This Ain't The Summer Of Love/True Confessions/(Don't Fear) The Reaper/ETI/The Revenge Of Vera Gemini/ Sinful Love/Tattoo Vampire/Morning Final/Tenderloin/Debbie Denise
The US rock group Blue Oyster Cult enjoyed moderate commercial success during the mid seventies, held back by a generic sound and a lack of distinctiveness. Agents Of Fortune contains their biggest hit (Don’t Fear) The Reaper which reached the top twenty in both the US and UK. (US:29 UK:26)
“With Agents Of Fortune BÖC moved into a more commercial and pop oriented style. This is a hard rock record but it differs a bit from their previous albums because this is clearly a more radio friendly totality. The quality of the material varies too much. The best parts here are pretty good but the album also includes lots of mediocre moments and also a couple of weak tracks.”
“(Don't Fear) The Reaper casts an undeniable spell, but the rest of Agents Of Fortune is terribly unmemorable. Even the other alleged highlight, This Ain't The Summer Of Love, sounds like any generic 70s hard rock band.”
“Perhaps with more listens I'll find this more interesting, but so far I've found it pretty dull. It all feels rather conventional; of course there's nothing wrong with sticking to conventions, but it doesn't do so in a way that's particularly catchy, enjoyable, or memorable.”
“After three stellar albums that cemented BÖC as an enigmatic force in the American hard rock scene, it was only natural that they would move into more commercial territory. Agents Of Fortune seemed to fit the bill quite well as a break out album, but in all honesty it is a pretty dull listen.”
“It may not have many songs as good as Don't Fear The Reaper, but they all sound different which makes this a varied and memorable album.” “For the band this was a crossover album and it shows, preserving elements of their earlier blues orientated sound and fusing it with a melodic, almost AOR, flavour which would serve them well in the future.”
“A classic album from one of the best rock bands, with complex arrangements, poetic lyrics and pure hard rock. Every metal head should have this in their library.”
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