Cornerstone

After achieving dazzling highs in consecutive years with The Grand Illusion and Pieces Of Eight, Styx returned the following year (1979) with Cornerstone. In many ways, it feels like the culmination of the momentum that Styx started to build with the addition of Tommy Shaw for Crystal Ball. At the same time, this album feels like the high water mark before the band’s descent into the concept album/Broadway pipe dreams of Dennis DeYoung. Sure, this album has plenty of highlights: the opener “Lights” absolutely sparkles, as do “Never Say Never” and the dated, yet still fantastic “Borrowed Time” and “Eddie.” Meanwhile, another pair of Tommy Shaw contributions, “Boat On The River” and “Love In The Midnight” display themselves as Cornerstone’s best songs (and could be ranked among the best ever songs by the band). On the other hand, the chart-topping “Babe” and “The First Time” come off sounding like pure schmaltz and foreshadow DeYoung leading the band into the worst excesses of the subsequent Paradise Theater and Kilroy Was Here. Despite this, Cornerstone is a great album by a band at their creative peak. And although Styx are often unfairly derided by certain members of the rock music media, Cornerstone is a worthy purchase for fans of classic rock.

Off the high of Pieces of Eight and The Grand Illusion Dennis Deyoung, Tommy Shaw, and James Young deliver another solid Styx essential Album. Even though Babe is the number 1 hit of Styx and well deserved at that this whole album is great and worth a listen from start to finish.

While there are two great songs, the rest of this album leaves me feeling empty. After a run of several very good to great albums, Styx began to wither under the pull of Dennis DeYoung’s desire to be Barry Mannilow. Don’t get me wrong. I love Dennis, but the direction he began to steer the band toward is nauseating. How ‘Babe’ became the band’s first #1 hit is beyond my comprehension. It is perhaps the worst syrupy drivel that has ever befallen these tinnitus laden ears. However, Boat on the River and Love in the Midnight are so great!!! Both are among my favorite Styx songs. The latter particularly. Why isn’t it considered one of the greatest songs in their catalog? I just don’t understand mainstream music listeners.