Styx: Circling From Above

You might say that Styx are on quite a roll of late. With two recent albums, The Mission and Crash of the Crown striking big with fans and critics alike for their return to more prog-rock roots, they are back yet again with another winner, the subtle concept release Circling From Above. The band in 2025 is comprised of:

James “JY� Young / lead & backing vocals, guitars
Tommy Shaw / lead & backing vocals, guitars
Chuck Panozzo / bass, vocals
Todd Sucherman / drums, percussion
Lawrence Gowan / lead & backing vocals, keyboards
Will Evankovich / Acoustic and electric guitars, lead & backing vocals
Terry Gowan / bass, vocals

The title track "Circling From Above" opens, a strong blend of instrumental brilliance and sumptuous vocal harmonies. It's followed by the first single released, "Build and Destroy", which is a terrific song, total prog rock, great keys and vocals from Lawrence, a tasty guitar solo, wonderful vocal harmonies...love it, and it's probably my favorite song on the album. "Michigan" is more of a jangly rocker, lead vocal from Tommy and amazing vocal harmonies from the group on the chorus. While I wish there was more of a heavier guitar presence, it's a wonderfully constructed song, the musical arrangement and vocal harmonies are killer, and I've grown to like it more and more with each listen. JY gives us his lone lead vocal on the album with "King of Love", which also sees Tommy and Lawrence providing backup. It's an upbeat rocker, wild soloing from JY, I just wish it was a little more 'riffy'. Catchy stuff nonetheless. "It's Clear" is a majestic number, Lawrence on the lead vocal, one that turns into a high-energy rocker. I enjoy the little harpsichord parts, and some of the vocal harmonies are like vintage Styx meets Queen. Another one of my favorites here. Next up is "Forgive", with Tommy & Lawrence on the lead vocals, and featuring some mandolin and piano throughout. It's a nice little mellow piece, and the vocals are outstanding.

I get a bit of Queen-meets-The Beatles love on "Everybody Raise a Glass". Lawrence is on playful lead vocal and piano, the rest of the band doing the harmonies, and there's even a cool Brian May- styled guitar solo. "Blue Eyed Raven" is a folky little mandolin-driven piece from Tommy, and sounds like the cousin to "Boat on the River" from Cornerstone. "She Knows" again reminds of The Beatles and Queen, and is a fun little pop number. It's followed by "Ease Your Mind", a brief little piano and vocal piece...not much here, but leads into the next song, which is "The Things That You Said". I really like this one, but again, very vocal-oriented with piano. Tommy and Lawrence going back and forth on the lead vocals, wonderful backing vocal harmonies, an awesome chorus, plus a neat little guitar and synth solo on the back end. Nicely done. "We Lost the Wheel Again" is perhaps my least favorite song here, like a bluesy rock song with electric and acoustic guitars, and I don't really care for Will's vocal on it, but I must say, I've warmed up to it more with recent listens, and it has good energy. The album closes with "Only You Can Decide", and while I normally don't care for mellow tracks to close an album, this little Tommy piece is pretty lovely, including a gorgeous chorus, a tasty guitar solo, and just an overall lush vibe.

There are some masterful vocal harmonies and choruses here...it's a VERY vocal-driven album for the most part. I'm disappointed a tad by the lack of guitar, and I wish more of these songs rocked a little bit more than they do, but, these songs stick in your head instantly, and it's one of those albums that the more you listen to it, the more you discover and learn to love. It's not quite the slam dunk winner that both The Mission and Crash of the Crown are, but it isn't far behind.

Track Listing
1. Circling From Above
2. Build and Destroy
3. Michigan
4. King of Love
5. It’s Clear
6. Forgive
7. Everyone Raise A Glass
8. Blue Eyed Raven
9. She Knows
10. Ease Your Mind
11. The Things That You Said
12. We Lost the Wheel Again
13. Only You Can Decide’

Added: August 6th 2025
Reviewer: Pete Pardo
Score:
Related Link: Band Website
Hits: 317
Language: english

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