JoeJoe
pfm Member
Yes, for me Styx’s finest moment is up there with ‘The Wall’ and ‘Sergeant Pepper’. This is a concept album like no other and, totally unique too. And here’s why; it plays like a Broadway Musical and in fact, could easily have been one (in my opinion, of course!)
Musically, it’s a masterpiece….lyrically, vocally and artistically.
Vocals are projected in the finest music-theatre fashion, truly impactful and always on theme with the albums concept….
And what a concept; a reflection of the current state of America, (from its 1980 time perspective), it’s culture, politics and socio-economic background, reflected through the decay of a now derelict Theatre ( The Paradise ), that had its glory days in the 1920’s. The ‘time-jump theme’ between present and past America is confirmed by the album’s sleeve, depicting the Paradise Theatre in pristine 20’s glory and then, 80’s abandonment.
This neglect, and forgotten past, is the metaphorical message that runs through the album, and is the bands comment on where America is at that point in the very early 80’s.
It’s an absolute gem of an observation because it’s salient across the globe as, music-hall was superseded by cinema, then TV, and ultimately by advertising and marketing which leads to the indoctrination and materialistic aspirations of a populous. This questionable progression culminates in the albums penultimate and glorious comment on capitalisms failings, ‘halfpenny-twopenny’. Wow! A crescendo that has built like no other on a concept album I’ve ever heard!
If you’ve never listened to this album be sure to sit down with the lyric sheet for the first time.
I hope that this beautifully crafted and recorded album will become as huge as the 2 albums referenced at the beginning of my post.
It’s an album that comments on the moral and socio-economic paralysis of its time and salutes the past with fond affection. The hardest of hearts cannot fail to be moved by the albums run-off; a 1920’s slightly off-tune piano, warbling out the albums recurring riff in music-hall style. I’m in awe!……
Musically, it’s a masterpiece….lyrically, vocally and artistically.
Vocals are projected in the finest music-theatre fashion, truly impactful and always on theme with the albums concept….
And what a concept; a reflection of the current state of America, (from its 1980 time perspective), it’s culture, politics and socio-economic background, reflected through the decay of a now derelict Theatre ( The Paradise ), that had its glory days in the 1920’s. The ‘time-jump theme’ between present and past America is confirmed by the album’s sleeve, depicting the Paradise Theatre in pristine 20’s glory and then, 80’s abandonment.
This neglect, and forgotten past, is the metaphorical message that runs through the album, and is the bands comment on where America is at that point in the very early 80’s.
It’s an absolute gem of an observation because it’s salient across the globe as, music-hall was superseded by cinema, then TV, and ultimately by advertising and marketing which leads to the indoctrination and materialistic aspirations of a populous. This questionable progression culminates in the albums penultimate and glorious comment on capitalisms failings, ‘halfpenny-twopenny’. Wow! A crescendo that has built like no other on a concept album I’ve ever heard!
If you’ve never listened to this album be sure to sit down with the lyric sheet for the first time.
I hope that this beautifully crafted and recorded album will become as huge as the 2 albums referenced at the beginning of my post.
It’s an album that comments on the moral and socio-economic paralysis of its time and salutes the past with fond affection. The hardest of hearts cannot fail to be moved by the albums run-off; a 1920’s slightly off-tune piano, warbling out the albums recurring riff in music-hall style. I’m in awe!……