"Pieces of Eight" is the eighth studio album by the American progressive rock band Styx, released in September 1978. Following the success of their previous album, "The Grand Illusion" (1977), "Pieces of Eight" also achieved triple platinum certification, largely due to the popularity of its hit singles "Blue Collar Man (Long Nights)" and "Renegade".
The album was produced and recorded by the band members themselves, a practice they had started with their previous three albums, at Paragon Studios in Chicago. Recording engineer Barry Mraz and mixing engineer Rob Kingsland were integral to the production process. "I'm O.K." was recorded at both Paragon and St. James Cathedral. Interestingly, "Pieces of Eight" marked the band's final album to be produced at Paragon Studios.
The album's cover art was created by Hipgnosis. Initially, Dennis DeYoung, the band's vocalist and keyboardist, expressed dislike for the cover. However, he later mentioned in a 1991 interview that his opinion had softened over time, and he eventually came to appreciate it.
"Pieces of Eight" remains a significant work in Styx's discography, showcasing their blend of progressive rock with accessible, radio-friendly tracks that solidified their commercial success during the late 1970s.
