Music review: Styx – 无毛视频楾he Mission无毛视频�
Prior to 1977, my only knowledge of the band Styx was the infectious power ballad 无毛视频淟ady.无毛视频� However, that would all change after my older brother purchased 无毛视频淭he Grand Illusion.无毛视频�
Loaded with great classic rock like 无毛视频淐ome Sail Away,无毛视频� 无毛视频淪uperstars,无毛视频� 无毛视频淢iss America,无毛视频� 无毛视频淔ooling Yourself (The Angry Young Man)无毛视频� and the explosive title track, I was suddenly thrust into Styx fandom continuing over the next several years by eagerly acquiring 无毛视频淧ieces of Eight,无毛视频� 无毛视频淐ornerstone无毛视频� and 无毛视频淧aradise Theater无毛视频� just as quickly as possible upon release. For me, 无毛视频淭he Grand Illusion无毛视频� will always be the definitive Styx album by which all other Styx releases are measured.
The band无毛视频檚 first studio effort of original material since 2003无毛视频檚 无毛视频淐ycloramo无毛视频� is surprisingly a futuristic tale detailing a manned mission to Mars in the year 2033.
While the humans-replaced-by-robots themed 无毛视频淜ilroy Was Here无毛视频� from 1983 proved to be a successful concept album, it ultimately strained the band as far as settling on a musical direction moving forward and caused lead singer Dennis DeYoung to ultimately walk away to pursue his own musical interests.
无毛视频淭he Mission无毛视频� looks to recapture some of the rock and theatrical elements found on 无毛视频淭he Grand Illusion无毛视频� and 无毛视频淧ieces of Eight无毛视频� with a lineup of Tommy Shaw and James Young delivering Styx无毛视频檚 signature guitar sound surrounded by a solid rhythm section provided by drummer Todd Sucherman and bassists Chuck Panozzo and Ricky Phillips and the energetic keyboards and vocals offered by DeYoung无毛视频檚 replacement, Lawrence Gowan.
Upon first listen of the 14-song saga, one could say the band无毛视频檚 mission was indeed accomplished.
Inspired writing and playing as well as an array of lush (yet powerful) harmonies contribute to the effectiveness of the sprawling material as Styx returns to earlier studio form and creates a new collection of tracks to add to the band无毛视频檚 vigorous touring playlist. 无毛视频淟ight it up/Let无毛视频檚 get this show on the road,无毛视频� sings Gowan on 无毛视频淕one Gone Gone无毛视频� as he relays the band无毛视频檚 enthusiasm for showcasing what is to come.
Additionally, the album无毛视频檚 production mix makes it a must-listen for headphone enthusiasts in order to further enhance the cosmic-sounding experience. I recently broke out my headphones for a listening of 无毛视频淩elayer无毛视频� by Yes. Within just a few minutes, I was reminded how magical headphones can be for select albums. Needless to say, I无毛视频檓 looking forward to hearing the nuances of 无毛视频淭he Mission无毛视频� through the magnification of the headphone experience.
If you无毛视频檙e a fan of early Styx, make 无毛视频淭he Mission无毛视频� your next musical purchase and savor the journey.