Album Review: Blue Oyster Cult - 50th Anniversary Live - Third Night
Reviewed by Patrick O'Reilly
So, night three of Blue Oyster Cult’s 50th anniversary live shows, and their subsequent album releases, and this time it is third album ‘Secret Treaties’ which gets a play through, accounting for the first half of the album, whilst again we get a mixture of classic tracks as the second half of the album.
Opener ‘Career of Evil’ is a solid rock and roll song, nothing too exciting here but done very well, some quirky chord changes throughout add a touch of class to this track and the soloing as usual is of a high quality.
Track two maintains the slower tempo with a track called ‘Subhuman’ some dreamy synth sets the tone and there is a kick ass extended solo in the middle, another fine addition to the live set, though again maybe lacking star quality.
Thankfully track three ‘Dominance and Submission’ turns up the heat with its intense riffing and call and response chorus, made all the better for the live audience calling it out! This is a true BOC classic and works so well in the live environment.
Like and unholy hybrid of Elton John, Meatloaf and Queen track four ‘M E 262’ comes roaring out of the speakers. Fast, jazzy piano combines with frantic guitar and rumbling bass to create a cacophony of fun and entertaining rock and roll, another great track that shines in the live setting.
Hitting their stride now the band fly into ‘Cagey Cretins’ another organ dominated fast paced rock song which shoots by in a blur.
Brooding and anthemic, track six is ‘Harvester of Eyes’ which features a really cool riff and a huge bass rumble, another fun and exhilarating track
A strange carnival like intro announces the arrival of track seven ‘Flaming Telepaths’ a truly epic number with a superb solo and a surreal quality to it. Some great harmonies in the vocals make this track feel huge and effortless as the band really seem to be enjoying playing this material
‘Astronomy’ is up next and eases us in with a soulful beginning before we get into familiar territory with a solid rock and roll track and then launching into a frenzied race to the finish of this song.
Higher tempo piano and energetic riffing on ‘Stairway to the Stars’ which bounces along and gets the blood pumping before we are treated to the opening chant of ‘Golden Age of Leather’ which sounds like Free or Bad Company decided to team up and write an anthem to heavy metal
Finally, it's time for the melodramatic goth leanings of ‘Tainted Blood’ with tales of heartache and vampirism. Featuring an absolutely massive catchy chorus this is a great showstopper for a great album played with skill and emotion
Disc two again treats us to some of the greatest hits of BOC and as with the two previous offerings if filled to the brim with delicious treats!! Highlights this time include funky Avant Garde ‘Shooting Shark’ with its slapped bass riff featuring prominently, ‘Black Blade’ one of the most iconic BOC tracks, ‘Buck’s Boogie’ a showcase for guitarist Buck Dharma and his incredible lead guitar playing and absolute bangers ‘Burnin for You’ ‘Godzilla’ and ‘Don’t fear the Reaper’ again confirming the indisputable fact that Blue Oyster Cult truly have one of the greatest back catalogues in rock history.
What more can I say? Another great live album from a legendary band, it’s a must buy for fans but also a great introduction to this band, however you feel about BOC just go and buy it!!
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