The Grand Illusion vs Pieces of Eight
Printed From: Progarchives.com
Category: Progressive Music Lounges
Forum Name: Prog Polls
Forum Description: Create polls on topics related to progressive music
URL: http://www.progarchives.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=130049
Printed Date: July 19 2025 at 14:30
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Topic: The Grand Illusion vs Pieces of Eight
Posted By: Steve Wyzard
Subject: The Grand Illusion vs Pieces of Eight
Date Posted: November 16 2022 at 13:57
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Before anyone protests, there is no poll option on the "Prog-Related" board, and if I put one under "General Music Discussions", it will vanish into the abyss after a day or two. These two albums brought Styx into "the big leagues", so much so that I would say the entire reputation of this band to this day hinges on these two albums. So which of the two is the more definitive?
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Replies:
Posted By: Jared
Date Posted: November 16 2022 at 14:18
| Grand Illusion, by a short head |
Posted By: Cristi
Date Posted: November 16 2022 at 14:21
| The Grand Illusion (1977) |
Posted By: suitkees
Date Posted: November 16 2022 at 14:39
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My two preferred Styx albums, indeed. Maybe I listen to Pieces of Eight just a little bit more often, but I like them both... more or less equally. ------------- The razamataz is a pain in the bum |
Posted By: progaardvark
Date Posted: November 16 2022 at 15:20
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Grand Illusion. ------------- ---------- i'm shopping for a new oil-cured sinus bag that's a happy bag of lettuce this car smells like cartilage nothing beats a good video about fractions |
Posted By: JD
Date Posted: November 16 2022 at 15:29
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If anyone really believes that Pieces of Eight will win this poll, then they are absolutely living in The Grand Illusion. ------------- Thank you for supporting independently produced music |
Posted By: Steve Wyzard
Date Posted: November 16 2022 at 15:59
I created the poll with the understanding that the two albums were relatively evenly matched. Both are concept albums, and both produced big radio hits and long-time concert favorites. The ratings on the band's album page are 3.75 vs 3.64 in TGI's favor, which doesn't seem like a runaway victory and was compiled over the entire history of this site. Polls where everyone knows who is going to win are no fun!
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JD wrote:Posted By: Hercules
Date Posted: November 16 2022 at 16:20
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I have both albums, and haven't been motivated to play either in living memory, something I can't see changing much. ------------- A TVR is not a car. It's a way of life. |
Posted By: Mormegil
Date Posted: November 16 2022 at 17:22
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”Welcome to . . “ ------------- Welcome to the middle of the film. |
Posted By: zwordser
Date Posted: November 16 2022 at 17:43
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I chose equally, but I don't listen to Styx much, and admittedly, don't remeber everything on the albums. ------------- Z |
Posted By: Mellotron Storm
Date Posted: November 16 2022 at 17:49
 As a 17 year old I had Grand Illusion and played it quite a bit but I haven't owned anything by them for decades. And that's where my vote went. "Come Sail Away" was a good rockin' tune back in the day.------------- "The wind is slowly tearing her apart" "Sad Rain" ANEKDOTEN |
Posted By: Manuel
Date Posted: November 16 2022 at 18:17
| I love both, but The Grand Illusion gets my vote. |
Posted By: Progosopher
Date Posted: November 16 2022 at 20:12
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Both are great Styx albums, but TGI is just a tad ahead. ------------- The world of sound is certainly capable of infinite variety and, were our sense developed, of infinite extensions. -- George Santayana, "The Sense of Beauty" |
Posted By: Heart of the Matter
Date Posted: November 16 2022 at 20:32
| Pieces, mostly because of Sing For The Day, which I loved since the very moment I heard it on the radio, much before knowing who they are. |
Posted By: mathman0806
Date Posted: November 16 2022 at 22:00
Yes, you would be Fooling Yourself to think otherwise. 
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Posted By: b_olariu
Date Posted: November 16 2022 at 23:45
| The Grand Illusion (1977)my fav. Styx album |
Posted By: geekfreak
Date Posted: November 17 2022 at 00:31
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Another vote for The Grand Illusion ------------- Friedrich Nietzsche: "Without music, life would be a mistake." Music Is Live Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. Keep Calm And Listen To The Music… < |
Posted By: VianaProghead
Date Posted: November 17 2022 at 03:04
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I like both equally. ------------- "PROG IS MY FERRARI". Jem Godfrey (Frost*) |
Posted By: miamiscot
Date Posted: November 17 2022 at 12:23
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Easily their two best (but their last two have been shockingly good.) Great band. I voted for The Grand Illusion. But it's close... ------------- The Prog Corner |
Posted By: Steve Wyzard
Date Posted: November 17 2022 at 12:38
I was skeptical at first, but I took a chance on The Mission and now love that album. I think it was the space flight theme that won me over, but the songwriting/performances are phenomenal! I still haven't heard Crash of the Crown yet.
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Posted By: digdug
Date Posted: November 18 2022 at 06:05
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Equinox is also worth listening to if you like these two ------------- Prog On! |
Posted By: Steve Wyzard
Date Posted: November 18 2022 at 10:11
There are some really good moments on both Equinox and Crystal Ball, but also a lot of typical mid-1970s "American arena rock" as well. Both are about 50/50 for me. The band didn't really reach the major leagues until The Grand Illusion made them household names.
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