Boc: Curse of the Hidden Mirror is the sixteenth studio album by the American rock band Blue Öyster Cult, released in 2001. It was their first studio album in almost a decade since the release of Heaven Forbid in 1998, and also their final studio album with Columbia Records. The album features a more stripped-down sound compared to their earlier work, with a focus on concise songwriting and melodic hooks. The band members cited various reasons for this change in direction, including a desire to return to their roots and create a more accessible album. The title of the album refers to a metaphorical "hidden mirror," which symbolizes the dark aspects of human nature that remain unseen or ignored. The songs on the album explore themes of self-reflection, personal struggles, and the search for meaning in a complex world.
Line-up:
Eric Bloom - Voice, Guitars
Buck Dharma - Guitars
Allen Lanier - Guitars, Keys
Danny Miranda - Bass
Bob Rondinelli - Drums
Due to unsuccessful level of sales the label terminated the contact with Blue Oyster Cult, leaving Curse of the Hidden Mirror without promotion, so it quickly fell off the radar, which is unfortunate. The critics received it rather warmly and it probably enjoyed some popularity, because in 3 years their last at least, at the moment LP is put out, titled Curse of the Hidden Mirror.
The songs on the album explore themes of self-reflection, personal struggles, and the search for meaning in a complex world. The lyrics are often introspective and philosophical, delving into questions of identity, mortality, and the nature of reality. Musically, Boc: Curse of the Hidden Mirror showcases the band's signature blend of hard rock, heavy metal, and psychedelic influences.
Blue Oyster Cult
Curse of the Hidden Mirror
Blue Oyster Cult has nothing left to prove. The band, that released a string of excellent albums in the 1970s and 80s, has already left its imprint in the popular culture. Unfortunately, it is mostly known for 2-3 songs ((Don’t Fear) The Reaper, Burnin’ for You, Godzilla), but it is not going to be news that they have a much wider selection of quality tracks. The period of extensive studio activity has ended for them following the release of Imaginos. Afterwards the band barely produced any new material, mainly existing on their classic output. So it was a surprise when in 1998, ten years later, Blue Oyster Cult released a full-fledged studio album Heaven Forbid. The critics received it rather warmly and it probably enjoyed some popularity, because in 3 years their last (at least, at the moment) LP is put out, titled Curse of the Hidden Mirror.
For people familiar with the band’s repertoire the new record is going to be like a long-awaited return to familiar grounds. Obviously, it’s not going to surprise anyone, since the line-up includes three musicians, who practically never left, and there is no doubt that Eric Bloom, Buck Dharma and Allen Larnier know what a Blue Oyster Cult album should sound like. So all the major components are preserved with utmost professionalism on Curse of the Hidden Mirror. The band still avoids clear labels, shifting between hard rock and heavy metal, with occasional stop on the pop-rock territory. The songs still maintain the signature quirkiness and eccentricity of topics: there are both creepy or mystical cuts, as well as those performed in a more ironic or grounded way. As on Heaven Forbid some assistance with lyrics was provided by the cyberpunk author John Shirley, again carrying on the tradition of working together with science fiction writers and songwriters, which started in the early days of the band.
The songs included on the album leave mainly positive impression. Of notable interest are four songs sung by Buck Dharma: the opening track Dance on Stilts with its start-stop riff; perky and somewhat philosophical Pocket; fast-paced pop-rock gem Here Comes That Feeling Again with a surprising twist; and the mystical Stone of Love. Remarkably Mr. Roeser has not lost and wonderfully preserved his voice (as well as his sweet guitar skills), so it is sheer pleasure to listen to his tracks. Unfortunately, the songs performed by Eric Bloom are of hit and miss variety. The reason for this is twofold. Firstly (and it would seem mainly) is that the voice of Mr. Bloom is partially gone, so his yapping and grating manner of singing requires some getting used to. Though it should be noted, some of the cuts effective build on his more limited vocals adding necessary rawness and aggressiveness. A good example is apocalyptic The Old Gods Return or sinister One Step Ahead of the Devil. He manages himself pretty well on Showtime (which was actually written during the sessions for the 1980’s Cultosaurus Erectus), as well as Good to Feel Hungry. The second shortcoming is related to the songs themselves, specifically choruses. They are often built around repetition of several words or based on the track title with some variations, leading to a sense of certain monotony. This is represented in the above mentioned The Old Gods Return and One Step Ahead of the Devil or Eye of the Hurricane.
Nevertheless, despite some missteps it should be acknowledged that the veteran act released a strong effort, which, unfortunately, was passed over by the buying public. Due to unsuccessful level of sales the label terminated the contact with Blue Oyster Cult, leaving Curse of the Hidden Mirror without promotion, so it quickly fell off the radar, which is unfortunate. However, it can be assumed that those few who purchased the record were satisfied with the solid album that can stand among their classic releases.
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"Curse of the Hidden Mirror" is the 14th studio album by Blue Öyster Cult, originally released in 2001 on Sanctuary Records. The album has been out of print for quite some time and this will also be the first time it is officially available on vinyl.
On their first album of the the new millennium, BÖC proved that they're still smart enough to play to their strengths, wearing their ‘70s classic rock standing as a badge of honor.
The band took the album title from a song on the unreleased album by the Stalk-Forrest Group, the band that would eventually become Blue Öyster Cult, recorded in 1970. John Shirley, an author of cyberpunk science fiction, wrote the lyrics for many songs of the album. Musically, the album offers a style which could be described as “classic" Blue Öyster Cult.
Produced by Donald “Buck Dharma” Roeser. the albums showcases the band's familiar charms with understated clarity.
The album features catchy guitar riffs, strong vocal harmonies, and dynamic arrangements. Standout tracks include "Pocket," a melodic rock song with a memorable chorus, and "Harvest Moon," a brooding ballad with haunting lyrics. Despite receiving mixed reviews from critics, Boc: Curse of the Hidden Mirror was generally well-received by fans of the band. It reached number 192 on the Billboard 200 chart and spawned a successful concert tour. However, it would be the band's last studio album for over a decade, as they would focus on live performances and re-releasing their earlier albums in the following years. In conclusion, Boc: Curse of the Hidden Mirror is an introspective and musically diverse album that showcases Blue Öyster Cult's ability to evolve while retaining their unique sound. It explores deep themes while maintaining a catchy and accessible sound, making it a compelling addition to the band's discography..
Reviews for "Is Boc's Curse of the Hidden Mirror a Hidden Classic?"
- Sarah - 1/5 stars - I found "Boc Curse of the Hidden Mirror" to be a disappointing and underwhelming experience. The plot was convoluted and hard to follow, with a lack of clear direction. The characters were one-dimensional and uninteresting, making it difficult to connect with their struggles. The pacing was also all over the place, with slow and uneventful moments followed by rushed and confusing action sequences. Overall, I felt like I wasted my time watching this film.
- Chris - 2/5 stars - "Boc Curse of the Hidden Mirror" had potential but failed to deliver. The concept of a hidden mirror with supernatural powers was intriguing, but the execution fell flat. The special effects were subpar, making the magical elements look cheap and unconvincing. The dialogue felt forced and artificial, making it hard to get invested in the story. Additionally, the acting felt stiff and lacked emotional depth. Overall, it had some interesting ideas, but the execution left much to be desired.
- Emily - 1/5 stars - I was extremely disappointed by "Boc Curse of the Hidden Mirror". The storyline was confusing and lacked coherence. It felt like the writers were trying to include too many plot twists and turns, resulting in a convoluted mess. The acting was also subpar, with wooden performances that lacked authenticity. The film failed to create any emotional connection with the characters, leaving me indifferent to their fate. Overall, I found it to be a forgettable and unenjoyable viewing experience.
- Mike - 2/5 stars - "Boc Curse of the Hidden Mirror" had potential, but it fell short in several areas. The pacing was slow, making the film drag on for longer than necessary. The plot was predictable and lacked any major surprises or twists. The character development was shallow, and I didn't feel invested in their journeys. While the cinematography was visually pleasing, it wasn't enough to redeem the film's shortcomings. Overall, it was an average movie that didn't leave a lasting impression.