Blue Oyster Cult always seems to start things off with some of their very best songs, and Secret Treaties is no exception. Opener 'Career Of Evil' is a classic, with a driving, mid-paced beat with organs and a fluctuating guitar riff serving as the backing for the delightfully obscure lyrics. The lyrics are wonderfully confrontational and confusing 'I choose to steal what you choose to show - And ya' know, I will not apologize...you're mine for the taking!' 'Subhuman' does like 'OD'ed On Life Itself' from Tyranny And Mutation, slowing things down a little (not that Career Of Evil is fast) but presenting an enduring melody - it's a great one to sing along to.

'Dominance And Submission' sees the guys deciding: 'hey man, let's go back to some of that biker-metal energy we had going on Tyranny!'...and kicks your ass. The main riff is pretty heavy, and the energy is exciting, the solos in this song absolutely burn. Further on is an amusing call and response of 'Dominance! Submission! Radios appear!', after which the band jams the hell out. Great stuff.

ME 262 elaborates further on the return to biker-boogie by recalling the style of 'Hot Rails To Hell'...driving along with the enthusiasm and fire I dig so much. It really, really kicks...don't know what else I can say. One of their most rockin' songs.

Now 'Cagey Cretins'...oh dear. BOC usually have at least one stinker on their albums, and for this album song is the most likely candidate. It's ok, but the high vocals really are too cheesy to take. The main riff is ok too, but it never develops beyond that. The song feels half-baked, like it needed more thought...it flies by without leaving any impression besides one of mediocrity.

'Harvester Of Eyes' is totally owning. It starts with a cool little bluesy riff followed by cascading organs and confident, defiant vocals 'Harvester of eyes, that's me, and I see all there is to see!' Another winner.

'Flaming Telepaths' is often cited as the greatest song on this album, and with good reason. The hypnotic piano and churning synths are accompanied by really haunting vocals and boogie-ing guitar riffs. The delivery of the vocals is enough to send shivers down your spine: 'Poison's in my bloodstream, poison's in my pride...I'm after rebellion, I'll settle for lives!'

To finish things off the band decides to go for their own 'Stairway To Heaven' with 'Astronomy', and in their own way manage to trump Zeppelin's epic. The light drumming and soft piano playing enthrall the listener, as the heartfelt vocals lay down a story of intruiging mystery...planets and winds and the interactions of the protagonist with something called the 'four winds bar'. This is some rivetting stuff. The end is particularly inspiring as things louden up to cries of 'ASTRONOMY...A STAR! ASTRONOMY...A STAR!' This song proves that BOC has every right to be one of the top bands in the pantheon of rock greats, right next to Black Sabbath, Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin and Judas Priest.

There's not much more to say, besides the fact that this is yet another awesome Blue Oyster Cult album. You would be doing yourself a disservice by not hearing this album. It's a sure-fire winner which is everybit as good, and in ways superior to Tyranny And Mutation. Get it. Get it today. You know you want to...

written by Tim Blake

Playing time: 38.23