The Grand Illusion

No illusion why their seventh album was Styx’s commercial breakthrough: it’s hard to top its unique combination of ambitious prog rock, crowdpleasing AOR, and unexpectedly sharp social commentary. But mostly it’s about the hooks. “Come Sail Away” is the obvious Big Single for a reason. Runner-up “Fooling Yourself (the Angry Young Man)” and it’s Kansas-like keyboard line is a delight as well, and the title track aims for (and achieves) maximum pomposity. Flipside opener “Miss America” is the underappreciated highlight, though – its menacing tension wouldn’t be out of place on the first couple Def Leppard records a few years hence.