SOUNDTRACK: BLUE ÖYSTER CULT-Imaginos (1988).
I think of this as the last BOC album (although they have released two since this one) because it was the last one that I was really aware of when it came out. My roommate Glen was super excited about it and we listened to it all the time. And even though I’ve said that Fire of Unknown Origin is my favorite BOC disc, I think this one may be better.
The story behind this disc is convoluted and strange. It was apparently written by Albert Bouchard as a concept album that was designed to be 2 or 3 discs long. He had started writing it as long ago as 1972. Two tracks appeared in 1974 (“Astronomy” and “Subhuman” (which became “Blue Öyster Cult” on Imaginos).
Because record labels suck, the disc never got released as intended. I’m not sure if it was ever even recorded in total. When Imaginos was finally released in 1988, it no longer resembled the original and the liner notes are not exactly accurate about who plays what.
The concept behind the disc (and the original liner notes do explain the “concept”) is pretty confusing (for a summary, the Wikipedia entry is pretty helpful).
But if the released tracks are any indication, the whole package would have been amazing. The songs retain the feel of the early 70s tracks, but they also feel updated to a more 80’s metal sound. “I am the One You Warned Me Of” is a great rocking opener with wonderful use of keyboards. What really sells the disc is the choral vocals, chanting/chorusing/adding incredible depth. The “your master is a monster” part of “In the Presence of Another World” is fantastic.
But the centerpiece is undoubtedly, “The Siege and Investiture of Baron von Frankenstein’s Castle at Weisseria.” The lyrics, the tension, the call and response are all fantastic. It is one of the most unheralded hard rock songs ever. And it deserves a wider audience.
We get a 14 year reprise of the classic “Astronomy,” this one is basically the same song but played differently, more epic. I’m always torn as to which version I like better. “Magna of Illusion” has a fun spoken part, “Grandaughter!” and continues the excellence of side two.
“Blue Oyster Cult” the remake of “Subhuman,” keeps the strangeness of the song (“Ladies, Fish and Gentlemen”), but sounds quite a bit different. It’s almost meandering on the original disc, a slow guitar solo and a Doors-sounding keyboard fill the track. On the Imaginos version, it’s much heavier, and the keyboard is a staccato piano. It’s also three minutes longer with the chanted “We understand. Blue Oyster Cult.” It’s almost unrecognizable, and yet those lyrics are unmistakable. The title track ends the disc with a catchy and cool riff and chorus.
There’s also a whole bunch of guests listed in the notes, including Robby Krieger, Also Nova (!) and Joe Satriani.
Imaginos was reissued recently but I’m not sure if it’s worth getting as it has no bonus anything on it (except corrected liner notes). The original recording sounds pretty poor (at least compared to other contemporary discs) but I’m holding off for the proper reissue (will we ever see the whole project?) that this disc deserves.
[READ: Week of March 15, 2010] 2666 [pg 466-513]
This week’s reading is the shortest amount for the entire book. It offers some new ideas and lots more deaths.
As the reading opens, Epifanio is continuing his investigation into the murder of Estrella Ruiz Sandoval. He tracks down two of her friends, both named Rosa (although neither is a Rosa that we have met before). After hanging around with Rosa for some time (and even going to her house) he learns that Estrella had been frequenting a computer shop owned by a blond blond man. Lately, he had grown angry with her.
The Santa Teresa police decide that there is one man behind the grisly unsolved murders (they focus specifically on the three women who have been brutalized in the same manner (don’t make me write it). And they discuss whether or not he is a serial killer. One argues that the serial killer is responsible just for the three recent deaths (that the others were done by someone else, but because they didn’t match the pattern, it can’t be the same guy). Another proposal is that the same man is responsible for all of the killings. But now, he is upping his gruesomeness because he feels cocky. (more…)
I Just Read About That... 