Author: Peter Podbrežnik
Artist: Styx
Label: Wooden Nickel Records
Released: 1973
Length: 34:20
Rating: 4/5
Pomp rock pioneers Styx grew album by album into one of the most exciting American bands of the seventies, slowly kneading together their signature style, marked by a blend of vocal multi-harmonies, symphonic arrangements and punchy guitar phrases. Their unique fusion of prog and hard rock quickly won the approving attention of music gourmets, first on home soil in America and a little later elsewhere around the world.
Their second studio album, simply titled »Styx II«, shows a noticeable leap in songwriting and arranging compared to the debut. At this stage of their career, Styx were still an art rock band sworn to sonic adventure, much like their far better-known and more celebrated British ‘cousins’ Queen, which means they loved experimenting with all sorts of different genre influences, from hard rock to classical, funk and blues. The dynamic, varied vocal partnership between the two guitarists, James Young and John Curulewski, and keyboardist Dennison DeYoung, who always supplied a rich spread of organ wizardry, was the winning recipe that won them attention and audience affection early on.
The opener »You Need Love«, also released as a single, is a classic rock treat with a juicy organ layer, a dynamic mix of guitar phrases and pompous multi-part vocals. This time the lead vocal duties went to the blond guitarist James ‘J.Y.’ Young, who teams up with Curulewski to deliver a dramatic run of fiery guitar harmonies. Young’s lower-pitched voice always sounded tailor-made for the tougher Styx songs.
DeYoung’s gorgeous power ballad »Lady«, which he dedicated to his wife at the time, was the first Styx hit single. It helped them conquer the airwaves of their hometown Chicago, though it took two more years before it wired up the rest of America. It was also the first in a string of DeYoung love power ballads, of which there were plenty in the Styx story. That has always gotten on the nerves of the grumblers who are convinced that short saccharine outpourings about current and former romances have no place in any kind of rock. But Styx, the prototype arena rock band, were among the key groups that laid the foundations of AOR, or melodic rock, a genre that, like it or not, has always been known for plenty of love lyrics too. Whatever DeYoung’s later, thoroughly sugar-coated ballad gushing, you can’t deny the atmosphere and expressive power of a classic like »Lady«, no matter how transparent its lyrics may be. This prototype of the melodic rock power ballad is marked by a gentle, gradually rising piano melody, a punchy guitar riff and pompous vocal harmonies in the middle of the main chorus that even Uriah Heep wouldn’t have been ashamed of.
The melancholy »A Day« is a progressive rock epic with a distinctly European flavor and a psychedelic touch, packed with complex arrangements and unexpected time changes. DeYoung’s layering of synth textures, led by the futuristic sounds of the Mini Moog, plays a big part in building the epic mood. The dreamy vocals of guitarist John Curulewski, sadly no longer with us since 1988, lend the overall atmosphere an outstanding psychedelic-mystical stamp. The central instrumental section, the closest Styx ever came to jazz fusion, is defined by the rattling bass line from Chuck Panozzo, dynamic cymbal work from his twin brother, drummer John, who sadly passed away in 1996, DeYoung’s organ orgy and the two guitarists’ twin-guitar harmonies. »You Better Ask« couldn’t be a bigger contrast to its predecessor: it’s a pretty basic rocker, almost a rock’n’roller, with a simple multi-part melody and a pronounced bluesy guitar riff. It’s as if the guys in the band suddenly decided to treat themselves to a short breather.
The short sacred requiem »Little Fugue in G« is based on the famous score by the legendary organist and classical composer Johann Sebastian Bach, giving DeYoung another chance to shine with a flattering organ solo showcase. It also serves as the intro to the no less sacred-flavored »Father O.S.A.«. The latter is a splendid example of early pomp rock, ruled by melancholy guitar passages, sacred choir-like harmonies and organ arrangements that sound like they were recorded in the middle of some giant cathedral. By usual Styx standards the lyrics are sarcastic, even slightly mocking and socially critical, telling the story of a sour priest who had great promise in his youth but ended up a hardened, people-hating old man.
The hard-rocking »Earl of Roseland« is dedicated to DeYoung’s hometown of Roseland, in the Chicago area, so it’s no surprise that the lyrics touch on his childhood, like reading Marvel comics about Spider-Man and the Human Torch. The solemn ambience of the track is marked by pompous ‘Heep-style’ multi-part vocals, a vocal effect and fiery guitar passages. The closer »I’m Gonna Make You Feel It« features a roaring organ line, colorful guitar harmonies, layered vocals and a fighting-spirited vocal performance from Young, making it practically the prototype of the American answer to Uriah Heep.
On »Styx II«, the arena rock legends took another step beyond their debut in developing a sound all their own, and came up with an art-rock-flavored album that still deserves the attention of up-and-coming music gourmets today. The gradual stylistic transition from progressive rock to arena rock was only just getting started on it, so for anyone who values Styx purely for the melodic rock hits of the late seventies and early eighties, this excellent effort won’t be all that interesting, with the exception of »Lady«, while true devotees know how to appreciate and rate it properly.
Lineup
John Curulewski – guitar, synthesizer, autoharp and vocals
Dennis DeYoung – organ, ARP synthesizer, piano and vocals
Chuck Panozzo – bass guitar
John Panozzo – drums, percussion and vocals
James Young – guitar and vocals
Production
John Ryan and Bill Traut
Track list
- You Need Love
- Lady
- A Day
- You Better Ask
- Little Fugue in G
- Father O.S.A.
- Earl of Roseland
- I’m Gonna Make You Feel It
