IMAGINOS

First of all, this isn't exactly a Blue Öyster Cult album...the original ideas behind this record were first formed by Al Bouchard and Sandy Pearlman as far back as the late 60's, and this was never intended to be a BOC album until the label insisted. Even then, it was truncated from its original length to a one CD length project, with the original BOC musicians basically as studio musicians, adding BOC credibility to the Bouchard/Pearlman project which also featured such rock luminaries as Aldo Nova (remember Fantasy?), Joe Satriani, and Robby Krieger.

Do NOT let this dissuade you from giving this one a chance. This is one kick ass concept album, which is one half Lovecraft, and one half BOC. I'll not go into the details, as they are cryptically outlined in the liner notes. In classic BOC tradition, needless to say, the story is one of darkest evil, historical accuracy, and demented fantasy. Despite the fact that this is really only a Blue Öyster Cult album by proxy, it really kicks ass. The songs and lyrics are fantastic, this includes a version of the classic Astronomy which is really phenominal, and a reworking of the classic Subhuman (called Blue Öyster Cult).

I'm an enormous BOC fan, and I consider this to be one of the great records by this band. So dont let the fact that this one really is an Al Bouchard solo album fool you...it's got the great music and concepts that marks every BOC album.

Recommended highly to every prog fan.