From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Blue Öyster Cult
Studio album by Blue Öyster Cult
Released	January, 1972
Recorded	July 21, 1969 - October 1971 The Warehouse, New York
Genre	Hard rock, heavy metal, psychedelic rock
Length	36:48
Label	CBS
Producer	Murray Krugman Sandy Pearlman
Professional reviews
Allmusic link
Blue Öyster Cult chronology
Blue Öyster Cult (1972) Tyranny and Mutation (1973)

Blue Öyster Cult is the eponymous debut album by hard rock band, the Blue Öyster Cult, released in 1972 (see 1972 in music). The album featured songs such as "Cities on Flame with Rock and Roll," "Stairway to the Stars," and "Then Came the Last Days of May." The album sold well upon its release.^{[citation needed]} Blue Öyster Cult toured with artists such as the Byrds, Alice Cooper and the Mahavishnu Orchestra to support the album.^[1].

Reception

Infamous music journalist, Lester Bangs, gave the album a generally positive review stating, "with the Blue Oyster Cult, New York has produced its first authentic boogie beast, and with any luck this one should be around for awhile," and told readers that, "I don't think you should miss this album."^[2] It was named an honorable mention on IGN's list of "Top 25 Metal Albums"^[3] and it's been called, "Heavy metal for people who hate heavy metal."^[4]

Track listing

Side one

1. "Transmaniacon MC" (Sandy Pearlman, Donald Roeser, Eric Bloom) – 3:21
2. "I'm on the Lamb But I Ain't No Sheep" (Pearlman, Albert Bouchard, Bloom) – 3:10
3. "Then Came the Last Days of May" (Roeser) – 3:31
4. "Stairway to the Stars" (Richard Meltzer, A. Bouchard, Roeser) – 3:43
5. "Before the Kiss, a Redcap" (Pearlman, Murray Krugman, Allen Lanier, Roeser) – 4:59

Side two

1. "Screams" (Joe Bouchard) – 3:10
2. "She's as Beautiful as a Foot" (Meltzer, A. Bouchard, Lanier) – 2:58
3. "Cities on Flame with Rock and Roll" (Pearlman, Roeser, A. Bouchard) – 4:03
4. "Workshop of the Telescopes" (Pearlman, A. Bouchard, Roeser, Lanier, J. Bouchard, Bloom) – 4:01
5. "Redeemed" (Pearlman, Harry Farcas, A. Bouchard, Lanier) – 4:01

2001 CD reissue Bonus Tracks

11. "Donovan's Monkey" (Meltzer, A. Bouchard) – 3:50
12. "What is Quicksand" (Meltzer, Lanier) – 3:40
13. "A Fact About Sneakers" (Meltzer, A. Bouchard) – 2:50
14. "Betty Lou's Got a New Pair of Shoes" (Bobby Freeman) – 2:34

Personnel

• Eric Bloom: lead vocals, stun guitar, keyboards
• Albert Bouchard: drums, lead vocals (track 8)
• Joe Bouchard: bass, lead vocals (track 6)
• Allen Lanier: rhythm guitar, keyboards
• Donald "Buck Dharma" Roeser: lead guitar, lead vocals (tracks 3 & 5)

Notes

• The song "I'm on the Lamb But I Ain't No Sheep" is actually an early version of "The Red and the Black," a song which would be featured on the band's next album Tyranny and Mutation in 1973.
• The song "Then Came The Last Days Of May" was based on a true story, when three friends of Roeser's were killed in a drug deal gone bad in California.
• The song "Redeemed" was written by singer-songwriter Harry Farcas, and sold to the band. Other band members are listed as authors, due to their input in the arrangement. "Sir Rastus Bear" was Farcas' pet Saint Bernard. Farcas is now an Iridologist in Southern California.
• A cover version of the song "Cities on Flame with Rock and Roll" was featured as a track in the music video game Guitar Hero 3.
• The song "Transmaniacon MC" is featured in the video game Rock Band as downloadable content that may be purchased off of the system or downloaded from the Rock Band Track Pack: Metal disc using a one-time use code.

Charts

References

• • Buckley, Peter (2003). The Rough Guide to Rock. London: Rough Guides. ISBN 1-85828-201-2. 

Notes