Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
4.95 stars, March 2, 2006
This is one of my favorite Blue Oyster Cult collections. After the disappointing "Mirrors" album, BOC joined forces with Martin Birch and the result is a highly focused, triumphant return to their heavy guitar driven sound coupled with mysterious dark overtones. Right from the start, you can hear the improvement in the mix: multiple guitars up front, keyboards used only as an effect in the backround, and perfectly smooth vocals. For example, "Divine Wind" sounds almost Pink Floyd-ish with it's subtle vocal and dreamy backround keyboard blending perfectly with Don Roeser's fluid guitar playing. The song features a wicked guitar solo and ends with a soulful, agnst ridden, somewhat sarcastic offer to the late Ayatolla. This is Blue Oyster Cult at their very best, during a creative period (1980-1982) that I deem to be even better than their works in the '70's. For example, one of the heaviest songs on this collection, "Lips In The Hills" features one of Eric Bloom's best vocal performances, with a guitar sound that was never duplicated again on later albums. But this isn't your run of the mill formulaic hard rock fare as compared to AC/DC, or even BOC's own schlocky "Beat'em Up" from the Club Ninja collection 6 years later. This is hard rock aimed at a more adult audience, a "thinking man's" band. For example, the opening songs "Black Blade" & "Monsters" are like watching a really good science fiction flic. Monsters features a jazz interpolation complete with sax, and a King Crimson -like jam the likes of which is so intense, you will be left begging for seconds. "Black Blade" is science fiction done masterfully, with a touch of art-rock influence. "Deadline" features a dreamy smooth vocal, nice melody and a very addicting bass line. "The Marshall Plan" mentions "surf music", an apparent ode to Hendrix, and also pays homage to Deep Purple when they almost start playing "Smoke On The Water". "Unknown Tongue" tells the chilling story of a young schoolgirl with certain tendencies: "...she took the razor....and watched it cut.. into her palm. She held her hand, up to her mouth, to taste the blood, so holy and warm." So creepy, it's actually fantastic, if you are in the mood to watch "American Pyscho". Get this record. Highly recommended.
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10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Are some of you people NUTS!, July 29, 2000
By A Customer
How can anyone who calls himself a BOC fan not love this album. "Black Blade" is easily the best song BOC has ever written and performed. Other classics include "Deadline", "Lips In The Hills", "Monsters" and "The Marshall Plan". How can you not love the lyrics to "The Marshall Plan". Lyrically, this is one of their best. Okay, "Hungry Boys" is a clunker, but every other song is great. This cd has a great combination of great vocals, cool lyrics, great guitar licks and wicked keyboard effects. Oh, and by the way, referring to the jazzy stuff in "Monsters", BOC never claimed to be jazz, but what's wrong with something a little different. I love that song and think the saxophone adds another element to a BOC classic!
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7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Daring and innovative, yet heavy..., October 11, 2000
Indeed, one of their heaviest albums. I bought this one out of curiosity, after having heard some so-so things about it. I must say, I was taken aback by the quality and power of this underrated CD. I wouldn't hesitate to place this one among the 5 best Cult albums ever! Certainly better than 'Fires...' or 'Mirrors'. Throughout BOC's career there have been some really outstanding albums, along some inferior ones. In my view, the most powerful statements have been 'Spectres', 'Cultosaurus', 'Imaginos' and 'Revolution by Night'. I also like the two earlier ones 'Tyranny and Mutation' and 'Secret Treaties'. This is, of course, subjective, but no doubt there are some great songs in 'Cultosaurus': The opening Black Blade is impressive and manages to put together a number of diverse themes and ideas. I especially enjoy the use of synthesizers and the obscured 'vocals' in the last part of the song. I have never heard anything similar in any BOC album. There is originality here. Same as in 'Monsters', a great song, changing from heavy to jazzy. There are no bad songs in this album, but other personal favs are 'Deadline', 'Divine Wind', 'Lips on the Hills' and the chilling 'Unknown Tongue'. Granted, 'Cultosaurus' is not for everybody, it's dark, ominous and heavy. But it's also atmospheric, spiritual and powerful. Also, sonically, it's one of the most advanced BOC albums ever. Great guitar work, too!
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