Greatest Hits Part 2 (1996)
1.A.D. 1928
2.Rockin' The Paradise
3.Light Up
4.Sing For The Day
5.First Time
6.Mademoiselle
7.Snowblind
8.Boat On The River
9.Borrowed Time
10.Lights
11.Queen Of Spades
12.Love at First Sight
13.Haven't We Been Here Before
14.Superstars
15.Little Suzie
16.It Takes Love
A word of caution to the casual listener: Greatest Hits Part 2 is not, despite its misleading title, a continuation of its predecessor in any linear or chronological sense. Those expecting a seamless second volume of chart-dominating singles will instead find what amounts to a curated companion—a sort of odds-and-ends retrospective featuring tracks that may not have made Billboard blush, but have long since carved a niche among the faithful. A more accurate title might have been something like: “The Rest of Styx (That You May Have Missed But Really Shouldn't)”.
The collection emerged in the lead-up to a summer tour that exceeded virtually all expectations, even among the band themselves. Presumably sensing an opportunity, the label scrambled to attach something—anything—to the tour’s momentum. The result is this uneven, oddly satisfying batch of deeper cuts, radio near-misses, and a couple of well-timed new recordings.
Among the lesser-known singles, First Time, Sing for the Day, and Love at First Sight all make an appearance. While none were ever heavy radio staples, each has its defenders—and their inclusion here offers a pleasing sense of completeness. Elsewhere, tracks like Rockin' the Paradise, Queen of Spades, and Snowblind represent the sort of album cuts that, while never officially "hits", have taken on a life of their own in the band's live repertoire. That alone lends this compilation a surprising sense of legitimacy.
Of course, as is customary with these sorts of things, two “new” songs have been appended as incentive for longtime fans to part with another fifteen dollars. Ironically, both new tracks were written by Glen Burtnik—who had, by this point, already exited the band with the return of Tommy Shaw. Even more ironic: they’re actually quite good.
Little Suzie (originally titled Little Lucy’s Blues on Burtnik’s solo album) is a robust throwback to the Pieces of Eight era, complete with muscular guitar riffs and, yes, the unmistakable voice of Shaw himself, who returned to the microphone as though he’d never left. It’s an invigorating listen and, if nothing else, proof that the classic sound could still be conjured with the right ingredients. The second new song, It Takes Love, is a slower, contemporary ballad featuring DeYoung on vocals and—if whispers are to be believed—Burtnik on piano and the final falsetto sigh. If so, it’s a graceful final bow. The track itself is gentle, if slightly anonymous, and certainly leans more toward modern pop than classic rock.
Packaging, it must be said, is threadbare—no booklet, minimal design, and a general sense of “rush job.” But such gripes seem petty when the content itself is this solid. Fans may not have asked for Greatest Hits Part 2, but it ends up serving as a minor victory for the band and the catalog alike.
In short, not essential, but far from disposable. And in the vast terrain of “Part Twos,” that’s saying something.
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