CULTÖSAURUS ERECTUS

A mixed bag as BÖC adopts the talents of new, more hard rock oriented producer. The band seems to be struggling to balance a variety of influences, from their more traditional sci-fi rockers (the excellent Black Blade) to self referential stadium rock (the equally fine The Marshall Plan) to more jazzy territory (the disappointing Monsters) and even 80's synth-rock (the embarrassing Hungry Boys.) As a result, the album is a schizophrenic experience, divided equally between glorious rockers and utter stinkers. I think the good outweighs the bad, but this is definitely a transitional album, paving the way for their much more accomplished "Fire of Unknown Origin," to be released the following year.