Crystal Ball

as described rated correctly by seller

Styx's 1976 offering is unique in many ways. It was the first album where Tommy Shaw contributed to songwriting. Shaw had already joined the band before recording this album to tour for the previous record EQUINOX. On CRYSTAL BALL they continued the art-rock aesthetic that they had always followed, but Shaw contributed a new organic feel that had not been present before and also brought in a rock factor that rivaled JY (the other lead guitarist/singer). The title song is a prime example of this and one of the band's best songs ever. Shaw is a natural when it comes to creating melodies and acoustic arrangements. He is a well-above average singer and lead guitar player too. He also contributed the two hits on this album; Mademoiselle and Crystal Ball. They're both catchy and at the same time artsy. Check out the Ahhh, Tsss, sounds on This Old Man. It's a song about DeYoung's (Founding member/keyboardist/lead vocalist) father and the sounds are a reference to printing presses (his father owned a print shop). This was the thing about Styx that was so appealing. They were creative, they rocked, they wrote catchy melodies and the songs were never boring. (Unless you're not into the artsy sort of thing). They were a true progressive rock fusion band and one of the best to combine prog with pop. Dennis DeYoung was a music major and the musical director for the band. He is famed for being a control freak, but if you listen to all of Styx albums from STYX I and on; if you listen to the songs written by DeYoung, it becomes clear that he was the main architect of the Styx sound. He was not greater than the sum of their parts, but his style is the one the prevailed and carried on through their best work. Of course the rest of the band also contributed greatly, but I'm talking about the underlying style that is Styx. This album is hugely underrated, and althoughbombastic and sometimes silly (Put Me On), these were the things that were a big part of the Styx charm. They were many times called America's answer to Queen. I don't think that it was a conscious effort on their part but in many ways it is correct.SHM MasteringThis version of CRYSTAL BALL is the best that I've heard. It's much better than the 2006 BGO remaster. It's fuller, clearer and there's more midrange. The sounds are overall bigger. The only drawback is that it's a little loud but not excessively. There's also better instrument separation. The packaging on these SHM editions is impeccable. Very nice.

The album was spotless and in excellent condition. Virtually new.

"Crystal Ball" would be the first Styx album without the original lineup. John Curluiski would leave the band prior to the album's recording to be replace by guitarist, vocalist, songwriter Tommy Shaw. For many Styx fans this is considered the classic lineup for the band and would be the group that would have by far the most commercial success. Shaw has an excellent voice and basically gave the band 3 lead singers. His songwriting prowess was also given free reign right from the start giving the band 3 strong songwriters as well. In my opinion "Crystal Ball" is one of the band's best albums. There really is not a bad song on it as Shaw, Deyoung and Young all shine here. Deyoung had not yet slipped into sappy ballad land yet and still knew how to rock. Shaw brought in a folk-ish element and Young gave the band a metallic edge. The formula would go on to sell millions of records, and create a unique dichotomy within the band that made Styx sound like no one else. Of this lineup of the band I think that "Crystal Ball" is second only to "The Grand Illusion" in terms of quality. This one is a must own for fans.

I'm going to have to disagree with the majority of the reviewers on this album. I liked Styx at the time these albums came out, but was (and am) a Rush fan, and anybody else's albums were secondary to purchasing the latest effort of the Canadian trio. This was pretty unusual in North Augusta SC - most heavy music fans were backing Led Zep and never the twain should meet. Some of you will know what I'm talking about. Well, I had a copy of Equinox on 12" platter and liked it quite a bit - no recollection of how it came to me, although I'm pretty sure I didn't buy it. I still enjoy it side-to-side, which has always been the mark of a solid effort in my eyes. It's punchy with some interesting songs, even if a little under-produced. I then bought Grand Illusion on strength of Come Sail Away and Fooling Yourself, both of which got pretty heavy AOR airplay, and thought that was 9 on a scale of 10. I rounded out my Styx library in the day with Pieces of Eight (still think DeYoung's organ opening Blue Collar Man is a defining riff for that instrument), but wasn't very impressed with anything they did after that.So, to those who think Crystal Ball is a better album than Equinox, I have to disagree. I bought Crystal Ball recently with the rationale that Styx had hit a pretty good stride on the prior album (Equinox), and adding Tommy Shaw would mean the next album would kill. Wrong. Frankly, this album is lyrically very shallow. With the exception of the title cut, which is excellent and deserving of the "classic" status it has garnered, there is not another good song on the album. Don't get me wrong - there some solid playing (although there's some embarrassing playing too - whoever is on the slide in Shooz was wise not to repeat THAT mistake), but between the platitudes, clichés, DaDonDo's, LaLaLa's and WoWoWo's, this album is pretty trying.It seems likely they had hit a writing slump (I don't think it was the last time either - listen to the lyrical contributions of DeYoung's bandmates at the end of I'm OK on Pieces - way to support the team guys) and were under time-pressure to get this out. I don't think it's any accident that Shaw's song got the title track.I think a two star rating is pretty generous for this album.

I love this early album of Styx, the album I received was in pretty good shape with no scratches and after a good cleaning hardly no static.

great

My son loves this record!

Styx's 'Crystal Ball' had a tough act to follow in 'Equinox,' but this 1976 release effortlessly complements its predecessor. With Tommy Shaw on board, the band still had three good songwriters. Though a hard rock band, Dennis DeYoung's influence adds shades of prog, notably on the opening bars of the title track. 'Mademoiselle' is perhaps the most commercial track here; Styx often come up with rousing songs and this one has similarities with some of Queen's more clipped offerings. Despite the title, 'Jennifer' is more aggressive, led by DeYoung's fanfare-style vocal opening. Tommy Shaw's title track includes a gentler, acoustic side, but James Young's raucous 'Shooz' is the opposite.Two epics close proceedings. 'This Old Man' is arguably the most hard-hitting track, though the reference to 'coffee, sandwiches and tea' rather brings it down to earth. The Panozzo brothers, who operate the rhythm section almost anonymously given the high profile of the other band members, contribute a great deal to the changing gears in this track. The classical piano of 'Clair De Lune' acts as a prelude to 'Ballerina,' another melodic DeYoung effort on which piano and organ mingle and whirl with knife-sharp guitar and a memorable, circular vocal refrain.As on 'Equinox,' Styx go for a clear, polished sound. Although the album is only 35 minutes long, it's a superb buy.

Everything is alright.

Styx is one of the few bands I've seen in concert more than once. This is one of my favourite albums of theirs and I've just got the CD after finally finishing my conversion from vinyl. Some of the best songs, especially those with Tommy Shaw singing lead are on this one.

Bought as a gift for a hardcore fan. He absolutely loves the CD. Would recommend for rock or metal fans.

As with all of Styx's music, the songs are beautifully crafted, and memorable, I consider them the US supertramp. Unfortunately though their downfall is the poor sound of the recordings, which is insulting to the great music.