Styx Albums Ranked
Styx /stɪks/ is an American rock band from Chicago that formed in 1972 and became famous for its albums released in the late 1970s and early 1980s. They are best known for melding hard rock guitar balanced with acoustic guitar, synthesizers mixed with acoustic piano, upbeat tracks with power ballads, and incorporating elements of international musical theatre. The band established itself with a progressive rock sound in the 1970s and began to incorporate pop rock and soft rock elements in the 1980s.
Styx had eight songs that hit the Top 10 on the Billboard Hot 100: “Lady”, “Come Sail Away”, “Babe”, “The Best of Times”, “Too Much Time on My Hands”, “Mr. Roboto”, “Don’t Let It End”, and “Show Me the Way”. Other notable songs include “Renegade”, “The Grand Illusion”, “Blue Collar Man”, “Crystal Ball”, “Fooling Yourself (The Angry Young Man)”, “Rockin’ the Paradise”, “Boat on the River”, and “Suite Madame Blue”. Styx has had four consecutive albums certified multi-platinum by the RIAA, as well as 16 top-40 singles in the US, eight of which hit the top 10. Seven of their eight Top 10 singles were written and sung by founding member and former lead singer Dennis DeYoung, including their No. 1 chart-topper, “Babe”. DeYoung has not been part of the band since 1999, after being ousted by guitarists James “J.Y.” Young and Tommy Shaw in an acrimonious split. Styx has sold over 54 million records worldwide. Here are all of Styx’s albums ranked.
Don’t miss out on the music of The Doobie Brothers! Click and enjoy the music of the band that is about to be inducted to the rock and rol
10. Man of Miracles (1974)
“I have always liked the STYX era from there Wooden Nickel days. This Man of Miracles Lp has had an interesting life. The first release had the 1st song on the TAils side as being Best Thing, which was a song taken from there 1st release, & stuck on this Lp. A later printing of it or the next printing the put the song LIES, on the Tails side, 1st track. Then on the cheap 1980 releases with the just horrible artwork covers, the title was changed to just Miracles, but now they put the tune Unfinished song in that same spot B-side 1st track. I needed to have all three versions, which is why I purchased this Lp, again, for the just the ONe cut. Interesting story on this Lp though.”
9. Kilroy Was Here (1983)
“I guess Styx were either copying Kiss’ “Music From The Elder” or had some strange fascination with Meat Loaf because it sounds like both. The songs weren’t the problem here, their is enough good songs. The biggest problem was taking this silly concept album and make it a Opera-rock show in concert. It was so ridiculous that it ended their popularity, just as it almost ended Kiss’ with “Music From The Elder”. But in hindsight it’s a good record from Styx besides the amateur sci-fi storyline.”
8. Styx II (1973)
“Quite a step up here from the debut album. Styx really came into their own as a Progressive Rock powerhouse to be reckoned with with the 1973 release of their sophomore effort Styx II. This album is a powerhouse. “Lady” (Their first real hit) is just as beautiful as some of their later ballads without being sappy or schlocky in any way. (Something Styx would have a real problem with in later years. Ever heard “Babe”? Gag.) “Earl of Roseland” manages to be both gorgeous and powerful at once. And “Little Fugue in G/Father O.S.A.” is simply an expansive epic. And then there’s the wondrous “A Day” This is early Styx at their very best.”
See more: Greta Van Fleet Songs Ranked
7. The Mission (2017)
“The Mission contains everything I ever loved about Styx, even without Dennis DeYoung! This album includes a mix of progressive rock/hard rock/harmony power ballads all thematically unified in a concept album that is forward looking into a new era, both for the band (please, please) and for the exploration of Mars. How can these has-beens 😉 write fresh material like this and rock out so well both vocally and instrumentally? I would have bet the band’s skills had atrophied with Styx concentrating on nostalgia tours for the last decade. Shouldn’t arthritis and diminished respiratory capacity take its toll eventually — apparently NOT! Hopefully they will title their next album (please, please) “Fountain of Youth”.”
6. Cornerstone (1979)
“Styx’s ninth studio album landed the group a breakthrough hit with the post-prog ballad “Babe.” At the time of its 1979 release, Cornerstone was otherwise panned for not being as strong as some of Styx’s earlier albums. But because the band dialed down its tendency to over-layer synth tracks, Cornerstone has aged pretty well. Check out the opening “Lights,” where the melodies and soaring five-part vocal harmonies stand out above the other instrumentation. Also, the use of clavinet over the band’s usual spacy keyboard textures makes for a more organic groove. The following “Why Me” boasts a bombastic approach to prog-pop that had more in common with Broadway show tunes than anything recorded by Styx’s contemporaries like Asia, Alan Parsons Project, or 10cc. Tommy Shaw’s “Never Say Never” was an especially strong track that balanced balladry with Journey-style stadium rock.”
5. Crystal Ball (1976)
“Styx’s ‘Crystal Ball’ had a tough act to follow in ‘Equinox,’ but this 1976 release effortlessly complements its predecessor. With Tommy Shaw on board, the band still had three good songwriters. Though a hard rock band, Dennis DeYoung’s influence adds shades of prog, notably on the opening bars of the title track. ‘Mademoiselle’ is perhaps the most commercial track here; Styx often come up with rousing songs and this one has similarities with some of Queen’s more clipped offerings. Despite the title, ‘Jennifer’ is more aggressive, led by DeYoung’s fanfare-style vocal opening. Tommy Shaw’s title track includes a gentler, acoustic side, but James Young’s raucous ‘Shooz’ is the opposite.”
See more: Metallica Albums Ranked
4. Equinox (1975)
“”Equinox” would prove to be the last album from the original lineup of Styx. This would also be the band’s first album for major label A&M and probably the album where the band really developed their signature sound, a mix of progressive rock, straight ahead pop, and arena style rock. I think this is one of the band’s best and I enjoy every song on the disc. The album spawned two medium hits “Light Up” and “Lorelei” both written by Dennis Deyoung. Deyoung’s mini epic “Suite Madam Blue” would also be a concert staple for years and remains one of the band’s all time best compositions.”
3. Paradise Theater (1981)
“Paradise Theater was at the peak of their career, and pulled quite a few memorable hits, such as “Rockin’ the Paradise,” “Too Much Time on my Hands,” and “The Best of Times.” The tracks lay out like a play, each within a time period of the fictitious “Paradise Theater.” Paying attention to the covers, The time period is from 1928 to 1958, so each song plays a role in the theater’s history, also letting on the history of an atypical dance hall from the time period.”
2. Pieces of Eight (1978)
“The lineup on Pieces of Eight includes Dennis DeYoung (synthesizers, pipe organ, keyboards, vocals), Tommy Shaw (electric and acoustic guitars, mandolin, autoharp, vocals), James Young (electric guitar, vocals), Chuck Panozzo (electric bass, vocals) and John Panozzo (drums, vocals). The musicianship on Pieces of Eight is good – soaring three and four part vocal harmonies; ripping Hammond organ work; agile synthesizer solos; dynamic acoustic/hard rock contrasts; and to top it all off, wonderful harmonic and melodic development.”
1. The Grand Illusion (1977)
“This is a great album with fantastic individual songs which add up to tell a complete story as if the album is a book. Now, of course, the music is classic and it has stood the test of time and become art. Great vocals, great instrument work and interesting lyrics. It’s got it all. If the last time you listened to this was back in the 80s, do yourself a favor (for only $5.99) and get the music from amazon today — . You’ll be glad you did. Can’t believe I got the CD (sent to me via prime for free) and was able to immediately download the album too and I can also stream it via my Amazon Prime account. That’s the way a music service should work. The album is also great because it is a compilation of a few different styles which contain a loose cohesion, and that creates a great listening experience which is fun and upbeat and yet has some seriously interesting lyrics.”