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User
Soundoffs 1,054
Album Ratings 3871
Objectivity 79%
Last Active 09-03-22 1:19 am
Joined 05-26-14
Review Comments 2,472
| Blue Oyster Cult Albums: Worst to First
2nd Halloween themed list is a day late. Fuck it, whatever. | | 14 |  | Blue Oyster Cult
Curse of the Hidden Mirror
The closest BOC has ever gotten to a dud record. Their signature character is severely lacking here, only showing the occasional glimpse of something inspired. If there's one thing this band isn't; it's boring. But Curse of the Hidden Mirror comes damn close to it.
Best Track: The Old Gods Return
Grade: D- | | 13 |  | Blue Oyster Cult
Mirrors
Mirrors is pretty much BOC pussing out and releasing a bland pop record. The whole thing comes off as a lackluster attempt for mainstream radio play. While Mirrors is an underwhelming experience, it does contain a few gems like the KISS-esque Dr. Music and a great atmospheric track, The Vigil”.
Best Track: I Am the Storm
Grade: D | | 12 |  | Blue Oyster Cult
Club Ninja
Man, Club Ninja never gets the respect that it deserves. If you asked what BOC album is the worst 10/10 times the answer will be this record. Sure there is a healthy amount of filler in the second half, but the strong material on this album is really strong. Give this one another shot.
Best Track: Dancin’ in the Ruins
Grade:C- | | 11 |  | Blue Oyster Cult
Spectres
I know this record is regarded as one of their best, but I’d have to politely disagree. The record does contain 2 of their most popular tracks, but sadly they're just bookends. The rest of the material is sandwiched between these two colossal tracks, with everything in between the bread being pretty bland.
Best Track: Godzilla
Grade C- | | 10 |  | Blue Oyster Cult
Blue Öyster Cult
You know, for a debut this actually kicks some serious ass. This is by far their trippiest album, which makes it stand out from the rest of the bunch. The record is a bit proggy for my tastes, but it’s thankfully never obnoxious, boring, or pretentious like most prog-rock. Kinda hurts to put this so low on the list, but whatever.
Best Track: Cities on Flame With Rock and Roll
Grade: C+ | | 9 |  | Blue Oyster Cult
Tyranny and Mutation
The baby brother of the debut. Stylistically there isn’t much of a difference between the two records, but Tyranny and Mutation definitely seems more focused. A marked improvement, but a small one at that.
Best Track: Hot Rails to Hell
Grace: B- | | 8 |  | Blue Oyster Cult
Agents of Fortune
I fucking love the first half of this record. The second half does possess quite a bit of filler, but the filler on here is still pretty solid. I may not entirely agree with it’s “classic” status, but I won't argue against it either.
Best Track: E.T.I. (Extraterrestrial Intelligence)
Grade: B | | 7 |  | Blue Oyster Cult
Heaven Forbid
This album was definitely the biggest surprise in their discography. I was a little wary of this one due to it’s horrendous artwork, and the fact it is a BOC record from the 90s. To my surprise, this record is pretty fuckin solid. Heaven Forbid is the band’s darkest and heaviest record to date, possibly due to acclaimed science fiction writer, John Shirly, penning most of the lyrics for the record. Don’t skip over this one folks, it's damn satisfying.
Best Track: Power Underneath Despair
Grade: B | | 6 |  | Blue Oyster Cult
The Symbol Remains
Hell of a comeback, I must say. The 20 year wait definitely assured that they would have a large amount of inspired material ready to go. The record has a much harder edge than I was expecting, which was a very welcomed aspect . Finding a band from the 70s releasing an album of this magnitude in the current day is very hard to come by. Good on them.
Best Track: Edge of the World
Grade: B | | 5 |  | Blue Oyster Cult
Imaginos
BOC’s only concept record was originally meant to be the first in a proposed trilogy which sadly never came to fruition due to weak sales. It really is a shame, because this album’s narrative is pretty damn interesting. I would have loved to see what the other two records would have been like; but I’m pretty sure that's never gonna happen.
Best Track: The Siege and Investiture of Baron von Frankenstein's Castle at Weisseria
Grade: B+ | | 4 |  | Blue Oyster Cult
The Revölution by Night
Fuck you, I like Revolution By Night. I've given this record multiple listens attempting to find any glaring issues that may have led to its poor reputation; but I have yet to find them. This record is a fun time from start to finish, and contains easily some of the Cult’s catchiest tracks.
Best Track: Shooting Shark
Grade: B+ | | 3 |  | Blue Oyster Cult
Cultösaurus Erectus
Cultosaurus Erectus may not contain any hits, but it more than makes up for it with some of the band’s most interesting musical ideas, and fantastic lyrical storytelling. The whole album permeates with an adventurous and exciting energy that demands your attention and refuses to let up for one instant. Way too many people take a look at the tracklist, fail to recognize any recognizable tracks and just gloss over it entirely. It’s a shame because this record is one of their best.
Best Track: Monsters
Grade: A- | | 2 |  | Blue Oyster Cult
Fire of Unknown Origin
While it is pretty sad this was the last record the Cult put out before they completely lost relevance, it is also fitting that it be one of their greatest. FOUO is an immortal classic adorned with plentiful highlights, and regarded by many as their very best.
Best Track: Veteran of the Psychic Wars
Grade: A | | 1 |  | Blue Oyster Cult
Secret Treaties
A record with a cock and balls. Secret Treaties is by far BOC strongest LP; not only lacking filler, but lacking any weak track at all. Every single song on here is a certified hood classic, and is a must listen for anybody who wants to get probed by an alien. Highly recommended.
Best Track: Dominance and Submission
Grade: A+ | |
WeepingBanana
11.02.20 | 9>10>3>1 I wouldn’t know how to rank the rest tbh | SuzyC
11.02.20 | I completely agree with your choices for 1, 2, 3, and 5 in the same order. I'd put T&M at #4. Revolution and Club Ninja are among my least favorites (I effin love this band, BTW), so I took the strongest tracks from each and compiled a killer hour-long album "Club Revolution" for my iPod: (1) Take Me Away (2) White Flags (3) Shooting Shark (4) Dancin' in the Ruins (5) Veins (6) Perfect Water (7) Shadow of California (8) Feel the Thunder (9) Let Go (10) Spy in the House of the Night (11) Dragon Lady (12) Madness to the Method. | Sunnyvale
11.02.20 | 10 is my favorite, band rules | MetalMarcJK
11.03.20 | Great list. Can’t agree with such a high placing of RBN, but I can get behind all the other choices.
BÖC! | Minushuman24
11.03.20 | I think I disagree with almost all best track choices besides shooting shark lol
astronomyyyy, Joan Crawforddd, don't fear the reaperrrr, I love the nightttt, THEN CAME THE LAST DAYS OF MAY ugh | rockarollacola
11.03.20 | Sorry, big guy | ReturnToRock
11.24.20 | OHHHH NOOOO
THEY SAY HE'S GOTTA GO
GO, GO, GODZILLA!
OHHHH NOOOO
THERE GOES TOKYO
GO, GO, GODZILLA! | ReturnToRock
11.24.20 | SEASONS DON'T FEAR THE REAPER
NOR WIND, SUN OR RAIN
(Don'tfearthereapeeeeer)
COME ON, BABY
(Don'tfearthreapeeeeeer) | GhandhiLion
11.24.20 | weird ranking of their 70s albums. | Kilgoo
09.12.21 | For my musical sensibilities, "Secret Treaties" is #1 by a long shot. I love your top 5, though I would of replaced "Imaginos" with their debut record and then endless fret over the placement of 2 thru 5. Solid review. Cheers! | CaliggyJack
09.12.21 | 7 is their worst | Pikazilla
09.12.21 | 10 and 9 way to low |
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