Another new Styx reissue

[Ron]

From the "Let's rip off the consumer one more time" file:

Styx: Chronicles is a new series from Universal that is a box set of an artist's "classic" period. In general, it looks like 3 classic albums from an artist. The problem with this is that these are albums that most people would already own. As far as the Styx issue, it includes Crystal Ball, The Grand Illusion, and Pieces Of Eight. IMO Crystal Ball should have been left out in place of Paradise Theater.

Check it out at Amazon.com

Ron

[evileyes]

But are they remastered? That's what I'd be interested in, all my copies on cd are not remastered. it'd be hard for me to choose between Paradise Theater and Crystal Ball, those are my two favorite albums along with Kilroy. :-)

 

well i just answered my own question, this guy who reviewed it on amazon says that cd sound is better than vinyl sound (i could argue that point) but they are not remastered:

 

REVIEW FROM AMAZON.....All three albums have a great sound, no audiable "cracks or pops" like on the Lp. Each Cd comes with a booklet. the only disappointing thing abouth this collection is that they are the EXACT same CD as if you were to buy each cd individually. I bought this thinking that the cd's would be remastered even more that the styx cd's already being sold, I was wrong, but didn't mind. It is SO much better listening to styx on Lp, but it is easier listeing on cd's if I'm traveling, or on the road. This is perfect for someone who does not have these records on cd yet, but if you do, don't bother, no surprises.

Edited August 1, 2005 by evileyes

[teesa_66]

From the "Let's rip off the consumer one more time" file:

Styx: Chronicles is a new series from Universal that is a box set of an artist's "classic" period. In general, it looks like 3 classic albums from an artist. The problem with this is that these are albums that most people would already own. As far as the Styx issue, it includes Crystal Ball, The Grand Illusion, and Pieces Of Eight. IMO Crystal Ball should have been left out in place of Paradise Theater.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

As far as most people already owning these, it would really depend on 1) when they became fans & 2) when their fans moved into the CD age. I only converted my Styx library over to CD from LP in the last 12-18 months, and mainly through e-bay purchases. I'd much rather have had these reissues! I am really, really glad I didn't spend the $50+ for Serpent Is Rising/Man of Miracles on e-bay last year. I'd have been really ticked if I had only to have the Wooden Nickel set come out this year. Besides, just think how many new "Styx" fans may discover the real voice of Styx through this!

 

I do, however, agree totally about swapping Paradise Theater for Crystal Ball, much better album, IMO.

 

Terri

[Dan]

As far as most people already owning these, it would really depend on 1) when they became fans & 2) when their fans moved into the CD age. I only converted my Styx library over to CD from LP in the last 12-18 months, and mainly through e-bay purchases. I'd much rather have had these reissues! I am really, really glad I didn't spend the $50+ for Serpent Is Rising/Man of Miracles on e-bay last year. I'd have been really ticked if I had only to have the Wooden Nickel set come out this year. Besides, just think how many new "Styx" fans may discover the real voice of Styx through this!

 

I do, however, agree totally about swapping Paradise Theater for Crystal Ball, much better album, IMO.

 

Terri

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

I also think that Cornerstone should be included. I always think Cornerstone gets a bad rap. But it hit #2 and it was the ONLY STYX album to ever garner a Grammy nomination! The problem with Cornerstone was the single release order. They messed that one up - and I blame JY and Tommy. First Time would have been a great single for that era. If it were me, I would have released Babe first, then followed it up with an up beat single like "Lights" (music written by DDY) then released First Time. Maybe then another upbeat song or Boat On The River. You may have had 3 top 10 singles right there. Instead Why Me and Borrowed Time were released and did not do well.

 

I think Pieces of 8 is OVER-RATED. There was no new ground covered on that album. It was in fact almost a re-hash of Grand Illusion (it basically is a harder rocking Grand Illusion). Think about it - Great White Hope replaces Miss America, I'm Okay replaces Grand Illusion, Sing For the Day replaces Foolin Yourself, Blue Collar Man replaces Superstars, Pieces of Eight replaces Come Sail Away, Lord of the Rings replaces Castle Walls and Renegade replaces Man In The Wilderness. The instrumentals and Queen of Spades really aren't comparable but everything else is.

 

anyway, just some thoughts. Feel free to disagree!

 

Dan

[teesa_66]

I also think that Cornerstone should be included...I think Pieces of 8 is OVER-RATED.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

Well, Dan, I agree & disagree with you here!

 

On Cornerstone, I agree that this great album gets overlooked. It's so much more than "Babe"--there is some great material there!

 

As for Pieces of Eight, well, we'll just have to agree to disagree on this one. While I like both POE & GI, I really prefer POE. I agree they share similar themes, but I don't see POE as a rehash of GI. In my opinion, where GI is all about not believing in the "perfect life" perpetuated by our wonderful media, POE is more about the dangers of pursuing that perfect life. It's a small distinction, I know, but it changes the tone of the album, IMO.

Terri

[ladybugking]

As to the 3 CD set. I did not do the long division, but I would guess it would be a bargain to buy three instead of each one individually, if you bought them new.

 

The record company is doing this with a lot of group's back catalog, but are not remastering any of them. Yes. A money grab for sure.

 

What Bogus Styx has done with their endless tour is drive people to buy the classic Styx catalog and greatest hits, and not the newer stuff put out after Dennis. It is most interesting to watch the sales figues on Amazon, which reflect this trend.

 

Perhaps the company is looking at a three CD release of Cornerstone, PT and, (dare I say it?) Kilroy? That would be my guess as to why they did not include PT.

 

I agree that Cornerstone is a very underrated album. I agree that probably First Time would have done well as a single, but I do NOT like that song, so, for me, it would not have been a very appealing choice. But Dennis has an unerring sense of what would make a hit (mostly) and I think he was right about First Time.

 

Lastly. Pieces of Eight. High five, Terri! =D> You know, I think I actually like this album in total better than Grand Illusion myself. There are songs I skip on Grand Illlusion (Superstars, Miss America), and none I skip on POE.

 

My all-time favorite, as I have mentioned before, is Equinox. THAT should have been in the box set instead of Crystal Ball. Who cares if Tommy was not there!