For the past 3 years, founding Blue Öyster Cult drummer/singer Albert Bouchard has taken us on the ride of a lifetime with his epic ReImaginos trilogy, and we’ve been there every step of the way. The first 2 installments received considerable praise from this outlet, with the latter effort resulting in an interview with the man himself. Now, nearly 55 years after its inception, the tale of Imaginos officially comes to a close with the arrival of Bouchard’s latest, Imaginos III – Mutant Reformation.
On this latest outing, Bouchard again tackles the storied BÖC catalog while subsequently adding to the Imaginos mythos with new songs. Joining him along the way is no shortage of friends past and present. Among these co-conspirators are brother/classic era BÖC bassist Joe Bouchard, current BÖC multi-instrumentalist Richie Castellano, veteran bassist Kasim Sulton, and almost Black Sabbath singer Joe Cerisano, just to name a few. It’s quite the cast of characters, but such a dynamic collection of songs and ambitious tale requires such.
With the exception of an unplugged “Career of Evil” and stripped down “Godzilla”, nearly every BÖC rearrangement grabs me with curiosity and wonder. “Flaming Telepaths” is given an atmospheric psych twist and the end result is spellbinding. The southern tinged “Redeemed” is reimagined to take the tale of Imaginos as opposed to the original Sir Rastus Bear, and “R.U. Red D. 2” (a sequel to “R. U. Ready 2 Rock”) provides a rather shocking but enjoyable jazz funk spin on the one-time BÖC concert opener.
The original songs are equally as compelling, providing extra musical and narrative depth to the Imaginos tale. Cuts like “Mothra & Starfish” and “Arianna of Earth” showcase Bouchard’s space rock tendencies, not just lyrically, but musically as well. The synths lead the way, as do the unabashed intergalactic atmosphere. Considering BÖC’s dabbling with the extraterrestrial from the beginning, this “alien” quality is likely second nature to Bouchard by now. The highlight of these new songs, however, has to be the epic “Mountains of Madness”. In a head-on collision of old school and new school, this prog folk suite sees Bouchard and the aforementioned Castellano getting the best of each other’s genius. I can’t help but feel Eric Bloom and Buck Dharma secretly would’ve wanted a song of this caliber for BÖC’s 2020 comeback, The Symbol Remains, but I digress.
In a moment of full circle realization, Mutant Reformation closes with “Buddha’s Knee”. Dating back to BÖC’s earliest days as Soft White Underbelly, this raga inspired trip out was the first song Bouchard ever wrote with the late Sandy Pearlman, the latter of who conceived the Imaginos saga. It’s a rather ironic and cruel twist of fate that Pearlman isn’t here to see his vision fully realized, but I’m sure he’s proud from beyond, as are the legions of BÖC diehards. What the future holds for Bouchard and all of us for that matter is uncertain. What is certain is that the tale of Imaginos will continue to capture the minds of headbangers, heshers, and freakers alike, long after the tale has concluded. In the words of “E.T.I. (Extra Terrestrial Intelligence)”, “All praise!”
8 out of 10
Label: Deko Music
Genre: Hard Rock
For fans of: Blue Öyster Cult, Hawkwind, Ghost