Styx released their best album in nearly half a century today.
Well, at least that’s the scuttle-butt. We’ll get into that in a bit. Even if it’s just hype who really cares? Styx self-titled debut album hit record store shelves in 1972 and nearly 50 years later the prog rockers drop the near 45 minute, 15-song Crash of the Crown proving age really is just a number.
A bit of irony perhaps in that original lead singer Dennis DeYoung released, quite possibly his final studio album last week in 26 East, Vol. 2. Styx and DeYoung have been so far removed, the current line-up of the Chicago-based band have toured together longer than any other iteration of Styx and arguably now stand as a classic line-up in James “J.Y.” Young on guitar since 1970 and co-founder Chuck Panazzo, now part-time on bass guitar, longtime singer and guitarist Tommy Shaw, Todd Sucherman on drums since 1995, Lawrence Gowan on keyboards and DeYoung’s vocal replacement since 1999, and Ricky Phillips on bass since 2003.
Styx seemed destined for the “working band” title in recent decades until such time as they called it a career but released The Mission in 2017 the band’s first album of new material in nearly 15 years and now just four years later (nearly to the date) Crash of the Crown, an album recorded last year during the coronavirus pandemic. Styx teased they might wait until Feb. 22, 2022, the 50th anniversary of their record label signing, to release this 17th album, but with a tour on the books later this year with Collective Soul and, well, who wants to wait in today’s current environment (are we even going to be here in 2022? – I kid. Sort of.), thankfully better marketing heads prevailed.
And yes, the hype measures up to expectations and maybe even Sucherman’s claims of Crash of the Crown “stand(ing) as one of the greatest Styx records of all time.”
Styx Crash of the Crown Album Review
Crash Of The Crown shows Styx in their element, an album easily produced in their heyday that would have topped the charts, because it holds on to a formula that works but without adhering to it. Bottom line, the depth of production on Crash of the Crown brings this 50 year-old band from the 1970s into the modern era. In fact, Styx manages to implement their career into Crash of the Crown with prog rock on full display, elements of rock opera, and a suggestive concept all held together with fresh licks and an updated sound.
The near proprietary keyboards complimented by the vocal ensemble of Shaw, Gowan and Young give Styx a distinct and recognizable sound they rarely stray from which can date the band but Crash of the Crown manages to retain this musical strength without coming across like the album was pulled from a well-worn record jacket with faded cover art.
Crash of the Crown begins with three traditional Styx tracks, if you will, starting with the short, upbeat pop song “The Fight of Our Lives” led by Gowan, Shaw takes vocals on “A Monster” which applies several time signature changes and some oddball arrangements but you get Styx keyboards on full display along with complimenting electric and acoustic guitars, then “Reveries” where classic rock, as defined by AOR radio, meets 2021.
Now the focus starts to change.
A slow, almost gritty ballad, even opera like, makes “Hold Back the Darkness” one of the best songs on the album and one of the band’s best songs. Gowan and Shaw trade-off masterfully in front of the mic as the stripped down approach with just a touch of keys and gives this one a 60s feel. Shaw gives a stand-out vocal performance on “Save Us From Ourselves” as the band definitely makes a statement here on the state of the union without taking sides, more like calling a truce, in this rock lament closed by a great guitar solo.
The title track features a Styx first with three lead singers as Young opens on vocals, Shaw follows before giving the mic baton off to Gowan. So much going on with the varying tones as “Crash of the Crown” incorporates some more rock opera (Mr. Roboto makes an appearance) then closes on a Queen note. Young, by the way, sounds awesome.
It doesn’t get much better with Shaw on vocals and acoustic guitar as he gives a bit of hope for the future in the excellent “Our Wonderful Lives” even if the chorus comes across a little too much soft rock. The familiar keyboards return for “Common Ground” and Sucherman gets a bigger drum role going in this characteristic Styx song. “Sound the Alarm” sounds initially like a farewell from the band – “Sound the alarm / Let the world around you know / The time has come for us to go Is it too late to make amends / Look at all that we’ve been through / And all the things we meant to do / But the time just flew by” – but eventually turns into another optimistic ballad, and dang does Shaw sound great on this.
“Long Live the King” is not your father’s Styx as this quick-paced alternative rock track has Sucherman laying down a great drum beat in another album stand-out. Hey, wait a 38 seconds, I want to hear more of “Lost at Sea.” I suppose you get more as this Beetles like track bleeds right into the piano guided “Coming out the Other Side” showcasing yet another side to Styx on this record.
An updated keyboard approach turns “To Those” into a great rock song that in some ways serves as a compliment to “Come Sail Away.” Finally, Crash of the Crown closes with one more brief filler in “Another Farewell” a track of orchestra music that fuses into the hypnotic “Stream” that’s short on lyrics and ends with a bluesy rock guitar solo.
You cannot describe the mark of a great album by whether it captures you right away or takes a few spins to leave an impression. However, Crash of the Crown manages to accomplish both which certainly puts this record in competition for one of the best Styx albums but also ends any doubt of Styx’s place in the annals of rock music history.
Grade: B+
Styx Crash of the Crown Songs:
- The Fight of Our Lives
- A Monster
- Reveries
- Hold Back the Darkness
- Save Us From ourselves
- Crash of the Crown
- Our Wonderful Lives
- Common Ground
- Sound the Alarm
- Long Live the King
- Lost At Sea
- Coming Out the Other Side
- To Those
- Another Farewell
- Stream
Drew's Reviews 
Great write up. I haven’t listened to this one yet so need to get on it with a score like that.
thanks bud. give it a few listens.
I thought the last one The Mission was pretty damn fine. I sampled a couple of tracks today and they sounded real proggy but solid. Will spin this one tomorrow now considering the album has been out less than 24 hours and u hammered out a killer review on it lol;
I just listen over and over. if it takes I can get something out sooner than later.
Your a machine dude…
I liked The Mission. The single they released for this one didn’t really do it for me, but I’ll have to check out the rest of the album.
it didn’t do it for me either. but I listened to album and it all came together
Thanks for giving it an honest review. So many fans want Styx to reunite with Dennis and it’s just not gonna happen. So here they highlight Lawrence and make a definite statement that this is Styx. I like the vibe of the album and that the songs are interesting lyrically and musically.
thanks for reading and the great comment. i agree, the Dennis ship has sailed.
My copy just came. I hope I like it better than a B+, not that it is a bad score.
I tread that because they were recording at home, Gowan was able to use some vintage equipment that he normally never thought would ever be on a Styx album.
yes, i read they did a bunch of stuff on this album. even, I think, recording parts entirely separately. though don’t hold that one against me if wrong. 😉
I think it was necessary. Gowan was stuck up in Canada.
haha I like this avid blog, makes listening to the music even more commendable, when there’s a mean to listen to it! top stuff
Thank you! And thanks for the reads.
I grew up with my sister listening/loving styx and for them to continue to bring me to that great music and produce more, in my opinion, is (pun) note worthy. Who else makes music like this today. I know there are many alternative groups that are getting there, but to roll for this long, and be true, and still inspire some thought, greatly appreciative of their artistry.
fully agree. thanks for the read and comment. let’s home they have many more years.
Raul, you need to listen to Blue Oyster Cult’s latest release from October of last year “The Symbol Remains”. Incredible stuff!
Drew, I got to see them last Saturday (June 19th) in Southaven, MS the day after the album became available on Spotify. I got to listen to it Friday night then again on the way to Memphis Saturday. Listened to it about six times since. You mentioned the Queen element to “Crashing the Crown”. You also mentioned the Beetles vibe on a couple of tunes.
But…there are so many more nods to the great bands that have influenced the band! Even more contemporary bands like Muse in the first track. Then the Pink Floyd tribute that is “Hold Back the Darkness”. Listen again and I’m betting you’ll pick out some other bands Styx give tribute to in this album of music that reflects on the past we leave behind and looks forward warily to society’s uncertain future.
Thusly, the gospel elements of the album are apparent.
Thanks for your excellent early review. I agree completely that this ranks very high on the list of their best albums.
And BTW – The show in Southaven was really incredible. I’ve been to scores of concerts in my lifetime but had never seen this band. They were at the top of my bucket list. I recommend seeing this tour with Collective Soul. Both performances were outstanding!
awesome on two fronts. you went to a live show!! And love the report on the concert. first time I saw Styx I was blown away. they are a great live band. I do have plans to see this tour. can’t wait now. thanks!!
Unless I missed it, it seems you’ve never reviewed Blue Oyster Cult’s October 2020 release, “The Symbol Remains”. Like “Crash of the Crown”, this album could be the band’s best of all time. And that’s saying something considering “Fire of Unknown Origin”, “Tyranny and Mutation”, and “Secret Treaties” are among their classic releases.
I did not. I will check it out for sure. I almost saw them in Feb. 2020 in Atlanta but sold out. what songs did Styx play off new album?
It means something when you go away from a parade of hits during a concert with songs from an album released just the day before ringing in your head. Just sayin’.