The Contrarians Panel: Dark Horse Album #26 - Blue Öyster Cult Imaginos
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- Опубліковано 14 жов 2024
- Check out this wonderful crew discuss the merits of BÖC's Imagnios!
The Contrarians is a show where one of us jumps in the hot seat picks a dark horse album from a band as that band's best album. The guest host will argue against them with facts, stats and all around truth, subjective and objective!
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Do you agree or disagree? What is your assessment of Imagnios and your rating out of 10?
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The best overview of the whole Imaginos concept I have found yet.
The Siege And Investiture of Baron Von Frankenstein's Castle At Weisseria is not only the greatest name for a song ever, but one of BOC's best songs too!
Love the song. The title, meh.
For me this album is a 10! Absolutely brilliantly mysteriously and wonderfully composed! I bought it when it came out and was blown away by it. Siege is one of the greatest rock songs of all time! To me the weird running order adds to the mystique of the contrived story hinted at in the bizarre liner notes. And I actually love the production! I saw the tour, but it had nothing to do with the album. They only played two tracks. It is obviously not a BOC album, but who cares-it's a masterpiece!!!
Great album,Great band. Remember buying this album around 1988 and i think its awesome. Thanks for the show guys..😁🤘
My favourite BOC album! Also like the 'Reimaginos' albums by Albert Bouchard. A vague story, but great atmosphere, and spur to the imagination. The vagueness adds to the mystery. Clever too! 8/10
BOC is my favorite band ever
Martin’s Agents of Fortune book
Is very good
Yes. Thank you for the great books Martin.
Love it. Highly romantic IMO, haunting, liked this one the first time listening. Had to order it and wait back in '88. They are The Sound. 10/10
I'm a huge fan of the Imaginos album and here is why. The very first album I ever bought was Fire of Unknown Origin when I was 12, (two of the 9 songs on the album are imaginos saga songs) I was totally captivated by the cover (you know the one). I bought it on 8 track, and completely wore it out. To this day, I still know where the clicks happen when the tracks change mid-song. As I bought and listened to more BOC albums I developed (I think) a subconscious sense that there was some strange, underlying connective tissue that bound their songs together lyrically in some inexplicable way. It was a subconscious itch that there was a puzzle or riddle here to be solved. Then I got Imaginos when it came out in 1988, and it instantly became clear that there WAS an underlying connection between BOC songs. The fact that there were 2 re-done songs on the album (Astronomy & Subhuman) and that there was no doubt the songs were two chapters that were part of the SAME story. And the idea that the album was only ‘act one’ of 3 made it clear that there must be other BOC songs that were part of the story. If you know BOC lyrics well, you start to see underlying themes repeated throughout their career, including some Lovecraftian themes. Starry Wisdom, the number 7, the men in black, water, aliens, flying saucers, space travel, World without End, mirrors, etc… Then of course around 1995 I found some information on the whole Imaginos back story on the new-fangled internet. Some bands have done a concept album or two. BOC did a concept career, told the whole story, in various songs, all out of order, spanning a dozen albums and never told anyone they were doing it. BOC is the ultimate lyrical puzzle. Coupled with the fact that I adore their music, the lyrical puzzle makes for a massively deeper musical experience that virtually any other band offers. If you like escape rooms, riddles, puzzles etc…, BOC is the ultimate riddle. The more layers you uncover, the deeper the mystery goes. Even now with all 3 acts of Imagions redone by Albert Bouchard (so we have every song, in the correct order, including a bunch of missing songs that BOC never did that fill in the gaps, and expanded lyrics on some existing songs), there is still a ton of mystery to the whole story for me. 42 years a fan, I still have more questions than I have answers about the whole story, and I feel like I have a lot of answers. I’d love to see Albert do a graphic novel or something that lays the full story out. Back to Imaginos, the mystical mystery lyrics helped push this album into near obsession with me. It is the most produced and polished album of music ive ever heard, and in my opinion is a total masterpiece. Here is a quick sample of some of their mystical lyrics: Salute the Four Quarters. Before I leave your eyes. Twinned in the mirror. Les Mesteres come. End me adoration. Before I leave your eyes. World in the mirror. Waters of amnesia come. Do you know The court of Eve? Beneath the Polar Mountain. Rose cross and crosser there. Symbols of the swan. Aerial races. In rotation over. The magical casement. Visions of a parallel world. -- You are probably thinking yeah that’s just a bunch of meaningless words. It’s all part of a huge story, and it all means something. Some of the concepts in that short section of lyrics connect directly to concepts in other songs in the imaginos saga. Bonkers.
A few years ago I found a sealed vinyl copy. I never heard it before. After reading about the making I became intrigued. I checked out Albert Bouchard's Re Imaginos. The Lovecraftian themes that flow through Sandy's lyrics are amazing.
Great reviews guys! I really find myself loving Bucks vocals on Les Invisibles and Magna of Illusion. Well put together songs in my opinion.
It took a little bit for me to warm up to this album. Reading the liner notes is what turned the switch on for me. I remember back in the Black & White era that Sandy Pearlman was trying to tell a story. There were hints at it from fan pubs like Back Door Man in LA. The editors knew it as they knew Sandy Pearlman and covered some of his other bands. They joked about it, but never explained anything. They were probably as mystified by as anyone. I don't think Sandy disclosed much, except to the band members, who I've read were not too keen on cutting a full concept album. Secret Treaties turned out to be the first album in which every song was part of the Imaginos saga, though it didn't tell the whole story. At the heart of Imaginos is the play of the gods posing the challenge of evil to humanity. This is the primary driver of all the goings on in the world of Imaginos. The end of it all is summed up in the ending song on BÕC's first album, "Redeemed" where the songs of folk tales remind us not to take things too literally and seriously. It's just a story.
I was a bit amused by the guy who kept saying he couldn't understand "The Occult Origins of World War I." The problem with grasping an idea like "the Occult Origins of WWI" is that we, in America didn't really know much at all about World War I and how it unfolded. Most of us know about the assassination of Archduke Ferdinand and the sinking of the Lusitania. Only historical scholars who've done the deep dive on WWI really understand what happened. I've attempted to learn more, but have a long way to go. What I do understand is that Europe had been largely at peace in the 20-30 years prior to the war's outbreak. The peace was due largely to the efforts of Queen Victoria, who married off members of her extended family to the various houses of Europe. In the meantime tensions simmered beneath the surface as Europeans embraced nationalism. Once Victoria died, the glue that held the peace together dissolved.
To say there were occult origins is a bit of a stretch, but when you consider that Dee's mirror was kept in British hands, that secret alliances were being formed in preparation to settle old scores with old enemies, yet restrained by tenuous family ties, it's not such a big stretch after all.
I contend that the Imaginos saga continued well beyond WWI. The Tyranny and Mutation (Wings Wetted Down) and Secret Treaties (ME 262) albums suggested it continued on through World War II and into the 1960s where radios (Dominance & Submission) take on the role served by John Dee's stone.
Thanks for an awesome show! Imaginos is BOC's The Elder . Both albums would have loved to seen both albums turned into a movie like The Wall and Tommy.
Ouch that's very harsh lol
I started listening to BOC (the full catalog) in 1984 at the age of 17. Before that I knew Godzilla, DFTR, Burning for You and a few other career staples, like D&S, Cities on Flame and such. So, I can sort of relate to the binge concept of hearing them all consecutively pre-Club Ninja. I was not overly aware of the Imaginos concept until the album came out and all the mythos detail.
The concept aside, I don't much think of Imaginos as a true BOC album, but more of a Pearlman album using BOC to perform it. There may be songs throughout their career that used elements of Sandy's poems and concept, but after the early B&W albums, the band as writers more often went in their own direction with only an occasional glance at the Imaginos works. Albums 4 thru 10 (the remaing Columbia catalog) was more band/artist shaped than Pearlman and to me, that era of the band defines BOC.
While I can't really call it a BOC album, since by 1988, the band had moved beyond the Imaginos concepts in their writing, I do think it is a very good album. The full OG 5 piece may have played and sung here and there, but as less than half the content is the band, I just can't see it as an official BOC release in my heart.
With all that, I do like the songs and it's Jim Steinman-esque bombast. You guys are probably right that it needs that over the top production. I think if I were introducing someone to BOC, I would leave this album for the very last.
Love Imaginos, a solid 9/10 for me. Wish it would get a re-release on vinyl as it's the only vinyl missing from my BOC collection. I spend a lot on BOC merch, but "that's the deal we made just to join the Oyster Cult, the Blue Oyster Cult".
BOC is so underrated.
It's serendipitus that ppl have spoken about Pearlman's writings being lost in time, and just a mere few months after you mentioned it in this podcast, Albert came upon possession of Sandy's Imaginos writings and notes while deep into production for MutantReformation. Check out what Albert has said about them, really interesting stuff!
Matt's comments in the video took me back to the 80's when I walked by the local record store and did a double-take when I saw a new BOC album in the window. I was (and still am) a big fan of the band, so I bought it on the spot. It was a confusing listen at first because BOC had broken up, and yet here they were, but was it really them? I didn't really know what to make of it. Despite such questions, the music pulled me in, and it remains one of my favourite albums to this day. I've been listening to the band for 45 years, and its the Imaginos storyline that still keeps me concentrating on the lyrics and the melodies and trying to get the whole picture into focus. The mystery is the spice that keeps the music tasty for me.
Imaginos is a Great album. In my top 5 BOC works. Thank you for covering it!
I saw them in July 1988 at a club that has been long since closed, The Post Office, located down the road from the Augusta National on Washington Road in Augusta, GA.
I recall they played Astronomy and opened with I Am The One You Warned Me Of, IIRC.
Now, I've got to watch that Imaginos documentary.
I think Del Rio's song could have been a major hit. It is such a catchy one! And they never did it live or made it a radio single? It is more radio friendly than Reaper.
This is definitely an interesting album in the BOC discography it's strange, weird and wonderful and I really enjoy it I love los invesiblos, I'm the one you warned me of and the 1988 version of astronomy I have no idea what the concept they were going for this album but it's a fun wild ride
I remember these words on the liner:
"A Random Access Myth"
Imaginos is right up there with Spectres and Fire of Unknown Origin to me. I also consider it one of the greatest concept albums of all time; and its only competition in terms of of heavy metal concept albums was also released in 1988...Iron Maiden's Seventh Son of a Seventh Son. I feel that people overthink Imaginos. A band decides what to put out under its name. I don't care who's on it as long as the collection is released with the band's blessing...and the band is involved in some capacity. All members of Blue Öyster Cult are on the album (however briefly for some). Most of the guests are stellar...but Buck and Eric are so very essential to this album. It simply would not be nearly as good without them. I give it a 10 plus!
Great Discussion! great show as always! Been a fan of this album/storyline for a long time and have Martin's books Flaming Telepaths & Agents of Fortune and Albert's records and
can't wait for the third record. I'll give it a 9/10 mostly due to the over production.
I also bought this on cassette in 1988 when I was 21. It took me almost 35 years to realize Eric has been singing the lyrics to 'Astronomy' wrong and Buck corrected it on Imaginos and Albert also sang the correct lyrics on Re Imaginos. The wrong lyrics: 'Four Winds at the Four Winds Bar'. Correct lyrics: 'Four Doors at the Four Winds Bar'. I love Alberts Imaginos albums better. Though I wish BÖC recorded 'The Girl That Love Made Blind.' It would have been nice to have a BÖC Christmas song all these years. 'Redeemed' doesn't cut it.
Many hard core BOC fans just refuse to accept Imaginos as canon for the band. As a long time fan of BOC this album is one of my favorites. It sounds nothing like other BOC albums but, that's ok to me. One thing that you cannot deny about BOC is they never got pigeonholed into a certain sound. Having said that, Imaginos is a dark masterpiece that is very listenable and chocked full of earwigs. Just an amazing work.
Even cut down to one single record this is the most amazing thing BOC ever put up and as for the 80s for myself this sits right besides Awaken the Guardian in pure mystic splendor.
make sure to pick up the Deko comic book when it comes out, if the first issue sells enough we can make 2 more and clarify the entire storyline of the soft doctrines 👍
Wait, there is a comic?!?!?!
killer album... sits besides Albert's Re Imaginos trilogy
I first heard the Imaginos CD in September of 1988, a few months after it came out. I was then in my very early 20s and working at my second record store job. A few of my coworkers who liked hard rock and metal turned me onto the album. (One dude also hipped me to King’s X and Jane’s Addiction, but that’s a different story.) The store manager, who hated hard rock & metal, loved Imaginos as well. I always thought that was odd, because my other coworkers told me he once threw an AC/DC album across the store and it shattered into a zillion pieces!
At any rate, the only Blue Öyster Cult vinyl l owned at the time was Fire of Unknown Origin. And l knew “Reaper” from NYC rock radio; and their three videos from MTV & Friday Night Videos: “Take Me Away,” “Shooting Shark,” and “Dancing’ in the Ruins.” And l liked all that stuff, but l was definitely a novice when l first heard Imaginos. I always liked the songs on the album, but it never sounded right to my ears. I thought it was “tinny, with too much high end.” Later on, of course, l learned that l wasn’t keen on the way it was produced. The panel here stated it very deftly, it was basically a product of the kitchen sink 80s style: throw in all the bells and whistles, but forget the bass.
Over the years, I’ve now heard - and own - every BÖC release on vinyl or CD. They have become a favorite band of mine and l pretty much love all their eras, just some more than others. Imaginos is quite hard to pin down, as explained by your panel: is it really a Blue Öyster Cult record? In name it is, since the label saw dollar signs, more than artistic integrity. It did start as an Albert Bouchard solo project, that he toiled on for more than five years. When “the suits” got involved, they just tacked on vocals by Buck, Bloom & Joey B., to give the appearance of a full fledged reunion. Pre-Internet, we all accepted their BS and didn’t realize the history of how it came to fruition until years later. Rand said it perfectly, just like the two factions of Yes “coming together” three years later to form the Union CD. A bigger mess of an album, in my opinion.
When it comes to Imaginos, I’d give it a 7.5 out of 10. I like the songs and the performances on the record, just not the way it’s produced/captured. Too many cooks in the kitchen, so to speak. Still a very good album, but not in my top three of Secret Treaties, Spectres, and the aforementioned FOUO. And Sandy Pearlman was a man out of time, with a genius mind. He has now taken his fully fleshed out torrid tale of woe to “Another World,” as he would simply state. We may never know the exact full story of Imaginos, but it will be debated about for decades to come. Luckily for us, the band members of BÖC and Pearlman himself, have given us information to dissect for eons and eons…
Cheers from Noo Yawk, ova heyah!
=8^ )
PS: 🎵”We understand, we understand, Blue Öyster Cult / We understand, we understand, The Blue Öyster Cult.”🎵 Well, maybe not 100% exactly when it comes to Imaginos, but we get the basic gist.
I enjoy "Imaginos" quite a lot, but I prefer the original "Secret Treaties" version of "Astronomy" to the version on this album.
I also bought summer of ‘88 and it didn’t sound like the BÖC I knew and the production is a little tinny. That makes it forever a product of its time but I still dig it as an oddity in their catalog.
It's Blue Oyster Cult .. it's brilliant . B.O.C are the greatest band on the planet and beyond . If Buck Dharmas cat farted in a bottle i'de buy it 😆😆😆
You are so right
Bought this when it came out, I think on CD, the first BÖC album where I didn’t buy the LP. Was over-the-top excited when I saw that all of the original band was credited. Obviously, pre-internet I didn’t know any of the back story. The story in the cd booklet did little to help my understanding, except to make me realize this was some sort of concept album. That being said, I liked the music a lot. Frankensteins Castle (I always abbreviated it that way) became of mainstay to this day to any hard rock or BÖC playlist I made. Wish a band member actually did the lead vox on it, but still a heavy, heavy song that I just love. One of the panel members listed Magna of Illusion as a weak track. I think it’s one of the better ones. I even kinda like Imaginos as a song, though I agree it is not a good album closer. As time has gone on, and I’ve learned more about how this album came to be, I go back and forth about whether or not to count it as a true BÖC album. And I came relatively late to the band, at age 18 when Fire of Unknown Origin was released. Loved going back at that point and getting the back catalog and spending countless hours devouring those albums. By the time I was able to see them live in Philly after FOUO, Albert was already gone. So very excited when I saw him “back in the band” with Imaginos, though very disappointed to find out that wasn’t true. As a body of music, I really like this album, and I’d rate it 9/10.
Jamie - cool lightning effect there, but that's not lightning on the album cover. Those are just giant clouds with the sun peeking through. San Francisco Bay Area almost never experiences lightning.
Interestingly, the same clouds effect is visible on the Revölution by Night album art.
Would love to hear a discussion on that album, btw. It was also was a very interesting record and the band's first album without Al. Like Imaginos it is all over the place with genres and has some really oddball songs like Veins and Feel the Thunder.
Just got round to watching the show .absolutely love this album every track is top notch. There's a nice contrast of heavy songs and lighter songs it's my 2nd fav boc record easily 10/10
Easily a 8.5 for me, really enjoy the contributions of the guest artists and love the unfolding story. Only topper is Albert’s demo version I give it a 9.
Totally agree.
Del Rio’s Song should have been a single Really cool tune
Interestingly, Del Rio, Texas is hinted at in the lyrics to "Imaginos" (the title track), as Buzzardo flies around there.
The last exit to Texas!
Personally I give it a 9 out of 10. It's a great concept album, and for a kid like me, back in the day, who believed and still does in the Occult and Occult history, this album spooked me out and excited me at the same time. Really one of the greatest Occult Rock album ever made. My favorite element and aspect of early BOC were the wierd Occultic lyrics referencing Alchemy, magick, astrology, UFOs and Ets, alternative history... it's all more stimulating than Black Sabbath's obvious and childish demonic references
I'm with Bill on this one as I dont really consider it a BOC album, rather I consider it a BOC related project, so if ranking BOC I dont usually include it but I do caveat that by saying if it were to be included it would be pretty close to the top - certainly in my top 5 of BOC albums.
I bought it on release and apart from one song loved it. That one song is the one that Reed mentioned - Astronomy. I consider the live version on Some Enchanted Evening as being the definitive version of that song, ever since I first got that live album, again when it frst came out, it is amongst my favourite of all BOC songs, and while the version on Imaginos is interesting and good its not as good as the original - and its noticeable that Alberts revisited version is as per the orginal off Secret Treaties.
I love everyhtng on this album - Del Rios Song creates a bit of an earworm for me and Frankenstein is an absolute monster. I also agree with Jamie about it needing the production to give it the presence the album needs.
As for the concept the you tube thing and Martin's books helped me get my head around it, as the original running order initially left me a bit confused.
Absolute classic. 9.5/10 (.5 docked for Astronomy)
I have been listening to this album quite a bit and I would give it a 6.5 and the least of the BOCs lps that I have
I had a clipping from Kerrang! magazine from maybe 1984 about the imminent release of the "long-awaited (cough) Albert Bouchard solo album", said to be a double album of "violent HM" said to go "beyond Judas Priest", and listing several songs, including "Gil Blanco County". It was maybe 1985 and I phoned around the local record shops asking if anyone had gotten it in. I had no idea it had never been released, because how would I know? When I saw it finally released, I was overjoyed. I loved it, and went to see them on the tour. It was confusing, because neither of the Bouchards were in the band and they played only two songs from it (the new "Astronomy" arrangment and "I Am the One You Warned Me Of"). I thought it was going to be a reunion tour, and would have enjoyed the concert more had I known that wasn't going to be the case.
Oh yeah, I remember a TV interview where either Buck or Eric said they went over really well in France, like "the Jerry Lewis of rock n' roll", after which Eric did a great Jerry Lewis impression.
Imaginos is a good album😃👍
Imaginos has been a top album for me since i got it on cassette forever ago.
Just to preface this. I turned my oldest son on to this album when he was like..12, He is going to graduate college this year and I bet if I asked he would say it's his favorite BOC. I, on the other hand would rate Tyranny and Mutation as 10, Secret Treaties as 10.5, the first album as 9.75 (-.25 because of the muffled sound). Imaginos... meh 6.75. I do listen to it occasionally, but I don't think there is a single moment on it that could touch anything on those early albums and probably Spectres and AoF (would give those two a solid 9. maybe 9.5). I bought this CD when it came out and saw them in a rock bar outside of Chicago called the Thirsty Whale. It was overcrowded, ridiculously hot and insanely LOUD. As if they had all the same gear as when they were playing gigantic venues. Felt as if the sweat dripping down my back was vibrating from sound waves. it was so packed I couldn't see the band, but I did get a glimpse of Buck Dharmas magnificent mullet though. I saw them previously twice, once where the opening act was RATT at a giant outdoor venue then at a smaller theater in Indiana, front row center once their careers started going down the toilet. I saw them twice in the last couple years. Buck can still play great, Eric can croak out stuff to an acceptable level and Richie Castellano is just a killer musician.
Great album, except for the Astronomy redo. It was already perfect. 9/10
Have to agree with Martin on the rating, I do enjoy the album though and gets frequent spins on my TT.
If there is any chance you guys would do a DarkHorse review of Re-Imaginos and maybe also its two sequel records, that would be sweet 🤘💯
I bought this when it came I was 19 on cassette. I have a promo vinyl copy of it now. After all this time I'm still not sure what I think about it. I do know that I am the One You Warned me of is still my favorite BOC song.
Excellent show! What's the title of the 1h40 UA-cam video about Imaginos that Jamie is talking about? I'd like to watch that! Cheers.
Imaginos (1988)... Blue Oyster Cult's Occult Rock and Roll | Not Lost Media
ua-cam.com/video/WprUq_gxkJg/v-deo.html
ua-cam.com/video/WprUq_gxkJg/v-deo.html
Just so y'all know: Crowley rhymes with holy.
Used to have it on vinyl, don't have it anymore. Now is too expensive to buy again. I just remember it sounded kind of weird but was heavy and the myth behind the album is awesome.
I have to agree with Martin's assessment of this album. There's something off about the production/arrangement. This album did make me dig into the lyrics and try to figure out the whole Imaginos mythos. I do love the version of Astronomy, it's completely different and totally grows on you. Album cover is cool too, interesting history about that building burning down. I'd give it 6.5/10.
I'm a huge Club Ninja fan (to each their own). Would like to see a show on that album in the near future.
80's BOC is underrated!
I turned off after Martin spent all his time trying to sell his books.
I love side one but hate side two. I don’t care for the remakes of The Subhuman and Astronomy. I don’t like any of the chants on side two. But I think side one is amazing. Not a true Blue Oyster Cult album to me and many others. I think Martin Popoff did a great job describing the album and talking about the whole history of it in his book Secrets Revealed. Love that cover, too. Unfortunately, I give the album a 5.5 out of 10.
Greatest band in the universe ,best album ever recorded.Thinking mans metal at its finest!
I really enjoy this album. I bought it in `88 ( vinyl ) and frankly is the only BOC that I listen to. In the last few years I`ve been working on getting into all the other classic records. I enjoy concept albums but I don`t lean into the details. I let the music do the talking. I never realized how deep this album goes and will get ahold of Martin to buy a book or two on these heady concepts. BOC is a band that never quite brings what people expect of them. They are perceived as a "heavy band " but they are not. And this album is perceived as a prog album but really is not. It is a great listen though. Very entertaining.
BÖC stuff is heavy and songs like Don't Fear The Reaper is psychelic prog rock masterpiece. They prog mini epic is Flaming Telepaths + Astronomy, that IMHO is their finest achiement. Everything Blue Öyster Cult is there. Like July Morning is everything Uriah Heep.
Imaginos is not a full progressive concept (album). Wetted Astronomy is definition of regressive rock. And those extra guitarists do not add nothing new musically to the fore. They could have better without guests I am 100% sure. As whole, somewhat disappointing album. My expections were too high I admit. Like Boston's Third Stage.
Great album. I am the one you warned me of, my favourite track 🤘
So I've had a question burning a hole in my head for a long time that maybe Martin or somebody else here knows the answer to. In the 1980s Chaosium made an RPG based on the Cthulhu Mythos, and they made some "source books" with drawings of the monsters and other stuff. One of their frequent artists in those books was an S Pearlman. Now it seems unlikely that there'd be 2 people named S Pearlman in the artistic industry both into Lovecraft. But I've never managed to find information one way or the other. So that's the question: was Chaosium's S Pearlman also BOC's S Pearlman?
That was S. Peterson not S. Pearlman... come on dude
It is amazing and impressive how people's impressions, opinions and ratings of Blue Oyster Cult albums is/are so varied: I have heard people/fans say everything after the Black&White Years is garbage (I don't agree).
So, I'm saying these observations are just too true and impossible to ignore about Imaginos. Over-produced. Not really a BOC album. Too many other musicians: (related) The best song sung by Joey Cerisano on The Siege and Investiture of Baron von Frankenstein's Castle at Weisseria. Lead guitar on said Frankenstein's Castle at Weisseria: Joe Satriani. There are 7 (there's that number, hmm) guitarists who are called the Guitar Orchestra of the State of Imaginos (indeed): No Buck Dharma Roeser? Eric Bloom does not play guitar at all? Just some vocals?
I, personally, do like the redo of Astronomy ... but, then, why did they end it like that? Tried too hard to do something different?
How does an album over produced take so many short cuts only to cause confusion (see story and song order)?
Imaginos did artistically for a large in scope metal sci fy rock album what the original Dune did for big budget sci fy movie extravaganzas.
All said, Imaginos 7/10. It mostly sounds good ... although the title song is arguably the obvious worst song.
5 out of 10, tops. I liked one song on this release, "In The Presence Of Another World". No one, not even Buck, can come close to Eric's "Astronomy". So many of us Cult fans have forever-wondered why "Astronomy" was not on 1975's OYFOOYK. Eric's vocals were at their peak during then, and although the video release "Live 1976" had "Astronomy" on it, everyone knows the audio track on that entire recording SUCKED BIG TIME. Not sure what went wrong, but it was like the bass track was completely absent.
Maybe sucked but vinyl format had limitation in duration so of course Astronomy got dropped.
Enjoyed the show! I really appreciated Matt's question would it be best if Imaginos didn't exist? As for the album, I appreciate it most if I see it as a series of interconnected images rather than trying to tie every detail of the concept(s) together. I like most of the songs except Del Rio and Imaginos. 8/10.
It's not really a true BOC album but it is pretty solid. I think it is better than Club Ninja. I would give it a 7.
👍👍
The two remakes of Secret Treaties tracks are nowhere near as good as the originals, but the rest is good. 7/10
Absorbing!
Great album, although no one bought it
Before diving in,-----as far as two sides go vinyl, side two never did much for me, Astronomy has already been done and the other tracks nothing much grabs me,---------side one however is for me as good a side as any side on any other BOC album, i really love it start to finish, if i liked side two as much as side one it would easily be in my top three,maybe fav.-----Just how i feel before side two lovers dive on me ha ha.
Quite a quagmire...?
Very interesting conversation.
For me, this is an album that had all kinds of potential, but it just doesn't make it the finish line.
I find the production extremely distracting. There is way too much reverb and instantly makes it sound dated to my ears. There is a difference between "big" and "impact". Yes, at times this can sound big, but it consistently lacks impact. It is recessed and too many parts are just buried and run over by other instruments. I will always love Eric's and Buck's vocals so that is always a great joy to hear. After that, who the heck know who is even playing on what. Clearly the "band" isn't playing the majority of the music and that is a shame. Reed is spot on. It sounds like someone else playing Blue Oyster Cult.
Much of the material could have been really great and powerful IF 1) the original band had played everything themselves 2) if it sounded like "Secret Treaties" or "Spectres" it would have a much stronger impact and outcome! There are strong melodies here and there. Great riffs here and there. But this just falls short!
I rank this about 4/10 It clearly sits below the debut, Tyranny and Mutation, Secret Treaties, Agents of Fortune, Spectres, Mirrors, Cultosauraus Erectous and Fire of Unknown Origin. It isn't an album I put on anymore.
Agree in all. BÖC should have played all. Joe Satriani really, whose grande idea was that ? He had nothing on Buck Dharma.
I hate the Imaginos version of Astronomy. It sounds like Ricky Martin not BOC.
You took to words right out of my mouth 👍🤣
The best BÖC album is either this one or Fire of unknown origin. Both easily 5/5.
i have a hard time getting past that awful 80's production
Well wasn't the 1980s bad, except a few terrific albums like Fire of Unknown Origin.
Imaginios is the best BoC album ever made 10/10.
Terrible album. No decent songs, zero redeeming moments, & atrocious production. Incredibly annoying from start to finish Absolutely hated it, even after multiple attempts to enjoy some part of it. Tried to unload it at the resale store and they only offered a quarter because they already had so many. Ended up just throwing it in the trash, because I couldn't allow it to pollute my collection for another minute. In short, if you like this album, your entire opinion of music is suspect, and if you think it's a strong album, well, then you're just insane.