Secret Treaties [Bonus Tracks] - Blue Öyster Cult

Career of Evil

"Secret Treaties" is the third in BOC's opening trio labelled their "black and white period". It is also one of their best albums and best illustrates what made BOC such a great band in their heyday (they still tour now). "Career of Evil" whose lyrics were penned by Patti Smith is a great opener and a signature BOC tune in my opinion. "ME262" is another BOC favorite for me (having an interest in WWII/Luftwaffe history). "Flaming Telepaths" is another great tune, the song ends with the lyrics "Is it any wonder that my joke's an iron, And the joke's on you, and the joke's on you..." then segues beautifully into "Astronomy" (I'll never look at, or through, my telescope the same way again). The bonus tracks on the remaster are all excellent, but my fav is "Boorman the Chauffer".

The first three albums from BOC are all heavy hitters and show that it is very possible to create intelligent and dark rock. 5 stars.

Blew my young mind...

I first learned of BOC at age 16 through hearing this album. I was mightily impressed:thinking man's lyrics(OK--smart aleck thinking men) and great rock melodies with the inimitable Buck Dharma's blistering leads.Songs like "Career Of Evil", "Dominance and Submission", "Astronomy", "Flaming Telepaths", "Cagey Cretins" and the rest were just too original not to like. This one was the beginning of a long love affair with their music. Still listening to these old ones today. On your feet or on your knees!

Classic Blue Oyster Cult.

I was happy to find this old BOC at Amazon.Ever track on it is a keeper! Blue Oyster Cult was just hitting their stride back then and Im happy to have this.

Surgeons of Evil

Secret Treaties is BOC at their most sensual, most seductive and most sinister. The brutal cynicism of "Career of Evil" sums up the Cult's "espirit de corpse": "I'd like to do it to your daughter on a dirt road/And then I'd spend your ransom money/But still I'd keep your sheep." I'm not sure if there's a more succinct testament of post-Nixonian American rapacity anywhere in the history of rock. But the holocaust has just begun, ladies and gentlemen. There's the creepy sub-aquaeous radioactive glow of "Sub-human"; the metal mayhem of "Dominance and Submission"; and the satirical blitzkrieg of "ME262," with Eric Bloom's savage vocal brazenly declaring that "Hitler's on the phone from Berlin sayin' he's gonna make you a star." The epics of sci-fi apocalypse are also noteworthy, especially the brilliant "Flaming Telepaths," with its monstrous synth solo, and the sublime "Astronomy," easily one of the group's best songs ever. Secret Treaties still holds up rather well after all these years (as do the group's first two albums and, to a lesser extent, Agents of Fortune), despite the protestations of some of the previous reviewers.

BOC Come Into Their Own

The 3rd and probably best album to date from the blue oyster boys. This is the first time that they show off their prowess as rock gods with a mystical twist. I see the thinking mans band has proven they can get better with age like a fine wine. Alittle different than the first 2 releases in that I think they really took their time and planned this one almost like a concept album instead of the "lets get something out fast and good" like the first 2. BOC also puts on a great Live Show and the jams here show a more live feel as well. some lengthy and well organized tunes that blen well together. Like I said, well planned album, perfectly layed out and brilliant music. Better things to come, you bet. BOC was a powerhouse in the 70's arena rock circuit. I ranked them with Zep, Sabbath, and Pink Floyd as far as great bands. They never have received their just due. Buck Dharma is one of the greatest guitarists that ever lived and yet you here so little about him. Perhaps it is because they didn't care about commercial success, the music is awsome, though I never did like Eric Bloom as a singer. Buck is better. His guitar playing is what made them as good as they are.