By the mid-70s, Styx was growing in popularity. With singles like "Lady," "Lorelei," and "Crystal Ball," they were making their way onto radio stations around the United States. However, this album was the one that shot them up to stardom, and when you listen to it, it's easy to hear why. Full of anthemic sounds and clever lyrics, there's good reason many of the songs on this album are still played on classic rock stations around the world.
I don't think one could call The Grand Illusion a "concept album," per se, but it does revolve around a certain set of themes, mostly provided through Dennis DeYoung's lyrics. The songs satirize an increasingly superficial and conspicuous world (something that we still struggle with today!), leaving one to wonder what is real and what is not. These themes are found most obviously in the title track, as well as well as "Miss America" and "Fooling Yourself." "Superstar" touches on it as well, though it's less critical, as if it wants to invite the audience onstage to join in on the fun of fame and glory.
Which brings me to their music and it's accessibility. Every single song on this album is very easy to get into and enjoy, with big, arena-filling riffs and great use of textured synthesizers. Even when they get proggier in second half of the album with "Man in the Wilderness" and "Castle Walls," (including a great Pink Floyd inspired drum solo) things never stray too far into the weird or technical, resulting in a consistently enjoyable album.
Nothing embodies this more than "Come Sail Away." Starting off as a piano ballad that slowly builds, expressing a desire to explore and see the world, only to eventually explode with that huge chorus, those iconic riffs reaching to the ceiling. Even when it gets a little space-y with the bridge, it still drives forward at an unrelenting pace until it brings it back to the chorus and the big finish. A great balance of straight forward rock buoyed by progressive rock flourish, and that's why it's Styx best known and most beloved song from this album, if not their whole catalog.
I also want to point out the work of Chuck Panozzo. While he is not often listed as one of the greatest rock bassists, but he's very solid, and his bouncy beats are what help Styx's songs feel so driven. One doesn't have to be some technical wizard or innovative player to be a great bassist.
As for everyone else, Dennis DeYoung's work really dominates the album. Full of theatricality and piano work, he's almost succeeded in being an American verison of Queen. Tommy Shaw puts in work as well, not only providing the hit "Fooling Yourself" but also the haunting and passionate "Man in the Wilderness." His and James Young's guitar work is classic 70s rock.
The Grand Illusion is 70s arena rock done right, and Styx at their best. While not every song is perfect ("Superstar" feels a little shallow, and "The Grand Finale" is neat but not really memorable), there is enough going on here to be the staple of classic rock stations the country over for the past 30 some-odd years. Perhaps it's sounds and production are dated, but this album is such timeless rock that it still feels relevant and lively.
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