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Artist: Dennis DeYoung
Album: 26 East, Vol. 1
Release Date: 20 May 2020
Album review by; Nick
It has been over a decade since ex Styx frontman Dennis DeYoung released his last album. As a long-time Styx fan, I have always admired Dennis and when he left the band in the 90s I was taken aback a little big with both camps and I felt both of them hadn’t really released strong enough material probably since their live Reunion in 1997. Saying that when I heard both camps had released new albums first with Styx in 2017 with the Mission and now with Dennis, I was excited but apprehensive at the same time. After giving both albums a go, I have to say I need not worry. Today I am going to be looking at Dennis DeYoung’s latest album 26 East, Vol.1.
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At first listen I was hooked; I have been worried for so long how this album was going to sound would it be too sugary pop? Would it be rocking enough? How would his voice sound? I will say this at 73 years old, Dennis voice is off the chart it is perfect and sounds like he could have made this album in the glory years! Track 1 East of Midnight has that classic Styx sound as if it never went away. I found myself bopping and tapping my feet and even singing along to the lyrics on my first listen, I had a good feeling about the album with this track and I could not wait for some more.
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With All Due Respect is very political; Dennis’s lyrics are a blatant attack at politicians and the media alike. It is a bit of a mixed bag for me this one, while I love a good old two fingers song, I feel his lyrics get a bit direct at times knowing that he is capable of so much more. I think with the lyric “You’re an Asshole” he could have worded this better and an alternative phrase would have worked. Saying that, the direct approach is what Dennis is going for on this song and he gets his point across pleasantly.
Continuing with A Kingdom Ablaze, I really enjoy this song, easily one of my favourite tracks on the album. I love the spontaneous dramatic vibe and the guitars are very reminiscent of his former band mates in Styx. Fantastic musicianship and they keyboard wizardry of Dennis is phenomenal. I believe it is the most progressive track on the album and the song that seals the deal for me and sets the stage for the rest of the album, this is the epic of the album and it packs a punch. If I had any doubts about this album not being rocking enough the doubts went away with this killer track.
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The pace slows now with an amazing love song now You My Love. Dennis has always been able to write amazing ballads and we all know and love him for the classic Styx hit Babe, this song is an honest tearjerker and anyone who loves a good ballad will appreciate this song. The keyboards are beautifully soothing. It's a lightweight song and it shows in the texture of the keyboard arrangements. Very Broadway sounding which is something that Dennis DeYoung specialises in and a stunning ballad. Not one for the fans going for a harder sound but it would not be a Dennis DeYoung album without a bit of sugar added to the spice.
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Run For The Roses has such a breath-taking a big 80s sound, it is typical melodic rock, and it is that kind of sound that I love and fall for every time. Notably former Survivor keyboardist Jim Peterik is involved with this album with this song being co-written by him, it really shows in this song. Plenty of 80s arena rock but it also has an identity of its own. It is very well constructed, and I can hear a lot of Survivor influence in this. I have really enjoyed listening to two of my favourite AOR songwriters working together with Jim’s structure and Dennis’s ageless voice it is another highlight on the album.
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The Jim Peterik influence continues with the next song Damn The Dream. It reminds me of a Tommy Shaw style rocker sometimes, a barnstormer of a song and one of the harder rockers on the album. Like many of the songs on this album it has its own unique style, and that is what I like most on this album that no two tracks are the same. The Survivor sound is present here also which is fine with me as I love Jim Peterik’s song writing, it reminds me of the work he did with the late great Jimi Jamison in the mid-00s and like that album I absolutely love the partnership I hope they write more together in the future.
Unbroken continues the melodic rock/AOR style trilogy, catchy chorus, and a wonderful introduction. The keyboard work from Dennis is very melodic and has a lot of delicate patterns that would complement any great AOR track. The guitar work flows throughout the song also with a lot of tasty licks which work nicely alongside the keyboards. A nice song and fun to listen to, Dennis’s Broadway influence also shines in this song. A remarkably interesting track and a perfect start to the twilight section of the album.
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Unbroken only hints at Dennis DeYoung’s Broadway influences, the influence really stands out on this song, The Promise of the Land. Although not one of my favourite songs on the album I really appreciate its theatrical feel. The introduction is spontaneous and smart; the melodic structure has a very theatrical feel and is very well done. It is not a song for a fan who wants more rocking tunes, but it is a very well-done classic rock song.
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To The Good Old Days is a song I absolutely adore and shows Dennis teaming up with Julian Lennon. I love the sentimental lyrics and the vocals of both singers really work. They complement each other nicely and you can hear a Beatles influence in this song. The lyrics are thoughtful and take the listener on a journey that can even put them as a character in the songs themselves. A life lesson in that we all get older, but we will always have the memories to look back on and enjoy, a perfect ending to an amazing album.
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Dennis brings us home with AD 2020 yes, any Styx fan will know this song and it has always been one of my favourite album closers of all time. He reworks the lyrics on this version, and I believe his decision to include this as the album finisher was the right move. It has that sincere “closing of the curtain” feel to it as it did with Paradise Theatre 40 years before.
26 East, Vol.1 is a journey, and we may have waited over a decade for Dennis DeYoung’s new album, but it has been well worth the wait. The album is beautifully written and produced; I believe it easily stands alongside the Styx albums and by far his greatest solo work. It is full of everything Dennis DeYoung from the theatrical pomposity to the gentle ballads to the stunning progressive rock to the glorious arena rock. This is a rock album that truly has it all for all tastes. And if like me you are a fan of DeYoung, Jim Peterik or even their respective former bands Styx and Survivor, then you will find something to enjoy on this album, I am looking forward to 26 East Vol.2…
Album Rating – 4/5
