Blue Öyster Cult's debut, their self entitled album was released far before Walken got to say those famous words: "More Cowbell." Released from Columbia records in 1972,
Blue Öyster Cult has as much darkness and psychadelic blues as their later releases.
Blue Öyster Cult:
Donald "Buck Dharma" Roeser - Lead guitar, vocals
Eric Bloom - Vocals, stun guitar
Allen Lanier - Keyboards, guitar
Albert Bouchard - drums, percussion
Joe Bouchard - bass, vocals
Transmaniacon MC -
One of Roeser's brilliant riffs. A great album opener. Bloom and Lanier both add their own guitars to the mix, while the Bouchard brothers keep a steady rythem section, but that doesn't mean Joe can't be too intracit with his bass lines.
5/5
I'm on the Lamb, but I Ain't No Sheep -
Later rewritten into "The Red and the Black" on
Tyranny and Mutation, this song has a decent riff, but the better parts are the guitar fills supplied by Roeser. Clever and well done outro.
3.5/5
Then Came the Last Days of May -
A fantastic ballad with great guitar virtuoso. Sung by Roeser with a great following of the music. Rivaled by the later "I Love the Night" featured on
Spectres. At this point, the listener should realize that Blue Öyster Cult is not just another 70's motorcycle rock band.
5/5
Stairway to the Stars -
A decent riff from Roeser, but the best is the guitar solo backed by upright piano chords from Lanier, and followed by Bloom muttering "You boys get on out of here." Singing throughout the song is fantastic. The lyrics are about the arrogance of superstars and how great it is to be that superstar.
4/5
Before the Kiss, A Redcap -
A funky song sung by Roeser, complete with a smooth bass solo followed by a boogie bop vocal and guitar. The bass solo makes the song. A redcap is a muderous goblin, elf, or fairy that soaks its cap in its victim's blood (making it red). Even though they wear iron boots, they are quite fast and impossible to outrun. Also a redcap is the British nickname for a military policeman.
4/5
Screams -
Sung and written by Joe Bouchard, this song has a below average intro with ambient vocals, but then goes into a dark verse. Following is a fitting guitar solo over a walking bass and drum section.
4/5
She's as Beautiful as a Foot -
The weakest song on the album. Boring and just creepy lyrics. The music is reminiscent of the Doors, but Bloom cannot pull off any Jim Morrison type singing. The interludes are very good with delicate piano chords from Lanier and Roeser's guitar tapping.
3/5
Cities on Flame With Rock and Roll -
Dark riff supplied by Roeser; vocals supplied by Albert Bouchard. Dramatic change from verse to chorus. Chorus undertoned by guitar fill, then followed by above average guitar solo. Great bass line throughout.
4.5/5
Workshop of the Telescopes -
Decent song completed with wondering guitar fills. Uninteresting and dull in some parts. Lacking much of the good bass featured in other songs. The lyrics are the most science fictional of the album. The title was later for a greatest hit compliation.
3/5
Redeemed -
A pretty poppy song (for Blue Öyster Cult). With three-part harmony parts. Doesn't fit in so well with the rest of the album. Acoustic guitar almost makes the listener forget that Bloom is singing about goblins.
3/5
The following songs are featured on the Columbia Legacy re-release of this album. (All songs are previously unreleased)
Donovan's Monkey -
Could be confused for a Steppenwolf song if not for Roeser far more complex guitar parts. Joe Bouchards bass fills towards the end are quite well timed. Quite up-beat sounding for Blue Öyster Cult, but the lyrics downplay that as well. Written and recorded while they were still Stalk-Forrest Group, but was never released through Elecktra.
3.5/5
What is Quicksand? -
A poppy song with annoying voice and two and three part vocal harmonies. The guitar parts are very much like those of the sixties. Written and recorded while they were still Stalk-Forrest Group, but was never released through Elecktra.
3/5
A Fact About Sneakers -
This song could actually fit in with this album's original releases. Quirky piano and bass part throughout. Written and recorded while they were still Stalk-Forrest Group, but was never released through Elecktra.
3.5/5
Betty Lou's Got A New Pair of Shoes
The cover the Bobby Freeman song. Sounds straight out of the those fire fifties. If you're into that sort of thing, you might just like it. Piano part is Jerry Lee Lewis style. Nice to hear a band try something completely uncharacteristic.
3.5/5
Overall:
A good debut from the band that brought us "(Don't Fear) The Reaper". Highlight tracks are "Transmanaicon MC", "Then Came the Last Days of May", and "Cities on Flame with Rock and Roll". The 'poor' tracks are "She's as Beautiful as a Foot" and "Redeemed". The previously unreleased tracks don't hurt for those who are slight Blue Öyster Cult fans.
This album is great for those who have boughten a BÖC compliation and wanted to learn and listen to more of the American Black Sabbath. The same goes for
Tyranny and Mutation, Secret Treaties, and
Agents of Fortune.
4/5
