Big Bang Theory

Customer Response

Intriguing introduction to some great classic rock
I believe STYX is the most talented and most remarkable rock and roll band playing today.

I beleive that CYCLORAMA is the second best STYX album ever released (behind only PIECES OF EIGHT.)

One of the reasons why I enjoy STYX' music is their lyrical and musical genius. Their songs are highly sociological and even psychological in context, within a harmonic/ rhythmic song structure unparalleled by any other band. With that being said, I tended to frown on the idea of a cover album by STYX.

However, upon noting the track listing I realized that many of these songs I had never listened to previously and those that I knew (other than I AM THE WALRUS) I had not given much attention. I am not a fan of THE WHO, JIMI HENDRIX, PROCAL HAREM, STEVE WINWOOD and some others - though I readily admit I truly enjoy and admire some songs from the aforementioned.

Hence, as I listen track by track and break them down as singing, drum playing, guitar playing and keyboard playing, I can enjoy these songs for the brilliance in which they are performed.

Tommy still possesses one of the sincerest and most beautiful voices in music history. Lawrence Gowan can growl and scream with the best of them. J.Y. still sounds like the man of yesteryear (though I do beleive he strives too hard to be eclectic, instead coming across as contrived especially on MANIC DEPRESSION.)

The musicianship on these tracks is mind-blowing throughout. While staying true to the original artists versions (after all such structure is part of what made the songs classics in their day) they add intricacies and nuances that make me wonder if the original artists could have done better had such instruments been available to them (Ringo's drum kit consisted of five pieces and Hendrix did not have the cornucopia of guitars that is now available.)

ONE WAY OUT, FIND THE COST OF FREEDOM and CAN'T FIND MY WAY HOME are my favorite tracks from this collection. Todd's drum work on I CAN SEE FOR MILES is earth shaking. IT DON'T MAKE SENSE is one that I enjoy but I do beleive the live version on ONE WITH EVERYTHING is quite superior.

SALTY DOG, I AM THE WALRUS and WISHING WELL are great tracks in their own rights. And I do argue that the blues weighted version of BLUE COLLAR MAN is in actuality vastly superior to the original circa 1978.

As I enjoyed this album so much, I have purchased many of the songs from the original artists and I can honestly say that I enjoy the STYX sound within the songs (even I AM THE WALRUS.) However, I can understand that were I to have 'grown up' listening to the originals, than listening to different versions would be difficult (just as I could never admire others covering songs from Tommy Shaw's repertoire.)

These are 2005 versions of 1960's and 1970's songs. What would they sound like if the original artists recorded them today? I would argue that they wouldn't be nearly as serene and enjoyable as the STYX versions from BIG BANG THEORY. I applaud the band's effort to showcase their musicianship (and their respect) with these rock classics and made me a fan of songs that I had never appreciated previously.

As for those who decry the lacking of new material from STYX - the band members have written many new songs and are eager to write and record newer songs still, however as the radio playing and compact disc purchasing markets have dwindled record companies do not want to bankroll a new album from STYX (or just about any other classic rock artist.)

With a few notable exceptions (Aerosmith and Paul McCartney) those older rock and rollers who are still releasing albums are doing so under independent labels. This is why artists such as Rod Stewart and Paul Rodgers have recorded covers albums as of recent, as the vast majority who are buying classic rock artists records are not wanting unfamiliar songs but are wanting to hear old favorites, even if played by others. It is of note, an overwhelming majority music listeners cannot name the artists of their favorite songs, they just like to hear the songs (on the radio or on a stereo system.)

It is a sad state of music affairs but "die-hard fans" are not going to change the industry collective. All that true fans can do is to enjoy what we can, either from past recordings or from new recordings (based on the merits of the songs not based on politics and economics which we cannot control.)

Any song featuring the vocals and guitars of Tommy Shaw and the drums of Todd Sucherman is inarguably superior to anything else being recorded and released these days. Just relax and "let the melody just drift your cares away."

A bit typical, but alright
I heard this album recently and thought it kind of lacked the 'styx' sound, not that it matters. I'm young and have on only heard three of the songs before (one beign Blue-Collar Man)

Near the start of the album there is a grouping of really good songs "I can see for miles" is an energetic rocker, "Can't find my way home" has really good acoustic work, James Young tears through an acoustic "You can't make peace" and "I don't need no doctor" just rocks. These songs are definitely inspired.

However, the rest of the album is lacking a bit. The music is classic rock, but there is nothing about it that makes it stand out. It's just seems like one of the many. The only song that sounds like a Styx song is 'Talking about the good times', and I like this song also.

I think the greatest mistake on this album is the choice of singers for the songs. With a classic rock cover album by Styx you'd think you'd hear JY ripping through a few mean, fast paced rockers; but no, they've got him singing the slower stuff, while Laurence Gowan and Tommy Shaw try to sing the rockers. I think this is the big mistake.

I really wanted to give this two stars but have to say that there are few really bad moments and it does rock, so three stars.

Really Rocks Nicely
I have seen Styx live twice. Once back the mid 80's on the Paradise tour.I thought they were terrible.It was all show with poorly played music. I saw them again few years ago with REO opening for Journey. On this tour they were awesome. I saw that they were great musicians with tight harmony and could really rock hard. They were really great. All this is my way of saying that my two experiences with Styx as a live band were with Dennis Deyoung and without. "Without Dennis" was far superior. Not even close as far as I'm concerned.

That being said, I came to this CD in an unusual way. I was given a copy of the CD on by a friend (who knows I am not a big Styx fan) and was told to just listen and let me him know what I thought. The CD had no label or identification. I loved this CD from the first track. Almost every song is an old favorite of mine and the arrangements were just left field enough to keep them interesting without losing the songs original appeal. When I learned it was Styx I was extremely surprised. This CD is fun to listen to and the musicainship is first rate. "I Can See For Miles" and Prcaol Harems "Salty Dog" are my favorites tracks but there are many gems here. It is technically a hotly mixed CD also and it jumps out of the speakers. Get this CD even if (like me) you are not a big Styx fan.

Big Bang is No Theory!
As a creationist who believes in the Big Bang as being GOD starting the whole process, I love the title of this album. As for the music it makes for some fine listening. And while everyone has beaten the Dennis DeYoung thing to death here, I have one last comment: Dennis DeYoung is not a rocker. He is a crooner. In the spirit of Tom Jones and Barry Manilow. It's true. Go see him on his vaudevillian broadway musical production of the songs he did in Styx. Listen to his solo work with all of it's syrapy production and lack of guitar force that once made Styx the rocking outfit they were. The covers here are all kind of odd. But they all seem to work. Amazing is the Who cover, "I Can See For Miles" with vocal layering and headphone interaction that will rival the original. Anytime a band covers a Beatles track it's almost suicide to the cover. But "I Am The Walrus" survives in tact with a Styx spin. "Summer In The City" seems the oddest choice on this list but it again works because it's such a great song to begin with. The more acoustic tracks really shine. "Can't Find My Way Home" is wonderful. The band ventures into difficult territory like on "No Way Out". They give it a more straight ahead feel without all the extra Allman indulgences. "Find The Cost of Freedom" showcases the band's legitimate vocal interplay. Even "Locomotive Breath" runs like a train powered by Styx-style pyrotechnics. It all works. Even the reworking of "Blue Collar Man" makes for some great drama. This is an amazing, supremely listenable collection of songs given new meaning by a band that seems to have finally found their chemistry.

An exceptional album of covers
It's rare that a supergroup produces an entire CD of well-chosen covers, with a notable exception being Feedback by Rush. No, The Smithereens are not a supergroup, neither is The Church, nor is Philip Grant-Lee Philips, nor... But this recording tops the Rush's Feedback because of song selection. On this Styx recording, there are a few cuts that I don't particularly care for, but the first six cuts are exceptional, as is Locomotive Breath. The guitar work and being true to the melody and tempo is what makes them stand out over other covers of these songs. The driving rhythm and inventive guitar leads make I Don't Need No Doctor & Locomotive Breath particularly appealing and no other group has done better. A little sound sampling on digital download sites will convince connoisseurs of these rock masterpieces that this is true. The guitar work on Locomotive Breath is so fantastic that you'll never miss the piano intro or Anderson's flute. I Can See For Miles has dazzling guitar work but lacks Keith Moon's frenetic drumming that makes The Who's classic unassailable. Summer In The City takes the Lovin' Spoonful classic to new heights with jaw-dropping guitar playing that Sebastian could never touch but the vocals are too high and not gutsy enough to make it better overall. The live version of I Am The Walrus ranks among the best ever recorded though the Spooky Tooth and Oasis versions benefit by stretching the psychedelic flow out for almost another two minutes.

In some cases, I prefer the Styx covers over the original. I Can't Find My Way Home is an improvement on Blind Faith's original for those who never liked Stevie Winwood's whiney voice, and, I lean towards Tommy Shaw's vocals over Greg Allman's on One Way Out. I like the slowed-down, semi-acoustic, live studio rendition of Blue Collar Man over Styx's original if only because the lyrics are worthy of being presented in a setting uncluttered by excessive sonics. Manic Depression challenges the Hendrix original, and again Shaw delivers smoother vocals than Jimi was capable of. It Don't Make Sense, Styx updates the Willie Dixon original and proves that they can get down and deliver real blues.

Finally, this CD should be regarded as an homage to the great music that came before Styx's time and the music that must have inspired them along the way. Perhaps because the liner notes don't acknowledge their influences as Rush did on their covers album, some reviewers have tended to mark this great album lower than it deserves.

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