Come Sail Away: The Styx Anthology

Performer: Styx
Producer: Bill Levenson (Compilation)
Distributor: Universal Distribution

Notes: Styx: Tommy Shaw (vocals, acoustic & electric guitars, mandolin, keyboards, synthesizer); John Curulewski (vocals, guitar, synthesizer); Glen Burtnick (vocals, guitar, bass); James Young (vocals, guitar); Dennis DeYoung (vocals, keyboards, synthesizer); Lawrence Gowan (vocals, keyboards); Chuck Panozzo (vocals, bass); Todd Sucherman, John Panozzo (vocals, drums, percussion). Includes liner notes by Martin Huxley. There have been several Styx anthologies over the years, and the surplus of hits in the band's catalogue certainly warrants such treatment. COME SAIL AWAY, however, provides the most in-depth sonic Styx scrapbook one could want. Though the arrival of Tommy Shaw in 1976 helped push the band toward superstardom, this two-disc collection doesn't shy away from the oft-neglected pre-Shaw days, including not merely the archetypal power ballad "Lady," but also such obscurities as the thumping riff-rocker "Best Thing" and the joyous, harmony-laden "You Need Love." From there, we chart Styx's ascension to AOR glory on the wings of prog-rock-tinged epics such as "Come Sail Away" and "Pieces of Eight." Along the way, little-known gems are unearthed, like the moody, acoustic ballad "Boat on the River," before we launch into the synth-bedecked swan song of the original lineup, "Mr. Roboto" from the '83 concept album KILROY WAS HERE. Latter-day versions of the band are represented towards the end, but this collection makes it clear that the Styx equation depended upon Dennis DeYoung's dewy-eyed balladry, James Young's rock & roll ferocity, and Tommy Shaw's pop-rock craftsmanship in equal measure.

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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