PIECES OF EIGHT

Styx is one of my favorite rock bands. What makes me love the band is basically the vocal harmony and good composition of the music. I first knew the band when my brother, Henky, brought home a tape consisting "Man of Miracles" album, recorded from his rock station studio's LP in Yogya. Well, you know, it was the time when "Chistopher Mr. Christopher" of the album became a hit in the mid of seventies. Since then I purchased previous albums of Styx and followed through the band. I remember when I purchased "Equinox" album in Surabaya at that time in cassette format through Nirwana label. And now is a digital era and I converted almost all albums of Styx to digital format in 1998.

The album opener "Great White Hope" is a straight hard rock song with great vocal line. The next track "I'm Okay" is much proggier than the first track with its symphonic organ solo. Structurally, this is definitely not a straight hard rock music. The melody of this song is also nice. "Sing For The Day" is a happy song that might cheer up your day. It's suitable to open my workshop. It's a good energizer to boost up the spirit of a workshop. Performed in ballad fashion with an upbeat tempo, this is a good song to start the day.

"The Message" is a short bridge with synthesizer sound which connects to the next track "Lords of The Ring". I love this song very much - not only love the movie! James Young takes the lead on vocal. It's very strong in melody. As indicate through my review of the band's live albums, I love track 6 "Blue Collar Man" and it has become my all time Styx favorite song! It rocks man! "Queen of Spades" is another great song that also became my favorite. Other songs: "Renegade", "Pieces of Eight" and the instrumental "Aku-Aku" are also excellent ones.

Overall this is an excellent album that any rock fans should NOT miss. Buy it!

Life without music is a mistake. Music without progressive is a fatal tragedy!

Yours progressively, GW