AGENTS OF FORTUNE

As an album, Agents of Fortune is a shoddy thing, with half of the tracks exuding rock and roll clichéd cheese. On the other hand, it contains some of Blue Oyster Cult's greatest songs. It's a mixed bag.

"This Ain't the Summer of Love" The opening jingle moves from horror rock over a thudding beat in Billy Idol style to barrelhouse boogie.

"True Confessions" The second song moves into corny countrified whiny rock that folks like David Bowie dabbled in.

"(Don't Fear) the Reaper" A radio staple, Blue Oyster Cult's flagship song has Donald Roeser's calm presence on lead vocals. The haunting interlude disrupts the flow of the piece but adds a layer of horror needed in an otherwise beautiful rock song about death. The mournful lead guitar motif at the end is stellar.

"E.T.I. (Extra Terrestrial Intelligence)" This has always been one of my favorite Blue Oyster Cult songs. It has a remarkable riff on par with the greatest guitar riffs in rock history, excellent vocal contrasts between the verse and chorus, wonderful harmonies, and a bitching guitar solo. I much prefer the rerecorded version on Cult Classic, however, as it's much harder and cleaner.

"The Revenge of Vera Gemini" Yet another dark rocker, this fifth track adds the shadowy vocals of punk singer Patti Smith and boasts a sinister organ.

"Sinful Love" This gritty rock number has a sizzling guitar solo (perhaps one of Buck's best).

"Tattoo Vampire" Up next is a terse rock and roll bit of bombast. There is a Halloween-like feel to the music, and for some reason I'm reminded of the hokey nature of "Monster Mash."

"Morning Final" "Morning Final" returns to the phantasmal side with Roeser at the microphone, symphonic verses, and jazzy interludes.

"Tenderloin" Despite the meaty title, this song retains an ethereal nature with dazzling keyboard and guitar.

"Debbie Denise" Very different from the rest of the album, this twelve-string acoustic-based closer features light vocals and a synthesizer that sounds remarkably like a Mellotron.