The
Triple Feature series by Sony Legacy compiles three -- usually well-known -- catalog albums by big-name artists, assembles them in a slipcase box, and sells them at a budget price to consumers. While the reason may be simply a new package in order to clear shelves of excess inventory, this exercise also serves a purpose for collectors and fans filling in holes for a favorite artist. That said, one has to wonder what was in the company’s drinking water or if there was a true overload of inventory on these three remastered titles by
Blue Öyster Cult. The set includes the band’s stellar eponymously titled debut album issued in 1972, with its anthemic classic “Cities on Flame with Rock and Roll”; 1981’s killer comeback recording
Fire of Unknown Origin, which contains the smash “Burnin’ for You”; and finally 1985’s double live album entitled
Extraterrestrial Live. This last entry not only contains stellar concert versions of the aforementioned tracks, but also other
BOC hits such as “(Don’t Fear) The Reaper” and “Godzilla.” In addition, there is a riotous “Hot Rails to Hell” and a cover of
the Doors’ “Roadhouse Blues” with
Robby Krieger on guitar, making this the best of
BOC’s many live recordings. It’s hard to imagine why this set was assembled this way, but it hardly matters. It makes an excellent -- if extra-large -- introduction to the band. The budget price for the set is also a bargain.
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Thom Jurek, Rovi