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• 5.0 out of 5 stars One time Styx mastermind's solo debut is still a masterpiece 25 years later

  Reviewed in the United States on March 28, 2009

  One time Styx keyboard player/singer/songwriter Dennis DeYoung released his first solo album Desert Moon in September of 1984.
  The album came to be after Dennis' Styx bandmate guitarist/singer/songwriter Tommy Shaw walked from the band during the mixing sessions of the band's Caught in the Act double live album. After Tommy resigned, guitarist James "JY" Young and The Panozzo brothers (John on drums and Chuck on bass guitar) wanted to push Styx forward but Dennis said no. Until Tommy was ready to come back, Dennis went in the studio in the spring of 1984 to record his first solo album producing, playing keyboards, singing and writing all of the tracks (except as noted). Helping Dennis was guitarist Tom Dziallo (who is still Dennis' guitarist in his solo band), drummer Tom Radtke and sax-man Steve Eisen (who appeared on the final three Styx albums of the classic lineup).
  I was first exposed to the album thanks to (partially being a Styx fan by this point at age 8) and also the title cut's exposure on MTV and I got the 45 with Desert Moon and Gravity. A week later, I got the album on cassette tape in December, 1984 and managed to wear this album out. For years tried to replace but only could get cassettes and then A&M Records re-released the album with remastered sound in 2001 on CD and what an album.
  We open with the rocker "Don't Wait For Heroes" which is inspirational and fun and the second single from the album. The video for this said what the lyrics stated the real winners "are losers who get up and give it one more try" and a message that rings true to those who had to overcome being told no. Next is another up-tempo rocker in "Please" which features Rosemary Butler (famed for her duet vocal on Jackson Browne's "Stay" on his Running on Empty album in 1977 and her work with Linda Ronstadt) duetting with Dennis and the song rocks. Next is the 80s New Wave rock style meets 50s style singing Broadway number "Boys Will Be Boys" which is a fun and uplifting number and a guilty pleasure of mine. The first side ends with "Fire" which is a bluesy remake of the 1967 Jimi Hendrix original (and yes, it does indeed hold its own) and Tommy Dziallo did the bluesy arrangement of this track.
  The second side starts with Desert Moon's title track which reached #10 on the Billboard singles chart which speaks of the things one lost from childhood and gained from adulthood though memories from the past don't leave. Next is "Suspicious" which is a nice mid-tempo number and features great guitar work from Dziallo and a superb synthesizer solo at the end from DeYoung. Next is "Gravity" which is another great rocker and an awesome song. We close the album with the ballad "Dear Darling (I'll Be There)".
  Desert Moon was Dennis' first, and to date only, successful project outside of Styx. The album hit #29 on the Billboard album charts and sold over 500,000 copies going Gold in the process. For those who want Dennis DeYoung solo works outside of Styx go with this album and the upcoming One Hundred Years From Now (which is his best solo work since this album).
  Highly recommended!
  

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• 5.0 out of 5 stars A teens review

  Reviewed in the United States on June 26, 2005

  Desert Moon is one of the best albums ever made! Every song on it is cleverly written and has a wonderful sound! Don't Wait for Heroes gives a great message and is definately the best song (musically) that Dennis ever wrote! Please is a striking upbeat duet. The girls voice matches well with Dennis DeYoungs. Boys will be boys is a fun song that might be considered cheesy but i think it's wonderful! Fire is a song that pumps you up and the guitars are fabulous on it! Desert Moon is the hit from this album. It's a more slow song but not boring. Suspicious and gravity have clever lyrics and are exciting to listen to. Dear Darling (I'll be there) is a gorgeous slow song! This cd will knock you to the floor when you first hear it. This cd is a lot more pop sounding than Styx. I'm very glad that Dennis made this cd. It will make your life worth living if you buy it!
  

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• 4.0 out of 5 stars 4 1/2 stars--Best DDY solo effort

  Reviewed in the United States on June 16, 2003

  I am a Styx fan before I am a Dennis DeYoung fan, but I to this day love Dennis' voice. I especially enjoy this first solo album of his as a fantastic slice of pop/rock. After having it on cassette for years, I was very pleased to see it finally available on CD.
  Now obviously, I love the top 10 hit title track. For sure, that beautiful song showcases Dennis' emotional, melodic, soulful vocals at their best. However, I also love the catchy opener "Don't Wait For Heros", one of only a handful of rocking DDY solo songs. "Fire" is a bluesy delight, while "Gravity" is a mystical slice of pop. Even the ridiculously goofy "Boys Will Be Boys", which is kind of a rocker of sorts, is a lot of fun to listen to. The closing track "Dear Darling" is a very sweet ballad to close the album.
  Don't expect a hard rock album with this effort, because it's not that at all. What you have here is a melodic pop/rock delight that is already well outside of the Styx realm. While later DDY solo efforts probably mellow out too much overall, this one still has some kick in places. Call my overall grade 4 1/2 stars, as it falls a bit short of most of the best Styx efforts. Still well worth a listen for fans of that golden voice.
  

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• 5.0 out of 5 stars Very good CD

  Reviewed in the United States on September 21, 2020

  Dennis De Young is a very talented composer and artist. Thoroughly enjoy his music.
  

• 5.0 out of 5 stars Good effort

  Reviewed in the United States on July 2, 2006

  Dennis DeYoung, formerly member of Styx, produced some solo albums before he left the group definitely. The present one was edited in 1983. This musician amalgamated various styles, some of them coming out from his classical formation. There are parts that sound as if you were listening to a Styx' album but in global terms, it is a very intimate work. Arrangements are clever. You may enjoy this one without being a DeYoung fan.
  

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• 5.0 out of 5 stars Incredible talent

  Reviewed in the United States on July 29, 2010

  Cannot believe that after all of these years, he can still sing so well. Many musicians from the 70s and 80s can still play--but the voice is usually the first thing to go. There are some great "Stix-like" songs; some with a classic Stix feel, and others that are just good contemporary music. A great recording.
  

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• 4.0 out of 5 stars Good Album, Good Songs.

  Reviewed in the United States on July 1, 2018

  Ya gotta give Dennis credit. He has the talent to come up with some pretty good material and this album proves just that. Some good tracks here make it very listenable. He certainly can produce material that is original, and still have that Styx-like flavor added in. If you're a Styx fan, it's kind of hard to imagine you not enjoying this album as well.
  

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