SPECTRES

Seeing Finnforest's review posted today reminded me that I'd never posted a review of my own of this, an album that was very important and dear to me back in the day. Having been introduced to BÖC's first three albums by my intrepid brother, I had been completely ensnared by 1974's wonderful Secret Treaties, but kind of underwhelmed and slightly turned off by Agents of Fortune. ("Don't Fear the Reaper" was/is cool but had long ago worn out its welcome.) The local radio station started playing Spectres' "Goin' Through the Motions" as its first hit and I rather liked its Grand Funk "Locomotion"-like vibe. So I bought the album. The new synth-rich lush soundscapes the band were using (a logical step forward from "Don't Fear the Reaper") were, to my ears, magical. Then factor in the teen-sexuality themes of vampires and dedication to childhood favorite of mine, Godzilla, and you had me pretty much won over. Side Two and the first two songs of Side One couldn't stop getting the needle from my turntable. As Heartland Jim said in his review, the album stands up remarkably well over these 45 years. I still LOVE to listen to "I Love the Night" and "Nosferatu" and like "Godzilla" even more than I did back in '77; I pretty much feel the same amount of disinterest in the rest of the fare: it all feels quite fitting for that year in time and music history--and, if one can be truthful, there can never be enough Buck Dharma in one's life! Therefore, four stars seem more appropriate than three.