THE GRAND ILLUSION

This is a band which music I enjoy since I knew them, but a band that my CD player does not play frequently, so not a true favorite of mine, but worth listening every now and then.

This album could be my favorite (know 3 Styx albums only) and bring some memories back to me. This album called The Grand Illusion features 8 songs and almost 40 minutes of running time, so the songs oscillate between 4 ? 6 minutes average. As you know, Styx are not really a true progressive rock band, however, they did release some prog songs and records, this may be their proggiest.

The first song, which happens to be the title song is an excellent introduction to the album (even to their music), they show their musical potential and orientation, here, we can appreciate their style, their use of different elements to compose a well done song, despite it is a catchy song, that does not mean it is bad, all the way around, it is a very nice one.

"Fooling yourself" opens with excellent use of keyboards, making a very symphonic sound which later changes a little bit with the introduction of acoustic guitar, the song became poppier and catchier, the first part reminds me a bit to Kansas, and the chorus to Simon & Garfunkel's Cecilia, the best part is at the middle of the song when the keyboards appear again in an instrumental passage, nice song. "Superstars" would have been in my opinion a better "song 2" that the previous one, I mean I think it continues better with the opener song, the style and the vocals are pretty similar, that rock (art rock) sound is obvious here, another good song, just good, nothing more.

The next song may be one of their best or at least better known, "Come Sail Away" begins with piano and a delicate voice, the rock element disappears and turns into a ballad; but a couple of minutes later it changes, with more power and rock elements, the chorus begin, but then again, it changes to a softer and spacey passage where synth makes it go, the song finally ends with that heavier sound.

"Miss America" begins softly with some keyboard sound, the first minute ends when drums and guitars enter, making a heavy rock sound with some catchy vocals, it reminds me to Queen. In the middle of the song we will find a nice keyboard solo, not my favorite song at all.

"Man in the Wilderness" is one of my preferred songs here, I really like the way it starts, though it could be again a soft rock ballad, I love its composition, the structure and the sound. It is a strong song despite the softness in which it is built; the chorus is splendid in my opinion, and the final part with that guitar solo makes it even better, an excellent song here.

"Castle Walls" reminds me a bit to The Alan Parsons Project, the beginning with the synth makes a dark atmosphere, the vocals go together with the music and it creates a sense of doubt or suspense, before minute 3, a scary keyboard sound appears, reminding me a bit to Goblin's terror movies, the feeling here is awesome, the first song that truly provokes something with its sound. I believe this is the best song of the album.

And The Grand Illusion ends with "The Grand Finale", the title says everything, it is a kind of reprise of Superstars, a nice end.

Not the best album, not the best band, but with some excellent songs, a nice record to play at least once a year. My final grade is 3 stars. Good, but never essential.

Enjoy it!

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