Imaginos

Imaginos is a frustrating, intriguing, interesting, yet, confusing release. Originally, the concept behind the piece was the brainchild of BOC's mentor/writer/producer Sandy Pearlman, and if you "Google" the information, you'll get an in depth view of what all the fuss was about surrounding this record. Drummer/vocalist and songwriter Albert Bouchard, began working with Pearlman and various musicians once he was fired from the band in September 1981, and by '84/'85 had presented the record to Columbia, only for them to pass on the release and shelved the projected album indefinitely. After Blue Oyster Cult's Club Ninja album and ensuing tour in support of it had ended, what was left of the group(now down to 2 original members Eric Bloom and Donald Roeser) had all but fell into perpetual obscurity. Pearlman approached Eric and Donald with an idea of getting  Imaginos released and the deal that was set up would be for Albert and Sandy to help recoup the costs of their expenses by bringing in Donald and Eric to redo some of Albert's vocals(which had been one deciding factor in Columbia denying the release), as well as marketing the record under the Blue Oyster Cult name, thus ensuring continuity and commercial appeal. The deciding factor for Eric and Donald(and also, keyboardist/guitarist Allen Lanier rejoining in 1987) was to fulfill a final studio record for Columbia, thus completing their contract and Imaginos seemed to offer the feasible solution to this issue.

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With all of that information given, the actual record that was released was more of an abridged version of the concept behind the Imaginos project. Bootleg versions of Albert Bouchard's version have surfaced over the years, of which I have obtained, and offer more material that didn't make the final cut to the finished record. As with the previous 2 releases in Revolution by Night and Club Ninja, the production is overblown at times, and outside session players are plentiful on this release; not to mention the appearance of Joe Satriani on The Siege and Investiture of Baron Von Frankenstein's Castle at Weisseria, and ex-Doors guitarist Robbie Kreiger featured on the cuts Magna of Illusion and Blue Oyster Cult. Besides the credits of all five band members, (then) current members Thommy Price(drums) and Tommy Zvonchek(keys) are included along with an array of guitarists' such as Phil Grande(Club Ninja), Tommy Moringiello, Jack Rigg, Bassist Kenny Aaronson and then current Cult member Jon Rogers(bass/vocals), whom offers vocals to the title track and album opener, I Am the One You Warned Me Of, respectively. The majority of the songs are credited to Albert and Pearlman, and Astronomy reappears with a new arrangement given that has an updated(upon listening now, DATED) sound to itself. The best tracks featured are the first 3 numbers that offer a solid vibe of continuity and concept in I Am the One You Warned Me Of, Les Invisibles and In the Presence of Another World. Del Rio's Song is poppy and upbeat and works as a mid-paced track which helps to smooth out the otherwise, heavy and dark vibe that permeates throughout the recording.

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The Siege and Investiture of Baron Von Frankenstein's Castle at Weisseria features guest vocals by Joey Cerisano and also "The Guitar Orchestra of the State of Imaginos" which includes the group of guitarists Marc Biedermann, Kevin Carlson, Aldo Nova, Joe Satriani, Robbie Krieger, Jack Rigg and Tommy Moringiello, within the finished tracks' mix. Proceeding further, the final 3 numbers Magna of Illusion, Blue Oyster Cult and the title track regain some momentum that had been lost by the previous numbers in the reworked Astronomy and the overblown qualities of "Seige and Investiture". Despite the stifling production that mires the overall flow to the finished record, these final three numbers bring back a certain continuity. Although, like Club Ninja before it, there's WAY too many "cooks in the kitchen" involved, and  because of the staggering weight within the concept of the Imaginos story and the recording itself, there's a feeling of manipulation utilizing the studio technique of overdubbing, thus betraying the idea of the original lineup reuniting one last time(per the liner notes) to make a grand statement. Imaginos is still quite appealing to the BOC fanatic in that once the record gets going, it really draws you into its soundscape and storyline, even if that in itself, still remains somewhat of a mystery.

 

In Martin Popoff's bio on the band, Secrets Revealed, it's reckoned that the Imaginos concept had actually included previously released tracks within the band's discography that were loosely based and connected to the concept; certainly the reappearance of Astronomy is evidence of this, but, I think because of Pearlman's vision vs. Albert Bouchard's and also the current bands' situation, Imaginos winds up falling short of its actual full potential in a masterful concept realized. People are divided over this release ranging from Genius to Failure and in between, which is where I stand on this record. Its solid in the songwriting and performance areas, but is destroyed by production, arrangement and outside session player overkill.

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Rating Grade- B-