STYX – Crash Of The Crown (2021)
A new era of hope, survival, and prosperity comes calling with the release of “Crash Of The Crown“, STYX’s uplifting new studio album which was written during the last three years and recorded during the trying times of the pandemic.
The legendary rockers – James “JY” Young (lead vocals, guitars), Tommy Shaw (lead vocals, guitars), Chuck Panozzo (bass, vocals), Todd Sucherman (drums, percussion), Lawrence Gowan (lead vocals, keyboards) and Ricky Phillips (bass, guitar, vocals) – are back with their unique blend of melodies and perfectly crafted songs.
STYX new, 17th album will bring memories rushing back. Their classic rock sound remains intact, mixed with a message about overcoming the depressions of life in America. The album is inspirational and although written pre-pandemic, the lyrical themes fit perfectly into the world we live in.
STYX must have been struck with a stroke of prescient ingenuity, as the album references sheltering with loved ones, protesting in the streets and finding hope in dark times. Maybe when you’ve been writing rock since 1975, you can see a few things coming.
The album starts out with “Fight For Our Lives,” an incredibly appropriate title for a song that could have been the anthem for 2020. “We will not give in, the game is our to win,” they sing. Written by guitarist-vocalist Tommy Shaw, the song speaks of the here and now, but the sound throws back to 1970s rock ballads. “A Monster” follows with a more serious tone and message about living in a world where what goes around comes around.
“Reveries” is a lighter song, beginning with an upbeat acoustic guitar, picking up in the middle with an impassioned guitar solo. “Here I’m running with the elephants, fighting all the elements, in this crowd,” they sing of giving up dreams and becoming dedicated to those around them.
“Hold Back the Darkness” is a contemplative tune, beginning with the light patter of rain, ambient sounds and an acoustic guitar. The song follows a young person leaving home for the first time and looking for freedom. “I’m trying to break free from these chains, won’t you give me a break/ You just gotta give me a chance to make my own mistakes,” Shaw sings, challenging a younger perspective.
“Save Us From Ourselves” is perhaps STYX’s most impressive prediction of 2020, as the lyrics address protests and appropriation: “One nation, indivisible, heads in the sand ’cause we weren’t invisible/ Same prayers, we could all use a miracle now, to save us from ourselves.” It brings listeners back to the wild, powerful moments of nationwide clash and protest.
Title track “Crash of the Crown” is a pretty rockin’ and inspirational track, complete with a piano breakdown leading to the bridge. STYX suggest we fight through the darkness “’til the walls come tumbling down.”
The playful and breezy “Our Wonderful Lives” is a joyous celebration, yet it deals with fighting depression: “We won’t give in yet, we shall not forget, we still have our wonderful lives.” “Common Ground” makes a plea to remember our youthful inability to empathize with others’ opinions.
“Sound the Alarm” is the strongest ballad on Crash of the Crown, with advice to “Take shelter with the ones you love/ Maybe someday we can rise above and all be safe from harm.” STYX should have written all of last year’s PSAs.
“Long Live the King” has a modern vibe, both in lyrics and sound. I can’t help but feel there’s an allusion to the former U.S. President, with an army of people feeding off his every word.
“Coming Out the Otherside” starts out with an Eastern sound, using a sitar, then quickly returning back to STYX’s signature American appeal. The mournful “To Those” still offers up upbeat percussion and airy guitar riffs. “To those of you survived, find beauty in your life/ Don’t be afraid of love/ Stand up and rise above,” the band sings, suggesting that if the young sent the old to war, there would be permanent peace. That band then throws in a slight suggestion to eat the rich, making for one of the most epic songs on the album.
“Another Farewell,” clocks in at just 25 seconds and gives the impression that a symphony broke into the studio and played for a brief moment, before being escorted out by security.
“Stream” ends the album with a dreamy chorus. “Please don’t wake me from this sweet dream, floating on a stream/ Sunshine beaming down on my face, staring into space,” the band sings. The future seems bright, fight the power and your own depression, you can always call home for help, but the time is now to be free, STYX seem to suggest.
God bless Tommy Shaw. At age 67, he still sings and plays great. I mean great! And he’s still penning songs that are relevant additions to the Styx canon. For that to be true at this stage of their career is pretty remarkable.
Also remarkable, is the performance of drummer Todd Sucherman, infusing a massive amount of detail and energy into the music. “Crash of the Crown” affords him multiple opportunities to shine, whether it be a couple blatant drum breaks or more subtle intricacies that are best inspected with headphones.
For my money, Tommy and Todd are the secret weapons keeping Styx going strong.
That’s not to diminish the massive impact of Lawrence Gowan, whose voice may still make it hard for some to accept that Dennis is gone, but who absolutely nailed the keyboard tones and runs that make “Crash of the Crown” sound like it could have been the follow up to “Pieces of Eight.”
James “JY” Young has historically brought the hard rock guitar edge to the band with a stand out track like Miss America or Snowblind. His contribution is perhaps a little less obvious on the new album though his vocals are probably as essential to STYX’s harmonies as Michael Anthony were to Van Halen’s.
This record exudes massive musicianship. Chuck Panozzo and Ricky Phillips deliver solid, unspectacular performances on bass that serve the song more and their reputations less.
To put it simple, “Crash of the Crown ” is a superb STYX record that belongs on the shelf alongside their other records from “Equinox” forward.
It’s a throwback to the ’70s but addresses modern complications. What more could want from STYX in 2021?
HIGHLY Recommended
01 – The Fight Of Our Lives
02 – A Monster
03 – Reveries
04 – Hold Back The Darkness
05 – Save Us From Ourselves
06 – Crash Of The Crown
07 – Our Wonderful Lives
08 – Common Ground
09 – Sound The Alarm
10 – Long Live The King
11 – Lost At Sea
12 – Coming Out The Other Side
13 – To Those
14 – Another Farewell
15 – Stream
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
Pre Order:
www.amazon.co.uk/Crash-Crown-Styx/dp/B0933KLQ36
