Big Bang Theory is the fifteenth studio album by the band Styx, released in 2005. It consists of cover versions of classic rock songs.
In 2004, Styx performed a cover of the Beatles song “I Am the Walrus” at Eric Clapton’s Crossroads Festival, where the song was received so well that it was released as a single, reaching the Top 10 in the Mediabase Classic Rock charts.[4] The video featured original bassist Chuck Panozzo as the “eggman”. The single’s success resulted in the band recording this album of cover songs. The album reached #46 on the Billboard Top 200 Albums, Styx’s highest charting album in 14 years. (by wikipedia)
Like 2004’s less than stellar Cyclorama, those looking for this to be the big Styx record that will catapult them back into the mainstream will be sorely disappointed in the contents of this record. It’s not a CD of new material, rather, it’s a 14-song collection of covers from some of the band’s influences and all-time rock favorites. Starting with a live recording of the Beatles’ “I Am the Walrus,” the band works its way through the great rock & roll songbook with safe, relative ease. Also included are the Who’s “I Can See for Miles,” the Lovin’ Spoonful’s “Summer in the City,” Blind Faith’s “Can’t Find My Way Home,” Jimi Hendrix’s “Manic Depression,” Jethro Tull’s “Locomotive Breath,” and Free’s “Wishing Well.” All fine choices, and in combination with Styx’s usual clean production and relaxed atmosphere around the usually serious album format makes Big Bang Theory a record that die-hard fans will enjoy and casual fans might regard as a passing novelty stopgap in between records. (by Rob Theakston)
Personnel:
Lawrence Gowan (keyboards, vocals)
Ricky Phillips (bass)
Tommy Shaw (guitar, vocals)
Todd Sucherman (drums)
James Young (guitar, vocals)
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The Oracle Diva (vocals on 04. + 13.)
Chuck Panozzo (bass on 11.)
Johnnie Johnson (piano on 14.)
Koko Taylor (vocals on 14.)
Tracklist:
01. I Am the Walrus (Lennon/McCartney) 4.41
02. I Can See for Miles (Townshend) 4.28
03. Can’t Find My Way Home (Winwood) 3.24
04. It Don’t Make Sense (You Can’t Make Peace) (Dixon) 4.10
05. I Don’t Need No Doctor (Armstead/Ashford/Simpson) 4,23
06. One Way Out (Williamson II/James/Sehorn) 4.42
07. A Salty Dog (Brooker/Reid) 4.01
08. Summer In The City (Boone/J.Sebastian/M.Sebastian) 3.25
09. Manic Depression (Hendrix) 3.59
10. Talkin’ About The Good Times (May/Taylor/Waller) 3.57
11. Locomotive Breath (Anderson) 3.33
12. Find The Cost Of Freedom (Stills) 1.04
13. Wishing Well (Bundrick/Kirke/Kossoff/Rodgers/Yamauchi) 3.40
14. Blue Collar Man @ 2120 (Shaw) 6.29
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