DENNIS DeYOUNG – 26 East, Vol. 1 [Japanese Edition +1] (2020)

Former Styx frontman DENNIS DeYOUNG just released ’26 East, Volume 2′, the second part of last year’s Frontiers Music album ’26 East’. As requested, here’s “26 East, Vol. 1” in its Japanese Edition including an exclusive bonus track.
The title “26 East” refers to 26 E. 101st Place, the Chicago address where DeYoung grew up and from where Styx was formed. The record – where Jim Peterik is involved both in songwriting and playing – was originally planned as DeYoung’s final album, but the singer later decided to split it into two separate volumes.

The process that brought forth the album beginning in the first place started when Jim Peterik, a fellow Chicagoan and nearby neighbor, sent a song to Dennis.
“If not for Jim Peterik’s encouragement, talent and prodding I would not have recorded this music,” said DeYoung. “He once told me the world needed my music; to which I replied ‘have the world text me for verification.’ We collaborated from the get go, happily and seamlessly and at this time we have written nine songs together of which five will be on Volume 1. Just two Chicago guys doing what they do best, making music and having a laugh.”

It’s clear from this release that DeYoung is reclaiming his throne. The track “2020 A.D.” is a essentially another part of Styx’s “A.D. 1928”, a cornerstone of their progressive monuments. The three trains on the front cover, with the words “Trade Winds” and the year 1962 refers to the origins of Styx. The trio is Dennis, Chuck & John Panozza — the founding members.

With 26 East, Dennis has turned up the rock side significantly more, to a vintage Styx-like balance of guitar thrills and concrete keyboards. His voice has lost very little over the years. His depth and expressiveness cannot be touched, nor can his sense of melody.
Hooks! Styx albums were always loaded with hooks. Dennis has not forgotten how to write them. Not at all.

The epic tracks contain sentiment, humor, anger and the whole gamut of human emotions.
There are rare political slants to songs like “With All Due Respect”: “Fake fun, fake facts, hey look new tax!” DeYoung’s patriotic pride comes out on “The Promise of This Land”, and he incorporates influences from coast to coast. From church choirs to stage productions, all elements are included.

All the tracks are special, but one of the most chill-inducing is “To the Good Old Days”, a collaboration with Julian Lennon. And to say the least, it has clear shades of John.
Picking other favorites is more difficult as all are good, but it’s hard to ignore the bombast of the opener “East of Midnight”. For something a little different, “A Kingdom Ablaze” has Floydian guitar twangs that really feed the soul.

“Run For the Roses” is a pure epic Styx high-water mark, which when chased by rocker “Damn the Dream” is only that much sweeter. “Unbroken” offers upbeat feelings that would have fit in on Styx’s 1990 album Edge of the Century.
There are no weak tracks and nothing to skip here. Dennis and co-writer Jim Peterik have really put together an incredible album worthy of its place in the catalog.
One of the best albums of 2020 in any genre.

01 – East of midnight
02 – With all due respect
03 – A kingdom ablaze
04 – You my love
05 – Run for the roses
06 – Damn that dream
07 – Unbroken
08 – The promise of this land
09 – To the good old days
10 – A.D. 2020
JAPAN BONUS TRACK:
11 – Babe (Live)

Jim Peterik – Guitar, Bass, Keyboard, Vocals and Vuvuzela
August Zadra – Electric Guitars, vocals
Jimmy Leahey – Acoustic and electric guitars
Craig Carter – Bass, vocals and invocations
Mighty Mike Morales – Drums and all day sound checker
John Blasucci – Keyboards
Mike Aquino – Electric Guitars
Kevin Chalfant – backing vocals
Matthew DeYoung – Drums on “To The Good Old Days”
Ed Breckenfeld – Drums on “Unbroken”
Zoe and Austin Orchard for Ring Around The Rosie
The Chicago Children’s Choir and conductor Josephine Lee
Dennis DeYoung – Keyboards, fake drums, fake bass, fake news and some vocals. Oh, and Vuvuzela

BUY
www.cdjapan.co.jp/product/MICP-11552