Tommy Shaw Albums (5)
'Hallucination'
Release Date 1/1/2006
Tracks 11
Label Rhino/Warner Bros.
See Album Tracklist and Review
'7 Deadly Zens'
Release Date 6/30/1998
Tracks 12
Label CMC International
See Album Tracklist and Review
What The Critics Say
Returning to solo action after over a decade of rest and/or membership in Damn Yankees, Tommy Shaw came up with his best solo album to date with 7 Deadly Zens. Granted, that's not necessarily an earth-shaking accomplishment. While each of his albums had its moments, they were brought down by uneven songwriting and a canned AOR sound. With 7 Deadly Zens, he turned things around somewhat. While he didn't leave behind the arena rock, power ballads, and AOR crunch that made his name, he managed to refine the sound and, more importantly, turned in his best set of songs ever. There's nothing revelatory on 7 Deadly Zens -- just a sturdy set of hard rock that has effective, memorable hooks and riffs. If he does sound a little old for all this stuff, he makes up for it with his solid songs. It's a trade-off, but one that's worth making. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
Tommy Shaw takes a new direction on this album, getting outside producer Terry Taylor to help. Taylor's production makes Ambition sound less like Tommy Shaw and more like early-'90s {$Bad Company. ~ David White, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
Tommy Shaw's first solo project outside of Styx was a rather accomplished one, although neither the critics nor the charts would say so. Only the title track, a witty pop effort fueled by its excitable keyboard boisterousness and Shaw's high-pitched vocal gust broke the Top 40, edging in at number 33. While the album only made it to number 50 on the charts, it enabled Shaw to perform for the first time without DeYoung's influence, drawing more attention to his style of guitar-infused rock with a punch. The songs on Girls With Guns are invigorating and guitar savvy, while even the ballads are a refreshing change from the mawkish love song gushiness (with "Babe" and "Don't Let It End" being prime examples) of Styx. Tracks such as "Come In and Explain" and "Outside in the Rain" are far from commonplace rock, thanks to the elevating keyboard work from Peter Wood and Shaw's colorful guitar riffs that never stop moving. "Lonely School" is a well-written ballad with direction, and both "Kiss Me Hello" and "Fading Away" unveil Shaw's creativity and tendency to add some texture to what would otherwise be the guitar rock norm. Much of what Tommy Shaw contributed to Styx since joining the band in 1976 crops up here -- a sleek guitar edge, crisp vocals, and a witty lyrical awareness, but the absence of Styx musicians and Dennis DeYoung's effusiveness can be felt to a certain extent. ~ Mike DeGagne, All Music Guide
