User Profile
Tom Kellar
I enjoy several types of music, but mostly rock of all types: Southern, metal, progressive, grunge and more. Of course, user reviews tend to be higher. We do not get our music for free and are not paid for our opinions. Unless we are given an album, or try an experiment, we are buying works from artists that we have enjoyed. But I plan to be very stingy with full 5-star ratings, saving them for flawless masterpieces which are ALL KILLER NO FILLER. I expect to be giving many 3 to 4.5 scores.
Reviews
281
Lists
0
Collection
819
Tom Kellar's Album Reviews
This is a fun album from New York's Blue Oyster Cult. It starts with one of their best, but less well-known songs, "Black Blade". This excellent hard-rocking track tells the story of a reluctant warrior and the magic sword which is taking control of him. The use of a vocoder adds to the otherworldly feel. Next up is another good and unusual song, "Monsters". This track goes back and forth from pounding rock to jazzy, experimental sections featuring saxophone from guest Mark Rivera. Another highlight is the clever "Marshall Plan". This is not about rebuilding a war-ravaged Europe, but about a young man using rock music to reconstruct his life. It includes a nod to "Smoke on the Water" and a cameo from record mogul/TV host Don Kirshner.
The other songs are enjoyable and vary from the energetic "Hungry Boys" to the madness of "Lips in the Hills" to the mellow, cool bass of "Deadline". "Unknown Tongue" is an atmospheric closer which mixes sensuality and the occult to create a mysterious, haunting finale to the album.
The freaky album cover painting and inside illustrations show the band's twisted humor. The captions for the illustrations are full of in-jokes for B.O.C. fans.
Listeners who enjoyed top Blue Oyster Cult albums like "Secret Treaties" and "Spectres", or who want to snag good tunes like "Black Blade" should unearth this fossil from the Analog Era. This dinosaur roars with power and eloquence.
The other songs are enjoyable and vary from the energetic "Hungry Boys" to the madness of "Lips in the Hills" to the mellow, cool bass of "Deadline". "Unknown Tongue" is an atmospheric closer which mixes sensuality and the occult to create a mysterious, haunting finale to the album.
The freaky album cover painting and inside illustrations show the band's twisted humor. The captions for the illustrations are full of in-jokes for B.O.C. fans.
Listeners who enjoyed top Blue Oyster Cult albums like "Secret Treaties" and "Spectres", or who want to snag good tunes like "Black Blade" should unearth this fossil from the Analog Era. This dinosaur roars with power and eloquence.
Was this review helpful?