Review by Paul Monkhouse for MPM
The New York giants (of rock) are back and the earth-shaking outfit have dug out some screaming diz-busters from the vaults. ‘Ghost Stories’ brings together some rarities, live studio takes and cover versions that mainly feature the ‘classic’ line-up of the band, sprinkled with a bit of magic by a sharp piece of remixing tapes by current member Richie Castellano and producer Steve Schenck.
With the bulk of the material hailing from 1978 up until 1983 and one track rescued from 2016, it’s a treasure trove that the legion of fans will doubtless lap up and rightly so, B.O.C.’s unique take on heavy metal having built the reputation that saw them filling stadiums.
From the swaggering switchblade rocker ‘Late Night Street Fight’ that kicks things off, through to the funky 70’s rock of ‘Soul Jive’, this is the titans doing their own thing and screw what’s expected of them. Curveballs come thick and fast and this determination to go wherever their muse takes them has always been a part of the massive success the band have enjoyed throughout the years, the quality and distinct sound central to all they are.
Few bands can go from the Dion and the Belmonts jamming with The Beach Boys sound of ‘Cherry’ to the Tom Petty meets New Wave of ‘So Supernatural’ with such natural ease and when they throw in Southern Rocker ‘Money Machine’ all bets and gloves are off.
Three covers are thrown into the mix here and their live feeling, Latin-infused take on The Animals ‘We Gotta Get Outta This Place’, fiery MC5 ‘Kick Out the Jams’ and the live acoustic loveliness of The Beatles ‘If I Fell’ are all handled with affection and style, the Japanese edition of the CD throwing in The Doors ‘Roadhouse Blues’ as an added bonus.
Whilst the current line-up of B.O.C. are doubtless firing on all cylinders, it’s a nice thing to hear Donald ‘Buch Dharma’ Roeser, Eric Bloom, Allen Lanier and Joe and Albert Bouchard creating magic together, albeit through a lens into the past.
Always great storytellers and masters of conjuring images, ‘Gun’ and ‘Shot in the Dark’ are living, breathing tales that draw you in and the smooth balladry of ‘The Only Thing’ and melodic rock of ‘Don’t Come Running to Me’ sparkle with the band’s trademark harmonies.
It’s really all a Blue Oyster Cult fan could hope for and ‘Ghost Stories’ brings these glorious spectres from the past to vivid life, this new light shone through previously hidden windows something to bathe in. Always leaders, never followers, this is a thrilling missing chapter to their story.
“Ghost Stories”. Pre-order / Pre-save: https://orcd.co/bocghoststories
The two explain the album’s amazing process HERE
