AUDIOPHILE Styx Paradise Theatre Nautilus SuperDisc LP

$

31

Artist: Styx

Title: Paradise Theatre

Label: A&M Records

Catalog#: NR 45

Released: 1980

Cover condition: VG+

Record condition: NM

HALF-SPEED MASTERED “A Nautilus Superdisc is a recording that reproduces with starting accuracy all of the musical energy and dynamics recorded by the artist on the original master tape. Our Superdics are created using state of the art technology and the finest imported virgin vinyl. Each record is individually inspected using the highest quality control standards. “Ticks and pops” (surface noise) often found on mass produced albums are virtually non-existent on Nautilus’ silky-quiet pressings. This album will make your stereo system sound better.”

After successfully establishing themselves as one of America's best commercial progressive rock bands of the late '70s with albums like The Grand Illusion and Pieces of Eight, Chicago's Styx had taken a dubious step towards pop overkill with singer Dennis DeYoung's ballad "Babe." The centerpiece of 1979's uneven Cornerstone album, the number one single sowed the seeds of disaster for the group by pitching DeYoung's increasingly mainstream ambitions against the group's more conservative songwriters, Tommy Shaw and James "JY" Young.  For the time being, however, Paradise Theater seemed to represent the best of both worlds, since its loose concept about the roaring '20s heyday and eventual decline of an imaginary theater (used as a metaphor for the American experience in general, etc., etc.) seemed to satisfy both of the band's camps with its return to complex hard rock (purists Shaw and JY) while sparing no amount of pomp and grandeur (DeYoung). The stage is set by the first track, "A.D. 1928," which features a lonely DeYoung on piano and vocals introducing the album's recurring musical theme before launching into "Rockin' the Paradise" -- a total team effort of wonderfully stripped down hard rock. From this point forward, DeYoung's compositions ("Nothing Ever Goes as Planned," "The Best of Times") continue to stick close to the overall storyline, while Shaw's ("Too Much Time on My Hands," "She Cares") try to resist thematic restrictions as best they can. Among these, "The Best of Times" -- with its deliberate, marching rhythm -- remains one of the more improbable Top Ten hits of the decade (somehow it just works), while "Too Much Time on My Hands" figures among Shaw's finest singles ever. As for JY, the band's third songwriter (and resident peacekeeper) is only slightly more cooperative with the Paradise Theater concept. His edgier compositions include the desolate tale of drug addiction, "Snowblind," and the rollicking opus "Half-Penny, Two-Penny," which infuses a graphic depiction of inner city decadence with a final, small glimmer of hope and redemption. The song also leads straight into the album's beautiful saxophone-led epilogue, "A.D. 1958," which once again reveals MC DeYoung alone at his piano. A resounding success, Paradise Theater would become Styx's greatest commercial triumph; and in retrospect, it remains one of the best examples of the convergence between progressive rock and AOR which typified the sound of the era's top groups (Journey, Kansas, etc.). For Styx, its success would spell both their temporary saving grace and ultimate doom, as the creative forces which had already been tearing at the band's core finally reached unbearable levels three years later. It is no wonder that when the band reunited after over a decade of bad blood, all the music released post-1980 was left on the cutting room floor -- further proof that Paradise Theater was truly the best of times (excerpt from allmusic.com).   

This record was apart of a large Audiophile collection owned by a Grand Master Champion Chess player named Robert Theodore Houser. We will be continuing to auction off his collection in the next few months so please continue to check our listings.

Gratitude Records Ratings:

SS (Still Sealed): Unopened records, still in the original shrink-wrap. In original manufactured condition unless noted differently.

M (Mint): The record and sleeve are in perfect condition. The record may have been played but will show no signs of deterioration.

NM (Near Mint): A very clean record. Near mind condition except for slight superficial scuffs. Sleeves with this rating may have small defects but will not have significant creases or splits.

VG+ (Very Good Plus): A well-cared-for-record that is noticeably less then perfect, but defects are not visually or audibly distracting. Record surfaces may have slight scuffs or light scratches, but are still primarily clean. Sleeves may have some creases or minor ring wear, but will not be split.

VG (Very Good): A used, reasonable copy to play. Many of the defects found in a VG+ copy will be more pronounced in VG condition. Surface noise and sleeves may look worn, but the record is still a decent copy.

VG- (Very Good Minus): A well-worn record that is still playable. A record in this condition will have audible distractions and may have visible groove wear. Slleves may have all manner of defects, but are still intact.

F (Fair): This grade is for beat-up records. We only sell records in this condition that are extremely rare and sought-after.

 All records are cleaned with a VPI record cleaner. We gladly accept Paypal. If you have any questions, you can email us at recordgratitude@gmail.com.

Happy bidding!

Shipping Rates and Information:

We do combine shipping for records bought within a 2-week period. See shipping chart for specific rates.

If you are purchasing more than 1 record with us within a 2-week period, please do not send us payment for your items until you are finished bidding.

We use sturdy LP mailers designed for mailing records.

The US Postal Service is very reliable; please give it time to arrive.

 12” LP Shipping

# of Items

US Media Rate

Canada

PRIORITY East Coast (US)

PRIORITY West Coast (US)

One

$4.00

$8.00

$7.50

$8.50

Two

$4.50

$10

$8.50

$9.50

Three

$5.00

$12

$9.50

$10.50

Four

$5.50

$15.00

$10.50

$11.50

Five

$6.00

$17.50

$11.50

$12.50

Six

$6.50

$24

$13.50

$14.50

Seven

$7.00

$26.00

$14.50

$15.50

Eight

$7.50

$30

$15

$16

Nine

$8.50

$32

$16

$17

Ten

$9.00

$34

$17

$18

We do our best to describe the condition of our records accurately. We

do not except returns unless there was a mistake made on our part.

Grateful