Equinox (Styx album)

Equinox is the fifth album by Styx, released in December 1975.

Equinox
Studio album by
Styx
ReleasedDecember, 1975
Recorded1975 at Paragon Recording Studios, Chicago
Genre
Length34:32
LabelA&M
ProducerStyx
Styx chronology
Man of Miracles
(1974)		 Equinox
(1975)		 Crystal Ball
(1976)
Singles from Equinox
  1. "Light Up"
    Released: 1975
  2. "Lorelei"
    Released: March 1976
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[1]
The Daily VaultB[2]
The Rolling Stone Album Guide[3]

The album was the band's first release for A&M Records (with whom they had signed earlier in 1975, after the late unexpected success of the 1973 single "Lady").

The album also marked the final appearance of original Styx guitarist John Curulewski who left the band[4] to spend time with his family, abruptly following the release of Equinox. The band went into a frantic search to find a replacement for their upcoming tour to support Equinox. Shortly thereafter, Tommy Shaw was approached and joined the band.

Although Equinox stalled at #58, it went Gold in 1977 shortly before the release of The Grand Illusion (1977) and it sold 350,000 copies when it was first released.

Songs

The album's biggest hit is the track "Lorelei", which became Styx's second US Top 30 hit.

The opening track "Light Up" appears to be a celebration of pot smoking.

"Mother Dear," co-sung by Curulewski (verses) and DeYoung (chorus), is in a prog-rock style.

"Lonely Child" is a melodic power ballad featuring 12-string guitars.

Side 2 opens with the rocker "Midnight Ride," which showcases the hard rock of singer-songwriter Young. It is the only song written by him on the album.

"Born for Adventure," about legends such as Robin Hood, is the only song co-written by DeYoung, Young, and Curulewski.

The 12-string guitar instrumental "Prelude 12" was composed by Curulewski. It segues into the most well-known song on the album, "Suite Madame Blue," which was written about the then-imminent US Bicentennial. The track became a staple at all Styx tours with Dennis DeYoung. It is a rare example of a Styx song having four vocal parts, and includes a one-time backing vocal by Chuck Panozzo, during the "America" refrain.

Track listing
Side one
No.TitleWriter(s)Lead vocalsLength
1."Light Up"DeYoungDeYoung4:17
2."Lorelei"DeYoung, YoungDeYoung3:19
3."Mother Dear"Curulewski, DeYoungCurulewski, DeYoung5:25
4."Lonely Child"DeYoungDeYoung3:47
Side two
No.TitleWriter(s)Lead vocalsLength
1."Midnight Ride"YoungYoung4:17
2."Born for Adventure"DeYoung, Curulewski, YoungDeYoung5:12
3."Prelude 12"Curulewski(instrumental)1:21
4."Suite Madame Blue"DeYoungDeYoung6:30

Personnel

Styx

Production
  • Producer - Styx
  • Engineer - Barry Mraz
  • Assistant engineer - Rob Kingsland
  • Remixing - Barry Mraz, Styx
  • Mastering - Doug Sax
  • Production assistant - Barry Mraz
  • Design - Chuck Beeson, Junie Osaki
  • Art direction - Roland Young
  • Photography - Chris Micoine

Charts

Album - Billboard (United States)

Year Chart Position
1976 Pop Albums 58

Singles - Billboard (United States)

Year Single Chart Position
1976 "Lorelei" Pop Singles 27

References
  1. "Equinox - Styx | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic.
  2. Ray, Benjamin (2005-03-17). "The Daily Vault Music Review: Styx - Equinox (1975)". The Daily Vault. Retrieved 2013-02-09.
  3. Brackett, Nathan; Christian Hoard (2004). The Rolling Stone Album Guide. New York City, New York: Simon and Schuster. p. 789. ISBN 0-7432-0169-8. rolling stone styx album guide.
  4. VH1's: Styx Behind The Music
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