Record Reviews

BLUE OYSTER CULT ~ THE COLUMBIA ALBUMS COLLECTION SONY 886919363425 (Barcode: 886919363425) ~ USA ~ Pop & Rock Recorded: 1971 - 1988 Released: 2012 This excellent Box Set includes remastered and expanded versions of the fourteen albums released by the American Rock band Blue Oyster CultFind albums by this artist for the ColumbiaFind albums on this label label between 1972 and 1988 and adds a whole CD of rarities and another CD of live radio broadcasts and finally a DVD capturing the band in 1978 at the peak of their popularity. Although initially considered as the American answer to the British Hard Rock / Heavy Metal pioneers Black SabbathFind albums by this artist, the band proved to take a direction of their own, which initially was closer to Progressive Rock than Heavy Metal. Fronted by a charismatic singer Eric BloomFind albums by this artist, who also played guitar and featuring a double lead guitar (Donald RoeserFind albums by this artist and Allen LanierFind albums by this artist, who also played keyboards) instrumental capacity with a support of the excellent rhythm section consisting of brothers Joe BouchardFind albums by this artist (bass) and Albert BouchardFind albums by this artist (drums) the band was at the time one of the strongest and most ambitious American outfits on the scene. This steady lineup kept together for almost a decade and proved to be prolific and highly attractive as a live act. The band´s first three albums, often called the "black and white trinity" (due to the album´s covers) are absolute classics of American Rock with ambitious excursions into Zappaesque territory and other quite adventurous ventures. The next period, which lasted until the end of the 1970s, saw the band to turn into a Hard Rock outfit, producing a series of solid album, which brought them huge commercial success and as a result also tumultuous endless touring. The last period, which continued into the 1980s, saw first personnel changes in the group´s lineup and produced several more albums, which failed to achieve the same level of musical excellence as before, gradually turning into pretty mundane output. In retrospect this Box Set is a splendid document of the American Rock scene during the 1970s and 1980s, spotlighting one of the best bands active at the time. It is both worth revisiting by old fans and discovered by younger listeners, who never heard about the band in real time. Recommended!

Updated: 26/01/2019Posted:

CD+DVD 17 Mini-Sleeve Box Set Remastered Bonus Tracks Recommend To A Friend