Equinox is the last Styx album with the band's original line-up before Tommy Shaw made his appearance and changed the whole dynamic of the group is a slice of high energy pomp rock reflecting their elevation to major label status. Play this alongside, say, Paradise Theater and the reason for the antipathy of fans who have stuck by the band since the beginning becomes apparent. DeYoung's proclivity for writing flowery ballads had yet to emerge and James Young's influence was still strong enough to ensure the music retained a hard edge. "Light Up" provides an energetic start but it's "Lorelei" which highlights Styx at their best. A hard driving yet melodic song with a powerful vocal performance by DeYoung, it's a track I always look back on with some regret for a band whose slow decline was tortuous. Of the rest of the album – "Born For Adventure" reminds me a great deal of Thin Lizzy – probably because of the riffing guitars. "Lonely Child" is a sweet ballad which manages to stay the right side of cloying. "Suite Madame Blue" – which appears to be some sort of tribute to America – is satisfyingly pompous. And "Midnight Ride" is another fine example of how Styx could, on their day, actually rock out. _Equinox_ is one of a very few Styx albums I still come back to today. But, such is their rapid decline from grace, it acts more as a commemoration than a celebration.Read full review
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