Styx – Best of Styx

Format: Vinyl LP
Catalog #: CYL1-2250
Side A Matrix: CYL1-2250-A XD-T
Label: RCA / Wooden Nickel Records

About the Artist

Styx are one of the defining bands of American arena rock. Formed in Chicago in 1972, the group built their reputation on a distinctive blend of hard rock muscle, progressive rock ambition, and soaring multi-part vocal harmonies. Anchored by the songwriting and keyboard work of Dennis DeYoung alongside guitarists James Young and the Shaw brothers (later Tommy Shaw), Styx crafted some of the most anthemic rock of the 1970s and early 1980s.

Their commercial peak ran from the mid-1970s through the early 1980s, producing a string of platinum albums and arena-filling singles. Songs like Lady, Come Sail Away, Renegade, and Babe became staples of classic rock radio and remain instantly recognizable today. The band's ability to move between hard-driving rock and lush, theatrical balladry gave them a remarkably broad appeal.

About the Album

Best of Styx (catalog #CYL1-2250) is a compilation drawing from the band's early Wooden Nickel / RCA years, capturing the period before their mainstream commercial breakthrough with The Grand Illusion (1977). This makes it a particularly interesting document for collectors — it spotlights the rawer, more hard rock-oriented Styx before the polished arena sound fully took hold.

For fans and collectors, this pressing represents an accessible entry point into the band's formative catalog, and the matrix stamp CYL1-2250-A XD-T on Side A can assist in identifying the specific pressing for those cross-referencing with Discogs or other databases.

Track highlights: The compilation draws from Styx's early RCA/Wooden Nickel catalog, featuring the hard rock and progressive-leaning material that built their initial fanbase — including early versions of songs that would later define their arena rock legacy. For a verified, complete track listing with exact side-by-side order, please refer to Discogs and search catalog number CYL1-2250.

Pressing Notes

The Side A matrix stamp reads CYL1-2250-A XD-T. Collectors are encouraged to cross-reference this against Discogs matrix data for precise pressing identification.

Condition

Record (Vinyl): VG — Carefully cleaned with a Spin-Clean record washer and stored in a new inner plastic sleeve. The vinyl has minor scuffs visible under light. Side B has a small spec that was noted but did not appear to affect playback. The record played flawlessly on a quality turntable with no skips; minor pops and crackles were noted during playback, consistent with the visible surface wear.

Jacket: G+ / VG — In good condition with visible signs of age and handling — expect some ring wear, edge wear, or light creasing typical of a record of this vintage. No splits or writing noted.

All records are graded visually and by playback. Cleaned and inspected before listing.

Why This Record?

• 🎸 Early Styx — pre-arena peak — a window into the band's rawer, harder-rocking origins
• 🎸 RCA/Wooden Nickel era compilation — captures material not always represented on later best-ofs
• 🎸 Matrix data included — pressing details for the serious collector
• 🎸 Cleaned & play-tested — honest grading, ready for your turntable or collection

Ships carefully packaged in a rigid mailer to protect the jacket and vinyl. Combined shipping available on multiple purchases.