Tyranny & Mutation (4 bonus tracks)

 

 

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Blue Oyster Cult relied largely on dark psychedelia on their debut album, creeping along with a sinister, occult-tinged take on leather n' hogs rock that was spreading like fire in the early 1970s. With "Tyranny and Mutation," the band kick things into overdrive and give early British heavy metal a run for its money.

The band fuses elements of Black Sabbath, Deep Purple and the California surf rock of artists like Dick Dale to create a hybrid fusion of sound interjected with the band's obscure lyrical themes and bratty sense of humor. There's the slightest bit of nihilism and nonchalance in the opening track 'The Red and the Black' a speedy doo-wop rocker with plenty of energy to move to. 'O.D.'ed on Life Itself' finds the band channeling some southern rock into a more medium paced offering, while 'Hot Rails to Hell' explores "In Rock"-era Deep Purple with a more stripped down and easily accessible take on the fast-rock formula. It's full-on Black Sabbath with '7 Screaming Diz-Busters,' driven by tinny, distorted guitar riffs and scales. "On each and all those holy nights, When duster's dust becomes the sale, And Lucifer the light..." is as typically cryptic of Blue Oyster Cult as one could possibly imagine. 'Baby Ice Dog' is a true highlight of the album, an instantly memorable thought-rock number co-written by the legendary Patti Smith, driven on the back of an off-time 1,2,3 guitar riff. 'Wings Wetted Down' slows the album down to another sinister Sabbath-crawl without sounding overly grimy or dark. 'Teen Archer' is another fine highlight of the album that deserves special recognition for being such a trademark of the 1973 hard rock era and still maintaining a quality that should be mandatory listening in music appreciation classes. BOC saved the best for last however, with 'Mistress of the Salmon Salt,' complete with uneasily decipherable lyrics and the memorable "Quicklime girl" lyric interspersed with classic metal organ and trip-over drum patterns.

It's far too easy to pigeonhole "Tyranny and Mutation" as the sophomore effort by the band who transitioned straight out of the 60s and hit the ground at the pinnacle of a new phase in hard rock history. Dating the album may be unavoidable, but there's enough rich musical history packed into each of the 8 songs to give serious rock historians and fans something to chew on for a long, long time. BOC may have been slightly eclipsed by their American (and indeed, British) compatriots during the rise of Heavy Metal music, but their influence on the future evolution of the genre is categorically undeniable.

Blue Oyster Cult has always been sort of a mystery to me. Since I was a kid, I've only been aware of two of their songs, Don't Fear and Godzilla. I never cared at all for the former, I kinda like the latter. Recently I read somewhere that BOC was considered "America's answer to Black Sabbath" and the word "heavy" was thrown around a few times. I decided to see for myself and I ordered the debut album and T&M. All I can say is "Huh?! 'America's answer to Black Sabbath'?!?! 'Heavy'?!?!?! What the heck are you talking about???" I suppose back in the early 70s, this stuff may have been considered heavy. But where the Black Sabbath comparison comes in, I don't know. Black Sabbath's music IS heavy, and more importantly, timeless. The music on these albums is as dated as denim bell bottoms and suede vests with fringe on them. Sounds more like America's answer to early Yes to me.

BOC score another hit with their second album. By this time they're known as "The American Black Sabbath." I'm not sure who this deaf schmuck was that started this rumor coz it's not accurate. Sabbath and BOC are both hard rock/metal bands from the 70s, but that's where all similarities end if you ask me. BOC were always hard rock, but were much more diverse and weren't afraid to experiment with what ever sounded good to them, even if that meant not being totally heavy 100% of the time. Plus, they weren't afraid to put a little humor into things. In all honesty, they don't sound anything like Black Sabbath. If you're a newcomer to BOC, and are curious because of this silly label, please disregard it. You'll be disappointed if you're looking for a Black Sabbath clone. Sabbath are great, but there is alot more substance to BOC. T&M is yet another masterpiece by BOC that's practically unknown to anyone under 50. Do yourself a favor and discover it. You owe it to yourself.

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5.0 out of 5 stars Good seller
Good seller, item arrived in perfect condition, a bit late but it's ok because it was Easter Holidays.

I recommand this seller

Published on April 19 2010 by Frederick Munger

5.0 out of 5 stars NYC Tyranny
This is the Oyster Boys 2nd LP and it's a rocker. There's not a dull moment, & each track is a classic. Lisez davantage

Published on May 20 2004 by Thaddeus B. Rosemyer

4.0 out of 5 stars The world that's mine, its mine, its STILL MINE
Ahh, here's an album with a nasty streak a mile wide. From rape and murder fantasies("Teen Archer") to world domination("Od'd On Life Itself"), nobody could... Lisez davantage

Published on April 4 2004 by deadringer22000

5.0 out of 5 stars great cd
I first discovered boc by listing to an old tape of them. I bought this cd not expecting much. But i was very supprised. Every song on here is a work of art. Lisez davantage

Published on Feb 13 2004 by Patricia Govoni

5.0 out of 5 stars BOC Does It Again
Blue Oyster Cult makes another terrific album with TYRANNY AND MUTATION. Most of the songs are great, and the blend of English metal, American boogie, mysticism, and folk-rock... Lisez davantage

Published on Jan 25 2004

4.0 out of 5 stars Fun, Cheesy, Offbeat & Wheezy, but solid, sweating rock: 4 *
This is the type of sophomore release most hard rock bands achieve but which few achieve so well. 'Tyranny & Mutation' is thirty-eight minutes of pushing at the frontiers... Lisez davantage

Published on Nov 11 2003 by Johnny S Geddes

4.0 out of 5 stars It's alright! It's alright! (Only the 2001 remaster, though)
This album just KILLS. It's true that the comparison to Black Sabbath isn't very well founded, but if you want to see the closest they got to the Slabbathy sound, check out the... Lisez davantage

Published on Jan 22 2003 by Erroneous

5.0 out of 5 stars BOCs Break-out Recording
after the criticaly acclaimed maiden voyage (the self-titled BOC), T&M became a rarity in the rock lore. Lisez davantage

Published on Nov 1 2002 by paris m capulet

5.0 out of 5 stars Buy it for the black, love it for the red
Blue Oyster Cult never could be categorized. They were too weird to be considered hard rock and too heavy to be considered art rock. Lisez davantage

Published on Sep 12 2002 by rebecca baker

5.0 out of 5 stars Best BOC CD
Song for song easily the best BOC cd. From the hard rock hot rails to hell and red and black to dreary like wings wetted down. Quicklime girl I belivev is the best songs.. Lisez davantage

Published on Aug 2 2002 by Kurt A. Ragsdale

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