{"id":39816,"date":"2006-06-27T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2006-06-27T00:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dailyvault.adishjain.in\/index.php\/reviews\/paradise-theater-2\/"},"modified":"2006-06-27T00:00:00","modified_gmt":"2006-06-27T00:00:00","slug":"paradise-theater-2","status":"publish","type":"review","link":"https:\/\/dailyvault.adishjain.in\/index.php\/reviews\/paradise-theater-2\/","title":{"rendered":"Paradise Theater"},"content":{"rendered":"

<\/p>\n

I first heard Styx on the K-Tel compilation High
\nVoltage<\/i>. It included “Too Much Time On My Hands,” one of the
\nmany singles from this release that helped define arena rock. The
\nguitars, the attitude, and the thoughtfulness on this release
\noutdistance many of the other bands in this era. Here, in 1980, was
\na concept LP that focused on something concrete: the closing of a
\nChicago theatre and how its closing impacted the world.<\/p>\n

Starting out with the same melody as “The Best Of
\nTimes,” this release begins with the subdued yet oddly humorous
\n“A.D. 1928.” The lyrics of this track begin with “Tonight’s the
\nnight we’ll make history \/ As sure as dogs can fly.” In other
\nwords, it’s not likely. “Rockin’ The Paradise” introduces the
\nlistener to what Styx has always been known for — driving rock and
\nroll. The lyrics by Dennis DeYoung, Tommy Shaw, and James Young
\npropel this song until the ending chorus, which sets up the iconic
\n“Too Much Time on My Hands.”<\/p>\n

One of the main reasons I always like revisiting this
\nrelease is the way songs that never really struck a nerve with me
\nsuddenly do and I learn something more about my own taste in music.
\nThis time, “Nothing Ever Goes As Planned” did just that, with
\nlyrics that take the story of the theatre a step further. And the
\nother hit, “The Best Of Times,” is more about the theatre than a
\nrelationship, as one would think on first listen. However, it
\nsuffers from trying to be two things and not really succeeding at
\neither. It wants to be the great ballad that closes Act One of this
\nrelease and it also wants to be a great love ballad, but relies on
\ncliches like “I feel so helpless like a boat against the tide”
\nuntil the sappy meter goes off the chart with “I know if the world
\nturned upside down..you’d always be around.” Good to make out to,
\nbut ultimately just doesn’t cut it.<\/p>\n

Act Two recovers nicely with “Lonely People” and “She
\nCares,” before dipping into a Led Zeppelin-ish haze called
\n“Snowblind,” powered by a guitar solo that sets up the ripping
\nconclusion. After that, I really lose interest. “Half-Penny,
\nTwo-Penny” and “A.D. 1958” tie up the record that leaves the
\nParadise Theatre condemned.<\/p>\n

I wanted to like this release more than I did when I
\nspun it this week. I just couldn’t wrap my head around it and while
\nthere is a legendary status that surrounds this release, I don’t
\nhonestly know if it is well-deserved. While the first few songs are
\nstrong, most of the rest quickly fades into mediocrity.<\/p>\n

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