If ever there were a manifesto for 1970s ock, one that prefigured both the decadence of the decade's burgeoning heavy metal and prog rock excesses and the rage of punk rock, "This Ain't the Summer of Love," the opening track from Agents of Fortune, Blue Öyster Cult's fourth album, was it. The irony was that while the cut itself came down firmly on the hard rock side of the fence, most of the rest of the album didn't. Agents of Fortune was co-produced by longtime Cult record boss Sandy Pearlman, Murray Krugman, and newcomer David Lucas, and in addition, the band's lyric writing was being done internally with help from poet-cum-rocker Patti Smith (who also sings on "The Revenge of Vera Gemini"). Pearlman, a major contributor to the band's songwriting output, received a solitary credit while critic Richard Meltzer, whose words were prevalent on the Cult's previous outings, was absent. The album yielded the band's biggest single with "(Don't Fear) The Reaper," a multi-textured, deeply melodic soft rock song with psychedelic overtones, written by guitarist Donald "Buck Dharma" Roeser. The rest of the album is ambitious in that it all but tosses aside the Cult's proto-metal stance and instead recontextualizes their entire stance. It's still dark, mysterious, and creepy, and perhaps even more so, it's still rooted in ock posturing and excess, but gone is the nihilistic biker boogie in favor of a more tempered -- indeed, nearly pop arena rock -- sound that gave Allen Lanier's keyboards parity with Dharma's guitar roar, as evidenced by "E.T.I.," "Debbie Denise," and "True Confessions." This is not to say that the Cult abandoned their adrenaline ock sound entirely. Cuts like "Tattoo Vampire" and "Sinful Love" have plenty of feral wail in them. Ultimately, Agents of Fortune is a solid record, albeit a startling one for fans of the band's earlier sound. It also sounds like one of restless inspiration, which is, in fact, what it turned out to be given the recordings that came after. It turned out to be the Cult's last consistent effort until they released Fire of Unknown Origin in 1981.
if someone were to ask me on the spot "what is the greatest song ever written?" i would immediately reply "(don't fear) the reaper". this is if i were to give my answer zero thought. if i were to my answer any thought what so ever, my answer would be something completely different. in fact, if i were to put any thought into this (don't fear) the reaper wouldnt even be considered in the running....
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On the bounce. After flying into San Francisco from LAX on Thursday, I headed to Monterey on Friday to visit family. On Monday, it’s back to San Fran, and on Tuesday, it’s Los Angeles again – and the marvelous mayhem of the movie biz. But for now, I’m cooling off in Monterey, California – home to the justly celebrated Monterey International Pop Music Festival, the watershed concert event
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1. Patti Smith, "Ask the Angels." Lots of New York Punk on this list, each track different. Patti was the poet laureate, a great live performer, and a bit crazy. Her band was learning how to play, and in their case, the move was useful.2. Ramones, "Judy Is a Punk." Speaking of learning how to play, the video link here is astounding.3. Joan Armatrading, "Love and Affection." The Ramones pretend...
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Driving around a cold Sussex today and this classic came on the radio. Just had to crank it up.
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if someone were to ask me on the spot "what is the greatest song ever written?" i would immediately reply "(don't fear) the reaper". this is if i were to give my answer zero thought. if i were to my answer any thought what so ever, my answer would be something completely different. in fact, if i were to put any thought into this (don't fear) the reaper wouldnt even be considered in the running....
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Ok, this is my first post on MOG. I have to admit that it is a great place to find great new music. Lately I have been getting into the old classic rock faze of things. I guess I’m just kinda sick of all this techno indie pop crap. I can understand why people enjoy stuff like Animal Collective, or Sufjan Stevens. I like it from time to time myself but it just gets old. In my opinion I think ind.
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 "Agents of Fortune")
