Review Summary: One of classic rock's most underrated albums.
This album makes me angry. Furious even. Not because it’s bad. Actually, it’s just the opposite. It’s fantastic. It is such a great album, along with so many of other of Blue Ӧyster Cult albums, and not many know it. People know Blue Ӧyster Cult for about four songs. (Don’t Fear) The Reaper, Cities on Flame With Rock n’ Roll, Godzilla, and Burnin’ for You. All great songs in their own right, but no one knows the really great Blue Ӧyster Cult tunes. Songs like The Marshall Plan, Veteran of the Psychic Wars, and others. And this album has three or four of the Cult’s greatest songs. Blue Ӧyster Cult on this album is:
Eric Bloom- Vocals, Guitar
Joe Bouchard- Bass, Vocals, Guitar
Donald “Buck Dharma” Roeser- Lead Guitar, Vocals
Albert Bouchard- Drums, Vocals, Harmonica
Allen Lanier- Keyboard,Guitar
Spectres opens up with one of Blue Ӧyster Cult’s biggest hits, “Godzilla.” It rumbles along like the giant monster of the same name. This song really shows off Donald’s great guitar work, and this trait of Blue Ӧyster Cult carries throughout the whole album, having some of the Cult’s best guitar driven songs, like “Godzilla,” “Golden Age of Leather,” and “R. U. Ready to Rock?.”
But the one thing that always drew me to BӦC is the vocals. All of the songs on here have great vocal parts, and everyone really gives it their best shot. One of the main reason that Blue Ӧyster Cult never got big, even with tracks that seem tailor made to be hits like “Going Through the Motions,” is the dark atmosphere (at least for the time). And the vocals and soft guitars really accomplish this. Even the upbeat tracks like “Fireworks,” “Going Through the Motions,” and “R. U. Ready to Rock?” are rather dark and creepy. But the two songs that really accomplish this, and are some of the definitive Cult songs are “Nosferatu” and “I Love the Night.” In both these songs the vocals really carry the track, and are haunting and creepy. Particularly “I Love the Night,” which is one of the creepiest and most enjoyable songs I’ve ever listened to.
Another underrated part of an underrated band is the drumming. Albert Bouchard is a fantastic drummer, and he is one of my favorite drummers of all time. His drumming is always spot on for the song, and technical and demanding.
Any fan of classic rock, or even early heavy metal, should check this album out and become more familiar with one of the most underrated bands of all time.
Pros:
-Haunting and Creepy vocals
-Solid Guitar work
-Effective and technical drumming
Cons:
-Some songs aren’t particular standouts, and seem a little generic
Recommended Tracks:
I Love the Night
Golden Age of Leather
Fireworks
