Harvest Moon; Blue Oyster Cult's Hidden Horror Masterpiece | Musical Maybes
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- čas přidán 14. 12. 2023
- "This place has a history..." (not a happy one...)
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A horror song with a sick riff by Blue Oyster Cult? No, it is not "Don't Fear the Reaper" or even "Veteran of the Psychic Wars". There's plenty of other hidden gems from Blue Oyster Cult's later years that go even beyond the madness of Imaginos. 'Heaven Forbid' and 'Curse of the Hidden Mirror' are faulty if not interesting albums. The band has a pedigree in Horror and the ability to render American pulp into a concise, fascinating Horror rock song. Harvest Moon may sound obscure to someone not familiar with BOC, but it is a pretty popular song among those aware. Its obscurity is due to being the stand-out track on the later album Heaven Forbid (1998). It deserves a higher billing among the Cult's horror parables though.
Harvest Moon... Occult and horrifying. "Harvest Moon" was written by Buck Dharma very much in the mold of Blue Oyster Cult's earlier material and it sounds like that. The song's Halloween-Christmas lyrics sound like Stephen King, but the mystery of the rural town within are very much in the lineage of Robert Bloch, H. P. Lovecraft, and even the Welsh Arthur Machen. A farming down that is haunted, hunted, and harvested by... something. The cycles of season and history move around the decaying town which sets itself in the "somewhere" of the United States. What phantom of Americana (New York, California, or other) is haunting the families of this Rock 'N' Roll rural world? Is is rural decay in the farming crisis or something older?
What happens when the wind turns and Fall turns to Winter? They find them all that way...
#blueoystercult - #Horrormusic - #horror
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Credits:
- Intro Animation by Scott Luís Masson/SLM Illustration: slmillustration.com/ / Instagram:
/ slm_illustration / Facebook: / scottlmasson
- Intro Music by Ben Elliott: / benelliottsound
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Video Sources (Support the creators/uploaders): rentry.co/BOC_Harvest_Moon_Vi...
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Music:
Yoko Shimomura (Parasite Eve OST) - "Out of Phase" (00:08-02:39)
Ben Elliot - "Midnight Dream Oil" (02:39-02:55)
Yoko Shimomura (Parasite Eve OST) - "Arise Within You" (02:55-04:51)
Yoko Shimomura (Parasite Eve OST) - "Gloom and Doom" (04:51-07:19)
Steve Henifin (Eternal Darkness OST) - "Back Rose" (07:19-11:29)
Yoko Shimomura (Parasite Eve OST) - "Waiting for Something to Awaken" (11:29-13:39)
Yoko Shimomura (Parasite Eve OST) - "Missing Perspective" (13:39-16:46)
Ben Elliot - "Journey To Paris" (16:46-17:19)
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All copyrighted media, images, and music respective owner(s).
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Sources: rentry.co/BOC_Harvest_Moon
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I Feel The Thanks For Watching Clear - Zábava
Having mulled over the video, I've decided to add my two cents - for what they're worth. I've had my fun as well trying to figure where the place could be (although I've interpreted that "working the boats" might also include river boats) - I think it's part of the draw of this song for me. But as far as the source of omnipresent seasonal evil - I've felt that its nature is to remain unknown, as it doesn't matter for the song.
There is something terrible out there, sure - but it matters far less than this sense of melancholia that drenches the place through and through. People go missing only to be found dead - but the why and how of it matters far less than how people are afflicted and how they'll eventually turn their backs to this place. Spaniards did feel the need to torch the place and leave - but that unsolvable historical enigma matters far less than how the people feel as the days grow shorter and colder.
Another aspect is how text ties with the overall feeling of the music. It's progression hints (to me, at least) at this constant movement towards some resolution, which combined with the text the singing, the overall sound emphasises the foreboding feeling of the piece. The guitar solo in the middle feels like one of those late-autumn stormy nights with heavy droplets of the long-anticipated rain being carried by a furious wind, the last leaves scattering across, being battered by the rain. Almost reminds me of The Old Gods Return in a way. Perhaps that's your tie to a nature of the ever-present evil.
In a way, it all comes together. While the individual parts might look like an incomplete puzzle, when put side by side they form a coherent picture of a certain *here* and *now*.
And while we on the topic of a song from the Heaven Forbid, I'd like to recommend to anyone that got interested by this piece some other songs from the album that have an interesting... flavour (for the lack of other words) when you take your time to consider them (with some short descriptions to hopefully hook you in):
-X-Ray Eyes - arguably, one of the most lovecraftean pieces by BOC even beyond the more straightforward adaptations like The Alchemist;
-Real World - one of the best urban fantasy songs, as far as I'm concerned;
-Power Underneath Despair - a straightforward revenge story, but when coupled with music it becomes so much more compelling.
I'm very atmospheric when it comes to music. Sinful love & most songs on Agents of Furtune & Mirrors, are served best on a rainy July or August night. Some Enchanted Evening served best in October November. on your feet or on your knees is the winds of March.
If I may, there seems to be some similar ideas to the story behind The Soft Doctrines of Imaginos. Native Americans get badly harmed. A great force comes and, at least in my interpretation, attempts to avenge them.
The reference to Spainiards has an interesting tie to "Florida Man" off their newest album, The Symbol Remains. I think it makes a funny 'sequel' to Harvest Moon where the Old Gods curse the ancestors of modern Floridians to do weird stuff. Buck is a master of genre fusion. I'm convinced he'd make a great author in another life. -¿-
I actually really dig Heaven Forbid, I think it's a very underrated album. See You in Black, Power Underneath, Hammer Back, and Damaged are all super heavy, and of course Harvest Moon is the icing on the cake.
I always make sure to listen to Harvest Moon every fall. Such a wonderfully creepy song. Growing up in a very rural farming village I've always felt a connection to it.
My grandma lives by a bunch of corn fields so I always found it relatable.
Someone's talking about my favorite BOC song? Hell yeah!
It is underappreciated by everyone who is not willing to at least give the later albums a chance.
Yes, yes, yes! My favorite post 80s BOC album and song. A hidden masterpiece!
I'm living for the BOC videos! Harvest Moon is one of my favorite BOC songs too!
Always glad to see another video from you. Especially if it's Blue Oyster Cult.
This entire album was good, so not sure why it did not get what it deserves. This song is amazing, thank ou for giving it the love. I start jamming it in September like daily, because many consider the September moon the Harvest Moon. I freaking love it.
I adore this and many of their songs for Halloween and they are not given nearly enough love for Halloween. Also Roky Ericson. He has some great dark Halloween songs and he has BOC feels. I walk with the zombie, if ou have ghosts, stand for the fire demon, night of the vampire, I could go on and on. Also Tori Amos Happy Phantom should get more Halloween love.
BOC's Frankenstein song, it's got a far longer title, is also great for the spooky season.
Bella L
Hell yeah a new psuediom upload and it’s about Blue Öyster Cult again
I wanted to make one 'Harvest Moon' to make people appreciate it more.
Analyzing BÖC before New Year is becoming my favorite tradition.
I live kind of close to Ithaca, NY. There’s definitely a lot of... disturbing events around there. I see where the inspiration came from. There’s a town not too far from there they specifically call “the village of the damned”. Wouldn’t be surprised if that’s where they were talking about. Also, as far as working the boats goes, there’s a lot of large lakes in the area and some boat related work, especially in Tompkins county.
Crazy. I just watched Harvest Moon from the new blu-ray 50th anniversary release, and then you released this video. Very cool. Big fan of your stuff!
Fantastic! Loved this! Long live BOC!
Live For Me is an absolute classic
Musically and lyrically
BOC is Incredible
27 faces with their eyes turned to the sky.
VLA New Mexico
I've got a camera and an airtight Alibi.
Every Blue Öyster Cult song deserves a whole video. You could make a miniseries with Joan Crawford Has Risen from the Grave alone.
Exactly! That's why I have to stop myself from doing so. I don't like to flood one topic.
A song feels how it feels to every individual and I appreciate every perspective
I don't think Grandma or the guy telling the story is doing the harvest. He does not go out at night, remember? Grandma would not hurt him, so it isn't either of them. He left cause he was scared. Sheep, goats, then people, it's supernatural.
I enjoy our voice, gives me big bang feels, btw. Sorry for the odd rambles,about to go sleepy time. LOL. Caffeen crash.
Bella L
Blue Oyster Cult 👀 hope you cover more bands at some point!
Yeah. I will in the coming videos. Blue Oyster Cult's just always scratched a particular itch of mine.
Heaven Forbid is a great album. Commercial success is no measure of artistic success.
Gaining in popularity
I agree, it's one of my favorite BOC records. Different from the "classic" BOC, but highly listenable from beginning to end.
@@Beezner122 It's also my favorite. Along with Fire of Unknown Origin. I do not know their entire catalog though.
There's a flavor of this in the nightmarishly violent and beautifully creepy "Hold The Dark" directed by Jeremy Saulnier
With the greatest respect to the narrator, I think we may be reading a little bit too much into this. I remember having this song on a bootleg before Heaven Forbid came out and thinking that Buck can always come up with something when they really need it. It's obviously an above-average song with a dark undercurrent. All that supernatural complexity never crossed my mind.
Its a CZcams video made mostly for fun. Of course the point is to overthink it. Speaks to Buck's talent as well!
The state could be Missouri as well
Very true. I did ignore major rivers in my analysis, but I didn't want to exhaust the idea because the video would have been boring. I tried to use footage from all over the United States states in the video.
It really is one of the few songs that recaptured their old magic, a condensed Stephen King story if King's stories were any good.
I never made the connection that "grandma" was linked to the evil happenings in any meaningful way, but it makes sense as an interpretation. My reading of the lyrics has always been a relatively literal one: that the town is built on ground that is occupied by some sort of genius loci who kills humans and animals in a mysterious way that no one can explain or do anything about, so the residents just try to live with it. The narrator and his/her grandma are somehow trapped in the town, probably for both economic and sentimental reasons, but the narrator finds a way to leave the cursed place later in life, which does not mean the evil goes away.
I don't really subscribe to any one interpretation so I tried to list through the major ones I could come up with (and the ones I found in the online discussion about the song). And, as I mentioned at the end, I think the interpretation is going to be colored by what people find most interesting about the song. Everyone in the town could be innocent and the land is just cursed/malevolent/vengeful.
every song on heaven forbid is stellar -i was the only person around who had it back then even in a large town lol -when i listen to the album i am taken back to it and its wonderful darkness and pleasurable nostalgia true bocphiles will get this
Love harvest moon just beautiful...but a line from another song off this heaven forbid release i can never forget...something beyond is reaching out to you...
Harvest Moon might actually be a contender for my favourite BOC track. I’m a horror guy and the song just manages to give me the creeps like few other tracks.
Super underrated song and album
I had always assumed that Harvest Moon took place in a small agricultural area in central or eastern Long Island, where the band was from. If the Spaniards ever came that far north during the colonial period, they would have settled there due to the proximity to the oceans. The Coby's going south to work the boats also make sense, if they left the farming area for the coast. It would not have been a big move.
The mystery and dark themes are also characteristic of old tales from Long Island going way back.
Another area where this could have taken place is North of Louisiana. The Spanish held that territory before the French. The Ozarks are also an area shrouded by mystery and dark goings on.
Absolutely magnificent video !
I now have a whole new perspective on the song, which I now like even more than before
😮. What a strange narration! I live in upstate NY pretty close to sleepy hollow. There are a lot of rural towns with farms. I get a Errie feeling when passing those old run down farms. Especially when I see pitch fork's laying on the ground. Then birds flying over the abandoned farm. Could they be bats? I don't want to find out!
Interesting interpretations here, but I don’t think the narrator is meant to be involved with the evil going on in the town. He is simply our point-of-view character as to what’s going on. I would point to the lines “I don’t go out to night since Bobrow’s youngest daughter disappeared from sight”, which shows that the narrator is as afraid of the events as any other townsperson.
And I don’t think there is any implication intended that grandmother is the cause of the evil. I think it more likely she is there to show that the narrator, like his neighbors, have ties to the town which keep them there despite the periodic evil lurking on the edges. It is only when his grandmother dies that he is willing to leave the town for good.
And to the point that the lines “long time since there’s been trouble” imply that the killings have stopped because grandmother is gone, I would disagree. My inference is that he is lying to the “new man” who is buying his farm, telling him that the troubles are over. He knows the evil is still out there but he can’t say it because he needs to sell the land. I find this a much more ominous ending to the story… the evil, and the mystery, persist.
When the snow melts away sticks with me because out here in rural illinois some drunks would walk miles to go to a bar and in winter some would not make it home pass out roll into the ditch to be covered by snow until the first good thaw when they are finally revealed, lot of old drunks with missing arms and legs walking the rail road tracks thinking it would be safer
Heaven Forbid is highly underrated. It's a killer in disguise. The more you listen the better it gets. It is a Quiet Gem for true BOC fans. My Older Brother turned me on to them back in 77,been a Die Hard fan ever since. Give it another shot and I'm sure you'll agree. BLUE OYSTER CULT on TOUR FOREVER.
Probably my favorite BOC song, I personally love later period BOC. I'm a 90s kid so this song always heavily reminds me of Scooby Doo and the Zombie Island. Obviously not 100 percent, but has that feel to it.
If Don't Fear the Reaper is BÖC's 2001: A Space Odyssey, then Harvest Moon is 2010: The Year We Made Contact.
Please consider going an analysis on Career of Evil
I believe the song, at least in part. Was sadly inspired by the abduction, and murder of a twelve year old girl that lived by his wife's house outside of Utica, NY. A rural upstate area. Don't quote me on it by no means. But I heard that through a grape~vine. Also 'Stone of Love' involved Bucks brothers death around that same period.😢
CORRECTION: 'Live for Me' was a dedication to Bucks Brother.
Stone of Love is one of my favorite BOC songs. The demo verison is great if you haven't heard it.
how have I never heard of them? how am I only the 37th comment? your stuff is great, instant sub
Speaking of Musical Maybes, I'm curious if you'd ever do a video about the weird 80's goth pop duo known as Strawberry Switchblade? I'd honestly love to see your video on them, especially after I re-watched your video on The Unforgiven.
Merry Christmas!
Late Merry Christmas and Happy New Year's! I got food poising from a turkey roll and was out of commission for a little bit.
One of my fav from boc
The first incorrect thing ive noticed, Bober is the russian word for Beaver, Vidra is the otter
I still believe that Secret Treaties is the best BOC album 😎
Harvest moon theme even carried into Flordia man legitimately a lot of of their "bad" albums have a lotnof good songs but yeah a chunk of songs in these albums are just okay BÖC never really has bad songs just okay ones.
Great Game too
why is the narration suddenly becoming distorted at the end of words? they're like getting cut short, sounds almost like an AI voice narrator bugging out from too long of a script.
Intriguing - why not Korean/Vietnam war? \m/
Korea and Vietnam hasn't really entered the state of "Americana" like the World Wars have. You can definitely make an argument for both though. Vietnam would actually work better with BOC's whole dark 1970s aesthetic that defined in their early career.
I came here thinking this was a video about an indie horror parody of a Harvest Moon game 🤣
Why do you talk funny ?
Babe, wake up, there’s a new Pseudiom video..🖤🩶🩵