This popped up in my Facebook memories this week: “The Signal” by Jim Griffiths, released this week back in 2020. It also features a guest appearance by Joe Bouchard .

I did the cover art, inspired by the back cover of Tyranny and Mutation. The vinyl edition is probably long since sold out, but it’s still available digitally on Bandcamp.

Teen Archer just finished playing.

Some of the most underrated BöC songs are on this record. What is Quicksand? and Gil Blanco County are some of my favorite songs. And who can say no to more versions of I’m on the Lamb? As well as continuing the tradition of having some of the best album covers of all time.

"Dropped acid, Blue Oyster Cult concert, 14 years old And I thought them lasers were a spider chasing me On the way home got pulled over near Rogersville, Alabama With a half-once of weed and a case of Sterling Bigmouth My buddy Gene was driving, he'd just barely turned 16...“

— Drive By Truckers "Let There Be Rock"

I was looking at their recent set lists and saw they played Black Blade on request at that show. I’m going to a show of theirs soon and would absolutely die to hear that so now I’m just curious what impressive feat convinced them to play it!

I said most of this in a comment on another thread, but I thought it'd be fun to pop it out into its own discussion. These may vary somewhat from person to person depending on your taste, but that's the point, right? So...Ive noticed the following paradoxes in the band's work:

1. Eric is ostensibly the "lead singer", but every hit they ever had was sung by Buck.

2. Generally speaking, I like Buck's songs best, but my favorite album (Secret Treaties) has no Buck songs on it.

3. Albert Bouchard probably has the weakest voice of any member, yet 2 of my all-time fave songs ("Cities On Flame" & "Dominance & Submission") are Albert songs. Furthermore, when Eric (who is undeniably a better singer than Al) sings either of those songs live, I don't like them nearly as much. Same goes for when Buck sings the chorus of "Cagey Cretins" live. It's just not the same.

I love all kinds of music, really. But my favorite genres by far are groove, death, metalcore, technical death, thrash metal and anything like those. That being said though, I still consider BÖC my favorite band by a mile. People forget that rock n roll came from jazz, and that's in full display on songs like "Before the Kiss, a Redcap" or "Monsters." You can clearly hear jazzy solos in modern metal (maybe not in the 80s though) especially like technical or melodic bands like Necrophagist or Polyphia or something. (I don't like Polyphia, but that's an example) That jazzy stuff is also present in classic rock as well, which BÖC definitely qualifies for. Clearly, all of these genres are related in some way or another, distinguished by levels of "heaviness." But albums like Imaginos or songs like "The Red and the Black" still hit those heavy parts for me, while others (like the debut album) focus on more classic rock/jazz. It's a nice blend of all "3" genres and has a lot to offer for anyone interested, I think. But the main reason they're my favorite is the lyrics. They are so cryptic and cool because they never explain everything to you, but still give you enough context without revealing too much. The cosmic/psychological horror is on full display, and even when it isn't supposed to be scary, it always has a thick and immersive atmosphere in every song that sucks you into a world like a book. Very few bands can do that, and BÖC does it best, no competition in my book.

But I’m not promising anything

Having a great time

Listening to it again while working...I don't get the indifference to it. Ahead of its time.

I don't know if any given song on it is in my top 10 BOC songs, but it is a consistent album from start to finish, a no track skipper, with some brilliant moments. People say it's inconsistent, I think it's the opposite, one of the most listenable from beginning to end.

Transitions and album progression are into consideration as well.

Two songs from "The Symbol Remains; "The Alchemist" and "Tainted Blood". Opened with "Dr. Music" and then went to "Before the Kiss, A Redcap". PRETTY GOOD NIGHT, ERIC STRUGGLED A LITTLE BUT AT 80, NOT FUCKING BAD!!!! Oyster Boy forever!!!

I LOVE blue öyster cult they are my favorite band and im trying to get all their albums on vinyl and cd this is what I got so far and I want to know what you guys think of it

For reference, I only really started listening to BOC in the last year, and although I haven’t listened to some of the albums, they are definitely one of my favorite bands. This is my list (in no particular order), and I’d love to hear any feedback people have or recommendations. I’ve listened to all the songs in each album I’m referencing, but any other albums to check out are appreciated.

Agents of fortune - tenderloin / the reaper

Blue oyster cult - cities on flame / last days of may

Club ninja - perfect water / white flags

Cultosaurus - black blade

Fire of unknown origin - pretty much everything, especially veteran of the psychic wars and sole survivor

Ghost stories - dont come running to me? maybe, I don’t really know about this album

Imaginos - once again, pretty much everything, with emphasis on magna of illusion and in the presence of another world

Mirrors - lonely teardrops / moon crazy

Revolution by night - veins / eyes on fire / shadow of California

Secret treaties - all of it, but particularly flaming telepaths and astronomy

Spectres - Godzilla / nosferatu

The symbol remains - most of it, really like nightmare epiphany, fight, box in my head, and tainted love

Tyranny and mutation - wings wetted down / teen archer / 7 screaming dizbusters

You know you’re heading north when you pass the place where Touchdown Jesus used to live. New model just ain’t got the same pop. :-)

great show!!! eric was in a good mood and they opened with OD'd!

I requested see you in black on buck's forum but they did black blade instead, (setlist.fm says black blade was requested so I guess someone forgot) regardless it was still a welcome surprise.

GO SEE THEM!

I really want to hear all these songs live 💔 I’ve only found Astronomy so far but really want to hear Seige and Investiture and pretty much any others from the album. If you have any leads please let me know. So sad that some of their best work has never been recorded live or at least has not stood the test of time.