Classic Rock Bottom


1. The Grand Illusion

2. Fooling Yourself (The Angry Young Man)

3. Superstars

4. Come Sail Away

5. Miss America

6. Man In The Wilderness

7. Castle Walls

8. The Grand Finale

 

This week's album is the magnificent 1977 release by Styx called The Grand Illusion.  It was the
seventh album released by Styx and contained two pretty big hits while
rising to number 6 on the American charts.  The
first was Come Sail Away, which was huge.  It rose
as high as number 8 on the American charts and was followed by a top 30
hit in Fooling Yourself (The Angry Young Man).  Both
of these songs are excellent and I really think Come Sail Away is one
of Dennis DeYoung’s best songs.  The piano intro
is
gorgeous while the song builds to the end with the great climax.

 

As usual, the non-singles or “hits” aren’t as much fun to talk about as the album cuts.  Technically, The Grand Illusion would be an album cut, but I’m sure most folks are
familiar with this song.  Although it’s not
particularly long, it is epic.  It has definitely
received it's share of radio airplay.  It's a
nother huge song
from DeYoung.  And the lyrics to this song are so
right on.  Superstars sports the great harmonies
that Styx are so well known for.   Miss

America is one of  James “JY” Young’s songs.  JY is my least favorite singer in the band, but I do
like that he only does a few songs here and there.  His
voice certainly works well on this song. 
More great harmonies
during the chorus and some nice guitar playing. 

 

Now for the hidden gems.  Man In The Wilderness is a fantastic song, and unless you are a big Styx fan, you’ve probably never heard it.  Tommy’s
vocals are outstanding and it goes from an acoustic sound at the
beginning to awesomely electric over the last third of the song.  DeYoung follows this up with the equally incredible
Castle Walls.  How in the world are these two
songs not more well known?  The guitar sound on
this song is so beautifully haunting, and that’s just the first half of
the song.  I really like the freakishly good
keyboard and synthesizer solo in the
middle of the song as well.  The Grand Finale
closes the album out by tying everything together with samples from The
Grand Illusion, Superstars and Come Sail Away. 

 

So there you have it.  If you don’t have this album you should have your head examined (maybe not that
drastic).  You can pick it up from Amazon for $10
new or $3 used.  No excuses, just buy it.

 

Producer: Styx

Label: A&M

 

Singles:

 

Come Sail Away #8 Billboard

Fooling Yourself (The Angry Young Man) #29 Billboard

 

Best Album Cuts:

 

The Grand Illusion

Superstars

Miss America

Man In The Wilderness (Hidden Gem)

Castle Walls (Hidden Gem)




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i think that was one of the first albums i ever bought.

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