Track Listing

1. I Am the One You Warned Me Of
2. Invisibles
3. In the Presence of Another World
4. Del Rio's Song
5. Siege and Investiture of Baron von Frankenstein's Castle at Weisseria
6. Astronomy
7. Magna of Illusion
8. Blue Öyster Cult
9. Imaginos

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #59614 in Music
• Released on: 2008-02-04
• Number of discs: 1
• Format: Import

Customer Reviews

A bit of a surprise
'll start by saying I'm one of those who thinks this is the best BOC album and it's brilliant, unique and superb.

I'm fortunate enough (and old enough) to have an original vinyl version of this from 1988 which I know inside out, and on buying this new CD version I was surprised to find some of the tracks significantly different to their originals. Not just remixed with a slightly different balance in the overall sound, but with - for instance - different guitar solos in some places. Main example being "In the presence of another world" where all the lead guitar parts are completely different to those on the original album. So this isn't simply a CD version of the 1988 vinyl edition; it would almost be more accurate to call it an "Out-takes and alternative versions" edition of the original LP.

So, if possible, you still need the original version, because what you get on this CD version is pretty different.

Still an excellent album though.

A flash of inspiration sadly buried for 20 years
This is both BOC's best and most unusual recording, largely because it was conceived as an Al Bouchard solo project (their drummer, with Sandy Pearlman the producer). But the record company forced it to be a BOC release. Consequently, it was recorded by different musicians, usually of higher skill (no offence, chaps), and brought together new musical imaginations, including Joe Satriani. BOC had just released the execrable 'Club Ninja' when this bizarre and fantastical piece of prog rock seemed to come out of nowhere. The re-recordings 'Asronomy' and 'Blue Oyster Cult' (originally 'the Subhuman' both from 'Career of Evil') are the absolute stand out tracks, but 'Imaginos' and 'Del Rio's Song' testify to Bouchard and Pearlman's abilities to still write brilliant tracks. The other songs are less catchy but contain some superb musical moments. The story may be out of order but who cares - it is totally incomprehensible anyway, serving mostly as an atmospheric continuity. Sadly, I can't get it on blue vinyl anymore and Al Bouchard makes glass jewellery instead of rocking out, but this a great secret of the 80s by a much underrated band.

Their masterpiece
This album was apparently written mostly by Albert Bouchard, who wasn't in the band any more, but it's their best album however you look at it. There's variety and good production. It's thoughtful, evocative, sweeping and melodramatic, it's got it all. Club Ninja is just a bad memory. Buy, beg or steal it!