Pieces Of Eight

Performer: Styx
Engineer: Rob Kingsland; Barry Mraz
Producer: Styx
Distributor: Universal Distribution

Notes: Personnel: James Young , Tommy Shaw (vocals, guitar); Dennis DeYoung (vocals, keyboards); John Panozzo (vocals, drums); Chuck Panozzo (vocals). Recording information: Cathedral Of St. James, Chicago, IL. Unknown Contributor Roles: Dennis DeYoung; Tommy Shaw. This album basically picks up where its predecessor, the breakthrough GRAND ILLUSION left off, and is equally effective. Dennis DeYoung's title tune about the emptiness of wealth (a subject on which he was beginning to gain first-hand experience) continues the previous album's thematic thread nicely. Tommy Shaw's infectious rockers "Renegade" and "Blue Collar Man" would become two of the group's most popular songs, and deservedly so. With their fanciful lyrics and freewheeling synth coloring, "Sing for the Day" and "Lords of the Rings" mark a slight return to Styx's prog-rock roots. PIECES OF EIGHT furthered the group's new status as superstars and continued their run of consistently strong releases.

Part of a rising tide of American "pomp-rock" groups of the 1970s, Styx combined prog-rock characteristics with hard-rock hooks and pop accessibility. Their high three-part vocal harmonies and radio-friendly tunes made them wildly successful into the early '80s, until AOR was eclipsed by new wave.

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