I also saw them live for the first time on the Spectres(2nd favourite album) tour in 1978 at my second home during the late 70's, De Montfort Hall(Leicester)😆For me, the greatest band of all time. My favourite album is also Secret Treaties, a hard rock masterpiece. Difficult to pick a favourite track when they have so many great songs but for me, The Vigil is above everything they've ever done and I've had the good fortune to say it in person to Buck(Had a good chat with him some years ago). You need to persevere with Agents of Fortune and especially Sinful Love because that's a top 5 BOC track for me. Flaming Telepaths is possibly my second favourite track of theirs. Heaven Forbid is more heavy than usual but still a great album(Live For Me is one BOC's best songs). Well done!, really enjoyed your video.
Thanks for the rankings and effort here. My favorites follow their middle period more because that's when I got into them as a formative teen. Fire of Unkown Origin is my favorite. I was surprised you didn't mention nor like Revenge of Vera Gemini off Agents. BOC's strength and beauty come from their varied, eclectic sound.
Chris @ The Vinyl Orchard. Thank you for your work on this video. With regard to your top 11 Blue Oyster Cult (BOC) albums, I think you have it right. With regard to the album “Imaginos” may I say that I really like the version of “Astronomy” on that recording. Buck Dharma sings the lead vocal and - like all good tunes - the boys in the band take it somewhere else. Plus there is a track called “Blue Oyster Cult” on the album. How many bands can claim to have a song written about them? As the years have gone by, I have discovered more and more about the “Imaginos” story which I believe Albert Bouchard has or will release a triple concept album. IMHO BOC’s “weakest” album is “Club Ninja”. By the time of its release, only Buck and Eric Bloom remained as the band. Yet, I have seen them perform “Perfect Water” live and they included “Dancin’ In The Ruins” on their 50th Anniversary DVD. “Club Ninja” must have been a “contractual obligation” - possibly to keep their recording contract. “Don’t Fear The Reaper” will go and on till we are all dust. It’s timeless! And Buck Dharma still manages to sing the song in original key! He probably never even thought that he would be performing it live in the eight decade of his life! The latest incarnation of the band play “Joan Crawford” live. I saw the band back in the 1980’s and Allen Lanier (RIP) used to play the piano intro’ to that song. Nowadays Richie Castellano (check out his own project The Band Geeks) has that piano part nailed. You mentioned the track “Mistress Of The Salmon Salt (Quick Lime Girl)” from “Tyranny and Mutation”. You may already know this. J.K. Rowling writes under the pen name “Robert Galbraith” and has created a private investigator called Cormoran Strike. In the story “Career Of Evil” it says that Strike’s dead mother Leda had “Quick Lime Girl” tattooed on her shoulder/back! BOC - with 50 years + of history - are unlikely to be inducted to The Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame. Apparently BOC’s management fell out with Jann Wenner (RRHOF chairman) way back in the 1970’s and the rift still exists. However, I read that Mr. Wenner has been deposed from his position, so there may be a chance…….. Thanks again for this video highlighting Blue Oyster Cult - the “thinking man’s metal band”. You and yours stay safe and well.
Fabulous comment. Thank you for taking the time to send it. Lots of bands have a song named after them especially the ones in the NWOBHM. BOC is just a reworking of subhuman which is one of my fave BOC tracks. Club ninja have grown on me. Not a huge amount but enough. Reaper is indeed timeless. I didn’t know that about JKR. Amazing! Thank you for your interest and support. Cheers, Chris
I wasn't really in to them until i was dragged to see them at the De Montfort Hall in Lesta in Nov 12th '79. (was supposed to be at the Granby Halls, Lesta but they didn't sell enough tickets). I'd heard their hit of course and after weeks of badgering from my schoolfriend neighbour, both 15, i decided to give them the benefit of the doubt and go with him, i have no idea how i afforded it as the Friday before i went to see AC/DC there. Good thing i did, fell in love with the band, don't care that it was the Mirrors tour and people diss the album, i love it. The support band was Magnum. Still a huge fan of both bands. I think from your videos that me and you took roughly the same musical journey, until the mid '80s. Then Thrash came along and that's been my go to from then until now. Loving your videos, bringing back loads of memories from back then AND you're getting me to play stuff that i've had mothballed for over 40 years. cheers me ode.
Solid ranking. I’ve been a fan since 1981 when I was 18 and was bombarded on radio airwaves by Burnin’ For You. Own every album in one form or another. Love nearly everything they do. Only a few tracks I’m not that fond of. Spectres and Fire of Unknown Origin usually make it into my top five ahead of the debut and Tyranny, with Secret Treaties being my favorite.
BOC fan,came in at Tyranny and immediately picked up the debut. The black and white period is by far my favorite run,my ranking would be Tyranny first,then Secret Treaties,then the debut.If this is your first ranking video I'm very impressed. Looking forward to your thoughts on other catalogs. Cheers.
As a pre-teen in America, I was totally into their first two albums...in fact, I listened to both of them the other night. The first album has a unique, sort of "closed" sound. It definitely sounds like a first album by a band, and has some good tunes on it..."Stairway to the Stars", "She's a Beautiful as a Foot" and "Redeemed" to name just a few. The second album "Tyranny and Mutation" sounds much more lively produced, and who could forget "O.D.'d on Life Itself" and "Seven Screaming Dizbusters"? I did not follow them afterwards...my musical tastes shifted to progressive rock, but I still enjoy the early stuff. "I'm on the Lamb, but I ain't no sheep" indeed!
Hi Chris, thanks for tackling this one. I'd definitely put On Your Knees in my top 10-12 live albums of all time - it was my first exposure to the band. I think I'd go with your ranking as far as the early albums go (up to Mirrors). The later ones I don't know. Funny that you should mention it a couple of times but for me BOC albums (more than for other bands) have always had one side that is far stronger than the other. Cheers...Pete
Thanks Pete. Quite a lot of their albums have this dominant side. There are a number of famous LPs that have this too. Joshua Tree and LZep IV spring to mind immediately. Thanks for watching. Great band. Chris
I’m trying to fill the gaps in my Blue Oyster Cult collection, so this video is helpful, Chris. There’s a copy of Mirrors cheap in my local shop. Spectres is great but I agree the ‘black and white’ albums have to make the top three. Have you heard their pre - BOC album when they were called Stalk Forrest Group? It’s brilliant, more West Coast style at times.
Have always been meaning to track down Stalk as I have had all these LPs for a long time now. BOC LPs are easy to find cheap and worth picking up. Thinking man’s hard rock I reckon. Cheers John, Chris
Great video of one of my favourite bands! I would put them more or less in a similar order! Great stuff Chris I believe the Jam supported them in the state's? I didn't know about Japan! Who chose these support bands? 😂
Good job mate, but I would have liked to have seen you include the albums you don't have. You might have downloaded to them, listened more and included them. I almost completely agree with you. Secret Treaties is by far their best, one of the best in rock period. I too put the debit second.
I bought Secret Treaties when I was about 14 but in the late 80's I traded it for some Northern Soul 45s. Recently I was reacquainted with it via a record club I belong to when it was chosen as an album to listen to and review. I was so glad this was picked because had forgotten just how great it is. I have not bought it again and there is not a bad track on it. Astronomy is a classic. I hear s much in this record that has influenced others. Some early punk bands often reference BOC and there is a definite punky riff thing going on. I also hear power pop, metal (of course) with a Bruce Dickinson/Maiden thing going on. And the aforementioned Astronomy has a prog going on ot my ears. A superb record and I speak as a primarily jazz, soul, funk and Latin vinyl buyer. A really great video. Cheers Chris.
I love this band and been a fan since the late 90s since my late teens my top 5 are cultosaurus erectus, spectres, fire of unknown origin, secret treaties and club ninja yes im a fan of club ninja it was one of the first boc albums i owned as a teenager so it was the start of my boc journey and honorable mention goes to mirrors love the vigil and the great sun jester off of that album
I also saw them live for the first time on the Spectres(2nd favourite album) tour in 1978 at my second home during the late 70's, De Montfort Hall(Leicester)😆For me, the greatest band of all time. My favourite album is also Secret Treaties, a hard rock masterpiece. Difficult to pick a favourite track when they have so many great songs but for me, The Vigil is above everything they've ever done and I've had the good fortune to say it in person to Buck(Had a good chat with him some years ago). You need to persevere with Agents of Fortune and especially Sinful Love because that's a top 5 BOC track for me. Flaming Telepaths is possibly my second favourite track of theirs. Heaven Forbid is more heavy than usual but still a great album(Live For Me is one BOC's best songs). Well done!, really enjoyed your video.
What a band! Love them. Need to revisit their ‘newer’ stuff! Cheers my friend, Chris
Thanks for the rankings and effort here. My favorites follow their middle period more because that's when I got into them as a formative teen.
Fire of Unkown Origin is my favorite.
I was surprised you didn't mention nor like Revenge of Vera Gemini off Agents.
BOC's strength and beauty come from their varied, eclectic sound.
Really eclectic band. Not a fan of Vera Gemini. Their first three are amazing. OYFOOYK is essential
Thanks for the review. I also have Secret Treaties as their #1 LP and Astronomy as their #1 song. Great minds think alike...
Both are bonafide classics. Thank you for watching and taking the time to comment. Cheers, Chris
Chris @ The Vinyl Orchard. Thank you for your work on this video. With regard to your top 11 Blue Oyster Cult (BOC) albums, I think you have it right. With regard to the album “Imaginos” may I say that I really like the version of “Astronomy” on that recording. Buck Dharma sings the lead vocal and - like all good tunes - the boys in the band take it somewhere else. Plus there is a track called “Blue Oyster Cult” on the album. How many bands can claim to have a song written about them? As the years have gone by, I have discovered more and more about the “Imaginos” story which I believe Albert Bouchard has or will release a triple concept album.
IMHO BOC’s “weakest” album is “Club Ninja”. By the time of its release, only Buck and Eric Bloom remained as the band. Yet, I have seen them perform “Perfect Water” live and they included “Dancin’ In The Ruins” on their 50th Anniversary DVD. “Club Ninja” must have been a “contractual obligation” - possibly to keep their recording contract.
“Don’t Fear The Reaper” will go and on till we are all dust. It’s timeless! And Buck Dharma still manages to sing the song in original key! He probably never even thought that he would be performing it live in the eight decade of his life!
The latest incarnation of the band play “Joan Crawford” live. I saw the band back in the 1980’s and Allen Lanier (RIP) used to play the piano intro’ to that song. Nowadays Richie Castellano (check out his own project The Band Geeks) has that piano part nailed.
You mentioned the track “Mistress Of The Salmon Salt (Quick Lime Girl)” from “Tyranny and Mutation”. You may already know this. J.K. Rowling writes under the pen name “Robert Galbraith” and has created a private investigator called Cormoran Strike. In the story “Career Of Evil” it says that Strike’s dead mother Leda had “Quick Lime Girl” tattooed on her shoulder/back!
BOC - with 50 years + of history - are unlikely to be inducted to The Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame. Apparently BOC’s management fell out with Jann Wenner (RRHOF chairman) way back in the 1970’s and the rift still exists. However, I read that Mr. Wenner has been deposed from his position, so there may be a chance……..
Thanks again for this video highlighting Blue Oyster Cult - the “thinking man’s metal band”.
You and yours stay safe and well.
Fabulous comment. Thank you for taking the time to send it.
Lots of bands have a song named after them especially the ones in the NWOBHM. BOC is just a reworking of subhuman which is one of my fave BOC tracks. Club ninja have grown on me. Not a huge amount but enough. Reaper is indeed timeless.
I didn’t know that about JKR. Amazing!
Thank you for your interest and support. Cheers, Chris
I wasn't really in to them until i was dragged to see them at the De Montfort Hall in Lesta in Nov 12th '79. (was supposed to be at the Granby Halls, Lesta but they didn't sell enough tickets). I'd heard their hit of course and after weeks of badgering from my schoolfriend neighbour, both 15, i decided to give them the benefit of the doubt and go with him, i have no idea how i afforded it as the Friday before i went to see AC/DC there. Good thing i did, fell in love with the band, don't care that it was the Mirrors tour and people diss the album, i love it. The support band was Magnum. Still a huge fan of both bands.
I think from your videos that me and you took roughly the same musical journey, until the mid '80s. Then Thrash came along and that's been my go to from then until now.
Loving your videos, bringing back loads of memories from back then AND you're getting me to play stuff that i've had mothballed for over 40 years. cheers me ode.
Cheers Neil. Thanks for watching and commenting, Chris
Solid ranking. I’ve been a fan since 1981 when I was 18 and was bombarded on radio airwaves by Burnin’ For You. Own every album in one form or another. Love nearly everything they do. Only a few tracks I’m not that fond of. Spectres and Fire of Unknown Origin usually make it into my top five ahead of the debut and Tyranny, with Secret Treaties being my favorite.
Your favourite always depends on your age and when you possibly saw them. I grew up with OYFOOYK and saw them in 78. Whenever, great band
BOC fan,came in at Tyranny and immediately picked up the debut. The black and white period is by far my favorite run,my ranking would be Tyranny first,then Secret Treaties,then the debut.If this is your first ranking video I'm very impressed. Looking forward to your thoughts on other catalogs. Cheers.
Thank you for your feedback and thoughts. May well do another ranking vid although I find them so bloody hard to do. Cheers, chris
As a pre-teen in America, I was totally into their first two albums...in fact, I listened to both of them the other night. The first album has a unique, sort of "closed" sound. It definitely sounds like a first album by a band, and has some good tunes on it..."Stairway to the Stars", "She's a Beautiful as a Foot" and "Redeemed" to name just a few. The second album "Tyranny and Mutation" sounds much more lively produced, and who could forget "O.D.'d on Life Itself" and "Seven Screaming Dizbusters"? I did not follow them afterwards...my musical tastes shifted to progressive rock, but I still enjoy the early stuff. "I'm on the Lamb, but I ain't no sheep" indeed!
Their first three alps are all a great listen. Thanks for watching Tim, Chris
Hi Chris, thanks for tackling this one. I'd definitely put On Your Knees in my top 10-12 live albums of all time - it was my first exposure to the band. I think I'd go with your ranking as far as the early albums go (up to Mirrors). The later ones I don't know. Funny that you should mention it a couple of times but for me BOC albums (more than for other bands) have always had one side that is far stronger than the other. Cheers...Pete
Thanks Pete. Quite a lot of their albums have this dominant side. There are a number of famous LPs that have this too. Joshua Tree and LZep IV spring to mind immediately. Thanks for watching. Great band. Chris
I’m trying to fill the gaps in my Blue Oyster Cult collection, so this video is helpful, Chris. There’s a copy of Mirrors cheap in my local shop. Spectres is great but I agree the ‘black and white’ albums have to make the top three. Have you heard their pre - BOC album when they were called Stalk Forrest Group? It’s brilliant, more West Coast style at times.
Have always been meaning to track down Stalk as I have had all these LPs for a long time now. BOC LPs are easy to find cheap and worth picking up. Thinking man’s hard rock I reckon. Cheers John, Chris
Great video of one of my favourite bands! I would put them more or less in a similar order! Great stuff Chris I believe the Jam supported them in the state's? I didn't know about Japan! Who chose these support bands? 😂
The Jam?! Wow. That’s an odd mix. Japan didn’t go down well. BOC are a great band. Thanks for watching Ian, Chris
Good overview Chris. There are lots of holes in my BOC vinyl collection, in fact it's mainly holes but I'll get there.
Short but sweet video knowing that not many will view it. Great band. Thanks for watching James, Chris
Good job mate, but I would have liked to have seen you include the albums you don't have. You might have downloaded to them, listened more and included them. I almost completely agree with you. Secret Treaties is by far their best, one of the best in rock period. I too put the debit second.
Do you think about it but I’m still not that familiar with those albums.
I must spend some time listening to them. What a great band! Cheers, Chris
I bought Secret Treaties when I was about 14 but in the late 80's I traded it for some Northern Soul 45s. Recently I was reacquainted with it via a record club I belong to when it was chosen as an album to listen to and review. I was so glad this was picked because had forgotten just how great it is. I have not bought it again and there is not a bad track on it. Astronomy is a classic. I hear s much in this record that has influenced others. Some early punk bands often reference BOC and there is a definite punky riff thing going on. I also hear power pop, metal (of course) with a Bruce Dickinson/Maiden thing going on. And the aforementioned Astronomy has a prog going on ot my ears. A superb record and I speak as a primarily jazz, soul, funk and Latin vinyl buyer. A really great video. Cheers Chris.
Thanks Mark. I think it’s a wonderful album. A record club! Need to start one
@@thevinylorchard5929 It's great fun. Basically it's a bunch of old blokes talking about records but it's a chance to nerd out.
@marklancaster6558 sounds absolutely up my street 😂
I agree with your ranking, especially #1. Secret Treaties is great.
Superb Lp
Don’t really know too much of the band but this was a very enjoyable ranking of their work. Thanks Chris. All the best. Dave✅✅
Great band. Thanks for watching Dave
perfect description of the BOC album expecially about agents of fortune
Always struggled with AOF
I think AOF was overvalued for the presence of DFTR e ETI the other songs are not at the same level, maybe Just Tenderloin.
My favourite band 😅. Thanks. Br, Claus
Great. Let me know your favourites Claus. Cheers, Chris
Three favourites are the same as yours. And in different order. Tyranny followed by eponymous and with Secret Treaties aa number three. Br, Claus
Love the black and white era
I love this band and been a fan since the late 90s since my late teens my top 5 are cultosaurus erectus, spectres, fire of unknown origin, secret treaties and club ninja yes im a fan of club ninja it was one of the first boc albums i owned as a teenager so it was the start of my boc journey and honorable mention goes to mirrors love the vigil and the great sun jester off of that album
Great band. Your age determines your entry point I think. Love them. Thanks for watching George, Chris
@@thevinylorchard5929 yeah I got into them when I was 18 going on 19 and now I'm 45
@georgemathie8123 saw them when I was 15. 61 now!
@@thevinylorchard5929 that's totally awesome you got to see them in their prime
@georgemathie8123 U.K. tour 78. Bournemouth. They were excellent and I was hooked straight away.