Raised On Radio #6 - Tommy Shaw

One of the first bands I remember being "huge" was Styx. Everyone I knew had Kilroy Was Here.

Now, I was at the age at which all of this was new. Everyone has seen that episode of Behind the Music and knows how this story ends.

I had no idea of any of Styx's previous records, none of us were old enough to go to concerts, and for a 9-year old living in the heyday of new wave, let's face it, operatic songs about robots are awesome!

I probably haven't heard "Heavy Metal Poisioning" in close to 30 years and I probably don't want to.

(Edit: I was right, but some of you really like cheese, so who am I to deny you.)

As we know, Styx broke up, and though I couldn't conceive how such a big band would break up- I soon learned that there was a decision that had to be made- are you a rocker or a ballader?

Of course, like Tommy Shaw, I just wanted to rock, maaaaaan.

Granted over the years, I have seen countless interviews, and I think I have come to the conclusion that Dennis DeYoung (who just wanted to grow up to be Andrew Lloyd Webber) would probably be more fun to hang out with.

DeYoung won the war (at least short term- Damn Yankees with Shaw had the biggest post-Styx success of all). "Desert Moon" went to #10 and I just remember it being a massive hit. It's a big 80s ballad of the like Peter Cetera and Chicago made millions of dollars from.

I threw my lot with the Shaw camp which wasn't nearly as successful. the best Tommy could do was "Girls with Guns" which went to #33 (The album did no better than 50, and Shaw's solo career gave him three more singles in three years, none of which did better than #60. Not that DeYoung did particularly better. The Moon album went to #24, and the follow up stiffed at 108, though it did contain the theme song from "Karate Kid".)

Styx has reformed several times (usually with DeYoung or Shaw, but rarely both at the same time). DeYoung seems pretty happy with his operatic ballads, and Shaw released his bluegrass (!) debut in 2011.

Anyway, I really liked this song at the time. Sorry that it's terrible.

On the Shelf 070: Grand Duchy

Grand Duchy is Pixies mainman Frank Black Francis and his wife Violet Clark.

2009's debut Petit Fours was an odd mishmash of sounds. It was an album that I was never sure about. Moments were great, but overall, it wasn't an album that I went home raving about.

2012's Let the People Speak is a more consistent album. Still, the reviewers have been tough. Pitchfork said that if this with music with someone he (Black Francis) loved, then he should stick to making music with people he hates (Pixies).

Again, i am not sure where I come down with this album. It's pretty enjoyable. Is it essential? Nope.

It's been called The Pixies meet Depeche Mode, which it isn't. It is new wavy and besides those touches reminds me more of electroclash stuff like Chicks on Speed or Ladytron.

At least, Violet's stuff is. Black's may remind you of some of his solo stuff, most likely Bluefinger. I am a huge Black fan (even the underappreciated stuff), but this is (largely) not his best hour. That said, I don't want to scare anyone off. Some may really enjoy it, and I am at least inspired there's going to be good stuff on the way from this project.

The video for the opening single has a Warhol vibe.