BLUE ÖYSTER CULT

Blue Oyster Cult's debut is a good one- nothing more. It consists of quality rock and roll music for the time with some redeeming progressive elements thrown in. This is but a shadow of the greatness the band would achieve.

"Transmaniacon MC" This is a blatant contrast of great guitar and goofy vocals. It's a decent opening rocker, but nothing fantastic.

"I'm On The Lamb But I Ain't No Sheep" The rhythm guitar is actually of the star of this jaunty shuffle.

"Then Came The Last Days Of May" One of my favorite Blue Oyster Cult songs- it is no coincidence that chronologically this is the first song featuring the softer lead vocals of lead guitarist Donald Roeser. This song relays the story of a failed drug run- a true story about three collegiate dealers who wanted to score big before the fall semester. Two of them were shot, and the third lived the testify in court against the perpetrators. The music is appropriately "chill," with laidback guitar, hazy instrumentation, and a simple chord progression.

"Starway To The Stars" This is a basic, gritty blues number with piano hanging out in the background and some smoky vocals- nothing special, but a good rocker.

"Before The Kiss, A Redcap" A crunchy dual lead guitar kicks off this one, with Buck Dharma taking the lead vocal again. Unfortunately, except for the guitar playing, this is mostly a forgettable song. However, given the vocals (which sound a lot like Layne Staley here), I think this would have made for a perfect Alice in Chains cover. The bassist enjoys a jazzy solo in the middle, soon joined by guitar.

"Screams" This is a psychedelic number, with heavy effects on the vocals and an arrangement reminiscent of very early Pink Floyd. A brief drum solo ends this.

"She's As Beautiful As A Foot" This oddly-entitled piece begins with the drum solo from before and has some pretty awful singing, even for this early album.

"Cities On Flame With Rock And Roll" A famous precursor to the more famous "Godzilla" (musically, anyway), this has a great guitar riff- something this band has consistently been great for. The vocals and guitar both coincidentally remind me of Joe Walsh. The instrumental interlude is somewhat progressive, with that organ bit and guitar working together.

"Worshop Of The Telescopes" I love the contrast of the clean and distorted guitars on this one- it's a slightly spooky ride.

"Redeemed" Not a bad piece, but somewhat dull overall. The most interesting part is the end as the instrumentation trickles out and then comes raining back in.