The esoteric themes of Blue Öyster Cult

Those interested in occult mythology might find this interesting......the Men In Black are mentioned several times in BOC tunes. http://www.bibliotecapleyades.net/bb/bluebook666.htm

Edited by dr wu23 - April 27 2014 at 12:06

BOC have had the occasional habit of chasing the hit song, sometimes successfully which largely conflicts with the more esoteric nature of the symbolism that turned up. It doesn't help that that the overall  view is not that clear. Pearlam is BOC's Sinfield indeed.

An oft overlooked number that should be as tone classic (it is for me) is Astronomy from Secret Treaties. Probably doesn't help that their production on these classic albums is not that great.

I read an observation somewhere that BOC never made the transition to the 80s metal scene; something to do with cold intellectualism - there are no songs about women in the traditional hard rock sense, no love songs either, (good!). This is something Iron Maiden have in common with BOC. They do not do sentimental, nor blues. The closest thing to blues is the name of Roeser's instrumental; Buck's Boogie and that is it as roots music goes. A metal pioneer band with a hard rock sound and sci fi themes.

Trouble is things didn't go as they should have. With the benefit of hindsight the planned Imaginos release did not emerge until 1988 and even then only after trying circumstances. This would have been the album that brought all the ideas into a (more of less) cohesive frame. But the live album and then thehome recording studios generating new material, the hit single paradox BOC found themselves in meant that their foot had slipped a bit and probably became seen as hard rock band with all the attention on post Reaper activities rather than the big concept album that would have been central to their career.

Still, later albums aren't as bad as they are noted by fashion oriented critics. Revolution By Night has a great number in Shadow of California for instance, as well as the only number of their's I don't like a hit single called Shooting Shark with one of the most boring rhythms I have ever heard. This appeared straight after a number (Take Me Away) written with Aldo Nova and a cracking riff number it is as well. But it's the Califirnina track that's central to that album which is so non-80s... (released '86).

One of the best releases to get BOC is possibly the Extraterrestrial Live album. In concert this band shines and the full instrumental firepower is on display. Robbie Krieger turns up and I can heartily endorse consumption of this album perhaps in the society of a... relaxing beverage of your choice...

The first three albums are my favorite, although I do enjoy the borderline metal of Cultasaurus and the semi-scifi Fire Of Unknown Origin.

verslibre wrote: An overlooked/underrated BÖC album is 1978's Mirrors. (Okay, not really, not if you're a fan!) It boasts "The Great Sun Jester" and "The Vigil" (lyrics by M. Moorcock), Allen Lanier's "In Thee," and a truly wonderful album closer called "Lonely Teardrops."

I completely agree-a very underrated BOC album.I couldn't have named 2 better BOC songs from that LP myself! I actually totalled out a `72 Chevelle SS in 1986 while The Vigil was playing,the car got away from me,not sure if was the BOC or the 400 HP lol.Actually not that funny as i was banged up pretty good from that wreck took about a year before i walked without crutches again.Left leg was fractured in 8 places.Now as i'm older the injuries are beginning to catch up with me in the form of Mr Arthritis.Thank god for hydrocodone i guess....

rogerthat wrote: Iain, while many BOC songs do stick to the cookie cutter metal approach, they can also produce some inspired, poignant moments.  Especially their guitarist Donald Roeser.  To be very honest, their alleged lyrical complexity doesn't really interest me because it doesn't touch my soul.  But what does is some of Roeser's aching licks.  Roeser was one of the great rock guitarists; he could keep things simple and still produce very memorable and haunting solos.  And he kept doing this even as rock moved to the Van Halen approach of shredding all over for the guitar solo.

Thanks for posting these tracks. Yes, he's a very fine and refreshingly economic rock guitar player who understands when to be silent or keep things simple when appropriate (the less is more wisdom) However, as much as I want to enjoy this band, it all still sounds like generic rawk to my stubborn eardrums. (It's my loss alas...)

TODDLER wrote: Through musician friends and family ....it was claimed that Eric Bloom protested on all accounts and stated that the band had no real personal interest in the occult and from the very start. He has spoken freely with confidence that the record company assigned the band to research the occult and further supplying books on the subject for the sole purpose of marketing their music. I have been informed that he rolls his eyes when asked the question....which has been an on going repeated question by fans for decades.

ExittheLemming wrote: I perhaps owe it myself to give BOC another listen.

I never tire of this song.

Give this one a try...the very first track I ever heard from them.....stoned on my brothers front porch at college....speakers blasting....blew my head off back then....it still kicks ass imho.

M27Barney wrote: Is that the album with the Messerschmitt 262 on the cover? I think I have that on vinyl! Not listened to any BOC for twenty years!!!

I have that LP in my collection,one of my favorite LPs of BOC 4-sure.

I'm puzzled by a band like BOC (whose music  I heartily loathe) I can never square what I hear as crassly populist stadium macho grunt swagger/pomp with the sort of lyrical depth and substance alluded to in threads such as this. It's my loss but I do know that a cloak ain't an undergarment...