Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
R U Ready 2 Read, August 9, 2004
Among the scores and scores of great Blue Oyster Cult songs is R U Ready 2 Rock. After reading "Blue Oyster Cult: Secrets Revealed!", I ask, 'R U Ready 2 Read.' Martin Popoff has authored a most amazing book about a most amazing band. Rather than dwell in VH1-style "Behind the Scenes" biography explaining who did what to whom and when and why (and who cares anyway?) this intrepid author has given some historical perspective on each and every one of Blue Oyster Cult's album releases over the years starting with 1971's Blue Oyster Cult and concluding with their latest releases in the 21st Century. (Yes, this band is still active, still recording and still touring!) If you are a fan of the band you must have wondered, from time to time, things such as: What is a dizbuster? How does someone come up with a name for a song such as Harvester of Eyes? Why was the sound of "Mirrors" such a departure from earlier releases? Why did "Club Ninja" happen? Each and every song ever recorded by Blue Oyster Cult is discussed in some detail. I read this book with the enthusiasm and excitement that I usually reserve for action adventure mystery books. I simply could not believe that there was someone (in the very same universe in which I live) that could not only appreciate this band as much as I, but clearly many times more. The music of Blue Oyster Cult has brought me much joy over the years. Blue Oyster Cult: Secrets Revealed! has also brought much joy. That this book exists makes me smile. That the book was published in an affordable paperback version makes it accessible to everyone. For the price of one audio CD, you will be exposed and re-exposed to all the great music that you have known over the years. After reading this book, I found myself digging into some of the albums that I have not listened to in awhile. I am extremely enthusiastic about recommending this book. Thank you, Martin Popoff for writing the book. And Thank You Blue Oyster Cult for writing the music.
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6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
After 30 Years In The Black......., February 11, 2005
Martin Popoff finally sheds a floods worth of light on one of thee best rock bands, Blue Oyster Cult (i.e. before Albert departed).
I totally agree with all the other reviewers. This book is a must have, a "must must" have for any BOC fan.
From "Transmaniacon MC" to "Good To Feel Hungry", all the songs are here. Each album & song are broken down & disected by the humans that matter, the members of the band themselves (as well as cowriters, producers, managers et alia). For someone who bought the first album back in '72 and has listened for to BOC for 3 decades plus, Popoff's book has been an epiphany for me. The chapter on the Imaginos album alone makes this book worth it. Go to Popoffs website & get yourself an autographed copy (don't report this)!
Buy this book!! I swear on my vinyl copy of "On Your Feet Or On Your Knees" you will not be disappointed.
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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Popoff deserves an Honorary Doctorate of Dizbustology, February 4, 2005
Every question I ever had about Blue Oyster Cult, Oaxaca, Soft White Underbelly, Stalk-Forrest Group, and Patti Smith, from the lyrics, the licks, the album covers, the umlaut over the "O", the Cult symbol, the production, the management, the personel changes, to the touring was answered, except one. Who is Susie?
The first night I picked it up to read it, I couldn't put it down and read until 3:30 am (it was a work night). I finished it when I got home from work the next evening. This book is a must for any Blue Oyster Cult fan.
You think you know the band and then Popoff shows you, you don't have a clue. This book is amazing, not for his writing, but for the insight it provides into the music business and the incredible pressure on the band as they walked a razors edge between pleasing their fans and creating more commercially acceptable music.
I was particulary blown away by his critical assessment of each and every song that BOC recorded, and a few they didn't. We must be kindred spirits because he pulled no punches and I think I only disagreed with one or two song critiques throughout the entire book. (Call me wierd but I prefer the Red, with the slick, finger snapping, blues of Baby Ice Dog and the way Teen Archer segues into the funky, minor chords, quirky lyrics, and Evil Beach Boys background vocals of Quicklime Girl. I didn't appreciate the Black songs until I heard On Your Feet or On Your Knees, where they are all far better).
I am always amazed at young fans that hold up Imaginos or Heaven Forbid as BOC's crowning achievements and prefer the later version of Astronomy to the original epic masterpiece (like an Aerosmith fan that doesn't like Toys in the Attic or Rocks). If this is you, you might get angry and dismiss this book but I hope that you read it, go out and buy Secret Treaties and On Your Feet or on You Knees and gain a new appreciation for their earlier work.
When you finish this book, you will want to break out every one of your BOC records or CDs and listen to them again with newfound critical ears. If you are old enough or lucky enough to have all of the original albums and liners, you will stare at them like Charles the grinning boy with his blinders off. Get some good MP3 editing software and start slowing them down and playing them backwards (try Harvester of Eyes, You're Not the One I was Looking For, and Come Softly to Me).
I'm going to read it again this weekend with the headphones on this time.
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