Customer Reviews

Tyranny & Mutation

5 star:		(54)
4 star:		(14)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is another of the great remastered reissues of the first four Blue Öyster Cult albums which Sony put out on the Columbia/Legacy label. They include lyrics, photos, and liner notes by Lenny Kaye. They also contain additional tracks, and on this release that includes three live cuts and one outtake from the album session. In addition the albums have been digitally remastered and sound better than ever. "Tyranny and Mutation" was recorded in 1972 and released in February of 1973. It was produced by Murray Krugman and Sandy Pearlman. This remastered CD was released on June 26th of 2001. Bruce Dickinson produced the remastered versions. One odd note about this album is that is their only album where the group is listed as The Blue Öyster Cult.

The album was originally going to be titled "The Red and The Black", and each side retains the subtitle from that original plan. The first four tracks (side one on the LP) are called "The Black" (physical, sensual, aural activation). It opens with "The Red & The Black", which is a new version of "I'm On the Lamb But I Ain't No Sheep" from their first album. This version is heavier and has more drive to it, and it is this version that appears on two of their live albums and that they still play today. It continues with "O.D.'d On Life Itself", "Hot Rails To Hell", and "7 Screaming Diz-Busters". All of these are regular concert fare for the group, and all are hard driving rock.

The next four tracks (side two on the LP) were titled "The Red" (phantasmagorical id-teasers and supernatural beings). It opens with "Baby Ice Dog" which is the first collaboration that the group did with Patti Smith. That is followed by "Wings Wetted Down", "Teen Archer", and "Mistress of the Salmon Salt (Quicklime Girl)". These pieces are much different than those on side one. They are more mysterious and melodic then the pieces in "The Black". My personal favorites on this album are the closing pieces to each section.

The remastered CD has an additional section which is the bonus tracks. There is a live version of "Cities on Flame with Rock And Roll" from a promotion album called "Blue Öyster Cult Bootleg EP" (the other songs from that release are available on the "Workshop of the Telescopes" compilation CD). The next track is a studio outtake from the recording sessions called "Buck's Boogie"; the live version appears on "On Your Feet or on Your Knees". The final two bonus tracks are live versions of "7 Screaming Diz-Busters" and "O.D.'d on Life Itself", which come from a "bootleg" made by the band to give to friends and family which was titled "Blue Öyster Cult in the West".

The group consists of Eric Bloom (vocals, stun guitar, synthesizers), Albert Bouchard (drums, vocals), Joe Bouchard (bass, vocals, keyboards), Allen Lanier (keyboards, rhythm guitar), and Donald "Buck Dharma" Roeser (guitar, vocals). This album is a solid four stars, and as with many of their albums, it improves each time you listen to it.

In retrospect, BOC (the Blue Oyster Cult)can be seen to have had two distinct phases in their sound and musical direction through their career. Agents of Fortune was the turning point for them, and although it was an excellent rock album and a good body of work, the BOC are often remembered by Cult purists and rock critics for their first three albums.

Tyranny and Mutation is the middle of these three, and although it is nearing thirty years old (!), the sound is remarkably fresh, original, yes, still hard.

T&M benefits from much improved production values and sonic quality over their first, eponymous release. Side-by-side, T&M makes the first record sound like it was recorded underwater or in a bathtub. Although the sound is much more open and alive, the lyrics remain cryptic, and the music retains enough of an edge to keep everything in its right and sinister place.

I saw an interesting comment earlier in these pages that the record has two distinct personalities, with the first half being more hard-rock than the second. There could be some credence to this, as the original vinyl edition was labeled 'the Red' on the first side, and 'the Black' on the second side.

The 'Red' side contains most of the heavy cuts that this record is remembered most for (7 Screaming Diz-busters, The Red and the Black, Hot Rails to Hell), but it would not be fair to say that it is the only side worthy of such consideration. The second, 'Black', is solid, good music, and just like it was mentioned by an earlier, astute reviewer on this site, most of these cuts are NOT available on any compilations. Of these, 'Mistress of the Salmon Salt', 'Wings Wetted Down', 'Baby Ice Dog', and 'Teen Archer' (is that all of them?) are all songs that grow on you with each listen.

Tyranny and Mutation, like many Cult albums, stimulates the imagination with cryptic messages and imagery, and one of the greatest things one can say as a tribute to their music is that it didn't always have to be hard-driving to be memorable or effective. Tyranny and Mutation also had a sort of sense-of-humor lightening the gloom more effectively than in 'Blue Oyster Cult' or 'Secret Treaties'. This is also meant to be a fun album, and those that don't realize it are missing out on half the fun.

Rereleases are always fraught with a little dread and consternation. The question of whether the remastering will get it right or not is omnipresent. It is no secret that BOC has had some problems with updating their catalog. Recent compilations have shown that things can become quite wrongheaded.

This is not however the case with this current set of reissues. T & M is simply marvelous. It captures and adds some sonic depth to the original and provides some stunning Live cuts to make this a BOC's fan dream come true. Cuts like "Quicklime Girl", "OD'd On Life Itself", and a Live bonus cut of "Cities on Flame with Rock and Roll" prove what a devastating sonic force BOC were. "Baby Ice Dog" is devastatingly ominous in the new mastering.

I haven't had the opportunity to give a listen to the rest of the catalog as a whole but I can only hope that it is as metciulous and worthy as this CD. BOC applied a great vocal harmonic sense to the heavy metal genre and with that set the stage for acts like Def Leppard, and God forgive them, hair-metal

As the great philosopher Homer Simpson said " Rock On ."

Buck Dharma for one.

The second in BOC's "Black and White" period. The B&W period consists of their first three albums and is named that for the dark and cryptic over-tones they possess (an everlasting theme they've perfected to this day, but yet not to the extent of the B&W period), and ofcourse, the black and white album-covers they sport. Personally, Tyranny & Mutation is by far my favorite of BOC's first three massive assaults, and is a lot tighter and well-rounded than the first. It's divided in two sections, "The Black" and "The Red", and the first track is appropriately called "The Red & The Black" and is actually an impressive re-doing of "I'm On The Lamb But I Ain't No Sheep" off their debut. Stand-outs are "O.D.d' On Life Itself", "Hot Rails To Hell", "Wings Wetted Down" and "Mistress Of The Salmon Salt" (commonly known as "Quicklime Girl"). But in my opinion, EVERY song on this impressive album totally rocks and has the MOST classic (and dark!) rock & roll sound and "feel" to it, of the entire B&W period. Where as the first and third may have just a couple possible throw-away tracks, Tyranny & Mutation is solid from start to finish, and it begins to show the incredible talents of the band, and demonstrates what I love most about BOC: they are one of THE most creative and interesting bands out there! If you liked their debut, then you are sure to love their second effort with even more ease than the first (though it doesn't take much effort at all to get into these guys). An instant classic!

It's my dad's fave band and he makes me go to the concerts dressed like a Pagan. I am one who HATES heavy metal---except for this. I am at a loss. I cannot explain or describe it. Perhaps if you consider controlled bombing of Paris, and steel lasers at London; Dresden revisited; Hiroshima and Nagasaki.....a card deck all red. A cave. Revenge, .......but it's the unbelievalbe music. Guitar strings made of iron. Stone drums.Cow bells and dynamite. Dead girls (I was almost one of them). How many bands rely on motorcycle engines to back thier chorus?/////////Ride me underground.Swim in sweat.The rumble above and below.Hey cop don't you know?The hot summer days don't quit for the night!

after the criticaly acclaimed maiden voyage (the self-titled BOC), T&M became a rarity in the rock lore. Their first effort sounded as though it were recorded in a garage - but was still a beaut. T&M went for our collective jugular and surprised any and all who listened. Never before had anyone heard anything like it. There was magic in the air. This band was otherwordly. And what a great cast of talented characters! Lead guitarist Don (buck dharma) Roeser, was nick-named "God" by his fans, and indeed took first in Guitar Worlds "best electric guitarist in the world" contest for about a decade. Eventually, Roeser became the Editor of GW. Singer/writer Eric Bloom was the personification of pure evil with his leather look - including cape and whip. He knew how to "whip the audience" into a frenzy. The drummer sometimes played the drums backwards, while wearing a weird mask on the back of his head. Guitarist/keyboardist (whatshisname) looked the perfect junkie, another member liked to dance on stage. Pyro-technics, motorcycles, a sense of fear by "the stoned out crowd", all made a great showcase for their recordings - T&M especially. #3 on the red side - "HOT RAILS TO HELL" - seems clearly the first polished example of heavy metal. Most girls don't like any of the songs because of the titles and lyrics - all of which are mean-spirited, yet great fun. Their wicked lyrics/topics would become one of their trademark characteristics. T&M even includes blatant devil worship in "Seven Screaming Diz-busters", and, of course, the obligatory song about a weird mermaid or something - Quicklime Girl. (Quicklime destroys human bodies very quickly.) T&M probably provided the inspiration of many of BOCs fans to travel with the band, watching as many shows as possible, or until winding up on the de-tox ward. Did someone whisper...the grateful dead? I hope so, as that is the type of following they have had since the release of T&M. This core group of loyal fans, like me, continue to see as many of their shows as possible. Therefore, Tyranny and Mutation was something new, something affecting, and a hell of a lot of fun! Get it now. Oh, and the bonus tracks? Fine, but just as good without them.

Song for song easily the best BOC cd. From the hard rock hot rails to hell and red and black to dreary like wings wetted down. Quicklime girl I belivev is the best songs.. Boc classic with halloween feel..perfect playing. 7 screaming diz-busters..the most heavy metal of their songs in this era.

I just got this album about a month ago and let me just say I have never been disappointed by a Blue Oyster Cult Album. (this being my forth and the one that has made me a much truer fan of theirs) Thanks to Tyrany and Mutation I am now thinking about getting the rest of the BOC collection. I also own Agents of Fortune, Some Enchanted Evening and Cultosaurous Erectus.

This is a fabulous album. If you love BOC because you think they're imaginative, get this album.

Mind you, your ears may need some breaking in with T & M. This is not a low fat album. This album is packed.

I can't stop playing Tyranny and Mutation. The first two and last two bonus tracks are ok, but the rest of the album is fantastic, with teen archer being the gem of the album. Their style on these fantastic tracks is reminicent of the sixties in several different ways. And to this add top of the line seventies creativity and musicianship. This is just a must have for a music fan that likes his music to interest and excite him/her. I just love this album.

Blue Oyster Cult is one of the few bands whose musicians really sound as good as their vocalist.

I'M NOT A BIG BOC FAN. BUT THIS ONE IS BY FAR THE BEST . IT JUST ROCKS. NOT 3 CHORD AC/DC CRAP. INTRICATE SONGS, TIGHTLY ARRANGED AND PERFORMED WITH ENERGY, ENTHUSIASM, AND MEGA-WATTAGE. VERY CRISP AND CLEAN SOUND. ALL BUT 2 SONGS ARE JUST GREAT. BUT THE BRILLIANCE OF HOT RAILS TO HELL (SHOULDA BEEN A BIG HIT) AND DIZ BUSTERS (PROG LIKE?) EASILY MAKE UP FOR THE 2 LESS THAN GREAT TUNES. ESSENTIAL EARLY 70'S METALISM WITH SOME QUIETER LAID BACK AND SLICK MOMENTS. I PLAY THIS ONE TO ANNOY MY TECHNO-TRANCE-MIX-DOOF DOOF DOOF-PLAYING NEIGHBORS. VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

Nearly 30yo, this stands out as perhaps the finest rock/metal offering to date. It is really unbelieveable. When my boyfriend made me listen to it, I was thinkin', "Where is mark mcgrath when I need him?", but I'l be the first to admit this is the best metal cd today. My personal preference is "The Red And The Black" with it's wips, and "Hot Rails To Hell", with the all scream-guitar (I made that up!) medley is the first time heard. 7 Screaming Diz-busters is deliciously evil. "Baby Ice Dog" is somewhat vulgar but good. All round an excellent choIce.