Styx
Styx II

THE REVIEW

A prophetic name, Styx, the river where Achilles was dipped to gain the invulnerability of the gods. Mother Thetis, on that occasion, however, made a mistake that proved fatal for the Achaean hero. It seems that this album, immersed in the river Styx - as the Americans would say - is a pearl, a jewel, perhaps too underrated, because it is overshadowed by the subsequent works (certainly worthy), and this will be its Achilles' heel over the years.

Styx II is the second album of that fantastic machine of war, the Pomp-Aor-Prog-Hard Rock band Styx, with which (1973) they began to achieve moderate success in the States, where, along with a handful of other bold pioneers (Kansas, Journey...) they tried to import the grand progressive rock phenomenon from Britain and Europe, succeeding only as it was already breathing its last breaths overseas.

The sounds mainly recall groups like Yes and Camel; sometimes, however, we're surprised by sounds reminiscent of The Who, enhanced with more refined elements. But perhaps it is inappropriate to make comparisons, since at the time of this work, those bands themselves were still evolving; hence, Styx is an original progressive phalanx, complete and independent from this era on, pioneers of the genre in the land of stars and stripes. Especially as, like all U.S. progsters, they also tend to mix prog music with more hard rock and AOR tendencies, and it is precisely here, almost at the beginning of their career, that they succeed best, not yet totally unbalanced towards arena rock, with a surprising balance between choruses, pompous elements, and intricate instrumental textures.

The up-tempo opening immediately becomes more paced with the power ballad "Lady," a famous single that will later earn the work the title of Gold Record. And then, skillful and evocative melodies, alternating with pieces of unleashed hard rock, yet never anything left to chance, never an accent of sloppiness. An homage to Bach and finally three tracks of technical and powerful rock. Tracks to highlight? All, at the same level... high! From the dreamy "A Day" to the pressing and glorious "Earl Of Roseland."

A recommended album, where the still young Tommy Shaw, Dennis DeYoung, and James Young present with notable mastery rare gems of 70s rock dew to be downed in one gulp.