Music review: Styx – 鈥楾he Mission鈥�
Prior to 1977, my only knowledge of the band Styx was the infectious power ballad 鈥淟ady.鈥� However, that would all change after my older brother purchased 鈥淭he Grand Illusion.鈥�
Loaded with great classic rock like 鈥淐ome Sail Away,鈥� 鈥淪uperstars,鈥� 鈥淢iss America,鈥� 鈥淔ooling Yourself (The Angry Young Man)鈥� and the explosive title track, I was suddenly thrust into Styx fandom continuing over the next several years by eagerly acquiring 鈥淧ieces of Eight,鈥� 鈥淐ornerstone鈥� and 鈥淧aradise Theater鈥� just as quickly as possible upon release. For me, 鈥淭he Grand Illusion鈥� will always be the definitive Styx album by which all other Styx releases are measured.
The band鈥檚 first studio effort of original material since 2003鈥檚 鈥淐ycloramo鈥� is surprisingly a futuristic tale detailing a manned mission to Mars in the year 2033.
While the humans-replaced-by-robots themed 鈥淜ilroy Was Here鈥� 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.
鈥淭he Mission鈥� looks to recapture some of the rock and theatrical elements found on 鈥淭he Grand Illusion鈥� and 鈥淧ieces of Eight鈥� with a lineup of Tommy Shaw and James Young delivering Styx鈥檚 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鈥檚 replacement, Lawrence Gowan.
Upon first listen of the 14-song saga, one could say the band鈥檚 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鈥檚 vigorous touring playlist. 鈥淟ight it up/Let鈥檚 get this show on the road,鈥� sings Gowan on 鈥淕one Gone Gone鈥� as he relays the band鈥檚 enthusiasm for showcasing what is to come.
Additionally, the album鈥檚 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 鈥淩elayer鈥� by Yes. Within just a few minutes, I was reminded how magical headphones can be for select albums. Needless to say, I鈥檓 looking forward to hearing the nuances of 鈥淭he Mission鈥� through the magnification of the headphone experience.
If you鈥檙e a fan of early Styx, make 鈥淭he Mission鈥� your next musical purchase and savor the journey.