themusicaddict's Review of Styx's "The Mission" (Finished June 20th, 2017)

Hello,

Did you know that Styx had a new CD? Did you know that Styx was even together any more? To be honest it's not really Styx any more, it's more like the Tommy Shaws. This is Styx's first new CD since 2003. Styx released a new CD in 2005, but "Big Bang Theory" is a covers CD. Styx's last new CD was 2003's excellent "Cyclorama". Then in the 20 years preceding that, Styx only released two new CDs.

• Chuck Panozzo – bass, backing vocals (1972-1984, 1990-1992, 1995-present)
• James "J.Y." Young – guitar, backing and lead vocals (1972-1984, 1990-1992, 1995-present)
• Tommy Shaw – guitar, lead and backing vocals (1975-1984, 1995–present)
• Todd Sucherman – drums (1995–present)
• Lawrence Gowan – lead and backing vocals, keyboards (1999–present)
• Ricky Phillips – bass, backing vocals, guitar (2003–present)

With the three longest current members of Styx being in their early or late 60's, why would Styx even bother to make a new CD? I don't know the answer to that question, but Styx did make a new CD. It's a concept album about a mission to Mars, which honestly brings us back to the 70s. That's when the concept CD seemed to be all the rage. The loose structure of a story is written by Shaw and Will Ekanovich. Ekanovich's name is all over this CD, besides helping with the story he also plays some of the instruments, helped write the songs and is also both the producer and engineer.

Of course a mission to Mars in pop culture is nothing new. It's an idea that has intrigued mankind for the last several decades and maybe even longer. Recently we had the Matt Damon movie, "The Martian", also "Mars Invades" and "John Carter". There's also the National Geographic TV series about a mission to mars, simply titled "Mars". It might be one of the most popular pop culture space stories.

All that leads to the question is the CD any good or not? Does this CD rawk? But my question is why would you think it would be good? Surely the members of Styx are rich enough now, is it even worth going through the effort of creating new music? And does this whole concept remind anyone else of Boston's "Third Stage"? I hope I answered those questions, and others, as I completed this blog.

Here's "The Mission" in full:

1) "Overture":

2) "Gone Gone Gone":

 "Got to get my message to you". 3) "Hundred Million Miles Away From Home":

4) "Trouble At Big Show":

5) "Locomotive":

6) "Radio Silence":

7) "The Greater Good":

8) "Time May Bend":

9) "Ten Thousand Ways":

10) "Red Storm":

11) "All Systems Stable":

12) "Khedive":

13) "The Outpost"

14) "Mission To Mars":

The three best songs are "Gone Gone Gone", "Hundred Million Miles Away From Home" and Radio Silence". The "Overture" sets the stage then the CD launches behind the power of "Gone Gone Gone" and "Hundred Million Miles Away From Home". Unfortunately that one two punch is diminished by the weakness of "Trouble At The Big Show" and the non-locomotive "Locomotive". It should have been titled "Slow Train".  Trying to rebuild the CD's momentum the next song is "Radio Silence". It's a very good song, although I don't know that it reaches the level of great. For the most part the rest of the CD is mid-tempo and not very memorable songs. The last two songs of the CD are both solid, "Outpost" and "Mission To Mars". It starts out well and ends well, but the middle could have used some punching up.

It's doubtful Styx ever reaches their 70's and 80's stardom ever again, who knows if that's a priority for them any more? While this is a decent CD, I doubt they'll ever make another classic CD. No more "Paradise Theatre", "Kilroy Was Here" or even their late career classic "Cyclorama".  But as a late career CD, there's no shame in "The Mission". It's an up and down CD, but that's to be expected this late in their career. I'm just glad they can infuse new songs into their setlist. I saw Styx in concert a couple of years ago and the majority of their songs were 40 years old. Even these amazing songs can get tiresome after awhile, even tried and true set lists need a infusion of new blood. 

Who should buy this CD, die hard fans, people looking for inexpensive nostalgia and those looking for new work from a classic band. I'm glad that Styx took a chance on "The Mission". Although it wasn't entirely successful, there are still some enjoyable moments. So yes it was worth it to create new music. Does the CD rawk, sorta. I really want to give this song a better grade, but after being honest with myself I can't give it a better score than a 6.

themusicaddict