Fish released Field of Crows

Field of Crows Fish

Released: May 25, 2004 Peak: -- US, -- UK, -- CN, -- AU Sales (in millions): -- Genre: neo-progressive rock

Tracks: Song Title (Writers) [time] (date of single release, chart peaks) Click for codes to singles charts. The Field (Dick, Watson) [8:42] Moving Targets [5:46] The Rookie (Dick, Watson) [5:35] Zoo Class [5:23] The Lost Plot (Dick, Turrell) [5:10] Old Crow [5:20] Numbers (Dick, Watson, Usher) [5:36] Exit Wound (Dick, Watson) [5:55] Innocent Party [7:37] Shot the Craw [6:00] Scattering Crows (Still Time) (Dick, Watson, Turrell, Duguid) [5:05] Songs by Dick, Watson, and Dugild unless noted otherwise. Total Running Time: 66:58 The Players: Derek W. Dick, aka “Fish” (vocals) Bruce Watson (guitar, e-bow) Frank Usher (guitars) Steve Vantsis (bass) Tony Turrell (keyboards) Mark Brzezicki (drums, percussion) Dave Haswell (percussion) Danny Gillan (backing vocals) Richard Sidwell (trumpet, flugel horn) Steve Hamilton (saxophone) Yatta, Lars K. Lande (crowd vocal on “The Field”) Irvin Duguid (clavinet on “Old Crow”)

Rating: 3.407 out of 5.00 (average of 14 ratings) Awards: (Click on award to learn more).

About the Album: “Anyone who thought Fellini Days was a notch under Fish’s previous two studio releases (Sunsets on Empire and Raingods with Zippos) should feel relieved after listening to Field of Crows, a very fine entry in the gentle giant’s discography.” AMG “Fish is making the best out of his lowering voice on this album, which could be seen as a sign of maturity. This album rocks out, but it mostly relies on mellower tracks and simpler songwriting – something reminiscent of Ian Anderson’s own dealings with an aging voice and more introspective interests. Fish’s focus is not on extended suites and shifting moods anymore, but elegant, intelligent songs, and in that regard he deserves an A for Field of Crows.” AMG “His backing band has undergone yet another reshuffle. Guitarists Bruce Watson and Frank Usher are back. Bassist Steve Vantsis, drummer Mark Brzezicki, and keyboardist Tony Turrell round up the main lineup. Fish co-wrote most of the songs with Watson, a partnership that ranks among his best of late.” AMG “The album is evenly split between rockers and mellower songs with folk-blues roots. From the first category, the very Marillion-esque (don’t you just love those piano arpeggios?) The Lost Plot, the premium ballad Shot the Craw (possibly his most moving since ‘A Gentleman’s Excuse Me’), and the bluesy Exit Wound stand out.” AMG “Among the beat-driven numbers, kudos go to another bluesy number, Zoo Class, the catchy Moving Targets, and Innocent Party, in which the singer shows that he can still push a powerful mood-switching song.” AMG “As usual, arrangements are finely crafted and varied from song to song, resulting in a very satisfying set high on memorable songs and surprisingly low on disposable content.” AMG

Resources and Related Links: DMDB encyclopedia entry for Fish DMDB encyclopedia entry for Marillion AMG All Music Guide review by François Couture WK Wikipedia Other Related DMDB Pages: Last updated 8/9/2021.

Keane’s Hopes and Fears hit #1 in UK

Hopes and Fears Keane

Released: May 10, 2004 Charted: May 16, 2004 Peak: 45 US, 15 UK, 42 AU Sales (in millions): 1.0 US, 2.87 UK, 12.2 world (includes US and UK) Genre: alternative rock/Britpop

Tracks: Song Title (date of single release, chart peaks) Click for codes to singles charts. Somewhere Only We Know (1/16/04, 50 US, 32 RR, 37 AC, 11 A40, 2 AA, 32 MR, 3 UK) This Is the Last Time (11/22/04, 16 UK) Bend and Break (7/25/05, 20 AA) We Might As Well Be Strangers Everybody’s Changing (5/4/04, 33 A40, 6 AA, 4 UK) Your Eyes Open She Has No Time Can’t Stop Now Sunshine Untitled 1 Bedshaped (8/16/04, 10 UK) Total Running Time: 50:37

Rating: 3.827 out of 5.00 (average of 33 ratings) Awards: (Click on award to learn more).

About the Album: “The English music press can never let anyone be. They’re always quick to hail the next big thing and, in this case, the next big Coldplay is Kean.” AMG The band “haven’t positioned themselves to be kings of anything, let alone the next Coldplay…Sure, Coldplay’s biggest hit to date, ‘Clocks,’ included only pianos, and they released the Safety EP on Fierce Panda, which is also Keane’s label, but those are the only things Keane have in common with Coldplay.” AMG “Perhaps it’s the overall majestic presentation of the band’s debut album, Hopes and Fears, that does it. That and the fact that the Sussex trio doesn’t rely on a formula of lilting melodies and feverish guitars to carry the weight of the album.” AMG “Alongside their beautiful, emotive dalliance of instrumentation is one thing that’ll separate Keane from all the rest, and that’s drive. The band's heartfelt ambition on Hopes and Fears is right there. It’s impossible not to reach for it, really. Lead vocalist Tom Chaplin's rich vocals are as vibrant as any choir, and songs such as This Is the Last Time, Bend and Break, and Can't Stop Now reflect Keane’s more savory, dramatic moments. Confidence bursts throughout, and for a band that has been around seven years and has never released a studio full-length album until now, achieving nearly epic-like status is quite impressive.” AMG “Keane obviously have the songs and they have a strong voice leading the front; however, Tim Rice-Oxley (piano/keyboards/bass) and Richard Hughes (drums) allow Hopes and Fears to come alive with glamour and without the sheen of slick studio production. Even slow build-up tracks like Bedshaped and We Might as Well Be Strangers are just as passionate, if not more so, than some of the bigger numbers on the album.” AMG “Some might find Keane’s debut a bit stagy, or too theatrical at first, but that’s okay. Listening to Somewhere Only We Know alone a few times is more than enough to convince you that Keane stand next to Coldplay, challenging them, and it’s a respectable match at that.” AMG

Resources and Related Links: DMDB encyclopedia entry for Keane AMG All Music Guide review by MacKenzie Wilson WK Wikipedia First posted 3/29/2008; last updated 5/3/2022.

In Concert: David Bowie

image from www.concertlivewire.com

Venue: Starlight Theater; Kansas City, MO

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The Set List:

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1. Rebel Rebel
2. New Killer Star
3. Battle for Britain (The Letter)
4. Cactus (Pixies cover)
5. Fashion
6. All the Young Dudes (Bowie wrote it, but Mott the Hoople made it famous)
7. China Girl
8. Pablo Picasso * (Modern Lovers cover)
9. Fame
10. The Loneliest Guy
11. The Man Who Sold the World
12. Breaking Glass *
13. Be My Wife *
14. Hallo Spaceboy
15. Sunday
16. Heathen (The Rays)
17. Under Pressure
18. Days
19. Changes *
20. The Supermen
21. Ashes to Ashes
22. Quicksand
23. White Light, White Heat (Velvet Underground cover)
24. Heroes
Encore:

25. Station to Station *
26. Suffragette City
27. Ziggy Stardust

So, here’s the breakdown of what Bowie played and from what albums they came.

1970: The Man Who Sold the World: title cut, The Supermen
1971: Hunky Dory: Changes, Quicksand
1972: Ziggy Stardust…: title cut, Suffragette City
1973: Ziggy Stardust – The Motion Picture (live): All the Young Dudes, White Light White Heat
1974: Diamond Dogs: Rebel Rebel
1975: Young Americans: Fame
1976: Station to Station: title cut
1977: Low: Breaking Glass, Be My Wife
1977: Heroes: title cut
1980: Scary Monsters and Super Creeps: Fashion, Ashes to Ashes
1981: Under Pressure (single with Queen) – first on Queen’s Greatest Hits
1983: Let’s Dance: China Girl
1995: Outside: Hallo Spaceboy
1997: Earthling: Battle for Britain (The Letter)
2002: Heathen: Cactus, Sunday, Heathen (The Rays)
2003: Reality: New Killer Star, Pablo Picasso, The Loneliest Guy, Days

In Concert: Styx & Peter Frampton

image from youtube.com

Venue: Verizon Wireless Ampitheatre; Bonner Springs, KS

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Styx Set List:

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1. Blue Collar Man (Long Nights)
2. The Grand Illusion
3. One With Everything
4. Lady
5. Too Much Time on My Hands
6. Snowblind
7. More Love for the Money
8. Medley
9. These Are the Times
10. Fooling Yourself (The Angry Young Man)
11. Miss America
12. Come Sail Away
13. Renegade (encore)

Styx released Come Sail Away anthology

Styx A Retrospective: 1971-2004

Overview: The Panozzo twin brothers started playing in their garage at the age of 12. Their neighbor, DeYoung, joined them. When the trio went to Chicago State University, they formed TW4 with Curulewski. Young joined in 1970. In 1971, Wooden Nickel Records heard them, signed them the following year, and Styx (named after river Hades in Greek mythology) was born. In 1975, the group signed with A&M after a revival of the song “Lady” restored interest in the band. After their first A&M album (Equinox), Curulewski left the group; replaced by Shaw. The group broke up in ‘84. Shaw, DeYoung, and JY did solo projects. In 1990, Styx reunited for an album without Shaw, who worked with supergroup Damn Yankees from 1989 to 1992 and then as a duo with Damn Yankees’ bandmate Jack Blades in 1995. Shaw returned to the fold for a 1995 tour and they recorded a few songs in the studio for their Greatest Hits and Greatest Hits 2 compilations. In 1999, they released their first studio album in nearly a decade. They’ve actively toured since and released studio albums sporadically. The Players: Dennis DeYoung (vocals, keyboards: 1971-1999) James “JY” Young (guitar, vocals: 1971-) John Curulewski (guitar, vocals, synthesizers: 1971-76). Died of an aneurysm in 1988. Chuck Panozzo (bass: 1971-) John Panozzo (drums, percussion: 1971-1990). Died of gastrointestinal hemorrhage on 7/16/96 at age 47. Tommy Shaw (vocals, guitar: 1976-84, 1995-) Glen Burtnik (bass, vocals: 1990, 2000-04) Todd Sucherman (drums: 1995-) Lawrence Gowan (vocals, keyboards: 1999-) Ricky Phillips (bass: 2003-) On the Web: StyxWorld.com (official site) Facebook Wikipedia Lists/Podcasts: Styx et al’s Top 100 Songs DMDB podcast "The Best of Dennis DeYoung & Styx" DMDB podcast "The Best of Tommy Shaw & Styx"

Awards:

The Studio Albums: Hover over an album cover to see its title and year of release. Click on the album to go directly to it on this page. Compilations: CL Classics (recorded 1975-83, released 1987) G1 Greatest Hits (recorded 1975-1995, released 1995) G2 Greatest Hits 2 (recorded 1975-1996, released 1996) AN Come Sail Away – The Styx Anthology (recorded 1972-2003, released 2004) Live Albums: CA Caught in the Act (1984) RP Return to Paradise (1997) Under each album snapshot, songs featured on the anthologies are noted. If the song charted, the date of the song’s release or first chart appearance and its chart peaks are noted in parentheses. Click for codes to singles charts.

Styx I

Notes: Click to go to DMDB page.

Charted: October 7, 1972 Peak: -- US, 14 DF Sales (in millions): -- Tracks: Movement for the Common Man i. Children of the Land ii. Street Collage iii. Fanfare for the Common Man iv. Mother Nature’s Matinee Right Away What Has Come Between Us Best Thing (9/16/72, 82 US, 86 HR, 40 CL) AN Quick Is the Beat of My Heart After You Leave Me

About the Album: “Although they began as an artsy prog-rock band, Styx would eventually transform into the virtual arena rock prototype by the late ‘70s and early ‘80s, due to a fondness for bombastic rockers and soaring power ballads.” GP Twin brothers John Panozzo and Chuck Panozzo started playing in their garage at the age of 12. Their neighbor, Dennis DeYoung quickly joined them and they formed a “combo named the Tradewinds during the late 1960s.” LP When the trio went to Chicago State University, they formed TW4 with John Curulewski. James Young joined in 1970. “Local gigs in and around the Windy City led them to the attention of Bill Traut, a Chicago musician/producer whose regional record label Wooden Nickel was distributed throughout North America by RCA. Traut was actively seeking new talent and TW4 was just what he was looking for to compete with” LP the “primarily U.K-centered progressive rock scene” LP and bands like Yes; Rush; and Emerson, Lake & Palmer. The band changed their name to Styx, “named after a river from Greek mythology that ran through the ‘land of the dead’ in the underworld,” GP and signed to Wooden Nickel.

Styx II

Notes: Click to go to DMDB page.

Released: July 1973 Peak: 20 US, 15 DF Sales (in millions): 0.5 US Tracks: You Need Love (5/10/75, 88 US, 81 CB, 40 CL) AN Lady (12/7/74, 6 US, 6 CB, 7 HR, 7 RR, 5 CL, 19 CN, 23 AU) RP, AN A Day You Better Ask Little Fugue in “G” Father O.S.A. Earl of Roseland I’m Gonna Make You Feel It

About the Album: Styx’s early albums reflected the prog-rock vibe Traut was seeking. They built a substantial local following with their early albums and non-stop touring, but couldn’t break through to the mainstream until 1974 when Lady, a track from their second album, was revived by Chicago radio station WLS-FM. It was issued as a single nationwide and became a top-10 hit on the Billboard Hot 100. GP

The Serpent Is Rising

Notes: Click to go to DMDB page.

Charted: February 9, 1974 Peak: 192 US, 13 DF Sales (in millions): -- Tracks: Witch Wolf The Grove of Eglantine Young Man As Bad As This Winner Take All AN 22 Years Jonas Psalter The Serpent Is Rising Krakatoa Hallelujah Chorus

About the Album: Styx’s third studio outing was a loose concept album which sold under 100,000. It was promoted with the single “Winner Take All” which didn’t chart.

Man of Miracles

Notes: Click to go to DMDB page.

Charted: November 9, 1974 Peak: 154 US, -- UK, -- CN, -- AU, 14 DF Sales (in millions): -- Tracks: Rock and Roll Feeling AN Havin’ a Ball Golden Lark A Song for Suzanne A Man Like Me Lies Evil Eyes Southern Woman Christopher, Mr. Christopher Man of Miracles

About the Album: This was Styx’s last album with Wooden Nickel. It didn’t gain much traction for the band, but featured a cover of the Knickerbockers’ “Lies,” which was later substituted with “Best Thing” from the first album. It was during promotion for this album that “Lady” from Styx II was revived and gained attention for the band and got them signed to a major label.

Equinox

Notes: Click to go to DMDB page.

Charted: December 20, 1975 Peak: 58 US, 15 DF Sales (in millions): 0.5 US Tracks: Light Up (1975, 13 CL) CL, G2, AN Lorelei (2/14/76, 27 US, 30 CB, 28 HR, 26 RR, 9 CL, 6 CN) G1, RP, AN Mother Dear Lonely Child Midnight Ride Born for Adventure Prelude 12 AN Suite Madame Blue (7 CL) CA, CL, G1, RP, AN

About the Album: This was Styx’s fifth album overall and first with major label A&M. It gave them their second top-40 hit with Lorelei and also led to songs Light Up and Suite Madame Blue gaining inroads into AOR radio.

Crystal Ball

Notes: Click to go to DMDB page.

Charted: October 30. 1976 Peak: 66 US, 15 DF Sales (in millions): 0.5 US Tracks: Put Me On Mademoiselle (11/6/76, 36 US, 57 CB, 58 HR, 15 CL, 25 CN) G2, AN Jennifer Crystal Ball (5/14/77, 9 CL) CA, CL, G1, RP, AN Shooz AN This Old Man Clair de Lune/Ballerina

About the Album: The night before Styx was set to launch a tour in support of their Equinox album, Curulewski abruptly left the band. They scrambled to find a replacement, settling with guitarist and singer Tommy Shaw. While Crystal Ball wouldn’t become a monstrous success, Shaw’s addition to the band would set the band on a trajectory which would make them arguably America’s favorite rock band. Here he contributed the album’s power ballad title track and in a co-lead vocal with DeYoung on top 40 hit Mademoiselle.

The Grand Illusion

Notes: Click to go to DMDB page.

Released: July 7, 1977 Peak: 6 US, 49 AU, 17 DF Sales (in millions): 3.0 US, 5.0 world (includes US) Tracks: The Grand Illusion (5 CL) CL, G1, RP, AN Fooling Yourself (Angry Young Man) (2/18/78, 29 US, 6 CL) CA, CL, G1, RP, AN Superstars G2 Come Sail Away (9/24/77, 8 US, 1 CL) CA, CL, G1, RP, AN Miss America (15 CL) CA, CL, G1, RP, AN Man in the Wilderness AN Castle Walls The Grand Finale

About the Album: This was the first of Styx’s four consecutive top-10, multi-platinum albums. No band had ever accomplished that feat. This album was propelled by Come Sail Away, a top 10 Dennis DeYoung-penned pop hit that became the band’s show closer, and Fooling Yourself (Angry Young Man), a prototype for the Tommy Shaw rockers that were to come.

Pieces of Eight

Notes: Click to go to DMDB page.

Charted: September 30, 1978 Peak: 6 US, 70 AU, 15 DF Sales (in millions): 3.0 US Tracks: Great White Hope I’m O.K. Sing for the Day (12/30/78, 41 US, 41 CB, 39 HR, 17 CL, 27 CN) G2, AN The Message Lords of the Ring Blue Collar Man (Long Nights) (9/9/78, 21 US, 21 CB, 22 HR, 21 RR, 4 CL, 9 CN, 98 AU) CA, CL, G1, RP, AN Queen of Spades G2 Renegade (1/9/79, 16 US, 18 CB, 22 HR, 17 RR, 1 CL, 10 CN) CL, G1, RP, AN Pieces of Eight AN Aku Aku

About the Album: DeYoung had established himself as the most commercial of the band’s trio of singer/songwriters with top-10 hits “Lady” and “Come Sail Away” and James Young was the undeniable rocker of the band. Shaw, however, found a comfortable place between the two and exerted his clout as a rocker who could also generate hits on Pieces of Eight with the top-40 songs Renegade and Blue Collar Man.

Cornerstone

Notes: Click to go to DMDB page.

Charted: October 13, 1979 Peak: 2 US, 36 UK, 11 CN, 21 AU, 13 DF Sales (in millions): 2.0 US Tracks: Lights (41 CL) G2, AN Why Me (12/15/79, 26 US, 19 CB, 18 HR, 12 RR, 9 CL, 10 CN) Babe (10/6/79, 12 US, 13 CB, 12 HR, 13 RR, 6 UK, 9 AC, 1 CL, 6 UK, 16 CN, 3 AU) CA, CL, G1, RP, AN Never Say Never Boat on the River (3/16/80, --) G2, RP, AN Borrowed Time (3/29/80, 64 US, 74 CB, 63 HR, 33 CL, 76 CN) G2, AN First Time G2 Eddie Love in the Midnight

About the Album: DeYoung returned to the forefront on the Cornerstone album. To the chagrin of Styx’s harder-rocking fans and to the delight of the pop world, the lead single was the full-on ballad Babe by DeYoung. The lighter fare landed Styx its only #1 pop hit, but caused tension as Shaw fought to keep the band from succumbing to DeYoung’s more theatrical, melodic balladry. For unknown reasons, “Why Me,” the second top-40 hit from Cornerstone, failed to find a home on any of the compilations featured on this page.

Paradise Theater

Notes: Click to go to DMDB page.

Released: January 19, 1981 Peak: 13 US, 8 UK, 12 CN, 27 AU, 112 DF Sales (in millions): 3.0 US, 4.0 world (includes US) Tracks: A.D. 1928 G2, RP, AN Rockin’ the Paradise (3/21/81, 20 CL, 8 AR) CA, G2, RP, AN Too Much Time on My Hands (3/21/81, 9 US, 8 CB, 7 HR, 4 CL, 2 AR, 4 CN, 68 AU) CA, CL, G1, RP, AN Nothing Ever Goes As Planned The Best of Times (1/24/81, 3 US, 5 CB, 6 HR, 13 RR, 26 AC, 1 CL, 16 AR, 42 UK, 11 CN, 23 AU) CA, CL, G1, RP, AN Lonely People She Cares Snowblind (3/21/81, 17 CL, 22 AR) CA, G2, RP, AN Half-Penny, Two-Penny A.D. 1928 RP State Street Sadie CA

About the Album: “The band decided that their first release of the ‘80s would be a concept album, 1981’s Paradise Theater, which was loosely based on the rise and fall of a once-beautiful theater (which was supposedly used as a metaphor for the state of the U.S. at the time – the Iranian hostage situation, the Cold War, Reagan, etc.). Paradise Theater became Styx's biggest hit of their career (selling over three million copies in a three-year period), as they became one of the U.S. top rock acts due to such big hit singles as Too Much Time on My Hands and The Best of Times.” GP The former was yet another Tommy Shaw rocker while the latter was a DeYoung song that was more in the vein of ‘Lady” and ‘Come Sail Away,’ which had ballad elements but still rocked.

Kilroy Was Here

Notes: Click to go to DMDB page.

Released: February 22, 1983 Peak: 3 US, 67 UK, 45 AU, 14 DF Sales (in millions): 1.0 US Tracks: Mr. Roboto (2/12/83, 3 US, 11 CB, 3 RR, 3 AR, 12 CN, 40 AU) CA, CL, G1, AN Cold War Don’t Let It End (4/30/83, 6 US, 14 CB, 3 RR, 56 UK, 13 AC, 15 CN) CA, CL, G1 High Time Heavy Metal Poisoning Just Get Through This Night Double Life Haven’t We Been Here Before G2 Don’t Let It End (Reprise)

About the Album: “But the behind-the-scenes bickering only intensified in the wake of the album’s success, as DeYoung was now convinced that a more theatrical approach was the future direction for Styx. Shaw and the rest of the group begrudgingly went along.” GP “The resulting follow-up was another hit, 1983’s sci-fi based Kilroy Was Here (which told the story of a future where rock & roll was outlawed, almost a carbon copy of the story line of Rush’s 2112).” GP “The ensuing prop-heavy tour seemed to focus more on scripted dialogue and lengthy films than good old rock & roll.” GP In addition, the over-the-top (and poorly done) concept coupled with lead single Mr. Roboto’s cheesy novelty elements, alienated some Styx fans – and “would eventually lead to the group’s breakup.” GP

Classics

Rating: 4.179 out of 5.00 (average of 8 ratings)

Released: 1987 Recorded: 1975-1983 Peak: -- Sales (in millions): -- Tracks: Babe Blue Collar Man Come Sail Away Crystal Ball Fooling Yourself (Angry Young Man) Light Up Mr. Roboto Renegade The Best of Times Don’t Let It End The Grand Illusion Suite Madame Blue Too Much Time on My Hands Miss America Total Running Time: 68:49

About the Album: This was released as part of A&M Records’ series of compilations (officially it is called Classics Volume 15). It offered a nice snapshot of Styx’s heyday, but was superseded by the superior Greatest Hits in 1995. It omits top-40 hits “Lorelei” and “Mademoiselle,” as well as the pre-A&M years top-10 hit “Lady.”

Caught in the Act

Rating: 3.534 out of 5.00 (average of 21 ratings) Awards: (Click on award to learn more).

Charted: April 21, 1984 Recorded: April 9-10, 1983 Peak: 31 US, 44 UK, 17 DF Sales (in millions): -- Tracks, Disc 1: Music Time (DeYoung) [4:45] CA Mr. Roboto Too Much Time on My Hands Babe Snowblind State Street Sadie Suite Madame Blue Tracks, Disc 2: Rockin’ the Paradise Blue Collar Man (Long Nights) Miss America Don’t Let It End Fooling Yourself (Angry Young Man) Crystal Ball Come Sail Away Total Running Time: 83:30

About the Album: Styx’s first live album was recorded during their 1983 Kilroy Was Here. The set includes one new studio cut, “Music Time,” which hints at long-time guitarist and singer Tommy Shaw’s departure in the video. The group wouldn’t release another studio album until 1990.

Edge of the Century

Notes: Click to go to DMDB page.

Released: October 9, 1990 Peak: 63 US, 13 DF Sales (in millions): 0.5 US Tracks: Love Is the Ritual (9/29/90, 80 US, 9 AR, 59 CN) AN Show Me the Way (12/8/90, 3 US, 7 RR, 3 AC, 4 CN) G1, RP, AN Edge of the Century Love at First Sight (4/6/91, 25 US, 18 RR, 13 AC, 20 CN) G2 All in a Day’s Work Not Dead Yet World Tonite Carrie Ann Homewrecker Back to Chicago

About the Album: After 1983’s Kilroy Was Here and a live album the next year, Styx went on hiatus. DeYoung, Young, and Shaw released solo albums. None matched Styx’s success, although DeYoung had a top-10 hit with “Desert Moon.” In 1989, Shaw joined Night Ranger’s singer and bassist Jack Blades and guitarist Ted Nugent in the supergroup Damn Yankees, which produced the top-10 power ballad “High Enough” and the #1 album rock track “Coming of Age.” Meanwhile, the remainder of the band reformed Styx with Glen Burtnik stepping in for Shaw. The lead single, “Love Is the Ritual,” failed to reignite much interest in the band, but another DeYoung ballad, “Show Me the Way,” was a surprise top-10 hit for a group most assumed were dead and gone.

Greatest Hits

Rating: 4.195 out of 5.00 (average of 20 ratings) Awards: (Click on award to learn more).

Released: August 22, 1995 Recorded: 1975-1990, 1995 Peak: 138 US Sales (in millions): 2.0 US Tracks: Lady ’95 The Best of Times Lorelei Too Much Time on My Hands Babe Fooling Yourself (Angry Young Man) Show Me the Way Renegade Come Sail Away Blue Collar Man The Grand Illusion Crystal Ball Suite Madame Blue Miss America Mr. Roboto Don’t Let It End Total Running Time: 75:25

About the Album: After Styx’s short-lived reunion in 1990, the members went their separate ways again. DeYoung played Pontius Pilate in a revival of Jesus Christ Superstar and recorded an album of Broadway showtunes. Young issued a pair of solo albums and Shaw released an album in 1995 with Jack Blades, his bandmate from Damn Yankees. Shaw reunited with his former bandmates in Styx for a re-recording of “Lady” for the Greatest Hits album. Like the Classics release, Greatest Hits still overlooked some top-40 hits, including “Why Me,” “Mademoiselle,” and “Music Time” – all of which were absent from Classics as well. There was only one more studio album released between the two compilations, which is represented by the top-5 hit “Show Me the Way.” It also includes “Lorelei,” which was not on Classics. The only song featured on Classics which isn’t included here as well is “Light Up.” A reunion tour followed this album, but John Panozzo had to bow out (replaced by Todd Sucherman) due to struggles with alcoholism. He died that year.

Greatest Hits 2

Rating: 2.895 out of 5.00 (average of 11 ratings) Awards: (Click on award to learn more).

Released: June 11, 1996 Recorded: 1975-1996 Peak: -- Sales (in millions): -- Tracks: A.D. 1928 Rockin’ the Paradise Light Up Sing for the Day First Time Mademoiselle Snowblind Boat on the River Borrowed Time Lights Queen of Spades Love at First Sight Haven’t We Been Here Before Superstars Little Suzie (Burtnik, Bob Burger, Shaw, DeYoung) [4:49] G2 It Takes Love (Burtnik, Burger) [3:26] G2 Total Running Time: 76:25

About the Album: While this largely feels like a leftovers collection, “Mademoiselle” and “Love at First Sight” were both top-40 hits and “Sing for the Day” just missed the cut. “Light Up” and “Borrowed Time” were singles and “Boat on the River” found top-5 success in Europe. “Rockin’ the Paradise” and “Snowblind” were album rock hits. This collection still manages to miss the mark, though. “Why Me” (a top-40 hit), “Nothing Ever Goes As Planned,” “High Time,” and “Love Is the Ritual” all charted, but are supplanted by album cuts like “First Time,” “Queen of Spades,” and “Superstars” which don’t need to be here. The collection includes two new cuts (“Little Suzie” and “It Takes Love”).

Return to Paradise

Rating: 3.683 out of 5.00 (average of 19 ratings) Awards: (Click on award to learn more).

Released: May 5, 1997 Recorded: September 21, 1996 Peak: 139 US, 13 DF Sales (in millions): 0.5 US Tracks, Disc 1: On My Way (Tommy Shaw) [5:02] RP Paradise (Dennis DeYoung) [4:29] RP A.D. 1928/Rockin’ the Paradise Blue Collar Man (Long Nights) Lady Too Much Time on My Hands Snowblind Suite Madame Blue Crystal Ball Tracks, Disc 2: The Grand Illusion Fooling Yourself (Angry Young Man) Show Me the Way Boat on the River Lorelei Babe Miss America Come Sail Away Renegade The Best of Times/A.D. 1958 Dear John (Shaw) [3:04] RP, AN Total Running Time: 1:50:10

About the Album: Styx’s second live album celebrated their 1996 reunion for the Return to Paradise tour. Alongside the familiar fare were three new studio cuts – “On My Way,” “Paradise, and “Dear John.” The latter was a tribute to John Panozzo, the group’s drummer until his death on July 16, 1996.

Brave New World

Notes: Click to go to DMDB page.

Released: June 29, 1999 Peak: 175 US, 16 DF Sales (in millions): -- Tracks: I Will Be Your Witness Brave New World While There’s Still Time Number One Best New Face What Have They Done to You Fallen Angel Everything Is Cool (1999, --) Great Expectations Heavy Water High Crimes & Misdemeanors (Hip Hop-cracy) Just Fell In Goodbye Roseland Brave New World (Reprise)

About the Album: In 1999, Styx issued Brave New World, only their second studio album of the last 16 years – and their first with Tommy Shaw back in the band. This album isn’t represented on any of the Styx anthologies noted on this page, but it did produce the Tommy Shaw-led single “Everything Is Cool.” While most of the band was ready to soldier on with further albums and tours, DeYoung had to take a break when he developed a virus that made him extremely light sensitive. He eventually overcame the disorder, but Shaw and Young had already replaced him with Lawrence Gowan and moved ahead. DeYoung sued them over the use of the name Styx in a lawsuit settled in late 2001. Chuck Panozzo also confirmed rumors that he’d contracted AIDS but was battling it successfully.

Cyclorama

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Released: February 18, 2003 Peak: 127 US, 14 DF Sales (in millions): -- Tracks: Do Things My Way Waiting for Our Time (3/1/03, 37 AR) Fields of the Brave Bourgeois Pig Kiss Your Ass Goodbye These Are the Times Yes I Can More Love for the Money Together Fooling Yourself (Palm of Your Hands) Captain America Killing the Thing That You Love One With Everything AN Genki Desu Ka

About the Album: The new-millenium lineup of Styx did plenty of touring and churned out a glut of live albums (four), but only one album of new material, 2003’s Cyclorama, with the lineup “of Shaw, Young, Burtnik, Sucherman and Gowan. It also featured guest appearances from John Waite, Brian Wilson, and actor Billy Bob Thornton. By the end of the year, Burtnik was out of the band and replaced by former Bad English and Babys member Ricky Phillips, although Panozzo did play with the group on select live dates.” GP

Come Sail Away: The Anthology

Rating: 4.080 out of 5.00 (average of 7 ratings)

Released: May 4, 2004 Recorded: 1972-2003 Peak: 136 US Sales (in millions): -- Tracks, Disc 1: (1) Best Thing (2) You Need Love (3) Lady (4) Winner Take All (5) Rock and Roll Feeling (6) Light Up (7) Lorelei (8) Prelude 12 (9) Suite Madame Blue (10) Shooz (11) Mademoiselle (12) Crystal Ball (13) The Grand Illusion (14) Fooling Yourself (Angry Young Man) (15) Come Sail Away (16) Miss America (17) Man in the Wilderness Tracks, Disc 2: (1) Blue Collar Man (2) Sing for the Day (3) Renegade (4) Pieces of Eight (5) Lights (6) Babe (7) Borrowed Time (8) Boat on the River (9) A.D. 1928 (10) Rockin’ the Paradise (11) Too Much Time on My Hands (12) The Best of Times (13) Snowblind (14) Mr. Roboto (15) Love Is the Ritual (16) Show Me the Way (17) Dear John (18) One with Everything Total Running Time: 149:55

About the Album: This is Styx’s first anthology to include material from the Wooden Nickel years. The band had a couple of minor hits during that time with “Best Thing” and “You Need Love,” but more notably had a top-10 hit with “Lady.” It is a welcome addition since it hasn’t been represented in previous collections, save a rerecorded version on the 1995 Greatest Hits. This collection also improves on its predecessors by offering a chronological run-through of the songs, which helps frame a band who may be best known for their arena rock heyday of the late ‘70s and early ‘80s, but had a more progressive rock sound before that and moved away from their classic sound on post-Kilroy releases. This two-disc retrospective gets a lot right, but still makes mistakes. It could dispense with album cuts like “Shooz” and “Man in the Wilderness” to make room for better known songs like “Why Me,” a top-40 hit not included on any of the band’s hits collection, and “Don’t Let It End,” a top-10 which is inexplicably left out. It’s also commendable that there is an effort to represent all Styx’s albums, but “One with Everything” doesn’t hold up alongside classic material and wasn’t even a single. At least “Waiting for Our Time,” also from the Cyclorama album, eked its way onto the album rock chart. It also doesn’t make sense that the collection comes so close to hitting all the studio efforts, but then ignores 1999’s Brave New World. “Everything Is Cool” from that album would have fit better than “One with Everything.”

Resources and Related Links: DMDB encyclopedia entry for Styx DMDB encyclopedia entry for Dennis DeYoung Dave’s Music Database: Acts’ Profile Pages and Best-of Lists LP Lindsay Planer, All Music Guide GP Greg Prato, All Music Guide Other Related DMDB Pages: First posted 6/11/2008; last updated 8/11/2022.