Blue Oyster Cult - Agents of Fortune (14 tracks) +Album Reviews

BOC's Biggest Hit But Not Their Greatest Album

Elvis Zombie | Angola, Indiana USA | 07/30/2009

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Who hasn't heard "(Don't Fear) The Reaper"? It's become such an enduring classic it inspired the infamous Will Ferral "Cow Bell" skit on Saturday Night Live. This is a much different album than those produced under the Black and White period. Making a comparison to Metallica; this is Blue Oyster Cult's "Black Album."

This marks the point where BOC moved away from the hard rock edge established on their previous work toward a more mainstream "pop" oriented sound. I don't believe the band intended to shift their sound, but that's just the way it played out in the studio.

The first half of the album contains some great tracks: This Ain't The Summer of Love, E.T.I. (Extra Terrestrial Intelligence), The Revenge Of Vera Gemini. Unfortunatly, most of the tracks aren't even in the same class as those on Tyranny & Mutation or Secret Treaties. This isn't a bad album by any means; it just isn't BOC's best, but the album does grow on you with repeated listens. Unfortunatly, the new fan may be put off on the first play through.

The remastered sound quality is spectacular. "(Don't Fear) The Reaper" never sounded so good. You can really hear the cow bell in all it's epic granduer. Seriously, I have no complaints on the audio; Colombia/Legacy has done an outstanding job on cleaning up the original master tapes. The new liner notes by Lenny Kane, lyrics, previously unpublished photos, and bonus tracks are a welcome addition as well.

You can hear the non-cow bell demo of "Reaper" for yourself. I guess they were right about needing more cowbell!"

Big Disappointment

Kevin D. | Virginia | 08/29/2009

(2 out of 5 stars)

"I sure am glad that I started out with BOC's first three great albums. If I had bought this first I probably would have given up on the band. I don't understand why a lot of bands start out hard edged and creative and then at some point try to polish and pop out their sound to attract a larger audience when it is the music that really suffers.

The Reaper and E.T.I are great songs (interestingly both written by D. Roeser), Vera Gemini and Summer of Love aren't too bad, Sinful Love and Tattoo Vampire are just okay, and the rest of the record is awful. Don't bother with this record, you can get Reaper and E.T.I. on a compilation."

B.o..c.,s agents album!

Paul Mcguinn | chicago il usa. | 09/08/2009

(4 out of 5 stars)

"blue oyster cult,s agents of fortune album was released in 1976.this album is for the most part is quite good.like the album that followed it titled spectres released in 1977,agents is also full of gothic and sci fi lyrical content which i really like. the band recorded this after the live ;on your feet or on your knees album. when agents was released don,t fear the reaper became an instant hit! i think reaper was the first hit single for b.o.c. reaper is an all time classic. for me other greats on this album are;this ain,t the summer of love,e.t.i.[extra terrestrial intellence],the revenge of vera gemini,sinful love,tattoo vampire and tenderloin and the unreleased 1976 version of fire of unknown origin is interesting too ,also the demo version of reaper.as a major b.o.c. fan i would definately get this."

Blue Öyster Cult #5 : Agents of Fortune

Friendlycard | Norfolk, UK | 05/21/2010

(3 out of 5 stars)

""Agents of Fortune" isn't a bad album, but it was (and remains) a sad disappointment.

This might sound a contradictory judgement to anyone who does not appreciate that Blue Öyster Cult has three distinct identities. First, there's the heavy metal era, in which the band produced three rock albums of staggering power and originality (this is often known as BÖC's `black and white' period). Then there's the post-1975 studio era, which began with this album and was much softer and a lot more commercial. Overlaying both eras has been the band's live output, in which BÖC has established solid credentials as arguably the best, most energising rock outfit on the live circuit. Tellingly, most of the stand-out tracks of the live experience are sourced from the first three albums.

`Agents of Fortune' marked the transition from masterful heavy-rockers to middle-of-the-road commerciality. Hence the disappointment. After the innovation, originality and raw power of the first three albums - not to mention the mind-bending force of the first live album - this is a bland offering at best. My feeling at the time (and now) was that the band had produced one nailed-on rock classic - "(Don't Fear) The Reaper" - and the marketing men were looking to package it into an album. That's why a lot of the material here sounds like filling.

In fairness, in addition to "Reaper" there are two other very good tracks here - "E.T.I.", and "The Revenge of Vera Gemini". "Summer of Love" isn't too bad, and - like "E.T.I." - is better live than in this studio offering. But you can get these - together with "Reaper" - on compilations. The remainder of this album is pretty forgettable.

If you want to appreciate why BÖC were arguably the best heavy rock band of this (or any) era, start with `Blue Öyster Cult', `Tyranny & Mutation', `Secret Treaties', and `On Your Feet Or On Your Knees'. After those timeless epics, `Agents of Fortune' is pretty poor fare."

Search - Blue Oyster Cult :: Agents of Fortune

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