Tyranny and Mutation -- Blue Oyster Cult

Terrific precursor to the punk rock movement of the mid 70s. Only this album, and all BOC up until Agents of Fortune, has a melodic side, while maintaining its hard edge. And Buck Dharma's "stun guitar" blows away most punk rockers by a mile. I had this on vinyl and lost it at Penn Station in NYC in 1976. How I've lived without it all these years, I have no idea. It is as vibrant and explosive as it ever was. And I still have no idea what the lyrics mean, though they are fun to sing along to! Top honors for Tyranny and Mutation. Now I must buy Secret Treaties. Last note: I did pick out a lyric that seemed especially poignant today (and was likely written as the Watergate Scandal was unfolding). From "Flaming Telepath": "Poison's in my bloodstream, poison's in my pride; I'm anti-rebellion, I'll settle for lies..." Uh-oh. This is from Secret Treaties, still blazoned in my head. --Ben Hollis