I would say that 1981 had something great and that would be the release of Paradise Theater.

Styx has a great comeback from what I would say was a lacking release the 2 years previous, Cornerstone.

Track 1, A.D. 1928
Dennis De Young starts off on vocals with a player piano backing him which fades into;

Track 2, Rockin' The Paradise

Singing about how "our generation" need to look to the future, and that with determination, cheating the "schemers who cheat all the rules" and fighting back against (white collar) corruption can advance the country.

Track 3, Too Much Time On My Hands

It starts out with a wicked synth slide downwards and then into the main deep beat. Chuck's bass comes in following with John on the drums. Tommy breaks in talking about how he's so bored with life and is suprised he's not crazy. The chorus "is it any wonder I've got to much" *CLAP* *CLAP* time on my hands" became (and still is) one of those things that when it's played live, you clap because it's such a fun song.

We get a wonderful guitar solo break coming back into the final verses and then the "wind down" clock rings fade the song out.

Track 4, Lonely People

I would say this is one of the "weaker" songs on the album. I love a lot of Styx songs and this by far is still up there but I would say I prefer to listen to others before this one.

A common theme in a lot of the songs on this album include some Saxophone and Horns playing and we get that here, first the song openes with a nice bass and guitar track, and Dennis comes in on vocals.

Talking about having it all and having the "GQ" blues, then switching to working "the dame damn job for 13 years" and you've saved for a paradise vacation, but when you arrive it's a disaster.

Overall a very catchy song with a guitar and sax solo.

Track 5, The Best Of Times
This song is a classic. It starts with the same notes as A.D. 1928 with Dennis on vocals playing a piano.

All I can say is that this is really a great Rock Ballad and it is a song that shows some of the best of this album.

The harmonies, the double-tracked guitar solo and everything have been turned into a wonderful soundtrack and the lyrics and vocals by Dennis are superb. The Best and Worst of times looked at, but in the end The best of times, are when I'm alone with you"

Track 6, Lonely People. I think this is the weakest track on the album but still not too bad. It starts off with a rainy night and the sound of a man playing his Saxophone. His neighbor in the apartment is angry and starts banging telling him to stop.

John Panozzo starts off on the drums and is followed by a Brass Band, the music stops and fades and Dennis starts on vocals along with a bass and drum line.

Singing about an old movie house being torn down and the memories he has. And the "Lonely people" above and below the streets.

Track 7, She Cares
This is really a Tommy Shaw Rock Ballad. Talking about a love with whom he tried to stay true to but had problems, they had their troubles but she is always with him. This song includes some acoustic guitar, piano, a sax solo and some good music.

Track 8, Showblind
JY is always the harder rocker so his songs are typically heavier than any of the other songs. So it seems misplaced but it's still a great song.

Initially censors thought this song played backwards had to deal with satanism, even though it's clearly about cocaine. I believe at the time Tommy was now just starting into it and it's talking about how it's "Harmless and innocent, you devil in white"

It's got some great harmonies in here and a nice synth line. The guitar solo is solid and overall it's a great song on this album.

Track 9, Half-Penny, Two-Penny
JY opens fast, with a great guitar riff. with the vocals talking pretty much about money and the problems it causes. "Justice for money what can you say. We all know it's the American way" using the song for the most part to talk about the decay of America and using an interlude in the song with the noise of construction. The Paradise Theater is being ripped down and a passer by sees his buddy the construction worker and talks about it. Then a great fast paced solo from JY breaks into the final verses.

Track 10, AD 1958

Half-Penny, Two-Penny fades into this track which has the final set of lyrics.

And so, my friends, we'll say goodnight,
for time has claimed his prize,
but tonight can always last,
as long as we keep alive,
the memories of Paradise

Track 11, Street Side Sadie

This is a quick little piano diddy after the album has completed.

Overall this really is a great album, especially if you want more than just the Greatest Hits. Along with Grand Illusion, Pieces of Eight and Even Cornerstone you pretty much get their hits and a few gems that never got much radio play.

Unlike a certain reviewer who obviously has a bias towards a Pink Floyd that includes Roger Waters, I believe this is an amazing film, and concert.

Although some songs don't sound the way they did in concerts past or from the albums, these songs still have the power to drive a wonderful slurry of emotions.

From beginning to end, I've watched the VHS too many times, and I must say I've been waiting for a cleaned up film along with some better sound quality for ages.

An amazing concert, now revived 12 years later.

I must say to the one reviewer, have you heard Roger sing these days? does a great job but some songs... OUCH. It's called age, and sometimes you can't do what you used to do.

Highly reccomended for moderate to have Floyd fans.

This DVD has yet to be released, and yes I have no Idea what it's like.

What I can tell you is that on July 30th 2003 I woke up in downtown Toronto with 6 friends and we went on a journey to Downsview Park...

Arriving just in time to be within the crowd of "Standing" people before the resot of the half million audiance sat because they were just too far away to see anything.

The whole experiance is still fairly fresh in my memory, baking in the heat, smoking some pot and waiting in anticipation for the bands that made this concert what it was.

The Guess Who, Rush, AC/DC and The Rolling stones all put on an amazing feat. This quickly thrown together concert literally had only 2 months of planning behind it. Rush had not performed for the longest time, along with AC/DC.. but they said "hey, let's do this"

The one thing you might find with the DVD is the audio. I know from being there that they really had a hard time getting everything right.

The bands sounded great, but the delay towers and being in such an open space really made it sound very dry, with too much bass.

Hopefully the audio on the DVD is taken right from the mixing board, and hopefully the person mastering the audio knows what they're doing.

The downside to this DVD is that they don't include the full setlist.. which i can understand being a full day concert... But not even for the 4 major headliners, and even in the double DVD, from what I've read it doesnt even include the full concert.

For those who were there, it's an experiance remembered well, and this DVD will be a good reminder of that wonderful day.

For those who wern't there, it will just be another live concert that doesnt mean much.

The fact that since Dennis DeYoung exited the band, they're amazing ability to recycle live performances and studio hits is astounding.

This CD/DVD combo was cool. It's nice to have something like this come out, but the track listing is suprisingly dull.

For the CD part.. The following songs are avaliable on another album already.

It's called, Styx World: Live 2001

Rearrange the songs and you have CD 1 of this "work of art"

The DVD was interesting... Actually it was nice, because yes it does contain 4 songs from Sty & REO Speedwagon in St. Louis..

BUT IT Contains a song not seen on the "Arch Allies" DVD, Everything Is Cool.

Plus..

Kiss Your Ass Goodbye, A Criminal Mind, These Are The Times and Yes I Can are all new...

But they're from the new Styx CD, Cyclorama.. Although I really don't find the new CD appealing, this is perfect for the fan who really doesnt collect like I do.

This is all based around my personal fandom, owning every album, many rare vynil records, and having seen and met them many times.

The one thing that made this not worth the money, was the overall cost for something I've already been able to purchase before, and already own...

The Booklet, thin as can be has who the band is.. a picture of the band in the middle, and credits....

Unfortunatley it is something for few people, or hardcore collectors like myself..

I would highly reccomend the new Come Sail Away anthology tho... it's the best Styx release in 5 years.

Althought Closter To The Heart and The Trees are stated as Live tracks, they definatley are not. Red Barchetta from 1983's Exit Stage Left, is the only live track

Live footage is incorporated, but they are Studio tracks recorded at Le Studio in Morin Heights, Quebec. This is a pleasent studio up in the Quebec mountains.. wonderful place.

Anyways, about 3-4 of the songs show them in studio at Le Studio.

So once again, only 1 live track... but who cares RUSH rocks!

This is a defiante must have for heavier fans

WOW... This is all I can say....EVERY member of Floyd had input and heard this album. Not only are Doug Gilmour and Roger Waters [wetting] their pants on how great it sounds, but Nick Mason and Rick Wright have both said this is DSOM. This is what DSOM was supposed to be.

Don't give me all your recording studio [talk] because no matter what you say there's a clear difference.

First off, David wanted to use 1st generation tapes because A) 3rd generation tapes hid alot of the music, and B) it sounds EXACTLY how every band member wanted it in the first place!. The stereo mix is supposed to match the quality of the original vinyl recording, and it surpasses it heavily....in their 25 min EMI DSOM 30th anniversary promo video they cut the whole album apart, with intervies from this year! All 4 guys agreeing on how outstanding this album is....

...Roger, Rock, Nick and David...all agree DSOM is better than ever!
Not only that but Roger Waters gave a listen to the 5.1 mix and loved it. He says that not only does it sound great but it's something that hasent been ever taken on (other than the poor Quad mix that was an unfortunate faliure)

Most people don't sit around to pick away at music, because not only is it not their own, but how can you say what's right and what's wrong?...Not only that but some members had said they never listened to DSOM, but this makes them actually like hearing it all the way through.

I think anyone who is new or old to The Floyd should DEFNATLEY buy this right away. Not only does it show you what DSOM could have been in the beginning, it takes you through the best musical journey of a lifetime.

...Anyone who loves floyd in surround will LOVE Pulse DVD in 5.1! It's due soon, and David Gilmour is working on the 5.1 mix, so you know it's gonna be great!

This is the last album to feature Dennis De Young and Chuck Panozzo (Two original founding members). Chuck retired due to illness with HIV/AIDS, and Dennis had been thrown out eventually after a lengthy battle between himself, Tommy Shaw and James Young.

Unfortunate as the turnout was after this album released, it is a great album. It really shows a modern Styx and after 16 years without an album including tommy shaw, this makes a great comeback.

Great for Fans of all classes, it is definatley a transition piece to own.

This album is the last great work from the original Styx.