ARCHIVE REVIEW
Styx: Brave New World CD - 1999
The much anticipated (9 years to be exact) release from one of the most prolific bands of the 70's and 80's has returned to the 90's with a conversational CD. By that, I mean, some have said that the CD is wonderful just because anything new from Styx is great to hear. Others have said that the songs have let them down, because of the wait, they expected more. My opinion is a mixture of both. I am very excited to listen to anything that this band has to offer. Being a fan since about 1975, I have been looking forward to every release of theirs. Even though, back in the old days, that came about once a year (I miss those days). I was expecting it to hit me right from the first song. But, that didn't happen. I Will Be Your Witness was more on the mellow side. So, it took me a while to get use to that song (which I eventually did and now I like it). The CD doesn't really get rocking until about the 4th song, Number One. Although it wasn't the Rock I was expecting, I was willing to take it. But then I came to Everything Is Cool and everything was fine. I knew as soon as I heard it that I was a fan of the song. Then came Great Expectations and I came down from my high. How ironic is that with the name of that song. But wait, Heavy Water was just around the corner and everything was fine again. That song really rocks. But, what would you expect when you team up JY and Tommy together. Surprisingly, Brave New World (reprise), gave me hope that I will start the CD over and try to enjoy the songs that I kind of bypassed the first time around. BNW (reprise) was very melodic, although repetitive, it's the kind of song that just makes you feel good. And you know what? I was able to go back and enjoy the CD. Brave New World, Best New Face and even the 50's-ish Just Fell In began to capture me. Although, I don't think there is enough listening that I can do to come around to High Crimes And Misdemeanors. I don't know what they were thinking on that song. So, overall, trying to be biased when listening to the CD, I have to rate this CD a 6.5. Well, I tried to be biased.