Pick of the Week: Styx
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When lead singer of Styx Dennis De Young opens up the classic "Grand Illusion" singing "Welcome to the grand illusion, come on in and see what’s happening, pay the price, get your tickets for the show," you know you're about to be entertained. Beyond that theatrical opening, the band's words and music touched the human soul and continue to do so more than 30 years later.
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02.Fooling Yourself (Angry Young Man) 03. Superstars 04. Come Sail Away 05. Miss America 06. Man in the Wilderness 07. Castle Walls 08. The Grand Finale |
| Genre: Rock Label: Audio Fidelity Web site Amazon link Source Link |
"Grand Illusion" was considered art or prog rock, and basically fell somewhere in betweenthose two genres because of pop elements that crept into the music. All of Styx's releases up to this point easily could be classified as prog-rock; this album, because of its mainstream success, pushed the band to think more about adding pop elements to their sound.
Lyrical content was always valued by this listener, particularly with this album – it is full of cynicism and finger pointing at our dysfunctional and delusional society. I could relate to the words, believed them to be based on fact, and just loved the accompanying music. For a 19-year-old, all the necessary elements were in place to become attached to an album. The one line that always stuck with me was from the title track: "Just remember it’s a grand illusion, and deep inside we’re all the same." That spoke to me and let me know regardless of my insecurities that I was no different than anyone else.
"Fooling Yourself (Angry Young Man)" was my favorite track because I was angry and did not quite know why until I reached my mid-20s. The music was always a place where I could find solace, a temporary relief from the real world that Styx was singing about in their music.
"Come Sail Away" was a massive hit, and it had the ability to sweep you off your feet, as it did for millions at the time. I also always appreciated J.Y.’s "Miss America" and the sad truth that the track conveyed, not to mention how much it rocked the house down. Styx could rock, step back and put across a ballad with equal distinction, pulling you in emotionally every time. (Although ballads were not part of the equation on this project, that would come along soon enough).
This is where Audio Fidelity comes in to complete the package and give the listener something special. This limited edition version in 24 karat gold sincerely does the album justice, along with reproducing the original album art work, CD booklet with lyrics, and a mini foldout poster of the band. That original album feeling always helps to bring you back to when the music first came out, if in fact you were there at the time. (If not, it still is an enjoyable experience). The label did a nice job of bringing out the best of this album’s fine and complicated tracks.
As a listener, you want to be transported back in time but in the same instance demand quality and an update in sound. Audio Fidelity does that with success on "Grand Illusion."
Key Tracks: "Grand Illusion," "Come Sail Away," "Fooling Yourself" ("Angry Young Man")
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