In September 2022, BLUE ÖYSTER CULT turned up in NYC and gave fans a trilogy of sold-out shows, each dedicated to one of their first three albums. Founding member Albert Bouchard made a special appearance on all three nights, adding a nostalgic touch to the milestone.
This night was dedicated to their second album “Tyranny and Mutation” and listening to it here for the first time in years, I am struck by how fresh the likes of “The Red And The Black” sound – and as well, just how ahead of their time they were.
Rock n roll simply is distilled in the almost glam “OD’d On Life Itself”, and even when they’re not playing these types of shows, they still play “Hot Rails To Hell” and it still sounds glorious.
They have so much going on in their songs, do BOC. The intricacies are not immediately obvious, but listen to their more epic moments like “7 Screaming Diz Busters” and you’re hearing an innovative rock band.
There’s a gift for a melody too, even on the ones you don’t immediately expect, like “Baby Ice Dog” or “Teen Archer”.
After the album is done, they are back for a more “Greatest Hits” set, if you like. That means “Box In My Head” and it means “Burnin’ For You” and all the rest. And like the very best songs always seem to do, they remind you that if they came out today they would still be classics.
I am reminded here, of how I discovered BOC. The Wildhearts released a b-side called “29xThe Pain”. Essentially a list of singer Ginger’s favourite bands, we set about listening to them all.
At the time I knew two Blue Oyster Cult songs. They play them both here, of course. “Godzilla” stomps about like proto-metal, and if you’ve ever got one of those “Rock City Nights” style compilations and it doesn’t have “(Don’t Fear) The Reaper” on, then they’ve done it wrong.
It always strikes me as interesting that they never finish with it, as lesser bands would. Instead the thunderous “Cities On Flame With Rock N Roll” finishes this night. And this rock n roll has lit places up for well over half a century.
Of course, there’s only one way to do that for that long. Have great songs that connect with people. Have no fear about it, that’s Blue Öyster Cult down to a tee.
Rating 8.5/10
