Blue Oyster Cult’s more AOR oriented material between 1976 and 1985 is definitely worth looking at, including this one from 1979.
Written by: gdmonline
ARTIST: Blue Oyster Cult
ALBUM: Mirrors
LABEL: Columbia
SERIAL: JC 36009
YEAR: 1979
CD REISSUE: Discogs Reissue List
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: USA
LINEUP: Eric Bloom – vocals, guitars * Donald ‘Buck Dharma’ Roeser – guitars * Allen Lanier – guitars, keyboards * Joseph Bouchard – bass * Albert Bouchard – drums
TRACK LISTING: 01 Dr Music * 02 The Great Sun Jester * 03 In Thee * 04 Mirrors * 05 Moon Crazy * 06 The Vigil * 07 I Am The Storm * 08 You’re Not The One (I Was Looking For) * 09 Lonely Teardrops
WEBLINKS: Site Link
Background
A new direction for Blue Oyster Cult, after their mystical heavy metal approach had run its course with Godzilla finally hanging up its claws after constant touring over the last few years. Having had commercial success with the hit single ‘Don’t Fear The Reaper’ off 1976’s ‘Agents Of Fortune’ album, plus the efforts of 1977’s ‘Spectres’ and the live ‘Some Enchanted Evening’ album from 1978, the band took time out and returned with a new producer in Tom Werman for 1979’s ‘Mirrors’.
The Songs
I have to say that I quite enjoyed Blue Oyster Cult’s album when it was released. A combination of their undoubted energetic approach crossed with some melodic commercialism, missing on their previous material. Perhaps this freshness was best represented on their single ‘In Thee’ a very harmonious piece of work, and great for radio. ‘The Great Sun Jester’ also has a full melodic sound similar to REO Speedwagon.
Elsewhere there are some great moments such as the epic sounding ‘The Vigil’, the full-on rock of ‘I Am The Storm’ and ‘You’re Not The One’ which comes across like The Cars a la their classic debut album. We’ve also got the quirky ‘Moon Crazy’ and the very 70’s jazz/disco backbeat of ‘Lonely Teardrops’.
In Summary
If you’re looking to experiment with Blue Oyster Cult’s more AOR oriented material, then anything between 1976 and 1985 is worth looking at. Not exactly spectacular, but there’s something for everyone in among the grooves.
Video
In Thee
[bpdp3] I’m pretty far from a BOC aficionado. But I picked up this album over the weekend and find it highly listenable. Vocals are clear and direct, there’s always a melody or hook, and it sounds terrific. I’m surprised this isn’t seen as one of their better albums… it usually gets the short shrift!
[schlockmania] Great album – and a logical progression from AGENTS OF FORTUNE and SPECTRES, where they first developed a more pop-savvy sensibility. bpdp3, if you’ve never heard those other two albums, they compliment this one nicely – the AOR sensibility is most strongly expressed on MIRRORS thanks to Werman’s production but you can also hear it on the other two (“Goin’ Through The Motions” from SPECTRES is another great example of AOR in a B.O.C. vein).
[roblynott] A highly underrated album and one of their best produced. In thee and Mirrors are two of my favorite BÖC songs ever. Always liked their AOR sound.