This album was released about six years after "Kilroy Was Here," which turned out to be a swan song for the original group. A number of reviewers in various places have called this album Styx's "comeback" album. What I find interesting is that there seems to be a nearly continuous spectrum of ratings from one star to five stars. The album peaked at #63 on the Billboard 200, which also indicates a mixed reaction from fans, though one song from this album was a significant hit for Styx.
When Styx became successful, the group consisted of Dennis DeYoung, Tommy Shaw, James Young, Chuck Panozzo and John Panozzo. When the group reformed to produce this album Tommy Shaw was replaced by Glen Burtnik. I find it difficult to attribute differences in Styx between "Kilroy Was Here" and this album to the replacement of Tommy Shaw. It is just as possible that the group was trying to keep their sound fresh and updated, and the differences are more in the era than in the artistry.
This album opens with "Love Is a Ritual." Many fans think this is one of the better songs on this album. I disagree. This song is very derivative of 80s rock, containing elements from a number of artists including Queen and Glen Frey. The song is contemporary rock cool, but in a crowd of songs from the mid to late 80s would not have been considered anything special. The song did well on Mainstream Rock Tracks, peaking at #9, but only reached #80 on the Billboard Hot 100.
The second song on this album is in the classic Styx' style and is probably the standout song on this CD. "Show Me the Way" is reminiscent of Styx's peak years. Apparently fans agreed because this nicely crafted ballad reached #3 on the Billboard Hot 100, the best performer of the three singles released from this album. This song also appears on Styx's "Greatest Hits" album; deservedly so.
"Edge of the Century" is the second "big hair band" song on this CD. The problem I have is that after a decade of hearing this style it just got old. There is nothing wrong with this song; it is just too much like dozens of other similar songs. Styx has been and can be better than this song.
Another good song on this CD is "Love at First Sight." This pop ballad is mellow and also suffers from being derivative, but likable. The hooks are catchy and the lyrics are emotional and creative. This song reached #25 on the Billboard Hot 100, but it deserved better.
The fifth song is unusual and another standout song on this CD. "All in a Day's Work" is mellow, harmonious and acoustic, and is the most unique song on this CD. This song is carefully crafted and pretty, and shows that Styx could still be experimental and creative. The whistling near the end of the song is rare in pop and rock music, and fits nicely with this song. The primary instruments are an acoustic guitar and strings.
The following song, "Not Dead Yet," clashes with the previous song too much. I like this song because it, like the previous song, is also unusual compared to the other music on this CD. The song is also playful and fast, and shows yet another side of Styx. However, I would have placed this song away from the previous song rather than have such a dramatic difference in styles juxtaposed.
"World Tonite" adds a blues element to create a song with a different flavor from the others on this CD. There is a harmonica portion on this song that is really good. There are also vocal portions that I think are good. I like a number of the individual elements of this song, and yet the song overall is just a bit better than average for this CD, the reason being that the more interesting portions of the song are wrapped in a derivative cloak that takes focus away from the better elements. This song could have been much better.
I think "Carrie Ann" is another good track. The mellower pop tracks on this CD tend to be the better tracks, and such is the case here. The song was apparently a tribute to Dennis De Young's daughter. The style is very Styx, and dates back to their first albums. Just short of being great, this song is very good, and another of the better songs on this CD.
I have mixed feelings about "Homewrecker." This song is very cookie cutter. On the other hand, it has catchy licks and hooks and I find myself caught up in the music. Similar to "World Tonite," this song had the potential for being much better had the better portions been exploited more fully.
The final song on the CD, "Back to Chicago," was surprising to me. The style actually has some elements of the group Chicago, including a good brass section. This peppy up tempo song seems to be a tribute to Styx's home town. This song was reasonably well done and I consider it above average for this CD.
I believe that every group writes its music in the belief that their music is artistic and hopefully good. Further, I have rarely been the fan of the term "filler." However, in the case of this CD it seems as though there are some wonderful songs, such as "Show Me the Way," "All in a Day's Work," and "Back to Chicago" mixed with a few songs, "filler," that drag the overall quality of this CD down. If a couple of songs could have been eliminated from this CD its quality would have improved significantly. Had a couple more songs been revised the album could have approached a level of quality near that of Styx's best. However, the album is what it is, a fair attempt at a come back that misses the mark, but not by much.
I'm an old time Styx fan so it's hard for me to get excited about this one. It's listenable though. An overall better effort than the 1983 Kilroy Was Here, but nothing that really stands out. Love is the Ritual and Edge of the Century are the best songs which are written/sang by new guitartist Glen Burtnik. Show Me The Way and Love At First Sight are the best of what Dennis has to offer. They are decent but almost predictable. Not Dead Yet has a Bruce Springteen "Pink Cadillac" feel at the beginning but unfortunately was written by Ralph Covert and not Dennis. The rest of Dennis' songs are fine in general but really belong on another release. Seems like too many ballad types these days from him. JY's only song, Homewrecker, co-written with Dennis (and it shows) is almost an afterthought comparing it to classic JY fare. It's apparent he has no ambition whatsoever any longer. Neither does Dennis. Oh well.
This album, originally released in 1990, was the first Styx studio release in seven years. Glen Burtnik was brought on board to replace the departed Tommy Shaw, and he quickly established himself as a worthy replacement. Two songs, "Love At First Sight", and "Show Me The Way", are the signature songs from this CD. "Show Me The Way" rocketed up the charts during the Gulf War and became the unofficial anthem for the War. Many versions had words from president Bush intermingled with the lyrics of the song. "Love At First Sight", another Dennis DeYoung classic, also received ample airplay. Glen Burtnik's title track is more up-tempo and is very good as well.
Overall, this is a very good CD, although some of their earlier works are a little better. I did miss Tommy Shaw's guitar and vocals, but Burtnik does an ample job. Styx fans should enjoy this comeback album.
I'm a huge Styx fan, and also a longtime fan. My expectations were very high for 1990's 'Edge of the Century.' Styx had been gone since 1983, their last record being 'Kilroy Was Here.' I had set the standards really high, maybe too high.
But I was disappointed with this. Instead of the hard rock, pop rock and progressive rock that made Styx, well, Styx, this was just pop. It did have several moments; I do like 'Love Is The Ritual,' 'Show Me The Way' and 'Carrie Ann' a little bit.
But overall, this was disappointing. It's bubblegum pop, not at all rock. Tommy Shaw had left the band (I can understand why) and was replaced by top session musician Glen Burtnik.
But this isn't a terrible record, it's just not very good under Styx's standards. It is one of their more inspirational-themed albums.
Recommended for the Styx die-hard or collector.
I wouldn't even refer to this as being a STYX album....I have been a big fan since day one....and remember them in their heyday...the early 1970's...when they were still a local southside chicago band fighting for recognition on the bar scene.....they were a super tight act and writing excellent material that had some depth....and lasting appeal....What you have here is zip....Whatever happened to that other band....??? The "real" STYX??? I think they burned out after PARADISE THEATER and should have called it quits then and saved their reputation. PIECES OF EIGHT was truly their last great album....
I bought this cd for $1.99 ...just out of curiousity...and should have saved my money....I didn't care for KILROY IS HERE either....just more radio garbage...Some bands can fare well into new eras of music...others dont...Their styles are too set in stone and dont allow for much updating..these guys had it right the first time...they dont have to stick around and keep proving themselves...They should take a lesson from The Beatles...Sometimes it's best to bow out gracefully and savor your fame. and stardom..
The bottom line here is: If you remember STYX as I do...when they played excellent concerts to sold out audiences back in the 1970's.....forget this CD.....this doesn't even come close to that bands energy.....Why 2 stars you ask???? Because they're STYX and you just might like a couple of the songs....because they were on the radio.
