Top tracks — play these first
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A Monster Start here — This track encapsulates the album's thematic exploration of inner struggles and societal issues through haunting melodies and introspective lyrics.
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Hold Back the Darkness — With its powerful instrumentation and soaring vocals, this song serves as a rallying cry against despair and showcases the band's signature sound.
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Common Ground — The optimistic message about unity and shared humanity combined with a catchy melody makes this track a standout anthem for contemporary listeners.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album combines melodic hard rock with progressive elements but lacks standout compositions.
What we noticed
- The album features a consistent use of layered harmonies, particularly in the choruses, which create anthemic moments throughout.
- Several tracks incorporate shifts in tempo and dynamics, with quieter verses leading into more powerful, climactic choruses.
- The lyrics often reflect contemporary themes, with a focus on resilience and unity, which is evident in multiple tracks.
- Composition 25% of the score
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6/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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7/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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6/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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5/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Little footprint beyond its audience. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- dynamic journey with emotional resolution
- wave-like pacing with peaks
- stories that evoke reflection
- short tracks for quick engagement
- anthems for collective sing-alongs
Maybe skip if you
- prefer instant gratification tracks
- dislike narrative-driven experiences
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Late Career Highlight — Shows Styx's continued relevance and creativity in a changing music landscape.
- Themes
- shared humanity· ambition and consequence· resilience in adversity
- Career context
- Released on June 18, 2021, 'Crash of the Crown' marks Styx's first studio album in four years, following their 2017 release 'The Mission'. This album arrives during a resurgence for the band, as they continue to evolve while maintaining their classic sound, appealing to both long-time fans and new listeners.
Moments worth listening for
Where the writing does something specific.
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Save Us From Ourselves
The chorus expresses a plea for redemption amidst chaos, shifting between personal and collective responsibility in its narrative.
This dual perspective invites listeners to reflect on both individual actions and broader societal issues, enhancing the emotional weight of the song.
Tracklist
- 1 The Fight of Our Lives 1:54
- 2 A Monster Start here 3:27
- 3 Reveries 3:03
- 4 Hold Back the Darkness 3:58
- 5 Save Us From Ourselves 3:02
- 6 Crash of the Crown 3:46
- 7 Our Wonderful Lives 3:06
- 8 Common Ground 4:00
- 9 Sound the Alarm 3:25
- 10 Long Live the King 2:33
- 11 Lost at Sea 0:38
- 12 Coming Out the Other Side 3:48
- 13 To Those 3:01
- 14 Another Farewell 0:26
- 15 Stream 2:56
If this landed
Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.
Leftoverture
Kansas
Both explore progressive rock with rich storytelling and themes of ambition and resilience.
The Ladder
Yes
Shares a dynamic blend of melodic storytelling and progressive elements, reflecting human experience.
Clockwork Angels
Rush
Combines a narrative-driven approach with themes of consequence and shared humanity in a progressive context.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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