STYX – Regeneration Volume II (2011 Eagle Rock)
Long nights, impossible odds? If you wanna discuss impossible odds, then let’s discuss re-recording your old hits. It’s not usually a good idea. In Styx’s case, it gave them a chance to sell some product while out on tour, but the new versions are no replacements for the old.
“Blue Collar Man” has that big fat organ riff, but it’s…different. Technology can’t reproduce magic, and the original “Blue Collar Man” was pure magic. It’s also missing Dennis DeYoung’s inimitable backing vocals. The current Styx sure can sing, but Dennis’ voice was a big part of the chorus. “Renegade” is more successful. Todd Sucherman really stretches out on the drums. The kid’s got talent!
James Young’s “Miss America” has more bite than the original. “Snowblind” benefits from the re-recording, having more depth now. Styx also get points for redoing “Queen of Spades”, now starring Lawrence Gowan. Styx have plenty of hits, but just as important to fans are the deeper cuts. Any time they get a little more spotlight is a good time. “Queen of Spades” rocks regally, riffy and progressive. “Boat on a River” is pretty authentic to the original, while “Too Much Time on My Hands” has some different keyboard flare. Both are worthy inclusions. This isn’t to say any of these versions are superior to the originals. That’s impossible. This is just to say they are enjoyable to listen to.
The bait to buy the re-recordings are two Damn Yankees songs: “Coming of Age” and (of course) “High Enough”. Styx have been known to perform “High Enough” in concert, but what are they like without Jack Blades and Ted Nugent? Surprisingly good. Styx can handle the singing, and James Young can riff and wail with the best of ’em. “High Enough” in particular sounds great. Lush and with more balls.
Interestingly enough, it looks like all the guys recorded their parts in different studios, all over the place. Gowan was recorded in Toronto, and of interest to Rush fans is that Terry Brown co-engineered his parts. The marvels of the modern world.
3/5 stars
mikeladano.com 
Ok, a deep cut and damn yankees…interesting.
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You might see some more Damn Yankees songs on tomorrow’s CD!
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Sweet. I was at a record show in October and a vendor had the debut on vinyl for $135. I passed but regret it.
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I would recommend CD. You can get the Wooden Nickel Recordings for a good price and it has the first three albums on 2 CDs.
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Cool. I will look for that one instead.
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Not related to LeBrain’s love of Styx at all but I just found this: https://www.pledgemusic.com/projects/bad-news-box-tour-and-more?referrer=carousel_project_popular
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As long the new versions are clearly labeled as such and the original versions are still available, I actually like it when bands dip into their catalogue and deliver a fresh studio take.
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The originals are available, but somebody could easily look at the back and think these are the originals. If they don’t know what they’re buying. No, scratch that. I could be wrong because there was a sticker on the shrink wrap that probably warned these were re-recordings.
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I was reading and wondering how that would go with Larry singing but of course it oughta be decent. Deep cuts meet big approval. Wonder why they did all the parts in different places at different times, couldn’t they just get together?
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I wondered that myself. I would have thought that most of the guys were still based in Chicago with Larry in Toronto. It wouldn’t surprise me if Gowan recorded separately, because singers do that fairly often now. But the whole band? No live off the floor playing together? How bizarre.
Not that you could tell from listening. But I bet it would sound better on a subconscious level if they played together.
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I guess, with technology, you can be anywhere in the world and be in a band.
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