BLUE OYSTER CULT - Spectres

                                               [Legacy Expanded Edition]

Posted: 10/06/07

Reviewed by: Dirt

Category: Classic Rock / 70s Hard Rock

Originally Released: 10/77  Reissued: 02/13/07

Label URL: www.legacyrecordings.com

Artist URL: www.blueoystercult.com

1/2

Although I've been a Blue Oyster Cult fan since the late 70s, Spectres is the only BOC album that I never owned.  This Expanded Edition/remaster is my first exposure to the album as a whole, although I was well aware of the live Some Enchanted Evening versions of "R.U. Ready 2 Rock" and "Godzilla."  I had also heard the band perform "Golden Age Of Leather" during the Imaginos tour and thought it was a weird track (however the audience knew the beer cheer intro well).

Spectres was originally released 30 years ago.  It peaked at #43 on the Billboard charts, which wasn't that impressive considering it was the follow-up to Agents Of Fortune, an album that peaked at #32 and featured "(Don't Fear) The Reaper," a song that hit #12.  The song that is thought of as a hit from Spectres, "Godzilla," ironically never charted.

Spectres is an album with many styles.  A brightly produced and full sounding recording, the songs on this disc range from pop rock ("Goin' Through The Motions") to rip-roarin' arena rock ("R.U. Ready To Rock") to soft rock ("I Love The Night") to avant-garde/mystical ("Nosferatu").  Allen Lanier's piano, Buck's crying guitar leads, as well as harmony vocals, are all a big part of this recording.  Overall, this is a slick Blue Oyster Cult that appeared to be going for some radio exposure.

Four bonus tracks are included on this expanded edition.  "Night Flyer" is classic Blue Oyster Cult with Buck Dharma on vocals.  "Dial M For Murder" is a driving song featuring Eric Bloom on vocals.  These two are the best of the four.  "Please Hold," penned by Albert Bouchard (drums), is one of the worst BOC songs I've ever heard.  I'll assume he handles the vocals too.  The final bonus track is a cover of "Be My Baby" (The Ronettes), something you'd never expect from this band (and would probably rather never hear).

The Bloody Truth:  Spectres is not definitive Blue Oyster Cult, as it's a bit too pop.  Despite that, it's a great sounding album, that was mixed meticulously.  With that said, the version of "Godzilla" that appears on this album is not the one I prefer, as it's not as sinister as the live version on Some Enchanted Evening.  If you're looking for some great chorus-driven numbers and don't mind a lighter BOC, Spectres is a fun listen.