BLUE OYSTER CULT
Don't Fear The Reaper (Columbia / Legacy)
Reviewed by John Sekerka

---

Starting out as New York's answer to Black Sabbath, Blue Oyster Cult parleyed their heavy devil music laced with clever lyrics into steady album sales. Then came the hit. An odd melodic stab, part ballad, part la-la-la pop fodder, part guitar wank, "Don't Fear The Reaper" bulleted up the charts and remains a timeless seventies classic (if there is such a thing). Save for a couple of the early numbers, the other tracks on this comp reek of prog rock intervention, pale as limp noodles next to the Reaper. Which holds up well over time, and ensures the boys' 15 minutes will last at least half an hour.

Track List:

Cities On Flame With Rock And Roll * The Red & The Black * Flaming Telepaths * Astronomy * This Ain't The Summer Of Love * (Don't Fear) The Reaper * I Love The Night * Goin' Through The Motions * Godzilla * In Thee * The Marshall Plan * Black Blade * Joan Crawford * Burnin' For You * Shooting Shark * Take Me Away

© 2000 - John Sekerka