Editorial Review:

Album Description:
Japanese-only SHM-CD (Super High Material CD) paper sleeve pressing of this album. SHM-CDs can be played on any audio player and delivers unbelievably high-quality sound. You won't believe it's the same CD! Universal. 2009.

Amazon.com essential recording:
One album before Styx cut loose with an honest-to-goodness concept album, Kilroy Was Here, they flirted with the idea on Paradise Theater. The concept here has something to do with the decline of America in the '70s, based on the condemnation and destruction of the Paradise Theater, a famous showplace in the band's hometown of Chicago. Truth be told, the concept hasn't held together that well, though the individual songs have, led by the optimistic ballad "The Best of Times," and the rockers "Too Much Time on My Hands" and "Snowblind." Dennis DeYoung gives some of his most theatrical performances throughout, presaging his overly ambitious Kilroy concept, but also his successful run performing in the legitimate theater, as Pontius Pilate in Jesus Christ Superstar. Paradise, meanwhile, was about as good as it got for Styx. --Daniel Durchholz

I decided at the last minute to order this cassette as a Christmas gift. I assumed it would not arrive until after December 25th. When I ordered it I was told that it would not arrive before the holiday, in fact, I was told it would probably not arrive until closer to the New Year. Imagine my delight when it arrived 3 days prior to when I was supposed to receive it....just in time for Christmas. I feel the distributor went above and beyond to get this order filled and delivered by Christmas. I would purchase from them again.

Average Rating:

Rating: - Great Service/Great Quality
I decided at the last minute to order this cassette as a Christmas gift. I assumed it would not arrive until after December 25th. When I ordered it I was told that it would not arrive before the holiday, in fact, I was told it would probably not arrive until closer to the New Year. Imagine my delight when it arrived 3 days prior to when I was supposed to receive it....just in time for Christmas. I feel the distributor went above and beyond to get this order filled and delivered by Christmas. I would purchase from them again.

Rating: - PARADISE
The album has a lot of variety. I like all the songs . I like Styx and most of their albums have had enough good or great songs to get them by. This album is the same. . I had the album then bought the CD when it came out. The CD's worth it. Get it.

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Rating: - A Styx must-have...
Rock and Roll!!!!!
I played the heck out of this album when I first got it in the early 80's and practically wore it out! I loved this album back then and still do. Reminds me of great times and turning 21. Glad I no longer have to deal with all the expected "skips" I had on the original black vinyl one, lol!
Some of the songs are still quite relevant, (except for maybe "Snowblind") ;)
My 10 year old son is enjoying it too--he even asked to have "Too Much Time on My Hands", "Rockin' the Paradise" and "Best of Times" on his iPod!
Mom is raising him right!

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Rating: - a classic 'album'
I used to listen to this when it first came off the presses. The CD is great, tho i do miss the 'pops' from my old turntable. This is a great addition to any 80's collection.

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Rating: - The Last Shall Be the First
I love much of Styx's music, but I would have to say that "Paradise Theater" is just about the best album they ever came out with. Now, if you are a person of patience, you should save this album for last if you've never heard Styx. The songs are so good, so wonderful, that if you hear it first, the other albums won't be able to live up to the standard you've set in your mind. I suggest one starts with "Crystal Ball", where the group really started to gather steam. Then work your way through chronilogically until it's time for the grand finale, "Paradise Theater". Every album of Styx got a little better each year, with everyone's talents culminating to an epic climax with "Paradise".
All the songs on this album are excellent, whether you look at them from a musical point of view or with the thought of how perfectly a decrepit old theater represents America. "Snowblind" is a rare duet between JY and Shaw, and "The Best of Times" makes one feel perfectly relaxed & hopeful for the future. One track on this album that I think should have been a hit was Tommy Shaw's "She Cares". The song is absolutely beautiful and sounds extremely heartfelt.
"Paradise Theater" is all that Styx represents. It's as though they managed to put their very soul and essence into an album, and the result is almost too good to hear. Listen and love it!

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