Equinox is the fifth studio album by American rock band Styx, released in December 1975. The lead single "Lorelei" became Styx's second US Top 40 hit.

Equinox
Studio album by
ReleasedDecember 1975
Recorded1975
StudioParagon, Chicago
Genre
Length34:32
LabelA&M
ProducerStyx
Styx chronology
Man of Miracles
(1974)
Equinox
(1975)
Crystal Ball
(1976)
Singles from Equinox
  1. "Lorelei"
    Released: February 1976 (US)
  2. "Light Up"
    Released: July 1976 (US)[1]
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[2]
The Daily VaultB[3]
The Rolling Stone Album Guide[4]

The album was the band's first release for A&M Records (with whom they had signed earlier in 1975, after the success of the 1973 single "Lady").

The album marked the final appearance of original Styx guitarist John Curulewski who left the band to spend time with his family.[5] Tommy Shaw replaced him.

Although Equinox stalled at number 58, it was certified Gold in 1977 shortly before the release of The Grand Illusion (1977).

Record World called "Light Up" an "uptempo effort" with "clean sound and infectious hooks."[6]

Track listing edit

All lead vocals by Dennis DeYoung, except where noted.

Side one
No.TitleWriter(s)Lead vocalsLength
1."Light Up"DeYoung 4:17
2."Lorelei"DeYoung, YoungDeYoung3:19
3."Mother Dear"Curulewski, DeYoungCurulewski, DeYoung5:25
4."Lonely Child"DeYoung 3:47
Side two
No.TitleWriter(s)Lead vocalsLength
5."Midnight Ride"YoungYoung4:17
6."Born for Adventure"DeYoung, Curulewski, YoungDeYoung5:12
7."Prelude 12"Curulewski(instrumental)1:21
8."Suite Madame Blue"DeYoungDeYoung6:30

Personnel edit

Styx edit

Production edit

  • 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 edit

Chart (1976) Peak
position
Canada Top Albums/CDs (RPM)[7] 14
US Billboard 200[8] 58

Certifications edit

Region Certification Certified units/sales
Canada (Music Canada)[9] Platinum 100,000^
United States (RIAA)[10] Gold 500,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

References edit

  1. ^ Strong, Martin Charles (1995). The Great Rock Discography. p. 798. ISBN 9780862415419.
  2. ^ "Equinox - Styx | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic.
  3. ^ Ray, Benjamin (2005-03-17). "The Daily Vault Music Review: Styx - Equinox (1975)". The Daily Vault. Retrieved 2013-02-09.
  4. ^ 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. rolling stone styx album guide.
  5. ^ VH1's: Styx Behind The Music
  6. ^ "Single Picks" (PDF). Record World. May 15, 1976. p. 20. Retrieved 2023-03-06.
  7. ^ "Top RPM Albums: Issue 4140a". RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved January 26, 2024.
  8. ^ "Styx Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved January 26, 2024.
  9. ^ "Canadian album certifications – Styx – Equinox". Music Canada.
  10. ^ "American album certifications – Styx – Equinox". Recording Industry Association of America.

External links edit