"Boc Curse of the Hidden Mirror" is an album released by the American rock band Blue Öyster Cult in 2001. This album marked the band's return after a long hiatus of nearly a decade. The album title refers to a hidden mirror that supposedly holds a curse, adding an air of mystery and intrigue to the overall theme. The music in "Boc Curse of the Hidden Mirror" showcases the band's signature blend of hard rock and progressive elements. The songs are characterized by heavy guitar riffs, melodic hooks, and intricate arrangements. The album features the distinctive vocals of lead singer Eric Bloom and guitarist Buck Dharma, who both bring their unique styles to the forefront.
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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. 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 album features the distinctive vocals of lead singer Eric Bloom and guitarist Buck Dharma, who both bring their unique styles to the forefront. One of the standout tracks on the album is "See You in Black," a powerful and haunting song that showcases the band's ability to create atmospheric and thought-provoking music. Another notable track is "Pocket," which features catchy melodies and a driving rhythm that keeps the listener engaged.
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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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.
Lyrically, "Boc Curse of the Hidden Mirror" explores various themes, including love, loss, and introspection. The lyrics are often poetic and metaphorical, inviting listeners to interpret the songs in their own way. The album's overall tone is introspective and reflective, reflecting the band's maturity and growth over the years. Although "Boc Curse of the Hidden Mirror" received mixed reviews upon its release, it remains a noteworthy addition to Blue Öyster Cult's discography. The album showcases the band's continued ability to create captivating and memorable music, even after decades in the industry. It stands as a testament to their enduring legacy as pioneers of hard rock and progressive music..
Reviews for "Uncovering the Forbidden Knowledge in BOC's Curse of the Hidden Mirror"
1. John - 2 stars
I was really disappointed with "Boc: Curse of the Hidden Mirror". The plot was confusing and poorly developed, making it hard to follow along. The characters lacked depth and I found it difficult to care about what happened to them. Additionally, the pacing was extremely slow, leading to a lack of excitement and interest. Overall, I found this book to be a letdown and wouldn't recommend it to others.
2. Sarah - 1 star
I couldn't get through "Boc: Curse of the Hidden Mirror" and ended up quitting halfway through. The writing style was dull and monotonous, making it hard to stay engaged. The dialogue felt forced and unnatural, which made it difficult for me to connect with the characters. Furthermore, the descriptions were excessive and unnecessary, bogging down the narrative. Overall, this book was a struggle to read and I wouldn't waste my time on it again.
3. Mike - 2 stars
"Boc: Curse of the Hidden Mirror" had an interesting premise, but it failed to deliver. The story lacked depth and failed to explore the potential of its concept. The pacing was uneven, with long stretches of nothing happening followed by rushed and unsatisfying conclusions. The writing style was also uninspiring, leaving me feeling detached from the story. I was disappointed by this book and wouldn't recommend it to others who are looking for a compelling read.