Greatest Blue Oyster Cult Albums

The Top Ten
Secret Treaties

I have to choose between Secret Treaties and Tyranny and Mutation? I could not decide for the longest time. Secret Treaties barely wins, and for good reason. It has not one, not two, but three riffy, badass rockers: Dominance and Submission, ME 262, and Cagey Cretins.

Then, you have the more classic-styled Career of Evil, Harvester of Eyes, and Flaming Telepaths. Subhuman is a slower track and arguably the weakest on the album, but it's still pretty good. Astronomy is one of BOC's best songs. It has everything that characterizes the band. Basically, this album has nothing wrong with it. Every second of it is good.

Fire of Unknown Origin

This and Cultösaurus Erectus were the two albums that had the best production among the early albums. Also, the two that had the best songs overall.

Meh, I guess Secret Treaties was decent too, but the production does not compare. Curse of the Hidden Mirror is a great album, and so is Heaven Forbid. Club Ninja and Mirrors were also underrated.

It's a tough choice between Fire of Unknown Origin and Secret Treaties. In the end, Fire of Unknown Origin probably has more songs that I'll listen to frequently on their own.

Agents of Fortune

Don't Fear the Reaper is the greatest song ever created. It's a hit for a reason. And it's not all this album has to offer.

Some splendid cuts like The Revenge of Vera Gemini and Tattoo Vampire, not to mention E.T.I., This Ain't the Summer of Love, and Sinful Love.

I prefer the debut and Tyranny over this one, but it deserves more attention. There is so much more to be found than The Reaper. E.T.I. is one of their best riffs. This Ain't the Summer of Love is badass. Tattoo Vampire is like Hot Rails to Hell 2.0. This album has much to offer.

Blue Oyster Cult

A very complete first album with all listenable tracks. Some really good cuts and excellent guitar playing.

Great songs. Too bad the sound is a bit wonky, or it might have been BOC's best LP. I still have it at #3 or #4 depending on my mood.

Tyranny & Mutation

The first three tracks are a bit weak, but the rest of the album is stellar. Fire of Unknown Origin is a bit more consistent and has a better sound, but the high points of Tyranny and Mutation are higher, and it rocks in a way that their later albums don't.

Underrated album. Every track is so good. In my opinion, this album is better than Blue Öyster Cult and Agents of Fortune.

Spectres

An outstanding record, capturing all the best of the sound of the 1970s with exceptionally modern playing at times, foreseeing what was to come years afterward. Nosferatu always brings back the thrill of the first listen.

This is probably their most accessible album, and "I Love the Night" is such a great song! So are "Godzilla" and "Fireworks."

Cultosaurus Erectus

Clever lyrics - disparaging, melancholic, sci-fi. Typical for the band. Also, some good hooks. The best production with Martin Birch at the board - nice bass and lower mids.

Overall, their best album, with Fire of Unknown Origin a close second. Way better production than the thin albums they did in the '70s. Cultösaurus, Fire, then Mirrors are the top three.

A fun album with some great hooks.

On Your Feet Or On Your Knees

This is my "go-to" album whenever I'm in the mood for some B.O.C. Great renditions of a great selection of songs. A fantastic live album!

The solo guitar on Last Days of May is one of the best things in the entire history of rock!

One of the most underrated live albums of all time. This is great stuff!

Imaginos
Some Enchanted Evening

Great version of Don't Fear The Reaper among some other Cult classics. Still stands up well as a fine live album.

My introduction to BOC. Always my first and best. Now, Buck is my friend... Wow, life really is fantastic at times.

The Newcomers

? The Symbol Remains
? Live 1976
The Contenders
Mirrors

Great album. "I Am the Storm," to me, is the only weak song. "Moon Crazy" is brilliant. Even "You're Not the One" is great.

This one and Cultösaurus Erectus are two albums where you practically never have to hit the "skip" button. Their two best albums, with Fire of Unknown Origin coming in a close third.

Underrated and overlooked. Includes The Vigil, The Great Sun Jester, and the title track.

Club Ninja

This album certainly deserves more attention. It's right up there with Cultösaurus in my opinion, and that cover artwork is awesome. Of course, that's not the best thing about it. I'd like to compare it to Fire of Unknown Origin for its keyboard-filled sound that fits the songs well and serves as a great part of the music.

Even for a rockin' band like BOC, this album is good, despite its keyboard shortcomings. If you want to see an album that doesn't do it well, look at The Revölution by Night.

The Revolution by Night

If this album had more songs like Take Me Away, it would be awesome. Unfortunately, there's just too much '80s influence to go around.

Heaven Forbid
Extraterrestrial Live

I guess I just love B.O.C. live. Great stuff. I love the live versions of Godzilla and Reaper.

A Long Day's Night
Curse of the Hidden Mirror
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