Released in 1972, Blue Öyster Cult’s eponymous debut failed to garner initial interest from the music-loving public upon release, but as with many albums that are now considered classics we look back and wonder just how such an exceptional psychedelic hard rock album could have been so overlooked, especially with that stunning ‘otherworldly’ cover art.
Bill Gawlik, billed as simply Gawlik, created the cover art that captivates me as much as the music does for there are so many possible interpretations to be read into the spherical design. I’m fortunate enough to own the Music On Vinyl (MOVLP1546) reissue and the cover’s matte finish is stunning and adds to the tactile nature of the record. The vinyl itself is housed in a high-quality anti-static sleeve, thereby preventing dust from accumulating in the grooves. It is nice to see this small additional detail as so many re-issues are presented in substandard inner sleeves in an attempt to save on costs while charging a premium price. Nevertheless, Music On Vinyl outdid themselves with this release. The record is pressed and mastered perfectly with next to no surface noise and an expansive soundstage that really comes alive throughout the entire album but specifically when listening to She’s As Beautiful As A Foot and Cities On Flame With Rock And Roll as these are songs that, if not mastered with kid gloves, can sound muddy and unappealing.
While this review is primarily based on the vinyl re-issue, many music lovers would understandably prefer the convenience of streaming and subsequently, an Apple Digital Master is available on Apple Music. How does it sound? In a word: Exceptional! As much as I adore my vinyl collection, I have to be completely honest and state that I am increasingly impressed with the transparency of the Apple Digital Masters to the original masters that are delivered from the record label. In this situation, the mastering sounds identical to the vinyl re-issue, minus the usual warm analogue sound signature of vinyl of course. That, believe it or not, is a good thing for it is frustrating when different masterings exist of a single album. I don’t know about you, dear reader, but I just want the original mastering that was intended for a specific album.
Side One
Transmaniacon MC launches us into the album perfectly, setting the tone, while simultaneously giving the music lover a rhythm to immediately connect with. Transmaniacon MC isn’t the strongest song on the album, but I can’t think of a better opening for a psychedelic hard rock release.
I’m On The Lamb But I Ain’t No Sheep flows near seamlessly from Transmaniacon MC and is a solid song, albeit nothing to write home about.
Then Came The Last Days Of May is a sonic wonderland and one of the greatest songs of the 70s in my opinion.
Stairway To The Stars is a stellar rock song.
Before The Kiss, A Redcap has some killer guitar riffs, a brilliant rhythm, and an exceptional vocal recording that perfectly suits the song. Before The Kiss, A Redcap is all-round perfection.
Side Two
Screams is psychedelic gold.
She’s As Beautiful As A Foot flows seamlessly from Screams with an absolutely stunning drum element by Albert Bouchard. The overall musical style on She’s As Beautiful As A Foot is simply magical. One of the greatest songs on the album and another highlight of the 70s.
Cities On Flame With Rock And Roll has a killer drum and bass introduction that I simply adore and the incredible rhythm and overall performance simply blows my mind every time this masterpiece comes on. A perfect recording!…and, yes, you can hear a correlation between Cities On Flame With Rock And Roll and Black Sabbath’s The Wizard; a song and band which ultimately inspired Blue Öyster Cult.
Workshop Of The Telescopes flows well in the album format but it’s ultimately a song that I wouldn’t seek out on its own for it isn’t quite as strong as many of the other tunes on the album.
Redeemed is a perfect way to close the album, with a slightly more mellow tone, that encourages me to listen to this brilliant eponymous debut again.
Overall, Blue Öyster Cult’s eponymous debut is a monster of an album and a must-own for all psychedelic hard rock music lovers. There isn’t a bad song to be heard and it doesn’t matter if you’re going for the Music On Vinyl release, or simply streaming this debut, you’re getting an exceptional musical experience that has to be heard to be believed.