The Wichita Beacon from Wichita, Kansas • 45

Styx sets a By Terre Johnson Wichita Beacon staff Our friend Webster, of dictionary fame, says that conerstone is a stone that forms a part of a corner or angle in a building. And such a stone is often ceremoniously laid and hollowed out to contain historical documents or objects. Usually the stone is inscribed. By now you should be aware that Styx's ninth and latest album is entitled and it does, indeed, contain some highly-polished rock music worth documenting. Not veering one bit from its nine year history of deftly merging melodiousness and explosive rock 'n' roll, Styx has put this album among the top five on virtually all rock album charts.

It would be ludicrous to call the album a disappointment. cornerstone No. 9 vocals; and Tommy Shaw, guitars and vocals has never lacked where dist and vocalist Dennis De Young, "Babe" reaches out as a simple, yet authentically emotional song about parting lovers, a long-running theme in the music world and again successfully used here. The moods change quickly, however, from the cynicism and directness of "Borrowed Time," "Eddie" and "Why Me," to the suggestiveness of "Lights," "Never Say Never," "'Love in the Midnight" and "First all work together quite well. Oddly though, "Boat on the River" seems to be a departure from everything Styx tries to shoot for.

It mud- Produced by Styx, "Cornerstone" dies about with a folksy sound without has not one, but two surprises. The building into anything close to the song "Babe," with strings and horn magnitude, intensity or emotion in the instrumentation, has been experienc- other songs. I'll leave it at that, but I'll ing great success as a single on both be the first to tell these guys to leave the AM and FM radio frequencies. the folk alone. There's no Styx in it That in itself is not so unusual, con- right now.

sidering Styx's knack for banging out More about that other surprise. Ina -ending bevy of hits. But strumentally, Styx composed of De "Babe" appears to be the first true Young; Chuck Panozzo, bassist and ballad released by the group. vocals; James Young, guitars and With the support of Styx keyboar- vocals; John Panozzo, percussion and 'New Wave' party is Monday Monday night at 9, the Wichita State University CAC Concert Committee will present a "New Wave Party" in the CAC Ballroom on the WSU campus. Tickets, at $2 for students and $2.50 for non-students, will be available at the door only.

You must be at least 18 because beer will served. The party will feature the Clocks and the Embarrassment, two local rock groups that consider themselves exponents of "New Wave," the new form of rock 'n' roll from England. Not exactly from the Top 40 or juke box mold, these groups mix old favorites and current New Wave music with their original compositions. The beat that emanates from these groups is usually fast, but danceable; the sound harsh, yet simplistic. The overall theme is something different for one to experience.

For more information, call 689-3495. "Wichita's Finest Prime Rib" Plus a Complete Menu Selection and breathtaking view overlooking Wichita The Penthouse Club Presents A Complete Evening of Dining and Entertainment "Doris Buss" at the piano with delightful dinner music for your entertainment. The Penthouse Club foliday One Plana 24th Floor of the 0 250 West Douglas Holiday Inn Plaza 264-1644 Review their overall sound is concerned. Vocally and instrumentally, you can almost see the glare from their honed album production. And it's sharpend even more by the group's first use of strings and horns, which provide effective textures on "Why "Babe" and "Love in the Midnight." An interesting mix (engineered by Gary Loizzo and Rob Kingsland) has the guitars of Shaw and Young (James) trading places up front, producing a rather youthful raunchiness in the songs.

The fellas never let up with their chops, proving that they can whip out some dizzying licks of their own. As in previous Styx albums, the group never fails to come up with some deceptively complicated instrumentation. But at the same time (probably for the simpleness in all of us) an overriding thump, thump, thump tends to keep it all within our rhythmic reach. It shouldn't be too hard to grab onto "Cornerstone." Cotillion "OVER 28" DANCE EVERY WED. SINGLES OR COUPLES HULL-RADTKE BAND ART JOCHUM GIVES FREE SAMBA LESSONS AT LEARN PROFESSIONAL BARTENDING Enroll now for Fall and Winter Courses.

Morning, Afternoon Evening Classes Bartending, Bar Management Cocktail Waitress Training Call or Write Today Kansas School of Bartending 2138 N. Market, Wichita, 67214 (316) 263-8492 NEW Rest-A-Matic GRAND OPENING Adjustable Bed A new concept in the enjoyment of leisure time at home! An engineering marvel that makes (what looks like). a conventional into an ADJUSTABLE BEDI At the touch of a button, quiet electric motors concealed in the understructure, change the REST-A-MATIC to literally hundreds of restful positions. Enjoy healthful relaxation while 1 enjoying rewarding leisure-time activities; reading, studying, breakfast sewing, in bed! 1 watching or even For sleeping, it becomes the most Total support position for relaxed Choose this semi-upright position Head 8 torso are supported semicomfortable bed you may ever have comfort with optional Digi-Matic for TV viewing, dining Only upright with legs slightly ouned! Massage! bedy weight rests on hips. higher for relaxed wide-awake rest.

Copyright, 1979. 1040 W. PAWNEE LIMITED DISTRIBUTOR DISCOUNT WICHITA, KS. 263-4452 For our limited introductory sale, you can buy from our Rest-A-Matic OFF SIDMANS SOUTH SENECA RESTAURANT actual wholesale distributor showrooms prices! at DIRECTLY BEHIND Adjustable Beds Latest Styx album, "Cornerstone," has taken up residence among top 5 on most rock charts. WICHITA BEACON Wednesday, December 5, 1979 17D.