line up 1 () as Stalk Forrest Group

- Eric Bloom -- vocals, rhythm guitar, synthesizers

- Albert Bouchard -- drums, percussion, backing vocals

- Joe Bouchard -- bass, keyboards, backing vocals

- Allen Lanier -- keyboards, rhythm guitar

- Donald Roeser (aka Buck Dharma)-- vocals, lead guitar

  line up 1 () as Blue Oyster Cult

- Eric Bloom -- vocals, rhythm guitar, synthesizers

- Albert Bouchard -- drums, percussion, backing vocals

- Joe Bouchard -- bass, keyboards, backing vocals

- Allen Lanier -- keyboards, rhythm guitar

- Donald Roeser (aka Buck Dharma) -- vocals, lead guitar

  supporting musicians: (1979)

- Ellen Foley -- backing vocals

- Mickey Raphael -- harmonica

- Genya Ravan -- backing vocals

- Wendy Webb -- backing vocals

- Jai Winding -- strings

  line up 1 (1983) 

- Eric Bloom -- vocals, guitar, synthesizers

- Joe Bouchard -- vocals, bass, keyboards

NEW - Rick Downey -- drums, percussion (replaced 

  Albert Bouchard)

- Allen Lanier -- keyboards, rhythm guitar

- Donald "Buck Dharma" Roeser -- vocals, guitar

  supporting musicians: (1983)

- Mark Baum -- sax

- Larry Fast -- synthesizers

- Randy Jackson -- bass

- Aldo Nova -- guitar, synthesizers

- Gregg Winter -- backing vocals

- Albert Bouchard (solo efforts)

- Buck Dharma (solo effort)

- Soft White Underbelly

- Stalk Forrest Group

Genre: rock

Rating: 3 stars ***

Title: Tyranny and Mutation

Company: Columbia

Catalog: C
Year: 1973

Country/State: Long Island, NY

Grade (cover/record): VG+/VG+

Comments: original pressing with gimmick inner label

Available: 1

Catalog ID: 1324

Price: $10.00

Blue Oyster Cult's sophomore album, 1973's "Tyranny and Mutation" continued their partnership with producers Sandy Pearlman and Murray Krugman (Pearlman co-writing most of the material with the band).  Largely written while touring in support of the debut album, the results were surprisingly impressive; more hard rocking than the debut, if equally cryptic and frustrating to decipher.   In fact, I can remember spending hours in college trying to figure out what the world some of these tunes were about - '', '', and '' were the subject to extensive debate with sex, drugs, rock and roll, and more sex being the usual explanations we came up with.  Some big BOC fan will know the true inspirations ...  write me.   Anyhow, from a lyrical standpoint, imagine a far darker and ominous version of early Steely Dan and you'll get a feel for some of the tunes.   At the same time, don't be expecting any Becker and Fagen styled jazz-rock moves on these two sides. This was straight ahead hard rock with 

"Tyranny and Mutation" track listing:
(side 1)

1.) The Red and the Black (Albert Bouchard - Eric Bloom - Sandy Pearlman) - 4:20

'The Red and the Black' was essentially a remake of the debut album's 'I'm on the Lamb But I Ain't No Sheep'.  Ah, BOC at their ominous, enigmiatic, and mindless best ...  with lyrics like "Canadian mounted baby, a police force that works Red and black, that's their color scheme Get their man, in the end. It's all" right."  how could you go wrong ?  As I said, heavy metal for folks who don't like heavy metal.   It was recorded nearly a decade later with a different line-up, but YouTube had a clip of the band performing the tune at a 1981 date at the Hollywood Sportatorium  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-XboGacOqHk   rating: **** stars

2.) O.D.'d On Life Itself  (Albert Bouchard - Joe Bouchard - Sandy Pearlman) - 4:47

Nice snarling rocker that showcased the band's surprisingly commercial edge and nice backing vocals.  The song's been a longtime staple in their live show.   rating: *** stars

3.) Hot Rails To Hell (Joe Bouchard) - 5:12

Who said a bass player couldn't write a decent rocker ?   One of Joe Bouchards classic contributions to the band's catalog and another track that remains in their current live performance catalog.  rating: **** stars

4.) 7 Screaming Diz-Buster (Albert Bouchard - Joe Bouchard - Donald Roser - Sandy Pearlman) - 7:01

Yes it was apparently intended as an instrumental showcase with everyone getting a moment in the sun,, though clocking in at seven minutes it went on way too long and started to get lost around the four minute mark.  Still Don Roeser got more than his allotted spotlight time.   Just be thankful since there's a 14 minute live version out there).   Columbia also tapped the song as the album's single.  rating: *** stars

(side 2)
1.) Baby Ice Dog  (Albert Bouchard - Eric Bloom - Patti Smith) - 3:29

Hum, Patti Smith co-wrote ...  well, makes sense given she was dating keyboard player Allan Lanier at the time.  

2.) Wings Wetted Down (Albert Bouchard - Joe Bouchard) - 4:12

An almost petty melody complete with howling dogs, dark fantasy lyrics (supposedly inspired by Chilean poet Pablo Neruda), and accompanied by Roeser's buzz saw guitar ...   what's going on here ?  

3.) Teen Archer (Don Roeser - Eric Bloom - Richard Meltzer) - 3:57

Hum, anyone want to take a guess about the plotline ?   "Ballin' all night, ballin' all day, she won't ball on me ..."

4.) Mistress of the Salmon Salt (Quicklime Girl)  (Albert Bouchard - Sandy Pearlman) - 5:08

Genre: rock

Rating: 3 stars ***

Title: The Revolution By Night

Company: Columbia

Catalog: FC 38947
Year: 1983

Country/State: Long Island, NY

Grade (cover/record): VG+/VG+

Comments: original inner custom sleeve

Available: 1

Catalog ID: 1821

Price: $20.00

Like a sizeable portion of their audience, 1981's "Fire of Unknown Origin" brought me back into the BOC family.   Given I'd enjoyed that album (I even bought a copy of the 'Burnin' for You' single), I remember having high hopes for the 1983 follow-up "The Revolution By Night".  

Produced by Bruce Fairbairn (then hot from his work with Loverboy), the album's always struck me as being kind of an aural mess.   Musically you could hear the group struggling to find a sweet spot between commercial viability (everyone likes a big paycheck), while staying true to their dark art.   One of the biggest problems is they seemingly gave producer Fairbairn way too much freedom; the result being an album that may have sounded cutting edge in 1983, but today sounds hopelessly dated.  I guess you couldn't blame Fairbairn for deciding his mission was to turn BOC into Loverboy.  Pity new drummer Rick Downey (who'd replaced the recently fired Albert Bouchard), who was apparently told syndrums were the future.  Elsewhere Bouchard's departure left the band one short in the songwriter department which probably explains the album's heavy (if unwarranted) reliance on outside support, including Aldo Nova, Neal Smith (one time Alice Cooper drummer), and Broadway Blotto.  There was even a track from Doobie Brothers drum technician Gregg Winter.  Yeah, there were a couple of noteworthy performances that deserved to be included in the band's catalog - the lone Eric Bloom composition 'Feel the Thunder' (a motorcycle culture update to 'Ghostriders In the Sky') was killer. Joe Bouchard's mainstream ballad 'Light Years of Love' was beautiful (if unexpected).  'Shooting Shark' their collaboration with Patti Smith was interesting and 'Shadow of California' had a bit of dark edge to it.  Unfortunately you had to wade through corporate rockers like 'Take Me Away', Eyes On fire', and the bizarre 'Let Go' to get to them.  Probably not the BOC album for a casual fan, or a neophyte to start with.  

In spite of Columbia's efforts to push the album, it proved a commercial disappointment, peaking at # 93 on the US album charts.  

"The Revolution By Night" track listing:
(side 1)

1.) Take Me Away (Eric Bloom - Aldo Nova) - 4:26  rating: *** stars

Your standard slice of aliens-come-take-me-away rock.   It wasn;t bad in a mid-'80s FM fashion.   Nice hook.  The band certainly had high hopes for the tune, filming what's got to be one of the unintentionally funniest videos you'll ever see.  But then what do you do when they grab your girlfriend and she discovers the aliens are BOC ?   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y1NYhbiiiFw    Columbia also had high hopes, tapping the song as the LP's second single:

- 1984's 'Take Me Away' b/w 'Let Go' (Columbia catalog number 38-04435)

2.) Eyes On Fire (Gregg Winter) - 3:51  rating: ** stars

I clearly remember hearing this tune on a local FM station and thinking it was a Jefferson Starship song.   Today it reminds me of third rate Journey.  Yeah, it was that bad in an '80s corporate rock vein.   I guess if they were looking for some sort of plausible deniability they could at least claim they didn't write this horrible song - blame Doobie Brothers drum technician Gregg Winter. 

3.) Shooting Shark (Donald Roeser -  Patti Smith) - 7:07 rating: *** stars

You'd think a collaboration between BOC and the high priestess of punk would have some possibilities.  And once you got over Randy Jackson's slap bass (guess Joe Bouchard couldn't cut it), 'Shooting Shark' actually had a bit of an edge to it.   The lyrics were apparently appropriated from a Smith poem.  The result was the album's best melody and Buck Dharma seldom sounded as good.   Columbia tapped it as the leadoff single:

- 1983's 'Shooting Shark' b/w 'Dragon Lady' (Columbia catalog number 38-04298)   Columbia also financed a horribly '80s promotional video for the tune:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mvsthsbbLfM  

4.) Veins (Donald Roeser - R Meltzer) - 3:56 rating: *** stars

One of the album's most disturbing lyrics (comic book violence), coupled with a top-40 pop-rock melody.   A perfect example of the album's strengths and weaknesses.  

(side 2)

1.) Shadow of California(Joe Bouchard - Neal Smith - Sandy Pearlman) - 5:03 rating: *** stars

At least 'Shadow of California' came close to capturing their earlier, pre-top-40 sound.   There was even a bit of edge on this one.  

2.) Feel the Thunder (Eric Bloom) - 5:47  rating: **** stars

The only Eric Bloom composition on the album and the song that should have opened up the album.  Except then the rest of the albu would have sounded like crap.   Not my lifestyle, but image "Ghost Riders In the Sky" adapted for motorcycle culture - "they loaded their up on beer and cocaine ..."   Yeah, you didn't need to have a set of Tarot cards to figure out this wasn't going to end well. 

3.) Let Go (Eric Bloom - Donald Roeser - Ian Hunter) - 3:25 rating: *** stars

Hysterical ...  you have to assume 'Let Go' was intended as a joke.  "BOC you can be whatever you want to be...We got the power you got the key...BOC Let Go!"   Completely mindless and fun.  Couple of cold beers and you'll be fist pumping along with this one.  

4.) Dragon Lady (Donald Roeser - Broadway Blotto) - 4:04 rating: *** stars

Fans claim this is the album's standout performance.  I'm not convinced.   It's always sounded pretty top-40ish to my ears.  

5.) Light Years of Love (Joe Bouchard - H. Wheels) - 4:06 rating: **** stars

'Light Years of Love' was a surprisingly touching ballad ...  Pretty melody with straightforward lyrics, which made it so strange to hear from these guys. 

© Scott R. Blackerby January, 2025

Genre: rock

Rating: 3 stars ***

Title: Mirrors

Company: Columbia

Catalog: JC 36009
Year: 1979

Country/State: Long Island, NY

Grade (cover/record): VG+/VG+

Comments: original inner custom sleeve

Available: 1

Catalog ID: --

Price: $20.00

1976's "Agents of Fortune" made these guys multi-million album selling superstars and critics' favorites.  1977's "Spectres" not so much (though I liked it) and 1978's "Some Enchanted Evening" was merely a placeholder live set (though it sold well).  So Blue Oyster Cult had a lot riding on the release of 1979's "Mirrors".  The band seemed to know it, taking a number of steps to deal with the pressure including ending their long-standing partnership with producer Sandy Pearlman.  Pearlman was replaced by Tom Werman (probably best known for his work with Cheap Trick and Ted Nugent).  Anyone expecting to hear another patented set of dark and ominous tunes was liable to have been surprised by how mainstream and commercial tunes like 'Dr. Music', 'In Thee' and the title track were.  Yes, commercial.  For goodness sakes the bouncy 'You're Not the One (I Was Looking For)' sounded like a good Cars tune.  Admittedly these guys always had an ear for a catchy melody, but it was usually wrapped around dark and enigmatic subject matter).  This time around it sounded like they were actually trying to write and record a "hit" album.  Adding to the problems, to my ears Werman's production sound thin and dated.  Clearly there's nothing wrong with a strong commercial set - everyone's got bills to pay, but it helps if those songs are at least catchy and that wasn't the case here.  Most of the nine songs just weren't particularly memorable.  And, yes I'll admit to missing  that certain creepy, ominous aura that surrounded these guys. So was there anything worthwhile in these grooves?  Well, it was nothing like your typical BOC song, but the heartfelt ballad 'In Thee' was pretty and sweet.  Kudos to singer Patti Smith for breaking keyboardist Allen Lanier's heart.  Elsewhere 'I Am the Storm' was a decent rocker benefiting from a brief return to their nasty side and some of Buck Dharma's most impressive guitar work.  Many BOC fans are liable to be appalled, but I'll also admit the new wave-ish 'You're Not the One (I Was Looking For)' grew on me over time.  Bottom line is nothing here was truly bad, but most of it was just sort of anonymous AOR bland.

"Mirrors" track listing:
(side 1)

1.) Dr. Music (Joe Bouchard - Donald Roeser - Richard Meltzer) - 3:10 rating: *** stars

With Eric Bloom handling lead vocals, it was hard not to think of Kiss' 'Dr. Love' when hearing the made-for-radio 'Dr. Music'.  The song was admittedly quite commercial and radio friendly, but I remember thinking it sound sooooooooo calculated.  Ellen Foley and Genya Ravan on backing vocals.  Filmed during their "MIrrors" tour, YouTube has a March, 1979 performance at the University of California, Berkeley's Zellerbach Hall.  I have to say it's surprisingly rockin' with Albert Bouchard's drums sounding way more powerful than on the studio version. Love  Bloom's Blue Oyster Cult symbol guitar.   Blue Oyster Cult - Dr. Music (Live at UC Berkeley)

2.) The Great Sun Jester (Eric Bloom - Michael Moorcock - John Trivers) - 4:48 rating: *** stars  

'The Great Sun Jester' was a track that evolved out of Eric Bloom's admiration of British science fiction author and Hawkwind collaborator Michael Moorcock.  Bloom supposedly sent Moorcock a fan note suggesting he consider collaborating with the band and Moorcock took up the offer.  Supposedly based on a character in "The Fireclown", the tune sported one of their prettier melodies, the opening section baring a passing resemblance to 'Don't Fear the Reaper'.  Once you got past that you were into a weird mash-up of BOC rock and Styx pretense.  Odd and odder.

3.) In Thee (Allen Lanier) - 3:48 rating: **** stars

LOL -  I can remember playing the song at a party and a friend asking me who this was.  When I told them it was BOC they didn't believe me.  Although Dharma handled lead vocals, 'In Thee' was supposedly inspired by Lanier's break up with Patti Smith.  The result was one of their sweetest and saddest tunes.  Guess rock stars experience broken romances as well.  The album's most commercial (if atypical) performance, Columbia released it as a US 45:

- 1979's 'In Thee' b/w 'Lonely Teardrops' (Columbia catalog number 1-11055) # 74 US Billboard pop charts

Another live performance from the University of California, Berkeley performance: Blue Oyster Cult - In Thee (Live at UC Berkeley)

4.) Mirrors (Donald Roeser - Bruce Abbott) - 3:44  rating: *** stars  

The title track is one of those songs I liked in spite of myself.  Melodically it was mundane and repetitive; the backing singers (Ellen Foley and Genya Ravan) not helping the cause, but there was still something catchy about it.  Co-writer Abbott wrote posted a note on a YouTube list talking about the song: "For all those who like “Mirrors,” I wrote this song just for you. I was looking at my wife’s Vogue magazine at the time. I am always amazed at the positive comments! Buck turned my words into a song, and that is really the amazing part. He is a genius and my lifelong friend!"  The song was released as a British 45:

- 1979's 'Mirrors' b/w 'Lonely Teardrops' (CBS catalog number S CBS 7783)

YouTube has another University of California, Berkeley performance clip.  Showcasing guitarists Bloom, Dharma and Lanier, this was far better than the studio version, Blue Oyster Cult - Mirrors (Live at UC Berkeley)

5.) Moon Crazy (Joe Bouchard) - 4:06 rating: *** stars

Written and sung by bassist Joe Bouchard, 'Moon Crazy' was one of the album's most mainstream.  The frequent time changes were kind of interesting with Dharma turning in a couple of his prettiest solos, including a quick nod to Duke Ellington's 'Caravan' at the 3:26 mark.

(side 2)
1.) The Vigil (Donald Roeser - Sandra Roeser) - 6:25  rating: *** stars

No idea if it's true; some BOC scholar will know, but 'The Vigil' supposedly evolved out of a Patti Smith poem/song - 'The Devil's Hangnail'.  Roeser and his wife Sandra rewrote the tune with new lyrics.  Opening up with some lovely acoustic guitar and then a gorgeous Dharma solo, it's one of the band's epics with multiple time changes and some typically enigmatic lyrics.  The Atari sound effects and weird lyrics ("I know they're out there; We see them coming; Faster than the speed of light ;They greet us in the dead of the night") have always made me wonder if they were singing about aliens who have already made their presence known to mankind, or perhaps are about to ?  Who knows.  The mid-section was surprisingly catchy 

2.) I Am the Storm (Joe Bouchard - Ronald Binder Bloom) - 3:42 rating: *** stars

One of the more conventional rockers, 'I Am the Storm' benefited from Bloom's snarling vocals which added a touch of gloom and doom to this tale of romantic retribution "When you see the clouds blacken; Remember you've been warned ;No shelter from my fierce winds; Because, I am the storm ..."  Always liked Albert Bouchard's kick-butt drumming on this one and , as usual, Dharma turned in some killer lead guitar.

3.) You're Not the One (I Was Looking For) (Albert Bouchard - Caryn Bouchard) - 3:14 

'You're Not the One (I Was Looking For)' sounded very different from your standard BOC tune - think new wave bands like The Cars, or perhaps Cheap Trip.  In fact Al Bouchard and his wife were supposedly inspired to write the song after hearing The Cars' 'My Best Friend's Girl'.  It's grown on me over the years.

4.) Lonely Teardrops (Alan Lanier) - 3:37 rating: *** stars

No, it wasn't a cover of the Jackie Wilson classic ...  Originally titled 'The Wind In My Veins', powered by Lanier's bubbly Clavinet (baring at least a passing resemblance to Stevie Wonder's 'Superstition'), Wendy Webb's backing vocals and another nice Dharma solo, this one has always reminded me of an early Steely Dan tune.  The song also appeared as the "B" side on their 'In Thee' and 'Mirrors' 45s.  

© Scott R. Blackerby January, 2025