Blue Öyster Cult

This was an amazing band, and still is. Great album!

A classic, my favorite by BOC, though secret treaties is awesome too. Then came the last days of May is the best track no doubt. All the other tracks are amazing too.

I think the cover is their absolute best...I have three t-shirts of the cover. And the music inside is great. Not a very well recorded album( it sounds like it was recorded at a very low volume), but that is actually part of it's charm. A lot of guitars on it and just enough keyboards. Very cryptic lyrics. My favorite songs are the opening cut Transmaniacon MC, Buck's mellow Then Came the Last Days of May, Before The Kiss (A Redcap) and the spooky middle eastern flavored She's As Beautiful As a Foot...and just recently I have developed a fondness for Redeemed, which has a bit of a country-western feel. Love the ending for it, too. Overall, a must have for anybody.

As much as I love this album, I would love to hear it re-mixed to get rid of the muddy mix. Before I die, I wluld love to hear this album and KISS' Hotter Than Hell remixed to get rid of the murky sound.

I saw BOC open for Alice Cooper on the Killer tour in May, 1972 when I was 14; I had no idea who they were but their live act was stunning and I bought this album the next day. I've had this in every incarnation of media (vinyl, 8-track, cassette, CD and digital download), it still ranks right up there as one of my five favorite albums and holds up well today. I've seen them probably 30 times, twice in the last six months! What people don't realize is how fresh and modern this sounded when it first came out, and that this was considered a hardcore metal album back in the day (it was basically BOC and Sabbath defining the sound). Unlike the first Sabbath album, which had some blues and even jazz overtones, BOC isn't referring to any prior musical genres. One of the reviewers said one song sounded "country"; well, maybe by today's standards, but not the country music of 1972! BOC lay out a blueprint they followed for the first three albums, all stellar. Super fast, layered guitars with stunning lead work from Buck Dharma, still probably my all time favorite guitarist, punctuated with great rhythm guitar from the late Allen Lanier, who was no slouch. When listening to their first three albums, you really hear Dharma and Al Bouchard, the drummer, working off each other to great effect. The lyrics reference motorcycle gangs, Altamont, drug deals gone bad, astronomy, etc., not the stuff of the typical early 70's bands. I can only imagine what heights they would have reached if they'd stayed with this formula, because they certainly had musical talent in spades and a very skewed, intelligent writing team with Pearlman, Metzler, Roeser and the Bouchard brothers. Things began to unwind with Agents of Fortune which, for me, is barely listenable and they had a hit with Don't Fear the Reaper, which took them in a more mainstream direction. But the first three albums are phenomenal. Buy them all, you can't go wrong.

Growing up in the 60's --- and graduating from college early in 1972, I was a concert "fanatic"! And looking back, it was some of the greatest music and times of my life. I was fortunate enough to hear Blue Oyster Cult in concert. Wow, you instantly became "one with their music" Wow, if you don't buy any other songs (they are all great if you love GOOD R & R (especially a little on the heavy side,,,,but not so much you get lost out there) anyway, if you buy nothing else, "Cities on Flame with Rock and Roll is a must!! Probably in my top 20 songs...........music you can feel with every part of you!

Bought this album first time in 75 when I was 13. Downloading again today. Best first album ever heard.

At the time of this review, their is only three reviews. What the heck? WHERE ARE ALL THE BOC FANS? In my opinion, BOC is in the top five greatest bands ever. Buck Dharma is an extremely talented and horribly underrated guitarist. The thoughtful, sci fi lyrics remind me of Rush a lot, though BOC is a little heavier. Then Came the Last Days of May and Cities On Flame With Rock and Roll are my favorites. Remember, DON'T FEAR THE REAPER!!

Blue Öyster Cult's first album is one not to be missed. Lyrically and musically superb!

I recently bought this album out of curiosity and i am glad that i did! This is one of the greatest albums i have ever listened to, if you are a fan of rock n roll, do yourself a favor and buy this album you will definitely not regret it!