This is my favorite album by my (gasp) favorite band EVER!! I know what you are thinking, because most people do when I say that, but that is okay, I can live with myself and that is all I really need.
Anyway, Paradise Theater is by far the best effort by Styx, the most cohesive grouping of songs and at the same time, the most diverse writings of the Group. From the opening rocker Rockin' the Paridise, to the eerie drug lament Snowblind, to one of the most famous of Styx songs, The Best of Times, the writing, production and overall musicianship are unmatched by any of their earlier and certainly their later albums. The songs seem to do less reflections on what could have beens and focus more on what is to come or what is, a rarity in the DeYoung/Shaw repitoir, and a nice departure that I wish they could have continued.
I first heard PT when I was a preteen on 8-track (!!) and was always so angry that I had to hear She Cares in two parts...the first time I heard it on cassette, it was a strange experience to be sure, but one well worth having waited for.
I highly recomend this album and would advise those that have only heard the most recent music from Styx that, though they are still good to listen to, when DeYoung/Shaw/Young were doing the writing together, they were amazing, and this was the point at which they were the best!!!

Recommended: Yes

Great Music to Play While: Hanging With Friends