Near the end of their career, Styx tried to experiment with their music, which is always dangerous for a long-established group, since their existing fans may feel betrayed and the genre they are trying to break into either reviles their music or doesn't recognize what they are trying to do. "Kilroy Was Here", from which "Mr. Roboto" was taken, was such an experiment. "Kilroy Was Here" was a concept album that told a story. I think that had Styx been a new group, the album may have worked. However, many longtime Styx fans felt betrayed by an album that appeared to diverge from Styx' traditional music. This album marked the end or the beginning of the end for a monster group that had churned out so many good songs.

Styx had one more album release in 1990, "Edge of the Century", which yielded one top 40 song, "Show Me the Way." This CD also has a re-recorded version of "Lady" done in 1995.

This CD captures many of Styx' better moments. I'm not sure that all of the songs on the CD are "greatest hits," but certainly they are representative of Styx from the beginning of their career to the end. I would suggest that if you like this CD and Styx that you should augment this CD with "Paradise Theater" and "The Grand Illusion," both of which represent Styx at their pop peak. Furthermore, "Kilroy Was Here" is a good album, but you must like that album for itself and not as another Styx album in the tradition of "Grand Illusion" or "Paradise Theater", because it is not either. I've seen some recommendations that "Pieces of Eight" is also an essential Styx CD, and it is rated 5 stars on Amazon.com.

Some call the songs on this CD glam-rock. I guess I don't know the definition of glam-rock. I consider many of these songs to still have an edge to them. As an example, "Miss America" is a rocking song. "Crystal Ball" and "Renegade" are a couple more rockers on this CD. There are other fast-paced songs, but they are more pop, such as "Fooling Yourself" and "Lorelei".

I would ignore the criticism of Styx if you are a fan of Styx. They created their own style of music, which added, not subtracted, from rock music. They didn't try to be like anyone else. I think most groups, including Styx, would rather be thought of as creating their own genre rather than fitting into an existing genre. I think in many ways they did exactly that. In the process they created detractors. Oh well. There will always be someone out there who wants to denigrate someone successful. If you like what you've heard of Styx' music, and are looking for a good sample of their career, this is the CD. Enjoy!


Incredibly strong, massive sound.   December 12, 2000
 34 out of 36 found this review helpful

Styx had an incredibly distinctive sound now some twenty years ago. This album, was aptly titled and has all their hits. Included is "Lady" (more on that though, in a moment), "Too Much Time", "Babe" and my two favorites, their two signature songs (to me, that is) being "Fooling Yourself (The Angry Young Man)" and "Come Sail Away" . They are all well reproduced, and inside a set of headphones will fill up your head with great music.

My only complaint? Their first hit "Lady" is included as not as the original, but as a re-recorded version. The differences are subtle, but throw it off for me just a tad. That is not enough of a reason to dog this album out, though. Ought to be an Amazon Essential!


Lives up to it's name!   June 1, 2000
 15 out of 19 found this review helpful

My introduction to Styx (like many of the newer fans) came as theresult of the "Mr. Roboto" Volkswagen commercial in 1998 (although I did hear the song referred to in "The Simpsons"). As a result, one of my friends, Marcus (who had also seen the commercial), bought their greatest hits CD, just for that song. What we didn't know was that Styx went far above and beyond "Mr. Roboto." After thoroughly enjoying it, Marcus let me borrow the CD for the weekend. By this time, I had discovered that some of my favorite songs on the radio were by Styx, as well (I listen to classic rock). After listening to the CD almost non-stop for the entire weekend, I had become, along with Marcus, a Styx fan. How could I not? This CD is friggin' sweet! It starts off with a newly-recorded version of "Lady", then goes through their best stuff ever (highlights include: "Lorelei," "Too Much Time On My Hands," "Fooling Yourself (The Angry Young Man)," "Blue Collar Man (Long Nights)," "Come Sail Away," "Miss America," and the fabulous "Suite Madame Blue"...and, of course, "Mr. Roboto"). Since listening to that CD, only two weeks ago, I have bought 8 of their LPs ("Equinox" through "Caught In The Act") and am currently searching for their older stuff. For anyone who likes music, and I mean ANYONE, I would recommend this album. You will become a fan.


Lovetoplayalotto, Mr. Roboto   April 23, 2004
 13 out of 18 found this review helpful

You can laugh all you want at Styx, I don't care. Styx pushed the envelope when it came to experimenting with their sound and I commend them for that. They may sound silly or dated to others, but they'll be remembered for many things(and not just "Mr. Roboto"). This particular album is a good introduction to fans who might not know who they are. It's also good for the older crowd who remember these guys in their prime. I'm tucked firmly in the middle. I remember "Show Me The Way" more than any of the other songs on this album. It isn't my favorite, however. My favorite is "Blue Collar Man." More good songs on this disc include "Lorelei," "Too Much Time on My Hands," "Come Sail Away," and "Renegade."

Everything on this album is good. For you youngsters out there, give this album a little time to grow on you. It's arena rock with a theatrical turn, and it sounds great. I wasn't sure of these folks when I first heard this album, but it has slowly become one of my favorite albums. Seeing them perform live didn't hurt either. I saw them with REO Speedwagon and Survivor. I wish they would have closed the show instead of REO, because they took total control of the audience and played their best songs. They are ten times louder and heavier live. I highly suggest you see them perform if you get the chance.

In closing, buy this album to see what a band daring enough to put itself on the line sounds like. Styx has a rather unique sound that is appealing to both hard and melodic rockers.


Styx--Rock's most underrated and undervalued band--Rules   June 9, 1999
 10 out of 11 found this review helpful

I am so very sorry that a band that writes songs of a positive nature that are filled with hope and inspiration offends so many people. But whether you like it or not, that hope gave them 4 consecutive triple platinum albums. As vocalists, the singers in Styx are unmatched. With three lead vocalists with totally different styles, Styx sung some of the greatest harmonies of the era. And as far as musicianship goes, let me ask you, how many keyboard players out there can play the solo at the end of Fooling Yourself played by Dennis DeYoung?? I thought so:) Blue Collar Man and Renegade only begin to show the guitar shredding capabilities of James Young and Tommy Shaw. For those who call their lyrics tripe, listen to songs like "The Grand Illusion", "Rockin' The Paradise", "Queen Of Spades". For those who hate ballads, you should check out albums like, Equinox, Crystal Ball, Grand Illusion, Pieces Of Eight. Though many of their hits were ballads, most of their songs were rock oriented with art-rock, progressive flavoring. But as for the comment about "Babe". It was a song Dennis wrote to his wife about missing her when he is on the road. Oh God, an honest song, by a man that is devoted to his wife. How awful and threatening.