Classic Rock Start Page Album Review
STYX - Big Bang Theory
1. I Am The Walrus 4:41
2. I Can See For Miles 4:29
3. Can't Find My Way Home 3:25
4. It Don't Make Sense (You Can't Make Peace) 4:10
5. I Don't Need No Doctor 4:24
6. One Way Out 4:42
7. A Salty Dog 4:02
8. Summer In The City 3:25
9. Manic Depression 4:21
10. Talkin' About The Good Times 3:57
11. Locomotive Breath 3:33
12. Find The Cost Of Freedom 1:04
13. Wishing Well 3:39
14. Blue Collar Man @ 2120 6:30
© 2005 Universal Music Enterprises
STYX e-mail: www.styxworld.com/contactus.asp
STYX website: www.styxworld.com
Opener "I Am The Walrus" was the reason this album was made. The Beatles-cover was an unexpected hit on several radiostations and Internet, so the thoughts were there to make a Cover Album, i.e. "The Great Rock Songbook"!
Know as the band with 4 consecutive triple platinum albums ((The Grand Illusion, Pieces Of Eight, Cornerstone, and #1 Paradise Theatre), Styx doesn't have to prove itself. Even original bassplayer Chuck Panozzo has a part on this new album, he plays bassguitar on "Locomotive Breath".
This 15th Styx-studioalbum is a collection of great rocksongs from the 60's and 70's, interpreted by Styx-2005, and played with the great expertise that Styx brought for over more than 30(!) years!
For those who really don't know the great Rocklegends behind the songs on this album, again here's the tracklist (and then never forget them!!):
"I Am The Walrus" by The Beatles
"I Can See For Miles" by The Who
"Can't Find My Way Home" by Blind Faith
"It Don't Make Sense (You Can't Make Peace)" by Willy Dixon
"I Don't Need No Doctor" originally written by the legendary Motownduo Ashford & Simpson, and performed by Ray Charles and Humble Pie
"One Way Out" originally written by Elmore James and Sonny Boy Williams, and performed by The Allman Brothers
"A Salty Dog" by Procol Harum
"Summer In The City" by The Lovin' Spoonful
"Manic Depression" by Jimi Hendrix
"Talkin' About The Good Times" by The Pretty Things
"Locomotive Breath" by Jethro Tull
"Find The Cost Of Freedom" by Crosby, Stills & Nash
"Wishing Well" by Free
"Blue Collar Man @ 2120" by Styx
"Blue Collar Man"?? Yes, Styx put a new studioversion of their 1978-hit on the album, suprisingly arranged in a nice, rather semi-acoustic version.
Another striking detail is the version of "Locomotive Breath": Styx decided not to replace Ian Anderson's characteristic German flute. In my opinion it would be just a challenge to find a Styx-a-like "replacement", but nevertheless it's just as powerful as the original.
To end with "Can't Find My Way Home", one of my favourites on the album, because it shows that Styx, also nowadays, still can handle "easy-(rock)listening"-songs, although it's a cover.
Anyway, it's great to play your favourite songs from others, but I can imagine that true Styx-fans are eagerly waiting for their next studio-album. But first there is this extensive tourschedule 2005 (USA as well as Europe, see their website for details). Try to make it if you're in the neighbourhood, you won't be disappointed! And there is a chance that you even might see Chuck Panozzo on stage, because he will appear on selected concertdates.....
Review by: Clemens Steenweg, May 2005