New Styx

[SteveSly]

"Crystal Ball" was in constant rotation in my car in high school, even though it had come out a few years before. For me "Equinox", "Crystal Ball" and "Grand Illusion" were the band's apex and are all solid albums. "Pieces Of Eight" I did not like nearly as well. I did think "Paradise Theater" was a nice comeback at the time, and I have liked both of the current band's albums "Cylcorama" and especially "The Mission".

Regarding Styx vs Kansas, there is no doubt to my ears that Kansas was the proggier of the two, although band like Styx led me into bands like Kansas.

[jlneudorf]

Forgot about Crystal Ball. Great album.

Jon

[proggy_jazzer]

I was passingly familiar with the first four through friends, and loved the run from Equinox through Pieces of Eight; saw them on the GI and PoE tours, which were both excellent shows. Cornerstone did nothing for me, and I found Paradise Theatre too campy. Kilroy was the final straw, and really soured me on the band. Haven't really listened since, although the reviews here of the latest make me think I should check it out.

[yamishogun]

I never tried this with Styx. The amount of music I like on each album:

Equinox 34:30 (entire album)
Crystal Ball 34:45 (entire album)
The Grand Illusion 39:00 (entire album)
Pieces of Eight 42:00 (entire album)

Cornerstone 29:00 (like 7/9 songs but a clear step down from first four)
Paradise Theater 40:00 (entire album, not in first four league)
Kilroy Was Here 31:00 (7/9 songs)

Edge of the Century 17:00 (4/10 songs)
Brave New World 37:00 (8/14 songs - much better than EotC but most not classic Styx )

Cyclorama 10:00 (2/14 songs)
The Mission 26:00/42:00