Episode 77: Blue Oyster Cult studio albums ranked

I rank all 14 studio albums.
#vc
#vinylcommunity
#blueoystercult

[@elfman5176]

This Band is genius Thanks for reminding me of Their incredible music No band sounds like The Amazing Blue Oyster Cult

[@alltheworldsastage899]

That they are elfman, thanks!

[@rubicon-oh9km]

Been a BOC fan for a very long time. Revolution By Night has really grown on me over the years. Joe Bouchard's "Light Years Of Love" is absolute hidden treasure from that album.

[@alltheworldsastage899]

Been a fan for 50 years and counting now. I agree, "Light Years" is one of their great deep cuts. Thanks !

[@PetesCDVinylWorld]

Cool ranking. I like Heaven Forbid and Cultsouris so they were much higher on my ranking

[@alltheworldsastage899]

Thanks Pete! With 14 albums, there are plenty of options for everyone. I really should give Heaven Forbid another listen, probably been 5 years at least

[@cosmicvinyl2937]

I absolutely love Cultasaurus Erectus! And the cover art is amazing! Speaking of cover art When I was a kid I used to love looking for the “symbol” on every cover! The hardest one to find is on Spectres! Or maybe Cultasaurus! ✌️👽

[@user-mu9cw8xe4r]

You found The Symbol on the tiny space ship on Cultosaurus Erectus, I presume. Can you find the Symbol on Spectres? The globe?

[@n0s0luti0n]

Enjoyed your ranking, I'm with you on Cultosaurus, I just can't get in to that one. It took me decades to get in to BOC but it finally happened last year. I got to see them live as well, Eric and Buck can still deliver and Richie was amazing.

[@alltheworldsastage899]

Cultosaurus should have been a home run, but it didn't click with Martin Birch until the follow-up. Glad you finally got into to them and got to see them live.

[@curly_wyn]

1. Secret Treaties (1974) 2. Agents of Fortune (1976) 3. Fire of Unknown Origin (1981) 4. Cultösaurus Erectus (1980) 5. Tyranny and Mutation (1973) 6. Blue Öyster Cult (1972) 7. Spectres (1977) 8. The Symbol Remains (2020) 9. Club Ninja (1986) 10. Imaginos (1988) 11. Heaven Forbid (1998) 12. Mirrors (1979) 13. The Revölution by Night (1983) 14. Curse of the Hidden Mirror (2001)

[@alltheworldsastage899]

I could like with this ranking. Thanks for sharing!

[@morrisgautreau6704]

I'm starting with your Album Ranking Playlist! Good stuff!

[@alltheworldsastage899]

Thanks Morris!

[@markslezak8098]

Excellent ranking!

[@alltheworldsastage899]

Thanks for commenting Mark!

[@RandyforRoyals]

It was good to see your ranking as I'm working on the collection as I only have three of their studio albums but I'm working on it. Thanks for the plug for the CD exchange and I will be looking for that album. I will be looking for your top three.

[@alltheworldsastage899]

Can't go wrong with any of their first three. Thanks Randy!

[@cosmicvinyl2937]

Man that is a super cool T-shirt btw!

[@cristianosorio2517]

Hi Steve!! great ranking, BOC a band i reallyneed to listen some more, just know a couple of deep tracks and the big hits. cheers and be well

[@alltheworldsastage899]

Thanks Cristian! I think it will be worth your time

[@cosmicvinyl2937]

Brilliant! I love your BOC Collection! There is actually a couple BOC records I do not have and one of those is Club Ninja and the other is Heaven Forbid LoL! I don’t know why but I just cannot land a copy of Club Ninja! There’s also another BOC related LP I’m looking for which is a Soundtrack called Bad Channels. Oh and I also don’t have their newest LP The Symbol Remains either Overpriced LoL! So cool to see your collection of BOC! I actually did a BOC artist spotlight video way way back whenIf I can find it I’ll send you a link! Peace ☮️✌️👽🤘☮️

[@alltheworldsastage899]

Thanks Brian! You have some VCLT coming your way,not going to tell you which one, but looks like it will deliver Thursday. Good luck today brother!

[@cosmicvinyl2937]

@@alltheworldsastage899 You remembered my wife’s surgery! Thank you Steve! Yeah been a weird last couple of days leading up to today but we’re trying to keep the mood light but we’re all a bit anxious Appreciate the kind words and I’m def looking forward to the VCLT! Thanks Steve! You’re the best! Peace ✌️👽

[@jackgop7966]

I need to give these guys a listen of course the only song i know is "Dont Fear the reaper". also i love your background!

[@alltheworldsastage899]

Thanks Jack! Start with Secret Treaties or Tyranny & mutation

[@zeppearl]

Nice ranking Steve....My intro to B.O.C. was Godzilla as a 10 year kid who loved the Godzilla movies they sucked me in with that song !!!

[@alltheworldsastage899]

Thanks Vance! I was 21, so we were worlds apart. But 46 years later, here we are talking about it....

[@aaronmuthaalamare4165]

Killer ranking Steve!! I love Godzilla!! And Cultosaurus Erectus would be a bit higher for me otherwise a very close ranking to what I would’ve done! Of course Gary was laughing!! 🤣🤣 btw i just got what i was waiting to send you today, so I’ll be mailing it tomorrow! 👍🤘🤘

[@alltheworldsastage899]

Thanks Aaron! I'll be on vacation when it arrives, so thank you ahead of time.

[@3dimensionsofmusic3D]

Thanks for sharing your thoughts on BOC. I have most of the titles on CD or vinyl but it's always interesting to hear your informed opinion.

[@alltheworldsastage899]

Thanks Greg! I realized afterwards I forgot 2 points I wanted to make, but I don't edit, and that was too long to re-shoot.

[@EmbryonicRobot]

Very good ranking, Steve. I know a handful of BOC tracks, but I am not sure if I have ever heard an entire record. I'm going to listen to your #1 choice.

[@alltheworldsastage899]

Thanks Brian! Take a dip in the pool and let me know what you think

[@johnbellamy3406]

Nice. Just what I need. I think I'll aim to get the first three before exploring Fire Of Unknown Origin. I've heard that the first live album is particularly good too. Thanks

[@alltheworldsastage899]

Hey John, you cannot go wrong with the first 3, theirs is one of the best triple to start a career...of evil

[@coltonmyers4945]

I love all their albums they are all amazing

[@alltheworldsastage899]

Thanks Colton! Great 50 + year career!

[@vinylmartini3377]

Thanks for the ranking Steve. I don’t have all you have, but I have your top seven or so. Good to know the records to miss. Cheers.

[@alltheworldsastage899]

I think most guys our age have the first 5 albums, after that it's up to the individual and their love of the band. Back home yet?

[@vinylmartini3377]

@@alltheworldsastage899 Not back home until the end of May Steve. In Spain for another 12 days and then Amsterdam for another 9. You guys must be getting excited about Portugal.

[@alltheworldsastage899]

@@vinylmartini3377 I won't be excited until we check in our hotel. I can't stand the airport and flight experience. In the end, it's worth the hassle. Thanks Jack!

[@kevingilliam6807]

He does a good job ranking them. I definitely rank them a little differently, but i got into them at a little different time.

[@alltheworldsastage899]

Thanks Kevin! Point of entry plays a big part.

[@MGKBOSTON]

Hi Steve, I seem to be seeing a lot of Blue Oyster Cult in vinyl community videos lately. I only have a compilation CD I picked up over 20 years ago. Maybe time for a deeper dive based on your ranking.

[@alltheworldsastage899]

My recommendation is to start with Secret Treaties, and work you way back. After that, move onto Agents of Fortunes, and move forward. Thanks Mike!

[@mcbeezee2120]

Your top 3 ranking is the first to match mine, and your "Astronomy reason" is dead on. Was their quintessential moment IMO. Which is also why it is so sad to see Eric's pipes in the shape they are in these days. I remember when their "A Longs Day's Night' was released. I was fairly shocked to hear him sing. His closing lyric, "Astronomy. A star..." was painful for me. Sorry, but I too saw them for the first time, during their Secret Treaties tour, and they were magnificent. No lasers. Just Eric's vocals and Buck's guitar. Your Spectres rank matched mine too, but I would've followed that with Agents. The rest of their stuff can be put wherever.

[@alltheworldsastage899]

Thanks mcbeezee! You could've written my script for this episode. I gave up on seeing them about 10 years ago because of the vocals, and I too saw them first on Secret Treaties tour. Mind blowing concert! Thanks for stopping by and commenting

[@alexanderdukeler3948]

Enjoyed the video. I’ve been a hardcore BOC fan going back all the way to the ‘70s and the classic “black and white” albums. Two things I want to say. First, I like that you have Spectres ranked high. Outside of the first three, I think it’s their best album. The other thing is a remembrance from 1979. There was no BOC studio album in 1978, only the live Some Enchanted Evening. So it was a long wait, and a lot of anticipation for the next studio offering. That turned out to be the Mirrors album. I will never forget the first time I listened to Mirrors. Excitement turned to depression and disappointment. How could BOC put out such commercial junk?!? A short time later, I was sitting in my car with a friend who was also a huge BOC fan. We were discussing how awful Mirrors was. He happened to have the album on his lap as we were discussing it. Then, during a moment of silence, he picked up the album and tossed it out of the open passenger side window. I couldn’t stop laughing. But it was a fitting act to show how we both felt about Mirrors.

[@alltheworldsastage899]

Thanks Alexander! And thank you for going back into my archive. That probably happens more with BOC, than any other artist I have covered. Yes, 'Specters' seems to miss out on the love, which surprises me because of the success of "Godzilla." Love the story about your friend turning 'Mirrors' into a Frisbee. I had the same initial feelings about it, but I have grown to like some of the songs as time has gone by. Cheers!

[@jeffwhitchervinyldestinati4486]

I’m still slowly digesting the BOC albums but I am already a big fan of what I’ve heard. This video is a great companion guide for me. Very cool Martin Birch also produced BOC before going on to make those great Iron Maiden albums.

[@jeffwhitchervinyldestinati4486]

I’m guessing Mr. Morecock was home schooled.

[@alltheworldsastage899]

And Birch did all those Deep Purple albums from In Rock up through Come Taste the Band, plus the Rainbow albums.

[@kevinbrown1893]

1. Cultosaurus Erectus (1980) 2. Fire of Unknown Origin (1981) 3. Tyranny and Mutation (1973) 4. Spectres (1977) 5. Secret Treaties (1974) 6. Heaven Forbid (1998) 7. Imaginos (1988) 8. Blue Oyster Cult (1972) 9. Agents of Fortune (1976) 10. The Symbol Remains (2020) 11. Mirrors (1979) 12. Club Ninja (1985) 13. The Revolution By Night (1983) 14. Curse of The Hidden Mirror (2001)

[@alltheworldsastage899]

Thanks for sharing your ranking Kevin! They go through a number of stages, so there is no doubting we would have some differences. What year were you born?

[@kevinbrown1893]

1969, so I would've been 11 by the time Cultosaurus dropped. Before 1980 I mainly listened to KISS, so by then the gateways of music opened for me...AC/DC, Ozzy, Sabbath, Priest, Maiden, BOC, et al.

[@alltheworldsastage899]

@@kevinbrown1893 Your first 2 picks are right in line with your coming of age moment. Thanks!

[@rubicon-oh9km]

Agents of Fortune all the way down at number nine? Wow.

[@jgalt155]

Saw them in Glasgow both at the Glasgow university campus stage 1980s ( black blade etc ) and later on the Renfrew ferry... ETI a highlight , a venue so small the band were having beers after the gig and chatting with the fans , altogether a band thet changed my musical compass from the start ..all the best from Glasgow.

[@alltheworldsastage899]

Mu wife and I were in Scotland in 2009 - loved it! I first saw them in 74 on the Secret Treaties tour, and at least a dozen other time since. Like you, (sadly) I have seen them in bars and small clubs over the last 35 years. God bless 'em though, they keep at it. Thanks!

[@nicknick2578]

Cultosaurus it's strange for me, it is great album ! But thanks for the high of the first album, that's exactly how it is. Good luck !!

[@alltheworldsastage899]

Thanks Nick!

[@garyk2629]

One thing about BOC, there's lots of different opinions on what is their best and worst stuff. There's no way i would have Fire of Unknown Origin in the middle of the pack. But to each their own.

[@vikingbrace]

Now why would I laugh at that name? Why? Because it’s hilarious! So we both love BOC but we see a few things differently. For one, I love Godzilla. It’s probably the song that made me want to hear them. Also, I think Heaven Forbid is a fantastic album. Seriously. I like it better than a number of the other ones. Also FOUO is higher for me. I agree with your number one and Astronomy is the main reason. Thanks for ranking these albums!

[@alltheworldsastage899]

Your new fav sci-fi writer. Listen up world; Gary likes Moorcock! Pete's CD Vinyl World loves Heaven Forbid also. You 2, along with Eric Bloom and Buck Dharma might be the only ones who do.

[@stevemcnary7963]

I agree with your top 3. The only 1 I disagree with his Heaven Forbid at the bottom. I would put Mirrors down there.

[@alltheworldsastage899]

Thanks for stopping by Steve! Was not a fan of 'Mirrors' upon its release, took some time to come close to liking it. Cheers!

[@Mike-aka747]

1- Secret Treaties 2- Tvranny & Mvtation 3- Fire of Unknown Origin 4-the Debut 5- Revolution By Night 6-Cvltosorous Erectus 7-Agents of Fortune 8-Curse of the Hidden Mirror 9- Spectres 10- Club Ninja 11- Heaven Forbid 12-Symbol Remains 13-Mirrors 14-Imaginos Live Albums Extraterrestrial Live On Your Feet On Your Knees Some Enchanted Evening Love albums 1-10 all of them. Was tough to rank those honestly. Some may scoff at Revolution. I think it’s a perfect record. Outside of Let Go. The most pedestrian track. Mirrors is a strange one for me. Have never fully connected with this album. Some pretty downright stupid tracks. Agree with you Steve on the production of Imaginos. That mid to late eighties yuckarama. Lol. Definitely BOC’s worst production and it hasn’t aged well. Almost embarrassed to think I dug the hell out of it when I was a teenager. Seemed every BOC album since Treaties had an awful track or 2. Never made A perfect album afterwards. Some jarring material in fact.

[@alltheworldsastage899]

Thanks Mike! Sorry I missed this when it posted. Cheers!

[@jackr.1609]

I would rank Fire of Unknown Origin much higher. Not just Joan Crawford, there's Burning for You and Veteran of the Psychic Wars. Good stuff

[@alltheworldsastage899]

Thanks Jack! A very good album, indeed, but my personal tase for the band is weighted by what they did at the beginning of their career. Don't know how old you are, but I was 16 when the debut came out, so it was perfect timing for me. Cheers!

[@jackr.1609]

@alltheworldsastage899 you're a little older than me but not by much...

[@user-mu9cw8xe4r]

I had to laugh when you said "I never thought I'd hear a sax on a BOC song..." Next album on the list; The Revolution by Night has a 'good song' called Shooting Shark. Uh, Shooting Shark has a saxophone in the mix ... Twice. Sax closes the song, too... fade out. Lists vary from critic to critic, fan to fan, but very surprised you had Tyranny & Mutation #2 ... after putting Cultosaurus Erectus # 11? Really?! Anyways love Blue Oyster Cult my first favorite band from the age of 10. My older brother had Agents of Fortune and Secret Treaties record albums. I ended up getting Spectres, the eponymous debut album, and then Tyranny&Mutation. Anyways I stayed a fan. My older brother became a Genesis and Pink Floyd fan. Anyways, my list no one asked for:😋 #1 Spectres #2 Agents of Fortune #3 Blue Oyster Cult (Before the Kiss, A Redcap forgotten gem, great live) #4 Secret Treaties #5 Cultosaurus Erectus (Bonus points: Cool, great sense of humor artwork Dinosaur album cover) #6 Mirrors (I had not listened to Mirrors until hearing the song In Thee live in 2017 and finally bought the album. Big surprise how good the pop rock sounds to me. The Vigil; The Great Sun Jester are epic) #7 Fire of Unknown Origin (I used to love Joan Crawford, too, but the inclusion of that Alarm clock, car crash et cetera seems unnecessary the more I listen) #8 Tyranny&Mutation (the more I listen to the jamming cool heavy metal rockers (it's cool), the more juvenile I feel. Also loses points for just shortening the title of I'm on the Lamb ... reusing for Red and the Black) #9 The Symbol Remains #10 Imaginos (damn, what coulda/shoulda(?) been. Silver Condor's Joey Cerisano sings 'Arena Rock" lead vocals on The Siege and investiture of Baron von Frankenstein ... ok. So up and down I don't even like the way Astronomy ends ... in the haste to try/do something a bit different(?) #11 The Revolution by Night (Take Me Away, great song) Don't own Club Ninja, Curse of the Rear View Mirror, or Heaven Forbid always great to hear/see a Blue Oyster Cult discussion vid. All The World's A Stage we thank you for your time (Kronos: the Symbol lives)

[@alltheworldsastage899]

Thanks for your detailed response. Top 10 band for me, first time I saw them was on the 'Treaties' tour. Cheers!

[@user-mu9cw8xe4r]

@@alltheworldsastage899 "Raise your can of beer on high/ And seal your fate for-eeever..." Cheers, indeed 😎🍻. Ah, the Golden Age of Leather. I just love that song and a good reason why Spectres remains (along with The Symbol ... sorry 😗😉) my favorite BOC album. I'm a little envious you saw BOC back in '75(?) How young were you? My first BOC concert was at Northfield Park in Ohio. I was there in 2014 or 2015 (somehow I lost my ticket stub ... I have my Second and only other BOC concert ticket stub from 2017 from the House of Blues ... I was 48.) But, I may have been at the DVD show at Northfield Park in Ohio (2014, apparently). Of course I have that DVD and I am not on camera (it appears fans in the first few rows only were shown on camera, I was many rows back.). Cool venue, though. Capacity 2000. It seemed full. The sequence and style of the way the songs were played -- Godzilla, The Last Days of May, in particular, is a must for any rocknroll fan to see Live -- seemed very familiar, like, you know I'd been there before! Northfield has a casino in the same building as the venue; as well as EX-Browns QB Bernie Kosar's restaurant. Next door is the namesake Northfield Park Race track (for those who are interested $$$ in the ponies🤑 a def plus). By the way any 'improved' thoughts on Club Ninja, Heaven Forbid, or Curse of the Rear View Mirror? Inquiring minds considering a purchase despite your criticism ... a year or so ago. Thanx, again, for your time and input.

[@alltheworldsastage899]

@@user-mu9cw8xe4r I was born in 1956 so I was 19 first time I saw them. I've seen them probably 12-15 times, and in every decade with the exception of this one. I may like Ninja a little bit more now, but no hope for the other two. Cheers!

[@user-mu9cw8xe4r]

@@alltheworldsastage899 You may have settled it. I have a 2 disc CD called Halloween Reapers that contains live shows from 3 different years: 1979 (original 5 plus Ricky Reyer and Tony Cedrone on percussion) and 1982 (Rick Downey had replaced Al Bouchard) for King Biscuit Flower Hour Radio broadcasts. The 3rd show is from 86 (Jimmy Henderson on drums, Tom Zvoncheck on keys) and BOC plays 4 songs -- I'm mostly sure -- from Club Ninja: White Flags, Dancin in the Ruins, Shadow Warrior, and Wings of Mercury(?) I just listened again, they seem good live. Oh, a great 5 plus minute version of R U Ready to Rock (Spectres) starts the '86 show, followed by Dominance and Submission (Treaties). I'm having too much fun here. Seven minute version of Take Me Away. I'm assuming you are aware of Halloween Reapers Live Radio Broadcasts (released by Cannonball). If not ...? Again thanx for feedback.

[@martingates6501]

Jajaja, Cultusaurios Erectus on the bottom, Jajaja, this album could be on the top ten better of all times

[@alltheworldsastage899]

Thanks Martin!

[@tomgorman748]

Always love watching these album rankings. But not this one. You don’t seem to know much about some of the albums. Club Ninja, whereas it will rank near the bottom for most fans, you never even mention the arguably best track on the album, Perfect Water. I question how you were able to even do a ranking when you seem to have little knowledge about some of these albums.

[@lindawolffkashmir2768]

Everyone discounts Club Ninja! Perfect Water is amazing, Shadow Warrior is good, too. White Flags, Dancing in the Ruins, and Spy in the House of the Night are decent. The only song I don’t like so much on the album is Madness to the Method, but it’s still listenable. Heaven Forbid has some great songs, too, and many people pass it by. Don’t judge it on the cover art.

[@danbollinger9372]

A lot of his comments amount to little more than “Bad album. Don’t like it”. He gives very little insight as to why he thinks they’re bad or whatever.

[@Jay_Tee2023]

"Fire of Unknown Origin" is #1 and not even close!!!! LOL Who is this NERD?????

[@chriskarley384]

One minute in...OUT!!!!🙄👎