5 Classic Albums

Styx were one of the most successful and musically varied of the AOR / MOR acts that ruled US FM radio through the late 70's and early 80's. Contained here are their five most successful albums. I'm not an audiophile so I can't comment on the quality of the sound, but they sound pretty good to me. They come in little slipcases housed inside a glossy fold-open box. I would give the music 5 stars, but here I can only give the set 4 stars for a few reasons - all packaging related:First of all, owning other sets of this kind I find the paper used for the individual album sleeves somewhat thinner than usual, feeling more like thick paper than thin card.Second, the reverse covers for three of the albums have zoomed-out images of the original LP back covers and the track listings are written above / below the picture. This is clearly because the original text would have been difficult to read otherwise, but it doesn't match the LP's which jars a little. Oddly, the album 'Cornerstone' contains the original back cover - which has no track listings at all! So why do it for three albums - two of which always had the track listings on the back - but not for one of the ones that didn't?Third, I own several similar sets to this in similar packaging, and in those sets where original albums were gatefold, they were presented as gatefold for the set (Foreigner 'Inside Information', Bee Gees 'Spirits Having Flown') or had inserts with track info (Bee Gees). However, here we have three consecutive gatefold LP's ('Piece's of Eight', 'Cornerstone', 'Paradise Theatre') all presented as single sleeves. It may have been because a bigger box would have been needed otherwise, but it still feels cheaper than the other sets as a result.Finally, the title and box itself; they have called it 'Five Classic Albums', which feels kind of generic. The box front art itself also looks plain and generic. These were Styx's five biggest albums, all went at least double-platinum - so why not highlight that? Call it 'The Platinum Albums Collection' or something more illustrative of what's contained within. The back of the box shows the album covers and has track lists, but for some odd reason Cornerstone is put at the end of both the images and the list (and is the last album as packed in the box) even though all the others are chronological; 'The Grand IIlusion', 'Pieces of Eight', 'Paradise Theatre', 'Kilroy Was Here' - Cornerstone should be in the middle. This, combined with the fact that the back cover of Cornerstone is unaltered and track list free, makes me think it might have been a last minute addition to the set.Anyway, those little quibbles aside, for both the established or casual fan, this is a good set, containing the biggest of Styx's albums in one handy little box, and at less than £20 it's a bargain.

how hard is it to get Styx albums on CD at a decent price,too hard that the truth,so this box set,decently priced for 5 albums is the next best option.I have to disagree with name of the box set,'5 classic albums',you cant call it that if 1976's Crystal Ball is not included.What you actually have is 3 classics 'The Grand Illusion (1977),,'Pieces of Eight (1978) and 'Paradise Theatre' (1980),the other 2 albums 'Cornerstone' (1979) and ''Kilroy Was Here' (1983) are ok but not in my opinion, good enough to be hailed a 'classic'Sound quality,good,doesnt appear to be remastered at all and no booklet which is a shame.ultimately its the best way to get these 5 albums.

A bare-bones repackage of 5 albums, at a great price. It's Styx, so I couldn't give it 5 stars.The packaging is a step up from other "Original Album Classics" releases. The clamshell box is sturdy, but a little hard to get open - there's a cut-back on the side to give you a little purchase in levering the top off. No bonus tracks or extra information, or any attempts to reproduce the original LP packaging (which were all gatefolds or more elaborate).Combine this boxset with the Wooden Nickle double CD (assuming it's still available), along with the Equinox/Crystal Ball two-fer, and you have all the classic Styx albums on CD.

What a wonderful and magical 5 albums from the 1970s and early 1980s from the Chicago Answer to Prog Rock. All albums (The Grand Illusion, Pieces Of Eight, Cornerstone, Paradise Theatre and Kilroy Was Here) blends the theatrical ballads of Dennis DeYoung to Twin Hard Rock Guitars edge of Tommy Shaw and James J.Y Young, and combined with the cool and slick bass lines of Chuck Panozzo and his powerful drumming of his brother John Panozzo bring each album into full force.Please get these five albums as it demonstrates the artistic and creative of albums from the 1970s and early 1980s (also from the mid to late 1960s), which is now lost due to lousy manufactured bubblegum pop.

If you love Styx this is the perfect compilation at a great price

This is a great selection of Styx Cds,But the price is about a fiver higher than comparable sets from similar artists,If you have them on LP then this is your chance to update them for the car.A good deal for five great albums.

Rather good collection of albums from a golden era for the band. 'Pieces of Eight' is the ace in the pack with the magnificent 'Queen of Spades' amongst hardly a duff track, and there aren't many not to like in the whole five cd collection. This set is pomp rock at it's most theatrical and dramatic. Great compositions, great vocals. Love it!

And this 5 album collection is amazing value. I played through these twice each on a long drive to France, and it was perfect to listen to Styx all the way! If you don't have any of these albums, get this collection, it's worth every penny.