Album review: DENNIS DE YOUNG – 26 East, Volume 1

Frontiers Records (Release Date 22.05.20)

This album marks a welcome rock comeback for former Styx singer Dennis De Young. For much of the time either side of his departure from the band he seemed more interested in Broadway inspired or orchestral work. However the success of his live ‘Music of Styx’ shows- which I have seen three times in the USA and Canada – have inspired him, using the nucleus of that band, to return to that style with not just one, but two albums worth of new material.

The title is a reference to his boyhood Chicago home and opener ‘East of Midnight’ turns back the clock to vintage Styx- a ‘Grand Illusion’ type intro, autobiographical lyrics including a reference to ‘The Best of Times’, church organ type keyboard wizardry and twin guitars. Simply glorious is the only way to describe it.

However ‘With All Due Respect’ is likely to be a ‘marmite’ song: DDY returns to one of his familiar lyrical themes, covering media manipulation in his sardonic style. However there is something incongruous about a 73 year old man shouting ‘you are an a-hole, you make me sick!’, not helped by a beat oddly reminiscent of Poison’s ‘Unskinny Bop’.

‘A Kingdom Ablaze’, a near six minute epic, symphonic and with choral chanting, and ‘You My Love’, a ballad from a man who is one of the masters of the art, are more reassuring.

He has found his muse in fellow Chicagoan Jim Peterik who co-writes nine songs across two albums, five on this one. Given their shared penchant for a powerful hook and melodramatic, theatrical writing style it is surprising they have not previously written together other than a couple of times on his ‘World Stage’ collaborations.

While there are no individual song credits, I was playing ‘spot the Peterik song’ and ‘Run For The Roses’, on which DDY sounds superb, has the hallmarks of the ex-Survivor man’s writing style.

‘Damn That Dream’ also harks back in style to classic late seventies AOR and though ‘Unbroken’ is spoiled by a rather lame chorus and over familiar sound, ‘The Promise of This Land’ is vintage Styx, not just in the lyrical message but its pomp arrangement with an extended vocal intro, prominent synths, and even a gospel choir at the end of the song.

‘To The Good Old Days’, a duet with Julian Lennon, may sound a rather mawkish toast, but there has never been anyone who can carry off this schmaltz better than him. Then as a final treat he even ends with ‘AD 2020’, a reprise with new lyrics of the companion pieces from ‘Paradise Theater’, which had the hairs on the back of my neck standing up and going straight off to dig out the original.

Not a perfect album, but the better songs are a revelation at this late stage of his career. The question now is what has been left in the tank for Volume 2? ****

Review by Andy Nathan

Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK

Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions, streamed via Facebook.

Next session: Sunday 19 January

Check out videos here: https://www.facebook.com/getreadytorockradio

David Randall presents a weekly show on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, Sundays at 22:00 GMT, repeated on Mondays and Fridays), when he invites listeners to ‘Assume The Position’. The show signposts forthcoming gigs and tours and latest additions at getreadytorock.com. First broadcast on 1 December 2024.

UK Blues Broadcaster of the Year (2020 and 2021 Finalist) Pete Feenstra presents his weekly Rock & Blues Show on Tuesday at 19:00 GMT as part of a five hour blues rock marathon “Tuesday is Bluesday at GRTR!”. The show is repeated on Wednesdays at 22:00, Fridays at 20:00). This show was first broadcast 3 December 2024.

How to Listen Live?

Click the programming image at the top of the page (top right of page if using desktop)

Listen via Windows Media Player. Click or tap here and “open file”
Listen via other media player (eg. VLC) Click or tap here and “open file”

Get Ready to ROCK! Radio is also in iTunes under Internet Radio/Classic Rock
Listen in via the Tunein app and search for “Get Ready to ROCK!” and save as favourite.

More information and links at our radio website where you can listen again to shows via the presenter pages: getreadytorockradio.com

Power Plays w/c 9 December 2024

In this sequence we play ‘The Best of 2024′ GRTR! reviewer selections

Featured Albums w/c 9 December 2024

09:00-12:00 The Best of 2024 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003-2024 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2024 (Singer Songwriter)