STYX – The Same Stardust (2021)

Alongside their wonderful new album ‘Crash of the Crown’, STYX simultaneously released this translucent-blue 12-inch vinyl-only “The Same Stardust“, to participate for the very first time in their long and storied career in Record Store Day.
“The Same Stardust” includes two brand-new original Styx songs – title track “The Same Stardust” and “Age of Entropia”, both exclusive to this release – and five live tracks recorded between 2018-2020.
While “The Same Stardust” and “Age of Entropia” were both essentially recorded during the ‘Crash of the Crown’ sessions and were also in the final running to be included on the core album itself — the band ultimately had other plans for them instead: this collector’s limited vinyl.

“These two songs are not rejects in any way — they’re part of the fold,” guitarist / vocalist Tommy Shaw confirmed. “We just didn’t have enough room on the 12-inch vinyl for ‘Crash of the Crown’ to fit them all in. Fans can have themselves an extended version of COTC with them, though!”

“The Same Stardust” is a classic Styx barnburner replete with shared lead vocal duties, as keyboardist / vocalist Lawrence Gowan takes charge on the verses and Tommy Shaw tackles the bridge, while sweetly stacked five-part Stygian harmonies rule all the choruses and a signature fiery solo courtesy co-founding guitarist/vocalist James “JY” Young rounds out the track. “Thank you for noticing!” exclaims JY, immediately followed by his typical booming laugh.

Meanwhile, the dirge-like round-robin vibe of the truly mysterious “Age of Entropia” — featuring deliberate, contemplative lead vocals from Tommy — doesn’t really sound like anything else in the master Styx canon. That said, the instantly identifiable chiming 12-string guitar heard all throughout this track merges the past and the present in a most intriguing way. It’s got that ‘Hotel California’ meets Equinox vibe.

If you’ve been a faithful follower of the Styx Fix concert series that streamed on the band’s official YouTube channel during a number of Saturday nights over the past year-plus, then you’re likely familiar with the tracks that were chosen for this EP release.
All five of these stirring live cuts were recorded and mixed by Chris “Cookie” Hoff, the band’s live FOH engineer who also worked his sonic magic for the production end of each individual Styx Fix presentation.

First up is “Mr. Roboto,” which is culled from Styx’s show at The Riverdome at Horseshoe Bossier City in Bossier City, Louisiana, on February 21, 2020. Eagle-eyed (and eagle-eared) fans will note this particular show also happened to be Styx’s final, official public-audience live performance before the pandemic took over and the remainder of the band’s 2020 dates had to be postponed.
The estimable Lawrence Gowan is the featured lead vocalist on this searing version of “Mr. Roboto,” and he’s truly made the song his own to a criminally minded degree since it first debuted in front of live audiences at the Five Point Ampitheatre in Irvine, California, on May 30, 2018.

Next up is “Radio Silence,” which comes from the band’s triumphant Sweden Rocks festival appearance in Sölvesborg, Sweden, on June 8, 2019. This especially heartfelt Tommy Shaw-led song from The Mission has become a cornerstone of the first half of nearly every live Styx set since it was first performed, and it’s usually been preceded by Tommy’s verbalized intro about the machinations and making of The Mission album itself.

“Man in the Wilderness,” comes from the band’s show at Frederik Meijer Ampitheater Garden in Grand Rapids, Michigan, on August 1, 2018. Another deeply personal Tommy Shaw song from Side 2 of July 1977’s pivotal The Grand Illusion, “…Wilderness” made its way back into fairly regular setlist rotation not too long after the 25-date Grand Illusion/Pieces of Eight dual full-album tour of 2010-11.
“Miss America” has been culled from the earlier-noted Bossier City, Louisiana gig at The Riverdome at Horseshoe Bossier City on February 21, 2020. This perennial fan favorite from the mouth, guitar, and pen of co-founding vocalist/guitarist James “JY” Young not only kicks off Side 2 of The Grand Illusion, but many folks consider it to be JY’s signature song.

Timeless classic “Renegade” is also taken from the Sweden Rocks festival in Sölvesborg, Sweden on June 8, 2019. Could any other song really close out a live show other than the perennial Tommy-led insta-classic that ends every live Styx show? (Oh mama!)
Highly Recommended

1. The Same Stardust
2. Age Of Entropia
3. Mr. Roboto (Live In Bossier City, LA Feb. 21, 2020)
4. Radio Silence (Live in Solvesborg, Sweden June 8, 2019)
5. Man In The Wilderness (Live In Grand Rapids, MI Aug. 8, 2018)
6. Miss America (Live In Bossier City, LA Feb. 21 2020)
7. Renegade (Live In Solvesborg, Sweden June 8, 2019)

James “JY” Young – lead vocals, guitars
Tommy Shaw – lead vocals, guitars
Chuck Panozzo – bass, vocals
Todd Sucherman – drums, percussion
Lawrence Gowan – lead vocals, keyboards
Ricky Phillips – bass, guitar, vocals

BUY
www.roughtrade.com/us/styx/the-same-stardust-ep