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Any album in which the lead singer appears proud to be playing for Poughkeepsie immediately identifies this as the moment just after the downward momentum has taken hold. Let's be fair though, this is an 80s live album, touring for an 80s album in a time in which not just Heavy Metal, but all of Rock and Roll was in a serious identity crisis. Back in the day before the term Haevy Metal was used formally, one would refer to Blue Oyster Cult, Black Sabbath, and Thin Lizzy as Heavy Metal. It wasn't really until the New Wave of British Heavy Metal in the late 70s (Motorhead, Venom, Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, etc) that Heavy Metal became a more self-conscous genre. This being said, the Blue Oyster Cult has traditionally taken more cues from Hawkwind and Pink Floyd, especially in the space jams and extended high concept blues based raggas, as opposed to Sabbath, who really forged (pun intended) a new sound and songwriting theory to form the foundation of modern metal. Now, The Blue Oyster Cult peaked just before Don't Fear the Reaper, and its one of those cases where the popular song was too long in coming and by the time it came out the band had already drifted into its own different directions (and the provsion of home recording multitracks for each band member further split a once cohesive sonic identity). Agents of Fortune was perhaps their biggest selling album to date, although the most incoherent and inconsistent. Its a must for the collection, but you'll find you rarely listen to it. Since that point (mid 70s I think) BOC had been playing catch up, and they did with regard to commercial exposure with radio hits on Burning For You and soudntrack credits for Psychic Wars on the Heavy MEtal soundtrack. BUT, keep in mind that the Heavy Metal movie sucked, and most likely hurt the band's image, and radio was becoming more slick, preprogrammed and formatted. This album, ETI Live catches the band at its most desperate, as may be seen in the inclusion of Roadhouse Blues. Of all the Doors' songs, why that one? Because the generation that would have been seeing the BOC based on their radio hits would recognize it. 7 Screaming Disbusters would be gone from the lineup, as well as Last Days of May, Stairway to the Stars and the Before the Kiss a Redcap. Its sad really as the BOC could have been America's Hawkwind had they ore confidence in themselves and their own vision. This is a case where corporate music killed an organic and demonic naturally occuring species. RIP BOC.Read full review
This is pure BÖC at the top of their game,riding high on the popularity of the HEAVY METAL MOVIE. This live version of "Veteran of the Psychic Wars" is really a gem. There is A LOT of good older BÖC classics on this CD as well. GODZILLA is another standout in which the crowd is worked into a frenzy before they begin the song. That's what really makes this CD shine is the way BÖC plays to and with the audience. They are masters of the stage and it comes through on this CD. It's not the best sounding CD on the market, after all the original masters are nearly 30 years old. But it doesn't sound horrible either. Also worth noting is the guest appearance of Robby Krieger on guitar for BÖC's fine rendition of the Doors "roadhouse blues" Great stuff.
I only review live albums that I think are worth mentioning, if it doesn't rate at least 4 stars then I don't bother. I give this cd a good rating because it flows well, the band jams very well and the music and the production is pretty well done for a live release. The only problem I would have with it, is this is an older release so the equipment used in the production might now have been as modern as one would expect, but if you've seen this band live (like I have) then you know what they sound like live, and this is a really good reproduction of that experience.
You can't go wrong with BÖC!
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
I'm not a big fan of live music unless I am there live (Foghat Live and Mahogany Rush live are the exceptions). This one actually lived up to my low expectations (I like BOC) and I have only listened to it a handful of times. Save your money.
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