Styx The Grand Illusion 1977 Original Vinyl Record

Styx The Grand Illusion 1977 Original Vinyl Record

Own this original 1977 pressing of Styx's breakthrough album The Grand Illusion! Featuring iconic tracks like “Come Sail Away” and “Fooling Yourself (The Angry Young Man),” this progressive rock masterpiece blends powerful anthems with deep themes of self-perception and success. A must-have for Styx fans and vinyl collectors, this classic record captures the essence of 1970s rock at its finest!

Cover: VG++
Inner Sleeve: VG++
Record: VG++
We conservatively grade our records.

Styx’s The Grand Illusion (1977 Original Vinyl Record) is the seventh studio album by the American rock band, released on July 7, 1977. This album is widely regarded as Styx’s breakthrough into mainstream success, blending progressive rock, hard rock, and pop elements into a signature sound that defined their career throughout the late '70s and '80s. The Grand Illusion is a concept album centered around themes of self-perception, success, and the superficial nature of fame.

Overview:

• Artist: Styx
• Album Title: The Grand Illusion
• Release Date: July 7, 1977
• Label: A&M Records
• Format: Vinyl
• Genre: Progressive Rock, Arena Rock

Notable Tracks:

1. “The Grand Illusion” – The album’s title track, setting the tone for the album’s themes of self-deception and societal illusions.
2. “Come Sail Away” – One of Styx’s biggest hits, this anthemic track starts as a soft piano ballad before transforming into a powerful rock anthem. It became a classic rock staple and remains one of the band’s most well-known songs.
3. “Fooling Yourself (The Angry Young Man)” – A progressive rock track with a synth-driven intro, it explores the theme of self-doubt and overcoming personal challenges.
4. “Miss America” – A harder-edged rock song with biting lyrics that criticize the shallow side of fame and beauty pageants.

Musical Style:

The Grand Illusion fuses progressive rock's complexity with catchy melodies and arena rock's powerful, anthemic sound. Styx uses lush synthesizers, intricate guitar work, and multi-part vocal harmonies, showcasing the band’s musical versatility. Lyrically, the album addresses themes of personal growth, fame, and disillusionment, making it a deeply reflective yet accessible record.

Album Artwork:

The album’s cover art, designed by Alton Kelley and Stanley Mouse, features an ornate painting of a young woman in a tranquil forest scene, with surreal and illusionary elements that match the album’s theme. The original 1977 vinyl pressing comes in a striking gatefold sleeve, adding to its appeal for collectors.

Reception & Legacy:

The Grand Illusion was both a critical and commercial success, reaching No. 6 on the Billboard 200 and eventually going triple platinum. It is considered one of Styx's finest albums and a defining record of the late 1970s progressive and arena rock era. The album cemented Styx's status as one of the top rock bands of the time, with “Come Sail Away” becoming one of the most enduring songs in classic rock history.

For collectors, the 1977 original vinyl pressing of The Grand Illusion is a highly sought-after item, representing a key moment in Styx's rise to fame and a classic of 1970s rock music

Record grading:

• Mint (M): Absolutely perfect in every way, likely never played, and still sealed.

• Near Mint (NM or M-): Nearly perfect. The record shows no obvious signs of wear and looks as if it was just opened. No visible marks or scratches.

• Very Good Plus (VG+): Shows slight signs of use, such as light scuffs or very minor scratches, but plays without any major deterioration in sound quality.

• Very Good (VG): Noticeable wear with some surface noise, light scratches, or groove wear, but still plays through without skipping.

• Good/Good Plus (G/G+): The record plays but with significant surface noise, scratches, and wear. The cover may have visible damage or splits.

• Fair/Poor (F/P): The record may be damaged and is barely playable. Typically used only for highly collectible records.

Cover grading:

• Mint (M): The cover is flawless, with no signs of wear. Often still sealed with no corner dings, creases, or ring wear.

• Near Mint (NM or M-): The cover looks almost new, with only the slightest signs of handling. There may be very minimal wear, but no significant flaws like writing, splits, or tears.

• Very Good Plus (VG+): The cover shows light wear, such as minor scuffing, small corner creases, or slight ring wear. No major damage, but a well-cared-for album with minor imperfections.

• Very Good (VG): Moderate wear is visible, including ring wear, light edge or corner damage, small seam splits, or slight discoloration. Still presentable but clearly used.

• Good/Good Plus (G/G+): The cover shows significant wear, such as noticeable ring wear, seam splits, heavy creasing, or writing. It may still hold together but looks heavily worn.

• Fair/Poor (F/P): The cover is heavily damaged, with major seam splits, tears, extensive writing, water damage, or severe ring wear. It may barely hold together or be incomplete.