AGENTS OF FORTUNE
Agents of Fortune is the fourth studio album by American hard rock band Blue Öyster Cult, originally released in a gatefold sleeve LP in 1976 through Columbia Records. The platinum-selling album peaked at No. 29 on Billboard’s Pop Albums chart, while the single “(Don’t Fear) The Reaper” peaked at No. 12 on the Pop Singles chart, making it Blue Öyster Cult’s biggest hit. The band also became a larger concert attraction at this time — largely based on not only their stageshow, but aided by the airplay of “(Don’t Fear) The Reaper,” which to this day is a staple of FM rock station playlists. Concert venues became larger, the show became more intricate, and BÖC was reaching its commercial peak on the tour circuit. (More from Wikipedia)
Patti Smith was under consideration as the lead singer for the psychedelic/hard rock band Blue Öyster Cult, and she contributed to several songs by the band, including “Debbie Denise” and “The Revenge of Vera Gemini” on what for my money is their best album, Agents of Fortune (1976); the latter song features the memorable spoken introduction: “You’re boned like a saint / With the consciousness of a snake.” Agents of Fortune also includes the biggest hit single by Blue Öyster Cult, “(Don’t Fear) the Reaper”.
(February 2014)
