background as well after Tommy’s indoctrination into this band. He was not only the better of the two 🎸 s, but there’s also a huge punk rock attitude from his ripping out those leads to his writing ✍️ Styx seems to be quite regal as was their 🎤 wants; but I bought The Grand Illusion in @‘ 77 and as a 9 year old kid into Kiss 💋 Aerosmith and Sabbath? I found it quite a bit on the heavier side than most people who’ve given it less credit than it deserves. I love 💕 Ms. America and Man In The Wilderness is Tommy’s shining moment of that 💿! Thankfully yours, DJP Boston Massachusetts 02134 🇺🇸
Styx Grand illusion and pieces of eight are my favorite albums and best albums. My wild card would be Man of miracles album. Styx is my favorite band all time So it’s hard for me to choose because for me there’s very few stinkers. But worst for me would be edge of the century and serpent is rising but I like it lol
I haven’t listened to every studio album so far but here’s my picks. Top 2 are Pieces of Eight (favorite album) and Paradise Theater, bottom 2 are Kilroy was Here (least favorite album) and The Serpent is Rising, and my wildcard picks are Styx II and Man of Miracles.
Paradise released in the UK January 17, 1981, my 19th birthday! Great time for me musically that year, however, romantically, right in the midst of unrequited love💔!!! 41 years later, happily married and been together with my wife since 1986, but, I have never gotten over it. Not her, funnily enough. Just that experience and it’s lasting effect on me! So mixed feelings when Steven quoted that date!
Great episode. My favorite 2 are The Grand Illusion & Pieces of Eight followed closely by Paradise Theater & Cornerstone. You guys were trashing big bang theory, I mostly agree bad covers except for 1 best cover ever of Blind Faith's Can't Find My Way Home sung by Tommy.
You may have heard the theory that Slade and Sweet were great rock bands who just happened upon huge success playing pop music. I'd flip that around for Styx, they're great pop writers and players who just happen to make great rock music. When you look up the word "anthemic" in all good dictionaries, you get whisked to the chorus of These Are The Times.
Styx and Queen seem to be American and English counterparts. Hard and Art Rock mingled with Pop and filled with so powerful vocals listeners can't stay nonchalant.
Hey Pete! I am a sub and really connected with you on your TOTO vlog. Because of your story on you going to LBI in NJ. I loved it. I am from Philly. Home of Todd Rundgren and Daryl Hall! Later in life my parents retired to LBI. Great place! Anyway love what u do. Keep up the good work. I will be watching! GOD BLESS! Warren G.
Don't feel bad Simon. I am 66 years old and have a ton of music and I do not own one single album by Black Sabbath nor do I own an Ozzy album. They have never turned my crank.
@@simonbrayfromsot1375 I'm with you guys. I don't really care for them, and I only like the album "Sabbath Bloody Sabbath" from them but don't own it...There should be a theme of a show called "The album to start with if you don't care for a band"
Oh, here's an idea for a show!! How about albums you bought having No Idea who the band was. You took a gamble, and not only did it pay off big time for you, but within a relatively short amount of time, the rest of the world loved them too... but you always felt like they were YOUR discovery!!! I know that has happened to most of us, and probably often!!! Just a thought.
Interesting choice this week as my entry point was Pieces of Eight, or rather the single Renegade, with I'm OK as b side, and quickly grew to appreciate Styx even though they weren't getting much attention/airplay on radio here. I think there was lots of snobbishness late 70's here in Scotland/UK about US prog bands not really being 'prog'. Kansas were probably seen as more legitimate prog than Styx, and even more so come Cornerstone with Babe as the single, and then Kilroy. Huge fan of Larry Gowan (not just because he's Scottish, and supposedly from Priesthill, which is within spitting distance of me), and love his solo works, and think the resurgence in Styx quality is massively, massively down to him joining. Despite not having lots of writing credits, he really punches above his weight and gives the band the quality that had been missing, and in that way, he's like Woolly Wolstenholme in BJH. Really taken with the most recent Styx output, but for this exercise, favourites (yes I know, not best!) would be Pieces of Eight, Equinox. least favourite- Kilroy, really want to say Cornerstone but can't, despite that ballad, and will go for Edge. Wild card, going for Styx II, which caught me by surprise as I thought it would be Crystal Ball.
24:12 I've gotten proggier as well with age, I still turn it on and ride the lighting daily but Ive got a lot of time for prog (mainstream prog anyway)
So guys here are my choices wasn't easy. Favourites The Grand Ilusion & Pieces of Eight. Least Favourites Kilroy and Edge of The Century. Wild Card- Paradise Theater Cheers
Hey Pete, love this video. Last time I saw styx , they toured with Joan Jett and tesla. They stoke the show. You should do a show where you rank the live albums by judas priest and iron maiden.
Queen Of Spades is actually the song that got me away from KISS being my favorite band back in the day. Since then I've collected all kinds of memorabilia including buying both versions of the Wooden Nickle & RCA/BMG album covers. Probably one of my favorite underrated songs in that era is Unfinished Song. As far as the JY solo records it's pretty hit and miss IMO. You really have to be a fan of his to like his records. I saw and met him on his Out On A Day PassTour in Atlanta at The Masquerade. I liken his inclusion on Styx records in the latter years just as Ace & Peter contributed 1 or 2 songs per KISS album.
I've been a Styx fan since the late 70's. My absolute favorite band. My list of Styx's albums original studio Lps from least to best, (but I like songs on all of them): 16) Styx II 15) The Serpent Is Rising 14) Edge Of The Century 13) Kilroy Was Here 12) Equinox 11) Cyclorama 10) Man Of Miracles 9) The Grand Illusion 8) Crash Of The Crown 7) Cornerstone 6) Paradise Theater 5) Crystal Ball 4) Brave New World 3) Styx I 2) Pieces Of Eight 1) The Mission His imitation of JY is so good, & funny. •I agree with "Edge..." It was a mish-mosh of songs thrown together. Poorly produced, sounding like a cross between broadway & adult contemporary with DeYoung's songs. Only Glen's tracks, and JY's "Homewrecker" saved it from disaster. I also agree with "BNW" being better than what the other two give it. •So disagree with his opinion with "Brave New World" and their CYO CD. With the exception of DDY's tunes, I thought it was very good. And "...CYO" is one of my personal favorites of their live albums. "Styx II" is my least favorite from the band. And their first live album, "Caught In The Act" was mediocre to me. Almost no deep cuts. Boring for a live Lp. It seemed like they were just going through the motions on "Caught..." •I agree with Pete about "EOTC". Styx without Tommy wasn't good. Although Glen's tracks were decent. I'll take JY's solo albums over Dennis's anytime. Pete you should give his solo projects a listen...
Today I'm drinking a Widmer Brothers 'American Hefeweizen' out of a Samuel Smith pint glass, so I can vouch for their Chocolate Stout as well. I have not listened to the entire Styx discography, but the four albums I listened to the most: Grand Illusion Cornerstone Paradise Theater Pieces of Eight My only time seeing the classic lineup was July 6, 1981 in Oakland for Paradise Theater. Great show. At the end of the show the kid sitting next to me (maybe 13 or 14 years old) declared it the best night of his life.
One of my favourite bands. The only album I'm not keen on is Big Bang Theory. My hot take, though, is that I think Kilroy is better than Paradise Theatre! Faves: Crystal Ball Pieces Of Eight Least faves (not counting the covers album): Debut II Wildcard: Edge Of The Century
Got to be honest, my go to albums will always be Pieces Of Eight, Grand Illusion, and Paradise Theatre. I've tried listening to the newer albums and they just don't do it for me like the old stuff, but I'm in the Dennis DeYoung camp. I know he can be a bit vaudeville but he's a cracking songwriter 👍🏻. How about an episode dedicated to Survivor guys? They're a bit like Europe in that people know one song and don't check out the other stuff and Caught In The Game, Vital Signs, and When Seconds Count are fantastic. Or how about a Nightranger episode? Reo Speedwagon? Magnum?
I love Steven Reid, and will sit through a show that is a topic of low interest if Steven is on it. But I have to disagree with his view of "Serpent Is Rising". Perhaps from a cohesion perspective, et al., he's got some good points, but it was one hell of a concert, and it has some amazing tracks on it. I also agree that Styx I & II are also great!
The uninitiated would be surprised how huge Styx was in 83, up there with all the area headliners of the early 80's. The world premiere of the Music Time video was a big thing on MTV. At the very hight of their popularity they torpedoed things with that live album (Caught in the Act) a good record but killed the momentum, especially when it was followed up with an opened ended break. Felt as if they just vacated their spot.
Styx and Kansas are my favourite bands from the US. Still producing some best stuff on the later albums. My favourite can change. At the comment id choose Crash of the Crown as my favourite and Brave New World as my least favourite.
In all honesty, Styx is a band I didn't care much about. Have the albums just because I have the curse of collecting, but in the last 5 or so years I have come to enjoy them a lot. My favorites are Grand Illusion (Man in the wilderness gives me the chills) and Pieces of eight. My least favorites would have to be Styx and Brave New World. My wild card is Edge of the Century and Crash the crown. Now listening to Cyclorama. Check Tommy Shaw on the new song of Alan Parsons. Love it.
My cousins grew up with members from Styx and an Aunt of my keyboardist/friend in our rock band in Jr. High and High School was married to one of their members. Favorites - 1. Equinox 2. The Grand Illusion Least Favorites - 1. Kilroy Was Here 2. Cyclorama Wild Card - Crystal Ball
People think I'm crazy, but 2017s The Mission is my all-time fave. Not in a million years, did I think any of their new albums would displace Equinox and Grand Illusion
I’ll say this. Seeing PETE laugh more and more and more each SATURDAY is a HOMERUN 4 ME. Keep it up 👍. 💯
Cheers Gary!
Thanks Gary!
He's given me hours of quality entertainment, god bless him🙏
“There’s a name dropping on me!” 🤣
So weird...I was just listening to a Best of Styx this afternoon, and ordered 7 of their albums afterwards! Cheers.
One of the things that's become more and more apparent to me during years of watching SOT is the gulf of difference there is between the US and UK experience of growing up as a rock/metal fan during the 80s. Whilst Americans were getting sick of hearing Tom Sawyer and Bungle In The Jungle on the radio and gorging on the latest rock videos on MTV, us Brits had just two hours of radio on a Friday night. We would video tape Mike Reid's Pop Quiz just in case they played a four second clip of Judas Priest (which we would then watch over and over again). Those in Wales and nearby had S4C with it's late night 'ECT' live sessions (available in the north of my [English] town, but not the south where I lived!) We would scan the TV listings for very occasional, very late night showings of perhaps a Uriah Heep live video and the 'Arena' and 'Tube' heavy metal specials are burned into our memories from repeated viewings. Might be an interesting topic for discussion in this excellent show.
Great episode SOT! Renegade was my gateway drug to melodic rock from the disco era.
Same here, renegade was played in between top 40 s I will survive and stayn alive, so it stood out. Just What I Needed by the Cars was another one swaying me from disco
@@dawnpatrol700exactly!! 👍🏼
Looking forward to some album suggestions. Want to get into Styx!
Isn't it fascinating how our choices all differ? I've listened to the Styx catalog in order over the last week or so, and I was sure I knew my favorites. I didn't. My favorites: Paradise Theater, with Pieces of Eight a close 2nd. My least favorites: Edge of the Century and Brave New World. My wildcard shows love to the band's current incarnation: The Mission. The only predictions I were right about are my least faves. This was a fun listen!
Great stuff!!!
Favorites:
1. The Grand Illusion
2. Pieces of Eight
3. Equinox
4. Styx II
5. Paradise Theater
6. Edge of the Century
7. Brave New World
8. The Mission
9. Crash of the Crown
10. Cornerstone
11. Man of Miracles
12. Cyclorama
Least Favorites
1. Kilroy Was Here
2. The Serpent is Rising
3. Styx
4. Crystal Ball
Wow Crystal Ball dead last! You don't see that often (as if we're inundated with Styx lists daily 😁)
For me, it's got to be "Equinox"!! I saw Styx open for Kiss, and Styx were phenomenal!!! My friends and I got into Styx via "Serpent Is Rising", and saw them on that tour for $2.00 at Jacksonville University! They put on an amazing show, and John C. performed the most amazing live version of "Krakatoa". As soon as we could afford it, we grabbed the first two, which we also loved very much. Admittedly, "Man of Miracles" was a let down, but then when Tommy joined, and "Crystal Ball" was released, we were all back on board!! Great stuff!! We all got so tired of hearing so many people begin to trash Styx as an 'Over the Hill/Has Been' band. Everything else, including multiple concerts, were astounding. The only tour that was a bit weak, was the "Kilroy" show, as they spent far too much time on stage yakking the "Play" of the show. Simply too long a gap between tracks. I didn't see them again until a reunion tour with Pat Benatar, with Dennis back in the fold, and the show was flawless! It was like stepping into a time machine. I was surprised to find that was the last time that Dennis would tour with them. But I have to go with "Equinox", partly for nostalgic reasons, but their live performances of "Midnight Ride" and "Born For Adventure" were worth the massive $8 ticket price (at that time). A big part of my high school and college years!!
Thank you guys for your picks.
All the damn time.
I agree with, Pete.
My two favorite Styx picks:
1. Grand Illusion
2. Pieces of Eight
I currently, listen to the new, Styx - Crash of the Crown and love it !!
🎤🎸🎵🎹🥁
Life is better with music.
Pete, I actually had no interest in Styx until I started watching your channel a few years ago. I now have almost every single album. Thanks!
I don’t have near the depth of or capacity to appreciate music like you three do. Your catalog and love for music is much deeper than mine but Styx is my favorite band and it’s not even close. I really appreciate these videos
Thanks for watching, Richard.
Great show guys. My favs:
1) Crystal Ball
2) Equinox
Next:
3) The Grand Illusion
4) The Mission
Thanks Guys amid the beer soaking your favorites and assessments were spot on.
I share much of the same tastes.
With you Simon on Half Penny Two Penny. One of their best songs, very underrated.
and a very cool guitar riff as well!
Cool episode. Cool band.
Favorites:
01. Pieces of Eight (1978)
02. The Grand Illusion (1977)
Least Favorites:
01. Kilroy Was Here (1983)
02. The Serpent Is Rising (1973)
Wildcard:
Equinox (1975)
Great shoe from the UK Connection. My favourite SOT show!
1. Pieces of Eight
2. The Grand Illusion
Nothing before or after those two really float my boat. Glad they keep being an active touring & recording band though.
@@robertwatt4248 Well, "Equinox" (1975) has "Suite Madame Blue" on it, which is easily my favorite STYX tune of all time. "Crystal Ball" (1976) title track is very nice, of course "Cornerstone" (1979) features "Babe" and "Boat on the River", both outstanding and timeless classics for me. Also the earlier and later records feature some fine tunes here and there, but yes, all in all no consistent classics that are great from start to finish like those two albums.
@@mikevillain666 I agree Mike. Some great tracks scattered across all albums, even the pre-Tommy Shaw ones
Also some interesting trivia on the artwork for The Grand Illusion, it's a slight nod to works by famous Surrealism painter Rene Magritte, and to prove this was intentional they did it again with Cyclorama (floating apples, covering people's faces)
Excellent showing of beers, gents, and another top-notch UK Connection show. Styx is a band I loved 'back then' and SoT finally got me to hear some of the recent music. In fact, The Mission - likely my wild card choice today - could easily find itself as one of my favorite Styx albums if given the same amount of time as Paradise Theatre and The Grand Illusion [current favorites]. It's always interesting to hear about viewpoints outside of the U.S. where exposure to music could be so different than what kids in the U.S. grew up hearing. Or as Simon so succinctly states in a slightly different context...."Because you're American." Thanks again for an entertaining show and the great laughs that always come from time with you three.
You're welcome as always, JMW!
Top 2: Paradise Theatre and Pieces of Eight
Bottom 2: Edge of The Century & Big Bang Theory
Wild Card: Kilroy was Here
Pete Arch Allies was in 2000. The name comes from the St. Louis Arch cause it’s from the St. Lois show where R.E.O. headlined with Styx opening but both played the same amount of time. Then finished the show as Simon said with both bands on stage together doing Blue Collar Man and Roll With the Changes. I was there
Just caught this one last night, great show guys!! My top Styx are the following Pieces of Eight, Grand Illusion, Paradise, Cornerstone & Equinox My least faves are Kilroy was here Man of Miracles
Cyclorama, The Mission, and Crash of the Crown are all three FANTASTIC!! Pete says it all the time and I'm gonna repeat it, if you haven't listened to anything since the 80s, you're REALLY missing out. And Simon is 100% spot on as These Are the Times is an amazing tune!
It's not often that I am so right but in this case I agree with us about These Are The Times.
Great pick Steven. Pieces Of Eight is also my favourite Styx song and album! I have the picture disc too!
Styx have always been a "Greatest Hits only" band for me, so sitting back to enjoy the show with a bottle of Marston's Old Empire and waiting to be educated!
Saturday night's essential viewing! 👍 allowing me to avoid BGT!
Favs
Grand Illusion
Pieces Of Eight
Clunkers
Kilroy
Brave New World
Wildcard
The Mission
Love these episodes ... Styx is a band that passed me by - that you have NOW given me guidance what to listen to first (saw them supporting Purple - but they did not leave an impression - unlike Thunder.) Episode on Europe was also enlightening - have enjoyed your picks from them - several of your choices now taking up room on my hard disk. So keep up the good work. Now off to Spotify.....
you guys have become part of my real Saturday routine after i wake up and have breakfast (brunch cuz who gets up early on Saturdays) and just wanted to say thanks. i'm glad Steven gave Pete the tips on pouring last weekend, it was always painful to watch haha
Now i have some homework to do for Styx and i'm starting with Edge of the Century. :)
PS - i feel the same way about Black Sabbath Simon.
Good to be on the same page Rocio.
Another fun show as always. Big fan of Styx was lucky enough to see them with REO a few years back when I was in the States. My 2 favourite are the same as Steven and Pete’s.
I absolutely love these videos about Styx by Sea of Tranquility. Pete's interview of Dennis DeYoung in the middle of the pandemic was truly one of the highlights of my youtube year. I'm a massive Styx fan and consider them more "prog light". Grand Illusion tops my list, like many, but Cornerstone is a close second and an album I refer to as influencing my own personal style as a musician. Just a beautiful combination of hard rock, acoustic rock and even a little more out of the box with songs like Boat on the River and Love in the Midnight.I consider it vastly underrated, mostly because most everyone thinks "Babe" with this record, but have you really listened to "Lights" or "Never Say Never"? "Boat on the River" may be my favorite song of all time...of any band its so damn good! I consider it a wild card because I hardly hear anyone mention it when talking about the great Styx records for some reason. It actually finishes around 10th in many top Styx album lists...????? It feels overlooked to me as someone who believes it was a masterpiece. Btw- The Mission may be my favorite record of the 2000's it is so strong. Please keep doing these Styx videos...maybe rate Tommy and Dennis' solo records as mentioned? JY's albums are not my cup of tea. 😁
Was never a huge Styx fan, but they're ok to me. I like a number of their songs (I love "Mr. Roboto.") Steven's beverage looks absolutely gorgeous, as does Pete's. I can sympathize with the latter's distaste for coffee; Up until my early-'30s, I hated it. Love it now (But I can't stand all forms of the cold or 'Iced' kind - Yuck!)
Simon is full of surprises: The Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin... and now Black Sabbath? Hahaha! These shows are worth it just to learn of all the 'sacred cow' artists he can't stand. Love it!
Great episode, guys!
Knight. There's so many....
@@simonbrayfromsot1375 I can believe that. Keep 'em coming! 😁😆
This is tough because actually my favorite Styx album is a 3-way tie.
I'll go with the ones I've had the most time to listen to though as the other one is still relavitvely fresh (hint hint)
Fav:
Pieces of Eight - This is kind of the obvious one, but it's here for a reason. Everyone knows why this is great.
Serpent Is Rising - Now this might be a bit of a controversial choice, but I really love The Serpent Is Rising. It's certainly a different album, but it's actually quite the inventive heavy prog album with the signature Styx pomp sound poking its head through only occasionally. I know Dennis DeYoung hates this album, but I really don't care. The title track is my favorite Styx song.
Least:
Edge Of The Century
Brave New World
I just don't get much out of either of these and have only heard them once each, being thoroughly bored by both.
Wildcard:
Now let me talk about Paradise Theater for a bit. An album I keep coming back to lately and kind of a rising star in their discography for me. Too Much Time On My Hands and Snowblind are some of my favorite Styx songs, so infectuous. And even aside from those this album just has this really cool atmosphere to it, quite a bit less jolly than most Styx albums.
Paradise Theater is my sentimental favorite, but, as " serious " music fans, we are supposed to say Pieces of Eight or Grand Illusion...go with the heart
Favorite Styx:
1. Equinox - I listen to this from beginning to end with no skips. JY's voice is mixed perfectly to where he doesn't sound like he's just yelling the lyrics like on the Wooden Nickel albums, JC's "Mother Dear" is, in imo, a precursor to "Come Sail Away" and the acoustic "Prelude 12"/"Suite Madame Blue" are just THE perfect way to end this A&M debut.
Crystal Ball follows this same template, but with Tommy Shaw.
2. The Grand Illusion - Agree with Pete here, "Castle Walls" is just a KILLER tune. I love "Miss America"! I used to play that riff when I played guitar. This album was actually the first Styx album I had heard. Cool concept with a set of great songs.
Least Favorite:
1. Kilroy Was Here - A couple of good tunes and a LOT of filler.
2. Cornerstone - This one coming after Pieces of Eight is just a MAJOR disappointment to me. Three great songs; "Lights"(which reminds me of Camel around the Richard Sinclair period), "Boat on a River" and "Love in the Midnight". "Babe" is ok and the rest is just hot garbage to my ears.
Wildcard:
Man of Miracles - every one of the Wooden Nickel albums have some goofy boogie rock tunes that do not work for me and also some great rock/proggy tunes, but I LOVE every one of them. The "Golden Lark"(such a gorgeous song) going into "Song For Suzanne" is a beautiful suite. And then side two starting with "Evil Eyes", then "Southern Woman", "Christopher, Mr. Christopher" and ending with the EPIC "Man of Miracles" is just a great slab of music.
I actually dig the Plexiglass Toilet song. It showed that they didnt take themselves so serious and had a sense of humor... Frank Zappa once asked if humor belonged in music, I believe it does. I always wonder what would have happened if JC had stayed in the band since they were on an upward arc. Oh and that Hammond Organ solo by DDY on the song "Young Man" just slays me!!! I never knew that he could rip like that until I heard this song.
As usual I'll not be able to watch this until tomorrow probably, so being a big Styx fan I 'll post my 2 favourites and least liked and my wild card now.
Favourites - have always been and will always be The Grand Illusion and Pieces of Eight - when I was goig through which albums should be in my top ten yesterday both of these were sitting in my top 50 grouping and one, though I flip flop between them, was in my top 25 grouping (I basically slimmed down my top 50 by just picking one from each band where there were multiples in my top 50).
Least Favourite - Kilroy and Brave New World. Kilroy is probably an easy pick but it really isnt their best when compared to my favourites. Brave New World - even taking off the Dennis songs its sub par, theres a couple of good tracks but thats about it. The Dennis songs are ok too but all together, like Kilroy, it was a missed opportunity.
Some people may well put Edge of the Century as a least favourite - I wouldnt becaue it does a least rock, where Kilroy and Barve New World dont, and although it doesnt have Tommy Shaw on it I think Glenn Burtnik did a great job. I was even considering it for my wildcard.
Wild Card - Cyclorama - I could have gone for any of the albums just before and just after Grand Illusion and PIeces of Eight, and was also considering edge of the Century and Styx World Live 2001, however with Cyclorama I felt they had done something that had got them back more into the sound and style they had from Grand Illusion through to Paradise Theater, and for me Lawrence Gowan showed that he not only fitted in but was also a great writer - I did think it a shame that we only got a live version of A Criminal Mind as they did a cracking version of it, however his contributions to the album I thought were great and JY's These are The Times is a stand out track of his - I'm presuming its his as he sings the lead on it even though its a multi credit.
Great choices and reasoning Terry!
Big fan of Equinox - still have it on cassette somewhere!
Tangentially related and I'm not sure where to let you guys know - I heard it through the grapevine that ProgDay is a GO this year over Labor Day weekend at Storybook Farm just outside Carrboro, NC!!! Very excited to get back there - Steven and Simon, I know it's a bit of a haul but I highly recommend it!
oh and forgot to mention your absolutely perfect pour Pete! The Samuel Smith's stouts are always a treat :-)
I love these guys. And the UK Connection is a fantastic show! I would have to go with Grand Illusion and Pieces of Eight as my favorites, But there are a few that are close too!
I don't usually provide my choices, but since the early albums didn't get any love, it must be an age thing. I'm here to say:
Favorites: Equinox & Grand Illusion (of which I saw that tour at the Palladium in NYC, fantastic!)
Least favorites: Kilroy Was Here & The Serpent is Rising
Wildcard: Styx II
A very enjoyable show which was just what I needed as I’m just getting into the band
Man In The Wilderness my second favourite Styx song! Great album but second in song and album to Pieces Of Eight.
Pieces of Eight and the Grand Illusion are cut from the same cloth. Perfect blend of hard rock, prog, and pop. Loved them both since the 70s.
I saw the Paradise Theatre tour at Wembley Arena and it started off with a lady sweeping the stage. I believe Gamma supported. Brilliant show!
what i love about these episodes. i t makes me revisit lps i pooh poohed befrore and check out the recent stuff.
That's why we love them too Ron!
Favorite: Paradise Theater...it is the album I reach for first if I want A Styx album...as " serious " music fans we are supposed to cite Pieces of Eight or Grand Illusion, but, I just enjoy PT more. Also enjoy Equinox and Crystal Ball a bit more than GI or Pieces of Eight too. Worst is Kilroy is Here, by a country mile. Used to like Cornerstone more than I do now, other than the songs "Borrowed Time" and "Boat On The River", it hasn't aged well
Wild card: Cyclorama
A friend once said that the music you listen to in your teens would be the music you would listen to for the rest of your life. Totally true. Almost every one of my favorite bands I discovered from 7th grade through 10th grade: Styx, AC/DC, Van Halen, Rush, Journey.
Happy Saturday Gentlemen!
Saw The Paradise Theater show @Wembley Arena amazing.
As a UK citizen, I have never heard a note from Styx until this morning, when I decided to give Crash of the Crown a listen, and as I got to the end......I immediately pressed repeat! Awesome stuff!
As a fan of Star Wars, Black Sabbath, prog and psychedelia, even I must admit that Simon Bray is the most insightful member of the SoT family. Not as familiar with the entire Styx discography so this was very entertaining education. Thanks everyone, keep doing what you're doing!
Thank you oh discontented one.
A good assessment of the Styx catalogue but I am going to agree, yes I am, with Simon. Sabbath and Ozzy aren't my favourite either, Dio, Hughes, Martin. The Gillan album...very odd (I saw that show). Ozzy solo, much better. That said should I have posted that on the Hudson Valley Square show???
Ok I was wrong, I picked Pieces of Eight as my ‘homework assignment’ & found I really enjoyed most of it, particularly Blue Collar Man & Renegade. Now going to listen to some more albums.
I wish the classic. 70s Styx albuns can be remastered with bonus tracks.
Hi Pete and Simon and Steven fun as always with you,as it is now Sunday morning I will have a drink later with you from Insel Brauerei Baltic stout as for Styx this is a band that I don't know much about the only two albums I have are Crash of the crown and The Mission I like both of them
Great show guys as always Have a fantastic week.
Thanks again another great show. Styx are definitely a top ten band for me. Choosing a favourite wasn't easy . I purchased a limited edition 3lp set in 1978 comprising Crystal Ball,Grand Illusion and Pieces of Eight. If this was allowed it would be my favourite. And I would probably add new LP Crash of the crown .a fantastic album. Kind of stumped to pick least favourite. Probably the covers one. Wild card I would go for Cyclorama.as like Pete didn't really give it much love at the time but boy is it a good album . Keep up the good work ,hope for Styx to visit these shores soon .
Styx is one of those bands for me that a Greatest Hits CD will be plenty for me. Saw them twice in concert (West Germany [Cornerstone tour] & Japan [Paradise Theater tour]). But there's a few albums I liked to listen from them after all these years. And yes. I purchase some of their newer albums with Lawrence Gowan. Nothing on them said play me again.
*My Favs:*
Equinox
Grand Illusion
Pieces of Eight
Styx Greatest Hits (1995)
Rest of the catalogue. I can live without any of them.
You're crazy not to have Paradise theater
@@truckerkevthepaidtourist - At that time Cornerstone soured me on Styx. I did like them live though.The songs I like from *Paradise Theater* was on The Greatest Hits CD from 1995. Besides the Greatest Hits the only Styx album I listen to regularly is Equinox.
Couldn't leave a message last night as I dashed off to watch the Champions League final but that was delayed. Anyway terrific show once again. I'll be honest and say I have never listened to Styx so can Pete, Steven or Simon recommend a starting place. By the way that Bellhaven looked nice.
Favorite 2, has to be the ones I've played the most:
1. The Grand Illusion
2. Pieces of Eight
Least favorite:
1. Kilroy Was Here
2. Brave New World
Wild Card:
1. Cornerstone
2. Man of Miracles
Another fun, interesting show. So, until about 4 months ago I owned no Styx, maybe heard a few songs, convinced I hadn't heard any albums. On a whim I picked up Pieces of Eight and was pleasantly surprised to discover I had heard it, but couldn't remember when or where. I then got Crystal Ball and Man of Miracles, both pretty good.
Like Simon I attacked the catalogue in chronological order this last week. Giving them a few listens each. I found Steven 's point about alot of the albums not all sounding how we imagine Styx to be.
My favourites are Pieces of Eight and The Grand Illusi;on, No, sorry I mean Pieces of Eight and Crash of the Crown. No, I was right first time.
Least favourites are Edge of the Century and Brave New World.
My wildcard is Kilroy was Here. No, I've done it again.
It was an interesting journey, it took six albums to perfect their sound and two albums later they changed it again.
With The Serpent is Rising, I really liked it until Plexiglas, the silent track and the next 2.
😅
I forgot to mention that Suite Madame Blue starts off sounding like Priest's Beyond the Realms of Death, not just the guitar but the vocal melody. And Big Bang Theory, I agree with Simon. I Don't Need no Doctor sounds like they're covering the W.A.S.P. version.
Now I've seen it today on Sunday afternoon, what a fun show that was, and interesting to see my choices made before the show yesterday tend to veer more towards Steven's than Simons apart from our shared distaste for Kilroy, and our love of Cyclorama, especially These are the Times. I did consider the Big Bang Theory except that as a compilation of cover songs it is more listenable through than Deep Purple's recent abomination; and the one with the orchestra has that fantastic medley that Todd Sucherman pulled together which when I saw them live in Manchester in 2005 - at which I would presume Mr Simon was also in attendance? - was a highlight of one of my favourite gigs ever.
I'm one of those people whose got most if not all their live CDs - there was a live CD/DVD combo Styx 21st Century Live that has a live version of These are the Times on the DVD. It was worth getting just for that. I'd also say that while Return to Paradise is perhaps their best live album it started to concern me when Dennis changed the synth solo sound in Crystal Ball from the sound on the original to a more pan pipe type of sound - thankfully he has since gone back to the original sound though, maybe he listened to it and went - nah that's not right?
Pete - as for JY's solo albums I think the best starting point is 1988's Out on a Day pass as thats probably the closest he gets to prime Styx; then I'd go for the James Young Group's 1995 Raised By Wolves , its a bit heavier and maybe a bit darker . Lastly the JY - City Slicker - James Young with Jan Hammer and Colin 'Bomber' Hodgkinson. Its got Styx'ish rockers on it but also goes off into more new wavey territory - I'd say its the least JY of Styx like of all three, but its still pretty good, IMO.
Great video fellas, extra points for Pete's choice of beer!! I only got into Styx recently, well last 10 years but when you get older that is recent (as you all know!), so I have none of the nostalgia that a lot of their fans seem to have for certain albums. My favourites are...
Cyclorama: the first Styx album I ever bought, before this I only knew Babe and renegade both of which I like but they never blew me away, but this album is amazing!!
Crash of the crown: I can't think of a superlative big enough to say just how good this album is! Another classic band releasing some of their best work at such a late point in their life!! Absolutely amazing!!
Least Favourites...
Brave new world: this was the second Styx album I bought and it almost put me off the rest of their stuff, I thought maybe cyclorama was just a fluke!! Thankfully I decided to persevere.
Edge of the century: beyond crap I'd rather have a colonoscopy!!
Wildcard:
Styx II: The early albums don't get enough love, and I think this is the best of them.
Crash of the Crown SUCKS!!!!
@@Toph-ev4ou thanks for your opinion, but I disagree!
You are obviously in the minority here, as there's LOTS of Crash of the Crown love being posted.
@@seaoftranquilityprog Look at the sales numbers. Less than 10,000 sold.
@@seaoftranquilityprog Look at the sales numbers, bud.
Favs:1. Equinox 2. Paradise Theatre
2. Least Fav : 1. Edge of the century 2. Brave New World
Wild card - Crystal Ball.
Yet another great video by you guys! I only have the Styx albums up to and including `Paradise Theatre`. My favourite two `Grand Illusion` and `Pieces of Eight` (closely followed by `Paradise Theatre`). Like Steven I have the four cd Wooden Nickel set and it`s `Serpent Rising` for me also that is my least favourite. The other three from the first four albums I`ve bought on vinyl separately but have never bothered to get `Serpent..` My wildcard is the debut album which I like a lot!
I was never been a big fan of Styx. I did see them play a half empty Wembley Arena on the Paradise Theatre tour and to be fair they were really good. Much better than I was expecting. Based on your enthusiastic show, I’m going to give them another go (again).
Yes I definitely agree with you Pete; that’s J. Y. singing on all of the songs; then background as well after Tommy’s indoctrination into this band. He was not only the better of the two 🎸 s, but there’s also a huge punk rock attitude from his ripping out those leads to his writing ✍️ Styx seems to be quite regal as was their 🎤 wants; but I bought The Grand Illusion in @‘ 77 and as a 9 year old kid into Kiss 💋 Aerosmith and Sabbath? I found it quite a bit on the heavier side than most people who’ve given it less credit than it deserves. I love 💕 Ms. America and Man In The Wilderness is Tommy’s shining moment of that 💿! Thankfully yours, DJP Boston Massachusetts 02134 🇺🇸
Got the Styx Radio Collection. Great song list!
Styx Grand illusion and pieces of eight are my favorite albums and best albums. My wild card would be Man of miracles album. Styx is my favorite band all time So it’s hard for me to choose because for me there’s very few stinkers.
But worst for me would be edge of the century and serpent is rising but I like it lol
I haven’t listened to every studio album so far but here’s my picks.
Top 2 are Pieces of Eight (favorite album) and Paradise Theater, bottom 2 are Kilroy was Here (least favorite album) and The Serpent is Rising, and my wildcard picks are Styx II and Man of Miracles.
My top 3 favorites are Paradise Theater, Kilroy was Here, and Edge of the Century
Paradise released in the UK January 17, 1981, my 19th birthday! Great time for me musically that year, however, romantically, right in the midst of unrequited love💔!!! 41 years later, happily married and been together with my wife since 1986, but, I have never gotten over it. Not her, funnily enough. Just that experience and it’s lasting effect on me! So mixed feelings when Steven quoted that date!
MY 2 FAVORITES
1. Pieces of Eight
2. Man of Miracles
MY 2 LEAST FAVORITES
1. Cyclorama
2. The Mission
WILD CARD
Paradise Theater
Great episode. My favorite 2 are The Grand Illusion & Pieces of Eight followed closely by Paradise Theater & Cornerstone. You guys were trashing big bang theory, I mostly agree bad covers except for 1 best cover ever of Blind Faith's Can't Find My Way Home sung by Tommy.
The last 3 Styx records released are incredibly solid. Also agree on Babe, not sure if i ever need to hear it again but it's a great, classic song.
You may have heard the theory that Slade and Sweet were great rock bands who just happened upon huge success playing pop music. I'd flip that around for Styx, they're great pop writers and players who just happen to make great rock music.
When you look up the word "anthemic" in all good dictionaries, you get whisked to the chorus of These Are The Times.
Styx and Queen seem to be American and English counterparts. Hard and Art Rock mingled with Pop and filled with so powerful vocals listeners can't stay nonchalant.
Hey Pete! I am a sub and really connected with you on your TOTO vlog. Because of your story on you going to LBI in NJ. I loved it. I am from Philly. Home of Todd Rundgren and Daryl Hall! Later in life my parents retired to LBI. Great place! Anyway love what u do. Keep up the good work. I will be watching! GOD BLESS! Warren G.
Thanks Warren! That was some LBI vacation!!
@@seaoftranquilityprog Pete…Thanks for responding. Have u ever done your pics for the NAZZ? TY. WARREN G
Don't feel bad Simon. I am 66 years old and have a ton of music and I do not own one single album by Black Sabbath nor do I own an Ozzy album. They have never turned my crank.
Good to almost be on the same page Don!
@@simonbrayfromsot1375 I'm with you guys. I don't really care for them, and I only like the album "Sabbath Bloody Sabbath" from them but don't own it...There should be a theme of a show called "The album to start with if you don't care for a band"
Oh, here's an idea for a show!! How about albums you bought having No Idea who the band was. You took a gamble, and not only did it pay off big time for you, but within a relatively short amount of time, the rest of the world loved them too... but you always felt like they were YOUR discovery!!! I know that has happened to most of us, and probably often!!! Just a thought.
27:07 Agree. It's some of the other tracks on Kilroy drag it down. Also "Johnathan Chance" 🤭
Interesting choice this week as my entry point was Pieces of Eight, or rather the single Renegade, with I'm OK as b side, and quickly grew to appreciate Styx even though they weren't getting much attention/airplay on radio here. I think there was lots of snobbishness late 70's here in Scotland/UK about US prog bands not really being 'prog'. Kansas were probably seen as more legitimate prog than Styx, and even more so come Cornerstone with Babe as the single, and then Kilroy. Huge fan of Larry Gowan (not just because he's Scottish, and supposedly from Priesthill, which is within spitting distance of me), and love his solo works, and think the resurgence in Styx quality is massively, massively down to him joining. Despite not having lots of writing credits, he really punches above his weight and gives the band the quality that had been missing, and in that way, he's like Woolly Wolstenholme in BJH. Really taken with the most recent Styx output, but for this exercise, favourites (yes I know, not best!) would be Pieces of Eight, Equinox. least favourite- Kilroy, really want to say Cornerstone but can't, despite that ballad, and will go for Edge. Wild card, going for Styx II, which caught me by surprise as I thought it would be Crystal Ball.
Love Styx but the first album was always my favorite. Grew up in the same area they did and remember the day I bought that first record. Best Thing!
24:12 I've gotten proggier as well with age, I still turn it on and ride the lighting daily but Ive got a lot of time for prog (mainstream prog anyway)
Favorites: The Grand Illusion, The Mission
Least Favs: Brave New World, Kilroy Was Here :(
Wildcard: Cyclorama
Nice chat...Can you do a Mama's Boys album ranking Steven?
Good idea Francis, I'll suggest it to Peter.
@@TranquilityFireReid Nice.Hope you can do with Peter (and Simon).
Never heard a single Mama's Boys album...
@@seaoftranquilityprog They made some very good albums and were an excellent live band...
@@seaoftranquilityprog My favorite Mama's Boys album is Turn it up👍
Well Obviously Equinox is Awesome, It's my Favorite.
But my least Favorite has to be Edge of the Century.
So guys here are my choices wasn't easy.
Favourites The Grand Ilusion & Pieces of Eight.
Least Favourites Kilroy and Edge of The Century.
Wild Card- Paradise Theater
Cheers
Hey Pete, love this video.
Last time I saw styx , they toured with Joan Jett and tesla. They stoke the show.
You should do a show where you rank the live albums by judas priest and iron maiden.
Queen Of Spades is actually the song that got me away from KISS being my favorite band back in the day. Since then I've collected all kinds of memorabilia including buying both versions of the Wooden Nickle & RCA/BMG album covers.
Probably one of my favorite underrated songs in that era is Unfinished Song.
As far as the JY solo records it's pretty hit and miss IMO. You really have to be a fan of his to like his records. I saw and met him on his Out On A Day PassTour in Atlanta at The Masquerade. I liken his inclusion on Styx records in the latter years just as Ace & Peter contributed 1 or 2 songs per KISS album.
I've been a Styx fan since the late 70's. My absolute favorite band.
My list of Styx's albums original studio Lps from least to best, (but I like songs on all of them):
16) Styx II
15) The Serpent Is Rising
14) Edge Of The Century
13) Kilroy Was Here
12) Equinox
11) Cyclorama
10) Man Of Miracles
9) The Grand Illusion
8) Crash Of The Crown
7) Cornerstone
6) Paradise Theater
5) Crystal Ball
4) Brave New World
3) Styx I
2) Pieces Of Eight
1) The Mission
His imitation of JY is so good, & funny.
•I agree with "Edge..."
It was a mish-mosh of songs thrown together. Poorly produced, sounding like a cross between broadway & adult contemporary with DeYoung's songs. Only Glen's tracks, and JY's "Homewrecker" saved it from disaster. I also agree with "BNW" being better than what the other two give it.
•So disagree with his opinion with "Brave New World" and their CYO CD. With the exception of DDY's tunes, I thought it was very good. And "...CYO" is one of my personal favorites of their live albums. "Styx II" is my least favorite from the band. And their first live album, "Caught In The Act" was mediocre to me. Almost no deep cuts. Boring for a live Lp. It seemed like they were just going through the motions on "Caught..."
•I agree with Pete about "EOTC". Styx without Tommy wasn't good. Although Glen's tracks were decent.
I'll take JY's solo albums over Dennis's anytime.
Pete you should give his solo projects a listen...
Thanks SOT more music I'll have to buy! 🙄 ❤️
Today I'm drinking a Widmer Brothers 'American Hefeweizen' out of a Samuel Smith pint glass, so I can vouch for their Chocolate Stout as well.
I have not listened to the entire Styx discography, but the four albums I listened to the most:
Grand Illusion
Cornerstone
Paradise Theater
Pieces of Eight
My only time seeing the classic lineup was July 6, 1981 in Oakland for Paradise Theater. Great show. At the end of the show the kid sitting next to me (maybe 13 or 14 years old) declared it the best night of his life.
One of my favourite bands. The only album I'm not keen on is Big Bang Theory. My hot take, though, is that I think Kilroy is better than Paradise Theatre!
Faves:
Crystal Ball
Pieces Of Eight
Least faves (not counting the covers album):
Debut
II
Wildcard:
Edge Of The Century
Got to be honest, my go to albums will always be Pieces Of Eight, Grand Illusion, and Paradise Theatre. I've tried listening to the newer albums and they just don't do it for me like the old stuff, but I'm in the Dennis DeYoung camp. I know he can be a bit vaudeville but he's a cracking songwriter 👍🏻.
How about an episode dedicated to Survivor guys? They're a bit like Europe in that people know one song and don't check out the other stuff and Caught In The Game, Vital Signs, and When Seconds Count are fantastic. Or how about a Nightranger episode? Reo Speedwagon? Magnum?
We've done a Ranking the Survivor a while ago. REO were done by Pete and myself whilst Magnum are in our sights.
I'm with Simon I only own a single Black Sabbath album, just a band I did not get into.
my two favorites are
1.Grand Illusion
2.The Mission
my least two favorites are
1.Styx 11
2.Edge Of The Century
my favorite wildcard is
1.equinox
I love Steven Reid, and will sit through a show that is a topic of low interest if Steven is on it. But I have to disagree with his view of "Serpent Is Rising". Perhaps from a cohesion perspective, et al., he's got some good points, but it was one hell of a concert, and it has some amazing tracks on it. I also agree that Styx I & II are also great!
The uninitiated would be surprised how huge Styx was in 83, up there with all the area headliners of the early 80's. The world premiere of the Music Time video was a big thing on MTV. At the very hight of their popularity they torpedoed things with that live album (Caught in the Act) a good record but killed the momentum, especially when it was followed up with an opened ended break. Felt as if they just vacated their spot.
"All roads lead to tranquility base where the frown on my face disappears" Tommy Shaw 1979.
Acording to Google STYX sold over 18,436,798 albums, including 17,480,000 in the United States and 60,000 in the United Kingdom.
Styx and Kansas are my favourite bands from the US. Still producing some best stuff on the later albums. My favourite can change. At the comment id choose Crash of the Crown as my favourite and Brave New World as my least favourite.
In all honesty, Styx is a band I didn't care much about. Have the albums just because I have the curse of collecting, but in the last 5 or so years I have come to enjoy them a lot.
My favorites are Grand Illusion (Man in the wilderness gives me the chills) and Pieces of eight.
My least favorites would have to be Styx and Brave New World.
My wild card is Edge of the Century and Crash the crown.
Now listening to Cyclorama.
Check Tommy Shaw on the new song of Alan Parsons. Love it.
My cousins grew up with members from Styx and an Aunt of my keyboardist/friend in our rock band in Jr. High and High School was married to one of their members.
Favorites -
1. Equinox
2. The Grand Illusion
Least Favorites -
1. Kilroy Was Here
2. Cyclorama
Wild Card -
Crystal Ball
People think I'm crazy, but 2017s The Mission is my all-time fave. Not in a million years, did I think any of their new albums would displace Equinox and Grand Illusion