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1976 studio album by Styx From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Crystal Ball is the sixth album by Styx, released in 1976.
Crystal Ball | ||||
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Studio album by | ||||
Released | October 1976 | |||
Recorded | 1976 | |||
Studio | Paragon, Chicago | |||
Genre | ||||
Length | 34:45 | |||
Label | A&M | |||
Producer | Styx | |||
Styx chronology | ||||
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Singles from Crystal Ball | ||||
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This album marked the recording debut of new guitarist Tommy Shaw. The track "Mademoiselle" was Tommy Shaw's vocal debut and the album's Top-40 hit.
The album's title track would become a concert staple for the band, as it was performed on every subsequent Styx tour with which Shaw was involved.
Claude Debussy's classical piece "Clair de Lune" served as the intro to the album's closing ballad, "Ballerina". The version of "Clair de Lune" on Crystal Ball features only DeYoung on piano, with the key changed from D flat to C, as the next track ("Ballerina") begins in C minor.
Review scores | |
---|---|
Source | Rating |
AllMusic | [3] |
Rolling Stone | (favorable) [4] |
The Rolling Stone Album Guide | [5] |
Crystal Ball lacked the commercial strength and chart performance of its predecessor Equinox or its follow up Grand Illusion. It peaked at #66 on the Billboard album chart, the lowest of any of the Styx A&M releases. It was certified gold in 1984, 8 years after its release.
Daevid Jehnzen of AllMusic rated Crystal Ball three-and-a-half out of five stars. He stated that it was better than Styx's previous album, Equinox (1975), although it was not as successful. He also said that the album showcases "Styx's increased skill for crafting simple, catchy pop hooks out of their bombastic sound."[3] Alan Niester of Rolling Stone also found the album favorable, stating that "although Styx is based in Chicago, the group has its English scam down pat". He also stated that the instrumentation "always seems on the verge of going out of control, giving the whole album an extra surge of excitement."[4]
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Lead vocals | Length |
---|---|---|---|---|
1. | "Put Me On" |
| 4:56 | |
2. | "Mademoiselle" |
| Shaw | 3:57 |
3. | "Jennifer" | DeYoung | DeYoung | 4:16 |
4. | "Crystal Ball" | Shaw | Shaw | 4:32 |
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Lead vocals | Length |
---|---|---|---|---|
1. | "Shooz" |
| Shaw | 4:44 |
2. | "This Old Man" | DeYoung | DeYoung | 5:11 |
3. | "Clair de Lune" "Ballerina" | Claude Debussy
| — DeYoung | 1:05 5:53 |
Total length: | 34:45 |
Chart (1976-1977) | Peak position |
---|---|
Canada Top Albums/CDs (RPM)[6] | 21 |
US Billboard 200[7] | 66 |
Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
---|---|---|
Canada (Music Canada)[8] | Gold | 50,000^ |
United States (RIAA)[9] | Gold | 500,000^ |
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone. |
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