The Grand Illusion (studio album) by Styx

This album bounces from the top 15 to the bottom 50, but there is always something about this concept that keeps it coming back to the top 20 - solid tracking from beginning to end.

From Jboy56 09/07/2023 15:09

To STyx sounds very American. aor nad prog mixed, playing is brilliant but clinical, Not bad either...
Further listening may open this up, lets wait and see

From Schribes 01/15/2023 16:02

I had a friend that loved Styx. I remember telling him that Styx “sucked”, “their so gay”. By the way it was acceptable to use that term in the 70’s. Led Zeppelin, Judas Priest, Yes, Rush….were cool. I probably listened to this album more than any other behind my bedroom door. I still pull this album out every once in awhile. I remember it was very comforting to listen to. As I listen now I would use the term ‘relevant’. These songs have a lot of meaning. Probably more “relevant” now than almost 50 years ago.
BUT DON’T BE FOOLED BY THE RADIO
THE T.V. OR THE MAGAZINES
THEY’LL SHOW YOU
PHOTOGRAPHS
OF HOW YOUR LIFE SHOULD BE
BUT THE’RE JUST SOMEONE
ELSE’S FANTASY
“SO IF YOU THINK YOUR LIFE IS COMPLETE CONFUSION
CAUSE YOU NEVER WIN THE GAME
(CAUSE YOUR NEIGHBORS GOT IT MADE)
JUST REMEMBER, PLEASE, IT’S A
GRAND ILLUSION
AND DEEP INSIDE WE’RE ALL THE SAME

85/100

What a pitty that their best album is the debut, so much potential with styx

From Fischman 12/14/2018 17:44

Not Styx's most popular album, but definitely their best. It hits the sweet spot between their early work which showed flashes of brilliance but much unevenness, and the later work when they jumped the shark. This is the product of a mature musical vision brought forth by musicians with the ability to execute it perfectly.

From jdenny2018 05/17/2018 22:26

High school me would've adored this album, with the themes of identity and belonging, and for just generally being a great musical experience

This band really got me interested in non classical music for the first time!

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The single most underrated album ever by the most underrated band ever. I'm not sure why Styx gets overlooked on this site, but this album is an absolute masterpiece. The title track, Fooling Yourself, and Come Sail Away are three of the band's best songs, and the other tracks are no slouches either. As long as you have an above average tolerance for synthesizers, I'd definitely recommend this album.

From Fischman 03/29/2017 19:13

Far and away Styx' best album. It retains the musical adventurousness of Styx' earlier efforts but brings in a more mature and, quite frankly, powerful bite, especially in the songwriting.