Edge of the Century |
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Released: October 9, 1990 Peak: 63 US Sales (in millions): 0.5 US Genre: classic rock veteran |
Tracks: Song Title (Writers) [time] (date of single release, chart peaks) Click for codes to singles charts.
Total Running Time: 42:35 The Players:
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Rating:  3.351 out of 5.00 (average of 19 ratings)
Awards: (Click on award to learn more).
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About the Album: If one looks at the chart performance of Styx in 1983, they looked like they’d maintained the same basic trajectory that lifted them to #1 with 1981’s Paradise Theater. Kilroy Was Here was yet another top-10, platinum-selling outing for the band and produced two top-10 hits with “Mr. Roboto” and “Don’t Let It End.” However, some fans found the more theatrical elements of the quasi-concept album to be cheesy and “Mr. Roboto” seemed to alienate as many fans as it satisfied. That song and album even created division amongst the band. Guitarist and singer Tommy Shaw, who’d been with the band since 1975, abandoned the fold and the band went on hiatus for six years. When they returned with this effort, Shaw opted out but the other four – who’d helmed the band from its beginnings to superstar status – were on board. They brought in Glen Burtnik, who’d had a minor rock hit in the late ‘80s with “Follow You,” as Shaw’s replacement. Styx maintains their sensibility for “melodic hard pop…cut from the same cloth as Journey” AMG but also try updating their sound with a “nod to modern metal.” AMG The most obvious attempt is with the lead single, Love Is the Ritual. It’s an odd choice to reintroduce fans to the band since it doesn’t bear much similarity to Styx’s classic repertoire. Some marketing guru most have thought it would be better if people stumbled across the song not knowing it was Styx and thinking it was some new ‘90s band. The video made it clear they weren’t trying to look like Styx either. Burtnik and his long, flowing dark locks are featured front and center while the original band members are almost cameos. The song’s poor chart performance suggested the rebranding effort was a flop. Then someone who knew what they were doing with Styx must have taken over. The second single, Show Me the Way, fit right alongside other Dennis DeYoung helmed top-10 ballads like “Don’t Let It End” and the #1 song “Babe.” Still, the band hadn’t been a chart presence for six years. Why would this song be a hit? It somehow became an anthem for the Gulf War and became a top-5 hit on the Billboard Hot 100. The follow up, Love at First Sight, might as well have been called “Show Me the Way Part II” as it followed the exact same formula. While it wasn’t quite as successful, it did reach #25 on the pop charts making Edge of the Century the sixth consecutive Styx album to feature at least two top-40 hits. Unfortunately, DeYoung’s pair of hits aren’t enough to carry the album. Burtnik turns in a fine ballad with All in a Day’s Work, but there isn’t anything else particularly memorable. Shaw’s presence is sorely missed. On previous efforts, his rockers (“Renegade,” Blue Collar Man,” “Too Much Time on My Hands”) provided a nice counterpoint to DeYoung’s more sugary offerings. With supergroup Damn Yankees, who released their debut seven months before Edge of the Century, he proved he still had the goods. The album produced four top-10 mainstream rock tracks, including the #1 “Coming of Age” and “High Enough,” which reached #3 on the pop charts. |
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First posted 3/24/2008; last updated 5/17/2021. |
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