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| cover = BlueOysterCultSpectres.jpg
| cover = BlueOysterCultSpectres.jpg
| alt =
| alt =
| released = {{start date|1977|11}}<ref>{{cite web|author=Dave Swanson |url=https://ultimateclassicrock.com/blue-oyster-cult-spectres-released/ |title=How Blue Oyster Cult Searched for Identity on 'Spectres' |website=Ultimate Classic Rock |quote=Pressured for a follow-up, Blue Oyster Cult then issued the somewhat unbalanced, but still striking, Spectres in November 1977. |access-date=September 26, 2022}}</ref>
| released = {{start date|1977|11}}<ref>{{cite web|author=Dave Swanson |url=https://ultimateclassicrock.com/blue-oyster-cult-spectres-released/ |title=How Blue Oyster Cult Searched for Identity on 'Spectres' |website=Ultimate Classic Rock |date=November 17, 2013 |quote=Pressured for a follow-up, Blue Oyster Cult then issued the somewhat unbalanced, but still striking, Spectres in November 1977. |access-date=September 26, 2022}}</ref>
| recorded = July–September 1977
| recorded = July–September 1977
| venue =
| venue =
| studio = [[Record Plant|The Record Plant]], [[New York City]]
| studio = [[Record Plant|The Record Plant]] (New York City)
| genre = {{hlist|[[Hard rock]]|[[Heavy metal music|heavy metal]]|[[pop rock]]}}
| genre = {{hlist|[[Hard rock]]|[[Heavy metal music|heavy metal]]|[[occult rock]]}}
| length = 40:29
| length = 40:29
| label = [[Columbia Records|Columbia]]
| label = [[Columbia Records|Columbia]]
| producer = [[Murray Krugman]], [[Sandy Pearlman]], [[David Lucas (composer)|David Lucas]], [[Blue Öyster Cult]]
| producer = [[Murray Krugman]], [[Sandy Pearlman]], [[David Lucas (composer)|David Lucas]], Blue Öyster Cult
| prev_title = [[Agents of Fortune]]
| prev_title = [[Agents of Fortune]]
| prev_year = 1976
| prev_year = 1976
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| type = studio
| type = studio
| single1 = Goin' Through the Motions
| single1 = Goin' Through the Motions
| single1date = December 1977 (US)<ref>{{cite book|url=https://archive.org/details/greatrockdiscogr00stro/page/75/mode/2up|title=The Great Rock Discography|year=1995|page=75 |isbn=9780862415419 |last1=Strong |first1=Martin Charles }}</ref>
| single1date = December 1977 (US)<ref>{{cite book|url=https://archive.org/details/greatrockdiscogr00stro/page/75/mode/2up|title=The Great Rock Discography|year=1995|page=75 |isbn=9780862415419 |last1=Strong |first1=Martin Charles |publisher=Canongate Press }}</ref>
| single2 = [[Godzilla (Blue Öyster Cult song)|Godzilla]]
| single2 = [[Godzilla (Blue Öyster Cult song)|Godzilla]]
| single2date = February 1978 (US)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://dutchcharts.nl/showitem.asp?interpret=Blue+%D6yster+Cult&titel=Godzilla&cat=s|title=Blue Oyster Cult singles}}</ref>
| single2date = February 1978 (US)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://dutchcharts.nl/showitem.asp?interpret=Blue+%D6yster+Cult&titel=Godzilla&cat=s|title=Blue Oyster Cult singles}}</ref>
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}}
}}
}}
}}
⚫
'''''Spectres''''' is the fifth studio album by American [[Rock music|rock]] band [[Blue Öyster Cult]], released in November 1977 by [[Columbia Records]]. The album features one of the band's biggest hits, concert staple "[[Godzilla (Blue Öyster Cult song)|Godzilla]]," and was certified gold by the [[Recording Industry Association of America|RIAA]] on January 19, 1978.<ref name="RIAA" />

The cover art features lasers, which Blue Öyster Cult used in their live shows at that time.

⚫
A remastered version was released on February 13, 2007, which included four previously unreleased outtakes from the ''Spectres'' sessions as bonus tracks.

==Critical reception==
{{Music ratings
{{Music ratings
| rev1 = [[AllMusic]]
| rev1 = [[AllMusic]]
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| rev4 = ''[[Q (magazine)|Q]]''
| rev4 = ''[[Q (magazine)|Q]]''
| rev4Score = {{Rating|4|5}}<ref>{{cite magazine | title = Blue Öyster Cult - Spectres | magazine = [[Q (magazine)|Q]] | date = April 2007 | first = Phil | last = Mongredien | issue = 249}}</ref>
| rev4Score = {{Rating|4|5}}<ref>{{cite magazine | title = Blue Öyster Cult - Spectres | magazine = [[Q (magazine)|Q]] | date = April 2007 | first = Phil | last = Mongredien | issue = 249}}</ref>
|rev5 = ''[[The Rolling Stone Album Guide]]''
|noprose=yes
|rev5score = {{rating|2.5|5}}<ref name="RS">{{cite book |title=The Rolling Stone Album Guide |date=1992 |publisher=Random House |page=70}}</ref>
}}
}}
⚫
''[[Record World]]'' called the single "Goin' Through the Motions," which was co-written by [[Mott the Hoople]] singer [[Ian Hunter (singer)|Ian Hunter]], a "thumping, hand-clapping pop-rocker."<ref name=rw>{{cite magazine|magazine=Record World|date=December 17, 1977|accessdate=2023-02-15|title=Hits of the Week|page=1|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Record-World/70s/77/RW-1977-12-17.pdf}}</ref>


==Cover versions==
⚫
'''''Spectres''''' is the fifth studio album by American [[rock music|rock]] band [[Blue Öyster Cult]], released in November 1977. The album features one of the band's biggest hits, concert staple "[[Godzilla (Blue Öyster Cult song)|Godzilla]]," and was certified gold in January 1978.<ref name="RIAA" >{{cite web | url = https://www.riaa.com/gold-platinum/?tab_active=default-award&se=blue+oyster+cult#search_section | title = RIAA Searchable Database - search for Blue Oyster Cult | access-date = July 22, 2012 | publisher = [[RIAA]]}}</ref>
Welsh singer [[Bonnie Tyler]] covered "Goin’ Through the Motions" on her album ''[[Faster Than the Speed of Night]]''.

⚫
''[[Record World]]'' called the single "Goin' Through the Motions," which was co-written by [[Mott the Hoople]] singer [[Ian Hunter (singer)|Ian Hunter]], a "thumping, hand-clapping pop-rocker"<ref name=rw>{{cite magazine|magazine=Record World|date=December 17, 1977|accessdate=2023-02-15|title=Hits of the Week|page=1|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Record-World/70s/77/RW-1977-12-17.pdf}}</ref>

⚫
The cover art features Blue Öyster Cult's use of lasers in their live show at that time. A remastered version was released on February 13, 2007, which included four previously unreleased outtakes from the ''Spectres'' sessions as bonus tracks.


==Track listing==
==Track listing==
Line 121: Line 127:
==Personnel==
==Personnel==
;Blue Öyster Cult
;Blue Öyster Cult
*[[Eric Bloom]] – stun [[guitar]], vocals
*[[Eric Bloom]] – stun guitar, vocals
*[[Buck Dharma|Donald "Buck Dharma" Roeser]] – [[lead guitar]], vocals
*[[Buck Dharma|Donald "Buck Dharma" Roeser]] – lead guitar, vocals
*[[Allen Lanier]] – [[Keyboard instrument|keyboards]], [[rhythm guitar]], vocals
*[[Allen Lanier]] – keyboards, rhythm guitar, vocals
*[[Joe Bouchard]] – [[bass guitar|bass]], vocals, keyboards
*[[Joe Bouchard]] – bass, vocals, keyboards
*[[Albert Bouchard]] – [[drum kit|drums]], [[harmonica]], percussion, vocals
*[[Albert Bouchard]] – drums, harmonica, percussion, vocals


;Additional musicians
;Additional musicians
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! Peak<br/>position
! Peak<br/>position
|-
|-
{{Album chart|Canada|58|chartid=5478b|artist=Blue Öyster Cult|album=Spectres|rowheader=true|accessdate=22 April 2018}}
{{Album chart|Canada|58|chartid=5478b|artist=Blue Öyster Cult|album=Spectres|rowheader=true|accessdate=March 25, 2024}}
|-
|-
!scope="row"| French Albums ([[Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique|SNEP]])<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.infodisc.fr/Album_S.php |website =Infodisc.fr |language=fr |access-date=9 June 2012 |title=Le Détail des Albums de chaque Artiste – B |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141022124902/http://infodisc.fr/Album_B.php |archive-date=22 October 2014 }} ''Select ''Blue Oyster Cult'' from the menu, then press ''OK''.''</ref>
!scope="row"| French Albums ([[Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique|SNEP]])<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.infodisc.fr/Album_S.php |website =Infodisc.fr |language=fr |access-date=March 25, 2024 |title=Le Détail des Albums de chaque Artiste – B |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141022124902/http://infodisc.fr/Album_B.php |archive-date=22 October 2014 }} ''Select ''Blue Oyster Cult'' from the menu, then press ''OK''.''</ref>
| align="center"| 28
| align="center"| 28
|-
|-
{{Album chart|Sweden|47|artist=Blue Öyster Cult|album=Spectres|rowheader=true|accessdate=22 April 2018}}
{{Album chart|Sweden|47|artist=Blue Öyster Cult|album=Spectres|rowheader=true|accessdate=March 25, 2024}}
|-
|-
{{Album chart|UK|60|artist=Blue Oyster Cult|album=Spectres|rowheader=true|accessdate=22 April 2018}}
{{Album chart|UK2|60|date=19780129|rowheader=true|accessdate=March 25, 2024}}
|-
|-
{{Album chart|Billboard200|43|artist=Blue Oyster Cult|refname=Billboard 200|rowheader=true|accessdate=22 April 2018}}
{{Album chart|Billboard200|43|artist=Blue Oyster Cult|refname=Billboard 200|rowheader=true|accessdate=March 25, 2024}}
|}
|}


==Certifications==
==Certifications==
{{certification Table Top}}
{{certification Table Top}}
{{certification Table Entry|region=United States|type=album|artist=Blue Öyster Cult|title=Spectres|award=Gold|relyear=1977|certyear=1978}}
{{certification Table Entry|region=United States|type=album|artist=Blue Öyster Cult|title=Spectres|award=Gold|relyear=1977|refname="RIAA"|certyear=1978}}
{{certification Table Bottom|nosales=yes}}
{{certification Table Bottom|nosales=yes}}


== References ==
==References==
{{reflist}}
{{reflist}}


Revision as of 17:20, 19 April 2024

Spectres
Studio album by
Blue Öyster Cult
ReleasedNovember 1977 (1977-11)[1]
RecordedJuly–September 1977
StudioThe Record Plant (New York City)
Genre
Length40:29
LabelColumbia
ProducerMurray Krugman, Sandy Pearlman, David Lucas, Blue Öyster Cult
Blue Öyster Cult chronology
Agents of Fortune
(1976) 		Spectres
(1977) 		Some Enchanted Evening
(1978)
Singles from Spectres
  1. "Goin' Through the Motions"
    Released: December 1977 (US)[2]
  2. "Godzilla"
    Released: February 1978 (US)[3]
  3. "I Love the Night"
    Released: 4 August 1978 (UK)[4]

Spectres is the fifth studio album by American rock band Blue Öyster Cult, released in November 1977 by Columbia Records. The album features one of the band's biggest hits, concert staple "Godzilla," and was certified gold by the RIAA on January 19, 1978.[5]

The cover art features lasers, which Blue Öyster Cult used in their live shows at that time.

A remastered version was released on February 13, 2007, which included four previously unreleased outtakes from the Spectres sessions as bonus tracks.

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[6]
Christgau's Record GuideB+[7]
Collector's Guide to Heavy Metal10/10[8]
Q[9]
The Rolling Stone Album Guide[10]

Record World called the single "Goin' Through the Motions," which was co-written by Mott the Hoople singer Ian Hunter, a "thumping, hand-clapping pop-rocker."[11]

Cover versions

Welsh singer Bonnie Tyler covered "Goin’ Through the Motions" on her album Faster Than the Speed of Night.

Track listing

Side one
No.TitleWriter(s)Lead vocalsLength
1."Godzilla"Donald RoeserRoeser, Eric Bloom3:41
2."Golden Age of Leather"Roeser, Bruce AbbottRoeser, Bloom5:53
3."Death Valley Nights"Albert Bouchard, Richard MeltzerA. Bouchard4:07
4."Searchin' for Celine"Allen LanierBloom3:35
5."Fireworks"A. BouchardA. Bouchard3:14
Side two
No.TitleWriter(s)Lead vocalsLength
1."R. U. Ready 2 Rock"A. Bouchard, Sandy PearlmanBloom3:45
2."Celestial the Queen"Joe Bouchard, Helen WheelsJ. Bouchard3:24
3."Goin' Through the Motions"Bloom, Ian HunterBloom3:12
4."I Love the Night"RoeserRoeser4:23
5."Nosferatu"J. Bouchard, WheelsJ. Bouchard5:23
2007 CD reissue bonus tracks
No.TitleWriter(s)Lead vocalsLength
11."Night Flyer"RoeserRoeser3:48
12."Dial M for Murder"A. BouchardBloom3:11
13."Please Hold"A. LanierLanier2:47
14."Be My Baby" (The Ronettes cover)Jeff Barry, Ellie Greenwich, Phil SpectorBloom3:01
Total length:53:16

Personnel

Blue Öyster Cult
Additional musicians
  • Newark Boys Chorus – vocals on "Golden Age of Leather"
Production
  • Murray Krugman, Sandy Pearlman, David Lucas – producers
  • Shelly Yakus – engineer, mixing
  • John Jansen, Corky Stasiak, Thom Panunzio, Andy Abrams – engineers
  • Gray Russell, Dave Thoener, Jay Krugman, Rod O’Brien, Sam Ginsberg – assistant engineers
  • Joe Brescio – mastering
  • Roni Hoffman – design
  • Eric Meola – photos
  • David Infante – laser effects and photo assistance

Charts

Chart (1977-1978) Peak
position
Canada Top Albums/CDs (RPM)[12] 58
French Albums (SNEP)[13] 28
Swedish Albums (Sverigetopplistan)[14] 47
UK Albums (OCC)[15] 60
US Billboard 200[16] 43

Certifications

Region Certification Certified units/sales
United States (RIAA)[5] Gold 500,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

References

  1. ^ Dave Swanson (November 17, 2013). "How Blue Oyster Cult Searched for Identity on 'Spectres'". Ultimate Classic Rock. Retrieved September 26, 2022. Pressured for a follow-up, Blue Oyster Cult then issued the somewhat unbalanced, but still striking, Spectres in November 1977.
  2. ^ Strong, Martin Charles (1995). The Great Rock Discography. Canongate Press. p. 75. ISBN 9780862415419.
  3. ^ "Blue Oyster Cult singles".
  4. ^ "Blue Oyster Cult singles".
  5. ^ a b "American album certifications – Blue Öyster Cult – Spectres". Recording Industry Association of America.
  6. ^ Jurek, Thom. "Blue Öyster Cult - Spectres review". AllMusic. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved February 10, 2012.
  7. ^ Christgau, Robert (1981). "Consumer Guide '70s: B". Christgau's Record Guide: Rock Albums of the Seventies. Ticknor & Fields. ISBN 089919026X. Retrieved February 22, 2019 – via robertchristgau.com.
  8. ^ Popoff, Martin (October 2003). The Collector's Guide to Heavy Metal: Volume 1: The Seventies. Burlington, Ontario, Canada: Collector's Guide Publishing. p. 54. ISBN 978-1894959025.
  9. ^ Mongredien, Phil (April 2007). "Blue Öyster Cult - Spectres". Q. No. 249.
  10. ^ The Rolling Stone Album Guide. Random House. 1992. p. 70.
  11. ^ "Hits of the Week" (PDF). Record World. December 17, 1977. p. 1. Retrieved February 15, 2023.
  12. ^ "Top RPM Albums: Issue 5478b". RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved March 25, 2024.
  13. ^ "Le Détail des Albums de chaque Artiste – B". Infodisc.fr (in French). Archived from the original on October 22, 2014. Retrieved March 25, 2024. Select Blue Oyster Cult from the menu, then press OK.
  14. ^ "Swedishcharts.com – Blue Öyster Cult – Spectres". Hung Medien. Retrieved March 25, 2024.
  15. ^ "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved March 25, 2024.
  16. ^ "Blue Oyster Cult Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved March 25, 2024.
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