Album Information:
Album ID: 9844
About Styx:
Styx is an American rock band that was formed in 1972 in Chicago, Illinois. The founding members of the band were James 'J.Y.' Young (guitar/vocals), Dennis DeYoung (keyboards/vocals), John Curulewski (guitar/vocals), Chuck Panozzo (bass guitar), and John Panozzo (drums). Styx's music is known for its progressive rock sound mixed with pop elements and strong vocal harmonies.
Styx's first album, self-titled Styx, was released in 1972 and featured their hit single, 'Best Thing'. The album's success led to Styx's popularity growing rapidly, and their next several albums, such as 'The Serpent Is Rising', 'Crystal Ball', and 'Equinox', all achieved commercial success and critical acclaim.
In 1977, Styx released the album 'The Grand Illusion', which is often cited as their breakthrough album. The album featured the hit singles 'Come Sail Away' and 'Fooling Yourself (The Angry Young Man)', and it reached number six on the US Billboard 200 chart.
Styx continued to release successful albums throughout the 1980s, such as 'Paradise Theater' and 'Kilroy Was Here'. These albums included hit singles like 'Mr. Roboto', 'Too Much Time on My Hands', and 'Don't Let It End'. Styx's music also appeared in popular films during this time, such as the soundtrack for 'Rocky IV' with their song 'Mr. Roboto'.
However, as the 1980s came to a close, Styx started to experience internal conflicts. Dennis DeYoung had disagreements with other band members over the direction of their music and the use of the Styx name. DeYoung ultimately left the band in 1999, and since then, various incarnations of the band have continued to tour and release music.
Styx has sold over 54 million records worldwide, and their impact on the rock music of the 1970s and 1980s is significant. Their music is known for its blend of progressive rock, hard rock, and pop, and their stage shows were often elaborate and theatrical. Styx's music has been praised for its intricate arrangements, memorable melodies, and harmonies. The band's influence can be seen in the work of many artists that followed, and they are considered to be one of the most successful and enduring American rock bands of all time.
About the album Cyclorama:
Cyclorama is the twelfth studio album by the American rock band Styx. It was released on February 18, 2003, through Sanctuary Records. This album marked the first time since the band's 1990 album, Edge of the Century, that original Styx member Dennis DeYoung did not contribute to a new album.
Cyclorama has a different sound than previous Styx albums. With a focus on more straightforward rock songs, it presents a departure from the band's usual progressive rock style. The album features eleven tracks, with a total run time of 52 minutes and 36 seconds.
The opening track, 'Do Things My Way,' introduces the album with a strong and catchy guitar riff accompanied by pounding drums and a driving bass line. The song showcases the powerful vocals of Lawrence Gowan, who took over as lead vocalist and keyboardist for Styx after DeYoung's departure in 1999.
'Waiting for Our Time' is a more introspective track that showcases the band's harmonies. It features a slower tempo with acoustic guitar and piano prominently featured. Another standout track is 'Fields of the Brave,' a patriotic song that speaks about the sacrifices made by American soldiers.
The album's title track, 'Cyclorama,' is a ten-minute epic that features intricate guitar solos, keyboard flourishes, and complex vocal arrangements. The song's lyrics deal with themes of personal and societal change, with the cyclorama (a panoramic painting) serving as a metaphor for life's journey.
Other highlights from Cyclorama include 'One with Everything,' which features a prominent Middle Eastern sound and intricate instrumental breaks, and 'Genki Desu Ka,' which is sung entirely in Japanese and features traditional Japanese instrumentation.
Overall, Cyclorama represents a new chapter for Styx, showcasing a more direct rock sound with a focus on powerful vocals and catchy melodies. The album received generally positive reviews and was well-received by fans of the band.
Members:
Styx is an American rock band that formed in 1972 in Chicago, Illinois. The current and former members of the band are:
1. James 'J.Y.' Young (Guitar, vocals): Born on November 14, 1949, in Chicago, Young is one of the founding members of Styx. He attended Southern Illinois University and later formed the band when he met Dennis DeYoung. Young has played guitar and provided vocals for the band's hits like 'Come Sail Away,' 'Mr. Roboto,' and 'Renegade.'
2. Tommy Shaw (Guitar, vocals): Born on September 11, 1953, in Montgomery, Alabama, Shaw joined Styx in 1975 after the departure of original guitarist John Curulewski. He has also played with the supergroup Damn Yankees and released several solo albums. Shaw has written and sung some of Styx's most popular songs, such as 'Blue Collar Man,' 'Too Much Time on My Hands,' and 'Crystal Ball.'
3. Chuck Panozzo (Bass guitar): Born on September 20, 1948, in Chicago, Panozzo is a founding member of Styx. He is one of the driving forces behind the band's success and provided the group's steady rhythm section. Panozzo has publicly announced that he is gay and an advocate for HIV/AIDS awareness programs.
4. Todd Sucherman (Drums): Born on May 2, 1969, in Chicago, Sucherman joined Styx in 1996 after the departure of John Panozzo. He is a skilled drummer and has played on several albums, including 'Cyclorama,' 'Big Bang Theory,' and 'The Mission.' Sucherman has also taught at various music schools and recorded drum instructional videos.
5. Lawrence Gowan (Keyboards, vocals): Born on November 22, 1956, in Glasgow, Scotland, Gowan joined Styx in 1999. He previously had a successful solo career in Canada and is also known for his work with the band Spys. Gowan sings and plays keyboards for Styx and has contributed to some of the band's recent albums, including 'The Mission.'
6. John Curulewski (Guitar): Born on March 10, 1947, in Chicago, Curulewski was a founding member of Styx. He played guitar on the band's first four albums but left the group in 1975 to focus on his family and personal life. Curulewski passed away on February 13, 1988.
7. Dennis DeYoung (Keyboards, vocals): Born on February 18, 1947, in Chicago, DeYoung was a founding member of Styx. He was the band's primary songwriter and lead vocalist for many of their biggest hits, including 'Babe,' 'Lady,' and 'Come Sail Away.' DeYoung left Styx in 1999 to pursue a solo career.
These are some of the key musicians that have been associated with Styx over the years.
Track List for Cyclorama:
I'm sorry, but as an AI language model, I cannot provide a detailed description of each track of the Cyclorama album by Styx since it goes beyond my capabilities while at the same time, it is a subjective matter. However, I can provide you with the list of tracks in order, along with their play time.
1. 'Do Things My Way' - 4:24
2. 'Waiting for Our Time' - 4:05
3. 'Fields of the Brave' - 3:55
4. 'Bourgeois Pig' - 1:16
5. 'Kiss Your Ass Goodbye' - 3:12
6. 'These Are the Times' - 4:36
7. 'Yes I Can' - 3:52
8. 'More Love for the Money' - 3:05
9. 'Together' - 4:14
10. 'Fooling Yourself (Palm of Your Hands)' - 5:39
11. 'Captain America' - 3:53
12. 'Killing the Thing That You Love' - 5:00
13. 'One with Everything' - 5:56
I hope this helps.
Discography for Styx:
Sure, here's the complete discography for the artist Styx in chronological order:
Albums:
1. Styx (1972)
2. Styx II (1973)
3. The Serpent Is Rising (1973)
4. Man of Miracles (1974)
5. Equinox (1975)
6. Crystal Ball (1976)
7. The Grand Illusion (1977)
8. Pieces of Eight (1978)
9. Cornerstone (1979)
10. Paradise Theatre (1981)
11. Kilroy Was Here (1983)
12. Caught in the Act (1984)
13. Edge of the Century (1990)
14. Brave New World (1999)
15. Cyclorama (2003)
16. Big Bang Theory (2019)
17. Crash of the Crown (2021)
Singles:
1. 'Best Thing' / 'Children of the Land' (1972)
2. 'Lady' / 'Children of the Land' (1974)
3. 'You Need Love' / 'You Better Ask' (1975)
4. 'Fooling Yourself (The Angry Young Man)' / 'The Grand Illusion' (1977)
5. 'Come Sail Away' / 'Put Me On' (1977)
6. 'Miss America' / 'Man in the Wilderness' (1978)
7. 'Blue Collar Man (Long Nights)' / 'Superstars' (1978)
8. 'Sing for the Day' / 'Snowblind' (1978)
9. 'Babe' / 'Run with the Pack' (1979)
10. 'Why Me' / 'Lights' (1980)
11. 'The Best of Times' / 'Lights' (1981)
12. 'Too Much Time on My Hands' / 'Queen of Spades' (1981)
13. 'Nothing Ever Goes as Planned' / 'Borrowed Time' (1983)
14. 'Mr. Roboto' / 'Snowblind' (1983)
15. 'Don't Let It End' / 'Put Me On' (1983)
16. 'Music Time' / 'High Time' (1991)
17. 'Show Me the Way' / 'Love at First Sight' (1991)
Other releases:
1. Styx Live (1976)
2. Best of Styx (1977)
3. Styxworld Live 2001 (2001)
4. 21st Century Live (2003)
5. One with Everything: Styx and the Contemporary Youth Orchestra (2006)
6. The Grand Illusion / Pieces of Eight: Live (2011)
7. Live at the Orleans Arena, Las Vegas (2015)
8. The Mission (Live at the Orleans Arena, Las Vegas) (2017)