Equinox (Styx album)

Equinox
Studio album by Styx
Released	December 1, 1975
Recorded	1975 at Paragon Recording Studios, Chicago
Genre	Progressive rock, hard rock
Length	34:32
Label	A&M
Producer	Styx
Styx chronology
Man of Miracles (1974) Equinox (1975) Crystal Ball (1976)
Singles from Equinox
"Light Up" Released: 1975 "Lorelei" Released: March 1976

Professional ratings
Review scores
Source	Rating
AllMusic	[1]
The Daily Vault	B[2]
The Rolling Stone Album Guide	[3]

Equinox is the fifth album by Styx, released in December 1975.

The album was the band's first release for A&M Records (with whom they signed earlier in 1975, after the unexpected success of the single "Lady").

The album also marked the final appearance of original Styx guitarist John Curulewski who left the band ^[4] abruptly following the release of Equinox. The band went into a frantic search to find a replacement for their upcoming tour to support Equinox. Soon after, they found Tommy Shaw.

The album's biggest hit was the track "Lorelei", which was Styx's second US Top 30 hit. Another well-known song in the album was "Suite Madame Blue" (the title of which has a play on the word "sweet" to refer to the musical term of "suites", i.e. unrelated instrumental successions) which was written about the upcoming Bicentennial of the US. The track became a staple for all Styx tours with Dennis DeYoung. It's a rare example of a Styx song that (briefly) requires four voice parts; during the Return to Paradise tour, the "America" bridge would be sung by DeYoung, Shaw, James Young and the usually silent Chuck Panozzo.

Although Equinox stalled at #58, it went Gold in 1977 shortly before the release of The Grand Illusion.

Track listing

Side one
No.	Title	Writer(s)	Lead vocals	Length
1.	"Light Up"	Dennis DeYoung	DeYoung	4:17
2.	"Lorelei"	DeYoung, James Young	DeYoung	3:19
3.	"Mother Dear"	John Curulewski, DeYoung	Curulewski, DeYoung	5:25
4.	"Lonely Child"	DeYoung	DeYoung	3:47

Side two
No.	Title	Writer(s)	Lead vocals	Length
1.	"Midnight Ride"	Young	Young	4:17
2.	"Born For Adventure"	DeYoung, Curulewski, Young	DeYoung	5:12
3.	"Prelude 12"	Curulewski	(instrumental)	1:21
4.	"Suite Madame Blue"	DeYoung	DeYoung	6:30

Personnel

Styx

• John Curulewski - guitar, backing and co-lead (3) vocals, synthesizer
• James Young - guitar, backing and lead (5) vocals
• Dennis DeYoung - keyboards, lead (1-4, 6, 8) and backing vocals
• Chuck Panozzo - bass, backing vocals
• John Panozzo - drums, backing vocals

Production

• Producer: Styx
• Engineer: Barry Mraz
• Assistant engineer: Rob Kingsland
• Remixing: Barry Mraz, Styx
• Mastering: Doug Sax
• Production assistant: Barry Mraz
• Design: Chuck Beeson, Junie Osaki
• Art direction: Roland Young
• Photography: Chris Micoine

Charts

Album - Billboard (North America)

Year	Chart	Position
1976	Pop Albums	58

Singles - Billboard (North America)

Year	Single	Chart	Position
1976	"Lorelei"	Pop Singles	27

References

1. DeGagne, Mike. Equinox (Styx album) at AllMusic. Retrieved June 20, 2011.
2. Ray, Benjamin (2005-03-17). "The Daily Vault Music Review : Equinox". The Daily Vault. Retrieved 2013-02-09.
3. Brackett, Nathan; Christian Hoard (2004). The Rolling Stone Album Guide. New York City, New York: Simon and Schuster. p. 789. ISBN 0-7432-0169-8.
4. VH1's: Styx Behind The Music