MAN OF MIRACLES

Like its predecessor, "Man of Miracles" is a spotty album with a few moments of grand, prog-inspired pomp and flashy musicianship ... but mostly it's just lost in some very average songs that are trying very hard to be radio-friendly ... presumably to recapture the magic of "Lady". But the complexity hinted at in Styx II is now gone and replaced with style over substance. Still, that's not to say that the album can't have its fun moments.

The tracks that might interest prog fans include "A Song for Suzanne", "Evil Eyes", "Christopher, Mr. Christopher" and the title track ... but by this point the band is beginning to devlop that distinctive Styx sound, and if that sound raises the hair on the back of your neck in an irritating way ... you're probably better served looking elsewhere.