Where is “Get On It”?
3
By wvbrucefan
I only give this 3 stars because it does not include “Get On It” which I think was the best song on the album. Probably not included because of their differences with Dawayne Bailey who wrote the song and was the guitarist at the time. I will stick with the bootleg copy which includes “Get On This”.
no respect
5
By boybasset
By 1993 Chicago had been at work for 25 years; where is the respect from their record company to put out what they had recorded?
Better late than never
4
By Awesoman
STONE OF SISYPHUS was a major turning point for Chicago. The band had exhausted their success they had in the 80's with power ballads that were heavy on radio airplay but light on substance or integrity. Realizing a change was in order, the band proceeded in the early 90's to record an album that was a complete departure from their previous few albums. However the record label rejected it, the album was shelved, and Chicago would semi-retire from recording any new original music. This album would sit in the vaults unreleased until the band unexpectedly released it in 2008.
STONE OF SISYPHUS is not exactly a proper "return to form" to the progressive jazz-rock roots the band was founded on. However it is very much an album where the main goal was not to make music aimed for airplay on your AC radio stations; instead it was a real attempt by the band to focus on music they wanted to make. And although it has its shortcomings, it is a breath of fresh air. It is easily a better album than the group's follow-up, XXX, and is one of the best albums they've recorded in the last 20 years.
All the bandmembers had something to offer: Robert Lamm returns to his political roots with "All The Years", Jason Scheff provides some great vocals on "The Pull", and he and Bill Champlin bring the funk with "Mah-Jong". Other highlights include "Here With Me (A Candle For The Dark)", a ballad that (unlike many Chicago ballads) actually has substance and features all three vocalists. Arguably the best song on the album is "Plaid"; a rare collaboration between Champlin and Lamm that explores the band's frustration of being pigeon-holed as a 80's power-ballad band. SOS is not without its low points however. Some of the songs haven't aged well; most specifically Robert Lamm's ridiculous "rap" song, "Sleeping In The Middle of the Bed Again" (a much superior version of this song is found on his solo album, IN MY HEAD).
While this album is hardly a lost masterpiece like the Beach Boys' SMiLE, it is still a very solid album that explores a very transitional period for the band.
Hm.. I mean... Ok.
3
By Jasun
As long as you keep telling yourself that this album was recorded nearly 20 years ago as the over-produced sound of the 80s was crushed by Nirvana and Pearl Jam... you'll understand this.. a bit more.
I think.
It's like someone locked them in a studio with the sound tracks of Pretty Woman and Dirty Dancing and then told them "Pop is dead... give us something arty." They went slightly insane and tried to rehash the works of Asia and ELP. And maybe Level 42. And those two funky Scritti Politti albums.
Nothing a few bran muffins couldn't cure.
There actually are a few good songs on this and in 1987 this would have been a good followup to their commercial peak of "Chicago 18." Or... was it 17. The David Foster one.
But yeah... trying to put this monstrous juggernaut of reverb and compression and polished everything on the market against Hole, Nine Inch Nails and Smashing Pumpkins? 1994 wouldn't have just been the release year, it would have been the world-wide sales figures, too.
GREAT ALBUM
5
By BigSinghPahelwan
Finally...the album I've been waiting for. Not to knock their light AC stuff, but this one is more of the Chicago I like.
One of Their Best, At Long Last!
5
By Rodbender2001
Why Warner wouldn't let them release this in 1993 is best descibed by greed and stupidity. This is certainly one of their best albums, certainly one of their most musicly solid. I got a very good bootleg from someone who got it from DaWain Bailey and have listened to it for years. Finally, a record company who appreciates good music has released this great album.. Thank you Rhino!
Time to enjoy retirement
1
By MoonPatrol
This band has passed their prime many years ago and if they were smart they would have quit while they were ahead. I would rather be listening to other groups with my time. There might be one or 2 songs here that are bearable, but the drums are unimaginative and bass is more style than form. Don't buy this one save your money.
not the chicago everyone loves
2
By musicjunkeeee88
honestly...im the bigest chicago fan you will find...but this album is terrible. i was excited when i heard they were coming out with a new album when i saw them in concert with the doobie brothers...then i bought it and i can't even say i like one song. come on chicago! i know you have better in you than this! it really surprises me when i see the avg. rating to be 4 out of 5 stars. click yes if you agree!
Stone of Sisyphus
4
By peteset10match
I've been a Chicago fan since from the time I was a teenager to my adult years.The long time iconed band has contributed many hits through the years.With the release of this album,this group is long overdue for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.And the late guitarist Terry Kath will be smiling from the sky for the group's induction.I know it will Maka Me Smile.
Chicago: Still great after 40 years!
5
By Ragingbooshbag
I actually bought this to get it signed when I saw them in CT. I started listening to it and it was an instant hit in my book. I like every song except for one. The Pull, Stone of Sisyphus, Plaid, The Show Must Go On, and Mahjong are the best. A little different sound from their older stuff, but definitely worth it to have!
stone of sisyphus
5
By hitmastermike
SoS is a great album. Chicago has managed to stay current. The first 10 albums were awesome, 17 and 18 they reemerged as a relevant hit maker, SoS is Chicago reinventing themselves. It is about time this cd was released. Jason Schempt may not be Peter Cetera, but he is damn close. The horns Robert Lamm and Bill Champlain are still awesome.
Best ever?
5
By Grand Illusionist
This is by far one of the best Chicago albums I have heard (post-Cetera). It's rockin' from start to finish. I could have done without the three demo's but the Love is Forever demo is one of the best tracks on here. This one truly ranks up there with the likes of Chicago 17 and Chicago Transit Authority. A must have for any Chicago fan :)
Should have been released years ago
4
By rockisgeorge
I have to agree that this is not a great representation of Chicago circa 1992. But if you've stuck with the band since then, this is what Chicago is today. More brass, more diversity, and signature melodies and hooks dominate Stone of Sisyphus. Don't get confused though, this is not Chicago's greatest work, but it is truly a lost treasure that has finally gotten it's due. By the way, what happened to Chicago XXXI?
Will never touch the pre-Terry Kath band
2
By gewurz03
There seems to be two types of Chicago fan; pre- and post-Terry Kath. Being in the former, I am not gushing over SOS. If the horns were to return to their glory, we'd have sounds like CTA-Chicago XI produced. I would advise any pre-Terry fans to check out the California Transit Authority's CD. With Danny Seraphine anchoring the group, there is someone who remembers what music sounded like prior to 1978. Too bad the band hyped SOS for so long. As previously noted, it could have stayed on the shelf.
Thank you, Sir Peter Wolf !!!
5
By punter king
fantastic arrangements and brilliant production.
More low than high moments but a few great tracks..
3
By The Class_rox
Here we have the only other new release after the not-so-great 21 in 1991 and the "just-ok" Chicago XXX in 2006. This does not include the 1995 big band release, Night and Day.
With Sisyphus, I knew that we'd be getting a mini-jump back in time, as this was recorded in 1993. I was very happy to learn that it was going to be unlike 21, which, like Crystal Pepsi, was an experiment gone horribly wrong.
In the world of music, if I like at least half of the songs on an album, it's worthy of at least four stars. With many Chicago records, I like over half of the songs on every album. I really wanted to enjoy this unreleased gem.
Here I can only get excited about a few: Stone of Sisyphus, Mai Jong, and the bonus track version of Mai Jong. That's it. Not a lot to get excited about here. That's way lower than I expected with all the buzz this album was getting.
*sigh*
The rest sounds TOO MUCH like run of the mill early 90s pop, and the fact that it's CHICAGO does not give it any extra stars. It's not that the early 90s was a bad era, it's just that a lot of the tunes on this album are not "stand up and cheer" music that we would be getting excited about. Sure, there are ballads...they just are not that great. Yes, there are rock songs that go against the grain of 21 but they just don't come off as memorable must-hear tracks.
Chicago fans will be adding SOS to their collection. Let's see how our guys soldier on after this one.
Good, but expecting more
4
By Split second horns
First off the negative. When I heard this was being released, after hearing all the stories why it wasn't released, I expected a total departure or change in the direction of Chicago. Unfortunately, that is not the result of this album. There is some differences in some of the songs, but for the most part this sounds like a Chicago album. I was hoping they would use Dawayne Bailey more on this release and return to the guitar driven sound that was such a staple of their early work. The second negative point is that some of the songs sound like they would be secondary songs on Robert Lamm's or Bill Champlin's solo projects. And the last negative point is petty, but Mah-Jong? Talk about cursing a song before it's even played. I doubt we would have given a song like If you leave me now a chance with a title as dumb as Mah-Jong.
Now the positive. As a horn player, the Chicago horns are all over this album, and I love it. Jimmy, Lee and Walt are at the top of their craft and the arrangements are awesome! Another positive is the vocals. Jason Scheff hasn't sounded this good since the Night and Day album. Robert shows off the vocal range we came to expect after the early Chicago albums. Champlin is Champlin, and I'd pay to hear him sing the phone book. Lastly I must give props to Tris Imboden. I hope Chicago fans realize how lucky they are to have a drummer like Tris in the band. He glides effortlessly from style to style.
I would recommend this to true Chicago fans, but if you are new to the party (how could you be?) I would start with something else.
Perhaps, before, or After its time..
5
By TickerDS
let me start by saying this is not a great album.... But I think its not getting its due. This is much better than Chicago's last CD, which was grossly out of touch with modern sound, recording and editing styles.
Chicago could still record one final great album if they only hired a modern producer who would let them make a soft jazz album that was not full of attempted power ballads. The electric ballads of old do not work anymore. Play Rock and Roll, play Jazz, but don't force songs like Chicago did on the last CD. Add some growl to the songs, not just high pitched synth sounds or pop beats.... put some heart back into the band.
One of the top 25 groups of all time deserves a better ending to their CD/Album list than this or the previous CD.
What??
1
By Fair Man
Hardly worth the wait. It really leaves you feeling empty inside after listening to the CD a few times as there is no artistic quality to the "music" at all. A few of the horn parts sound very digital and canned. Yes, it should have been left on the shelf. I was unable to give this CD a lower rating.
