Album Review: Blue Oyster Cult - 50th Anniversary Live - Second Night
Reviewed by Patrick O'Reilly
Following the recent release of night 1 of this classic live show series where the band play the entirety of their first three albums over three nights here is the second night, where we get the pleasure of classic second album ‘TYRANNY AND MUTATION’
Opener ‘The Red and the Black’ comes roaring out of the gates, a fast paced, upbeat rock and rock number which flies by in a flurry of cheerful riffs and some amazing guitar solos.
A slower number next with ‘OD’D on Life Itself’ which although slower is still in the vein of standard rock and roll, albeit it again featuring some brilliant soloing towards the end.
Next up is ‘Hot Rails to Hell’ which is a fascinating stomp more akin to the Stooges and even Metallica than the previous songs, though it does get much more melodic when the chorus appears, and yes, it's becoming a cliche but the soloing is truly great on this track also!
Intriguing oddity ‘7 Screaming Diz Busters’ is the next track to feature, with a weird new wave riff to begin with, slow sections with sumptuous organs in the background and a weird build up to the Led Zeppelin ‘Whole Lotta Love’ soundalike finish, exhilarating!
Back to cheerful and poppy rock with ‘Baby Ice Dog’, a saccharine sweet rush of a song then it's the ballad ‘Wings Wetted Down’ which slows things down again before we head into ‘Teen Angel’ with its brilliant keyboard solos.
Finally, this first disc is rounded out with ‘Mistress of the Salmon Salt (Quicklime Girl)’ that again blends harmonies, melodies, keyboards and guitar for a rousing rock and roll anthem.
Over to disc 2 again like with the first night and again we have some classic BOC on offer!! Highlights include the intricate ‘Box In my Head’ with its melodic chorus reminiscent of Bruce Springsteen, absolute banger ‘Burnin’ for You’ which is just about a perfect Rock song as you can get, the lightning fast ‘Lips in the Hills’ and the weird space synths of ‘Tenderloin’
Disc 2 goes hard in the second half with the epic ‘E.T.I (Extra Terrestrial Intelligence), Godzilla, BOC’s heaviest track and Cities of Flame with Rock and Roll. It also features the peerless ‘Don’t Fear the Reaper’ which features, in my opinion, the greatest ever guitar solo ever (Don’t believe me? Just go and listen to it then come back and admit you were wrong!)
Wow, after listening to that disc 2 what else can i say? Again, this is a brilliant live album that truly captures the band on form, comfortable with who they are and their legacy just enjoying playing these classic songs. Maybe the ‘Tyranny and Mutation’ album isn't as strong as their first album but the disc 2 on here more than compensates with some absolute classics on show. Again, the same recommendations apply, if you’re a fan this is a no brainer, if you’re not then it is a great way to get into a truly legendary band, hear a classic album in full plus a bunch of other great material.
