STYX — Cornerstone (review)

STYX — Cornerstone album cover Album · 1979 · Non-Metal Buy this album from MMA partners
3.5/5 ·
aglasshouse
"Cornerstone" is the ninth studio album by the american progressive/hard rock band, STYX.

After their second huge hit-producing album "Pieces of Eight", STYX released the followup album, "Cornerstone", in 1979. It can immediately be assumed that the follow album to a triple-platinum certified record is usually not as up to scratch as the former. Many times, a band loses their cool after taking their success too lightly, and releases a complete piece of garbage. In the case of "Cornerstone", it's a mix.

Let's start off with the worst. The ballads. Dennis DeYoung made two of them on the album, one of which became the only US #1 single on the charts. 'First Time' is a power-ballad that was meant to become the second single on the album, but instead was replaced with 'Borrowed Time' as a single release. Sadly, the song got a meager #63 on the charts. 'Babe' is the #1 single hit ballad that I was talking about before. Unlike 'First Time', 'Babe' is just a lame, poppy ballad that sounds like some soul artist wrote and sang it and not STYX. Both ballads are unremarkable, and in my opinion, un-listenable.

Synth is a huge annoyance on this album. Songs like 'Why Me', 'First Time' and 'Lights', have over-whelming synthesizer constantly blasting you with every note. Not enjoyable by any means.

Asides from the bad tracks, there are songs on the album that are enjoyable, like 'Boat On A River', which uses a menacing acoustic sound with nice light lyrics to make for an awesome mix. There are driving tracks, like 'Eddie' and 'Borrowed Time', of which have a nice constant rocking tone.

I would say that this album is totally worth picking up.

Go give it a listen.
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aglasshouse wrote:
more than 2 years ago
I wouldn't call it so much weak as I would bland. The Grand Illusion, Crystal Ball, Pieces Of Eight, and The Serpent is Rising would all be albums to choose before Cornerstone.
Unitron wrote:
more than 2 years ago
Nice review, I agree with you on most points. I would say only go pick it up once you've heard Styx's albums like 'The Serpent is Rising' or 'The Grand Illusion. One of the weaker albums in their discography.

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