New STYX CD

[Ron]

Hey, did anyone know that Styx released a new CD on May 10th? Does it matter? All I'm going to say is go to amazon.com and read some of the reviews. It seems even some bathwater drinkers are disapointed.

[mendelstyx]

Hey, did anyone know that Styx released a new CD on May 10th? Does it matter? All I'm going to say is go to amazon.com and read some of the reviews. It seems even some bathwater drinkers are disapointed.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

Well for the most part, most of the "bathwater" drinkers are quite pleased with it. It's been getting very good press and currently Styx is getting a lot of publicity for it. I think after the initial push, it will start to fade however. Not because I am at all trying to slam this line up (I am sooooooooo tired of that these days), but because very few classic rock acts are getting any true industry recognition. And an album of cover tunes, even those done well, (I've heard this album...doesn't 'pop' for me) usually doesn't make a fortune. But hey, let them enjoy their moment. I'd like to think Dennis will have his own, and surely would be unhappy if his fans couldn't enjoy it in peace as well.

 

Liz

[Ron]

Well for the most part, most of the "bathwater" drinkers are quite pleased with it.

From several places I have read comments, people that were quite pleased with the Carrot disc dislike BBT.

It's been getting very good press and currently Styx is getting a lot of publicity for it. I think after the initial push, it will start to fade however.

I really would not consider Bob & Tom much publicity. Having a release date the same as a new Robert Plant disc (which is getting good reviews) does not help any recognition for their project.

Not because I am at all trying to slam this line up (I am sooooooooo tired of that these days)

I'm not there either. I just consider them a different goup.

...but because very few classic rock acts are getting any true industry recognition.

The industry still has not learned and insists on telling consumers what they want you to like and buy, no matter if it's good or not. Ashley Simpson gets caught lip-syncing on SNL, then bombs like at a Bowl game and she still sells out concerts!!! Too many people are easily persuaded, I guess.

And an album of cover tunes, even those done well, (I've heard this album...doesn't 'pop' for me) usually doesn't make a fortune.

Very true, which brings up the question why do one in the first place.

 

I will give them this: The artwork cover of BBT is really, really cool.

 

Ron

[mendelstyx]

From several places I have read comments, people that were quite pleased with the Carrot disc dislike BBT.

 

I really would not consider Bob & Tom much publicity. Having a release date the same as a new Robert Plant disc (which is getting good reviews) does not help any recognition for their project.

 

I'm not there either. I just consider them a different goup.

 

The industry still has not learned and insists on telling consumers what they want you to like and buy, no matter if it's good or not. Ashley Simpson gets caught lip-syncing on SNL, then bombs like at a Bowl game and she still sells out concerts!!! Too many people are easily persuaded, I guess.

 

Very true, which brings up the question why do one in the first place.

 

I will give them this: The artwork cover of BBT is really, really cool.

 

Ron

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

I'll only add that the publicity isn't limited to Bob & Tom. They're been reviewed in the New York Times (which gave the album 3.5 out of 4), they're going to be on the Today this Saturday, they've hit a bunch of major market radio stations.

 

As for why they did it...well you can believe the part that says they were asked to, you can believe that it is something they just wanted to do for themselves, or you can think that perhaps they haven't gotten their new material ready and have a contractual obligation to maintain. I myself don't know the answer. In the grand scheme of things, it will be a footnote to the band's history. I believe the majority of people who will buy it will be collectors and die hards.

 

I agree the artwork looks cool.

 

And with that, I'd like to say that the part about Ashlee SImpson is accurate. It was interstingly enough brought up in a great interview Dennis did last year in Houston. Very interesting stuff that he had to say about the state of today's radio vis a vis older acts such as he, as well as a really accurate commentary about our society in general.

 

You might also want to check the reviews on Amazon and Record City. While there are those disappointed, the number that likes it outweighs the number who don't.

 

Just continuing the dialogue here.

 

Liz

[Ron]

I'll only add that the publicity isn't limited to Bob & Tom. They're been reviewed in the New York Times (which gave the album 3.5 out of 4), they're going to be on the Today this Saturday, they've hit a bunch of major market radio stations.

 

*** (tired of doing all of the quote markup)

I really don't think I would base an album purchase on a review in the Times. Buy stock, yes, but not an album review. I also never said thay only did Bob&Tom, just used them as an example.

 

As for why they did it...well you can believe the part that says they were asked to, you can believe that it is something they just wanted to do for themselves, or you can think that perhaps they haven't gotten their new material ready and have a contractual obligation to maintain. I myself don't know the answer. In the grand scheme of things, it will be a footnote to the band's history. I believe the majority of people who will buy it will be collectors and die hards.

 

*** I'm all for goups going out and doing different things, but the music business is a business, and someone has to answer to the profitability of a project. If they can satisfy their fan base with it and make some money, or help generate interest that will translate into ticket sales (which is the future destiny of all recorded music, whether that is liked or not by the industry). Press is press, and hopefully in some areas where Dennis is touring he might be able to benefit from it as well.

 

 

You might also want to check the reviews on Amazon and Record City. While there are those disappointed, the number that likes it outweighs the number who don't.

 

*** I read the reviews on those sites already, as well as some fan sites. There will always be good and bad reviews for any project from an artist. Dennis' next album could be all Swis Yodelling, and there will be those of us that enjoy it and those of us that will not like it.

The point I was trying to make was that I was rather surprised of the number of poor reviews that were from those people that were pro-current-lineup.

Ron

[mendelstyx]

I'll only add that the publicity isn't limited to Bob & Tom. They're been reviewed in the New York Times (which gave the album 3.5 out of 4), they're going to be on the Today this Saturday, they've hit a bunch of major market radio stations.

 

*** (tired of doing all of the quote markup)

I really don't think I would base an album purchase on a review in the Times. Buy stock, yes, but not an album review. I also never said thay only did Bob&Tom, just used them as an example.

 

As for why they did it...well you can believe the part that says they were asked to, you can believe that it is something they just wanted to do for themselves, or you can think that perhaps they haven't gotten their new material ready and have a contractual obligation to maintain. I myself don't know the answer. In the grand scheme of things, it will be a footnote to the band's history. I believe the majority of people who will buy it will be collectors and die hards.

 

*** I'm all for goups going out and doing different things, but the music business is a business, and someone has to answer to the profitability of a project. If they can satisfy their fan base with it and make some money, or help generate interest that will translate into ticket sales (which is the future destiny of all recorded music, whether that is liked or not by the industry). Press is press, and hopefully in some areas where Dennis is touring he might be able to benefit from it as well.

You might also want to check the reviews on Amazon and Record City. While there are those disappointed, the number that likes it outweighs the number who don't.

 

*** I read the reviews on those sites already, as well as some fan sites. There will always be good and bad reviews for any project from an artist. Dennis' next album could be all Swis Yodelling, and there will be those of us that enjoy it and those of us that will not like it.

The point I was trying to make was that I was rather surprised of the number of poor reviews that were from those people that were pro-current-lineup.

Ron

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

 

Then I misunderstood because that isn't how I took your initial comments. I think the number of fans disappointed is about right all things considered. It's no surprise I'm not a fan of this lineup, however I think their fans truly want new music...rephrase to original new music. As I said earlier, the music doesn't do much for me, so I guess I'm not surprised by the fact that several/many have the same feeling. By no means am I the benchmark to judge what's good or not, just that in reading the various comments what I see is the same as I would see from pro Dennis fans as well. There are those who are so totally captivated they would like anything put out by the band, those that cannot seperate Dennis from the band and so vent that they are so much better without him, those that take it at face value, and those that are die hard fans of the old lineup that they use it as a cause to promote the return of Dennis. I think that those numbers are fairly accurate all the way around. And I think this album, as I said earlier will be a blip on the radar screen that will quickly disappear.

 

And so, I think we will see the same type of reviews come whenever Dennis does release something new.

 

Liz

[ladybugking]

Not to jump in here, but to jump in here

 

LIZ: They're been reviewed in the New York Times

 

I think it was the NY Post. I don't think the NY Times even knows this band exists.

 

That said, Liz is right. The Bogus Boys are getting its share of very positive reviews from sources we want to review Dennis positively too. So maybe what goes around will come around later.

 

RON: The point I was trying to make was that I was rather surprised of the number of poor reviews that were from those people that were pro-current-lineup.

 

Point taken in this respect. I also saw those reviews from people who love Cyclorama (don't ask me why!!), and who, apparently, do NOT like Dennis, who do not like this CD. May not mean a dang thing, but it is sort of telling.

 

LIZ : In the grand scheme of things, it will be a footnote to the band's history. I believe the majority of people who will buy it will be collectors and die hards.

 

Totally agree here. The sad part is this becomes part of the band's history and we all know that this is an almost entirely different band, using the name Styx.

 

RON: Dennis' next album could be all Swis Yodelling

 

OK, now that is just downright scary!

 

I'm Sailing Away Now.

 

Kathy

[mendelstyx]

Not to jump in here, but to jump in here

I think it was the NY Post. I don't think the NY Times even knows this band exists.

 

 

Picky picky picky Why let accuracy get in the way?

 

That said, Liz is right. The Bogus Boys are getting its share of very positive reviews from sources we want to review Dennis positively too. So maybe what goes around will come around later.

 

Well I'd like to think he'd get some reviews that are good. Some noteworthy press would help.

 

 

 

Point taken in this respect. I also saw those reviews from people who love Cyclorama (don't ask me why!!), and who, apparently, do NOT like Dennis, who do not like this CD. May not mean a dang thing, but it is sort of telling.

 

I honestly think they want all new material. that or perhaps the bloom is off the rose...

 

Totally agree here. The sad part is this becomes part of the band's history and we all know that this is an almost entirely different band, using the name Styx.

 

Yes, which is why you can't let it make you feel bad. They own the name, thye decide what they are going to do with it. that we don't like what they are doing with it, is obviously not a concern of theirs. Dennis can and does, I'm sure, feel proud of his work with the band. I can only hope he has removed himself from where they are now.

 

 

OK, now that is just downright scary!

 

I'm partial to Austrian yodeling myself

 

Liz

[Ron]

A Point about reviews:

Sites like Amazon that sell products have a review section so people can get an idea if the item is something that they would like to purchase, suit their needs, etc. For example, I am finally looking into getting a real MP3 player, but I want one that is Windows compatible, not an iPod. I am using these reviews to help me judge which one would best suit my needs. Movie and music reviews the same thing. If a lot of people tell you a movie stinks, you will be less likely to go see it. I look at the reviews for BBT, and they are all over the place. Grated the die hard fans will give a good review, and the anti-fan will give a bad review, but the rest should somewhat even out and give an idea of what the album is like. However, I can't get a good "read" on if it's good, ok, or stinks by reading these reviews.

And I know to take reviews with a grain of salt. I remember all of those old Styx reviews and how they were not faviorable.

Ron

[ladybugking]

I think product reviews are a little less, uh, passionate, than music or book reviews on Amazon. You are right, it is hard to get a read because you have the die-hards who who would give an all-JY sung CD with tin bucket accompaniment 5 stars and then you have those who truly despise the current lineup. You kind of have to weed through there to find fans of the current lineup and see what they say. I was surprised to find many were not enthusiastic about this covers thing.

 

I used the reviews on Amazon to help me buy my DVD recorder and they were right on the money about everything.

 

Good luck on the mp3 player, Ron. I have a tiny one from Rio that I absolutely love because of its size, sound and it is perfect to take when I exercise.

 

Kathy