Dennis DeYoung
By Mike O’Cull
Dennis DeYoung, the former frontman of multi-platinum classic rock band Styx, has returned to his fans one final time with 26 East: Volume 2, the second part of his long goodbye to recording new music. Released June 11th, 2021 on Frontiers Music, the set is named after DeYoung’s childhood street address in Chicago’s far South Side Roseland neighborhood. The first 26 East record was intended to be the end point of DeYoung’s long and distinguished recording career but he had written so many good songs for the project that all involved felt a second effort was in order. Dennis collaborated on the albums with longtime friend, fellow Chicago guy, and “Eye Of The Tiger” tunesmith Jim Peterik, who told him that the world needed his music. Guitarist and activist Tom Morello (Rage Against The Machine, Audioslave) also appears. The record is another amazing helping of DeYoung’s instantly-recognizable sound and clearly demonstrates just how big a part of Styx’s success he was.
Dennis DeYoung needs little introduction to most rock fans. He was the driving creative force behind Styx, writing and singing all but one of the band’s Top Ten hit songs. He’s a dynamic and dramatic vocalist, an outstanding keyboardist, and the composer of rock radio staples like “Lady,” “Come Sail Away,” “Babe,” “The Best Of Times,” and “Mr. Roboto.” His style mixes enormous pop hooks with vintage rock DNA and a lot more prog than he and Styx often get credit for. He and Styx were incredibly successful in the 70s and 80s, getting major radio play, selling out arenas, and releasing the multi-platinum albums The Grand Illusion (1977), Pieces of Eight (1978), Cornerstone (1979), and Paradise Theatre (1981).
DeYoung gets his party underway with “Hello Goodbye,” a highly melodic pop/rock excursion about The Beatles and their influence on his generation. It’s a pulsating, orchestrally-minded piece that’s 100% vintage DDY. DeYoung’s voice is still clear and strong and he’s not going out having lost a step or two like many older rock singers have. “Land Of The Living” is a straight-ahead rocker with an abundance of crunchy guitars, pumping bass, and cool vocal harmonies. The entire band is tight, crisp, and made up of Chicago’s best, including Peterik on bass, guitar, and backing vocals, Ed Breckenfeld on drums, and Mike Aquino on guitar. It’s a wonderful track that will sound great blasting out of your car speakers all summer.
“The Last Guitar Hero” is an unapologetic hard rock track that harkens back to Pieces of Eight-era Styx that takes on the topic of guitar music’s diminished place in mainstream music and the trap of technology. Tom Morello drops his typically experimental guitar work into the mix, which is a happy occurrence that gives the song a sharp edge. It’s as close to a protest song as DeYoung has ever done and he punches hard, singing that great rock guitarists are “gone like a record store and never coming back.” It’s a major moment of backbone pushback from someone who conquered the record business back when talent mattered. DeYoung deserves respect for speaking his truth and calling it like he sees it.
Nobody rocked a power ballad like Styx back in the day and the epically romantic “Made For Each Other” proves that Dennis hasn’t lost his golden touch on this kind of material. He had a sincerity with these songs few can match and it’s always been a central part of his writing style. A great many of us slow-danced to DeYoung’s ballads at homecoming in the 70s and 80s and “Made For Each Other” is as good as any of them. Other deep cuts worth your listening time include “St. Quarantine,” the progged-out “Isle Of Misanthrope,” and the majestic “Grand Finale” that ends the record. It’s a reprise of the Styx track “Grand Illusion” and makes a fitting and emotional final moment of DeYoung’s recording career. 26 East: Volume 2 is a sublime record from one of the best Chicago has ever produced. If you ever loved Styx, you owe it to yourself to hear how DeYoung has chosen to finish.
Listen to “The Last Guitar Hero”
DDY is STYX!