Artist: Styx
Title: Circling From Above (Alpha Dog 2T/UMe)
You might like if you enjoy: Styx, Asia, Queen
Tell me more: Styx is back with the band's 18th studio album, Circling From Above, an ambitious concept album whose 13 tracks look at the human experience as explored through the dissimilar worlds of modern technology and nature. The concept album is an intoxicating listen, with the band's signature sound celebrated via top-tier songs featuring the contributions from all seven members of Styx — founding guitarist-vocalist James "JY" Young, guitarist-vocalist Tommy Shaw, original bassist Chuck Panozzo, drummer Todd Sucherman, keyboardist-vocalist Lawrence Gowan, guitarist-vocalist Will Evankovich and bassist Terry Gowan.
Among my favorite tracks on the first half of the disc are the soaring "Build and Destroy" featuring Gowan's tenor lead vocals, the introspective rocker "Michigan" featuring Shaw's urgent vocals and the band's lush harmonies, the prog rock foray "King of Love" and beautiful acoustic-flavored "Forgive." The momentum of the masterwork continues with strong originals including the Celtic-mining "Blue Eyed Raven," music hall delight "She Knows," resplendent "Ease Your Mind" and the mellifluous "The Things That You Said." The album closes with the wonderfully bluesy "We Lost the Wheel Again" and genuinely introspective "Only You Can Decide."
According to a media release, "the album was produced by Evankovich, who also helmed the band's previous two albums before becoming an official member in 2022. All 13 songs were penned in various combinations by the band's songwriting triumvirate of Shaw, Evankovich and Gowan."
While the album won't be officially available on streaming or digital outlets until July 18, Circling From Above CD and vinyl copies are available for immediate delivery when purchased via StyxWorld.com. Fans can also purchase physical copies of the album on any of the band's "Brotherhood of Rock" tour dates.
Robert Kinsler
