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Agents of Fortune

2025-09-28T10:23:46Z

2601:483:900:3487:A0F2:A4D7:3604:2667: /* Track listing */

{{Use mdy dates|date=February 2021}}
{{Infobox album
| name = Agents of Fortune
| type = studio
| artist = [[Blue Öyster Cult]]
| cover = BlueOysterCultAgentsofFortune.jpg
| alt =
| released = {{start date|1976|05|21}}
| recorded = 1975–1976
| venue =
| studio = [[The Record Plant]] (New York City)
| genre = {{hlist|[[Hard rock]]|[[Heavy metal music|heavy metal]]}}
| length = {{Duration|m=36|s=35}}
| label = [[Columbia Records|Columbia]]
| producer = {{hlist|[[Murray Krugman]]|[[Sandy Pearlman]]|[[David Lucas (composer)|David Lucas]]<ref name=MH/>}}
| prev_title = [[On Your Feet or on Your Knees]]
| prev_year = 1975
| next_title = [[Spectres (album)|Spectres]]
| next_year = 1977
| misc = {{Singles
| name = Agents of Fortune
| type = studio
| single1 = [[(Don't Fear) The Reaper]]
| single1date = July 1976 <ref>{{cite web|url=https://dutchcharts.nl/showitem.asp?interpret=Blue+%D6yster+Cult&titel=%28Don%27t+Fear%29+The+Reaper&cat=s|title=Blue Oyster Cult singles}}</ref>
| single2 = This Ain't the Summer of Love
| single2date = June 1977 (US) <ref>{{cite web|url=https://dutchcharts.nl/showitem.asp?interpret=Blue+%D6yster+Cult&titel=This+Ain%27t+The+Summer+Of+Love&cat=s|title=Blue Oyster Cult singles}}</ref>
}}
}}

'''''Agents of Fortune''''' is the fourth studio album by American [[Rock music|rock]] band [[Blue Öyster Cult]], released on May 21, 1976 by [[Columbia Records]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/blue-oyster-cult-mn0000061938/biography|title=Blue Oyster Cult | Biography & History|website=AllMusic}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=7ctjc6UWCm4C&pg=PA112|title=The Rough Guide to Rock|first=Peter|last=Buckley|date=March 14, 2003|publisher=Rough Guides|isbn=9781843531050 |via=Google Books}}</ref>

The [[Platinum certification|Platinum-selling]] album peaked at No. 29 on the U.S. [[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] chart,<ref name="USalbum">{{cite web |url = http://www.allmusic.com/album/agents-of-fortune-r2156/charts-awards/billboard-album |title = Agents of Fortune Billboard Albums |access-date = March 2, 2012 |work = [[AllMusic]] |publisher = [[Rovi Corporation]] |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120831133247/http://www.allmusic.com/album/agents-of-fortune-mw0000599232/awards |archive-date = August 31, 2012 |url-status = live |df = mdy-all }}</ref> while the cryptic single "[[(Don't Fear) The Reaper]]" peaked at No. 12 on the [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]] singles chart,<ref name="USsingle">{{cite web |url = http://www.allmusic.com/album/agents-of-fortune-r2156/charts-awards/billboard-single |title = Agents of Fortune Billboard Singles |access-date = March 2, 2012 |work = [[AllMusic]] |publisher = [[Rovi Corporation]] |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120831133247/http://www.allmusic.com/album/agents-of-fortune-mw0000599232/awards |archive-date = August 31, 2012 |url-status = live |df = mdy-all }}</ref> making it BÖC's biggest hit. The band became a bigger concert attraction after the release of the album, in part due to extensive airplay of "(Don't Fear) The Reaper," to this day a staple of rock-station playlists.

Additionally, this is the only album in the group's discography to have at least one lead vocal performance by each original band member. It was also their only album to not include any songs written by Eric Bloom. However, the 2020 live release ''40th Anniversary: Agents of Fortune Live 2016'' adds Bloom's name to the authorship credits for "E.T.I. (Extra Terrestrial Intelligence)."

==Album cover==

The album cover (created by artist Lynn Curlee) depicts Belgian [[Magic (illusion)|magician]], [[Servais Le Roy]] holding four [[tarot cards]].

==Critical reception==
{{Album ratings
| rev1 = [[AllMusic]]
| rev1Score = {{Rating|4.5|5}}<ref>{{cite web |url = https://www.allmusic.com/album/agents-of-fortune-mw0000599232 |title = Blue Öyster Cult - Agents of Fortune review |access-date = March 1, 2012 |last = Jurek |first = Thom |publisher= [[AllMusic]]}}</ref>
|rev2 = ''[[Christgau's Record Guide: Rock Albums of the Seventies|Christgau's Record Guide]]''
|rev2Score = B+<ref>{{cite book|last=Christgau|first=Robert|author-link=Robert Christgau|year=1981|title=[[Christgau's Record Guide: Rock Albums of the Seventies]]|publisher=[[Ticknor & Fields]]|isbn=089919026X|chapter=Consumer Guide '70s: B|chapter-url=https://www.robertchristgau.com/get_chap.php?k=B&bk=70|access-date=February 22, 2019|via=robertchristgau.com}}</ref>
| rev3 = ''[[Martin Popoff|The Collector's Guide to Heavy Metal]]''
| rev3Score = 10/10<ref name="martin" >{{cite book |last1 = Popoff |first1 = Martin |author-link1 = Martin Popoff |title = The Collector's Guide to Heavy Metal: Volume 1: The Seventies |publisher = [[Collector's Guide Publishing]] |date = October 2003 |location = [[Burlington, Ontario]], Canada |isbn = 978-1894959025 |page=54}}</ref>
| rev5 = ''[[MusicHound|MusicHound Rock: The Essential Album Guide]]''
| rev5Score = {{rating|5|5}}<ref name="MH">{{cite book |title=MusicHound Rock: The Essential Album Guide |date=1999 |publisher=Visible Ink Press |page=128}}</ref>
|rev6 = ''[[The New Rolling Stone Album Guide]]''
|rev6score = {{Rating|4|5}}<ref name="RS">{{cite book |title=The New Rolling Stone Album Guide |date=2004 |publisher=Simon & Schuster |pages=87–88}}</ref>
|rev4 = ''[[The Encyclopedia of Popular Music]]''
|rev4score = {{Rating|4|5}}<ref name="CL">{{cite book |last1=Larkin |first1=Colin |title=The Encyclopedia of Popular Music |date=2006 |publisher=MUZE |volume=1 |page=700}}</ref>
}}
''[[Rolling Stone]]'' wrote that "''Agents of Fortune'' is a startlingly excellent album — startling because one does not expect Blue Öyster Cult to sound like this: loud but calm, manic but confident, melodic but rocking."<ref>{{cite magazine |url = https://www.rollingstone.com/artists/blueoystercult/albums/album/202805/review/6068312/agents_of_fortune |title = Album Reviews: Blue Oyster Cult - Agents of Fortune |access-date = April 8, 2012 |last = Tucker |first = Ken |author-link=Ken Tucker |date = July 15, 1976 |magazine = [[Rolling Stone]] |url-status = dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20091012092855/http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/blueoystercult/albums/album/202805/review/6068312/agents_of_fortune |archive-date = October 12, 2009}}</ref>

''[[Cash Box]]'' said of the single "This Ain't the Summer of Love" that "growling guitars churn out this realistic message with brief and pointed expression" ... "a mood of evil created in a humorous fashion."<ref name=cb>{{cite news|title=CashBox Singles Reviews|date=June 25, 1977|page=20|newspaper=Cash Box|accessdate=2021-12-26|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Cash-Box/70s/1977/CB-1977-06-25.pdf}}</ref>

==Track listing==
{{Track listing
| headline = Side one
| extra_column = Lead vocals
| title1 = This Ain't the Summer of Love
| writer1 = [[Albert Bouchard]], Murray Krugman, [[Don Waller]]
| extra1 = [[Eric Bloom]]
| length1 = 2:21
| title2 = True Confessions
| writer2 = [[Allen Lanier]]
| extra2 = Lanier
| length2 = 2:57
| title3 = [[(Don't Fear) The Reaper]]
| writer3 = [[Buck Dharma|Donald Roeser]]
| extra3 = Roeser
| length3 = 5:08
| title4 = E.T.I. (Extra Terrestrial Intelligence)
| writer4 = Bloom, Roeser, [[Sandy Pearlman]]
| extra4 = Bloom
| length4 = 3:43
| title5 = The Revenge of Vera Gemini
| writer5 = A. Bouchard, [[Patti Smith]]
| extra5 = A. Bouchard, Patti Smith
| length5 = 3:52
}}
{{Track listing
| headline = Side two
| extra_column = Lead vocals
| title6 = Sinful Love
| writer6 = A. Bouchard, [[Helen Wheels (musician)|Helen Wheels]]
| extra6 = A. Bouchard
| length6 = 3:29
| title7 = Tattoo Vampire
| writer7 = A. Bouchard, Helen Wheels
| extra7 = Bloom
| length7 = 2:41
| title8 = Morning Final
| writer8 = [[Joe Bouchard]]
| extra8 = J. Bouchard, Bloom (paperboy voice)
| length8 = 4:30
| title9 = Tenderloin
| writer9 = Lanier
| extra9 = Bloom
| length9 = 3:40
| title10 = Debbie Denise
| writer10 = A. Bouchard, Smith
| extra10 = A. Bouchard
| length10 = 4:13
}}
{{Track listing
| headline = 2001 CD reissue bonus tracks
| extra_column = Lead vocals
| total_length = 51:42
| title11 = [[Fire of Unknown Origin (song)|Fire of Unknown Origin]]
| writer11 = Bloom, A. Bouchard, J. Bouchard, Roeser, Smith
| note11 = original version
| extra11 = A. Bouchard
| length11 = 3:30
| title12 = Sally
| writer12 = A. Bouchard
| note12 = demo version
| extra12 = A. Bouchard
| length12 = 2:40
| title13 = (Don't Fear) The Reaper
| writer13 = Roeser
| note13 = demo version
| extra13 = Roeser
| length13 = 6:20
| title14 = Dance the Night Away
| writer14 = Lanier, [[Jim Carroll]]
| note14 = demo version
| extra14 = Lanier
| length14 = 2:37
}}

== Personnel ==
; Band members
* [[Eric Bloom]] – guitar, vocals, keyboards, percussion
* [[Buck Dharma|Donald "Buck Dharma" Roeser]] – lead guitar, vocals, synthesizer, percussion
* [[Allen Lanier]] – keyboards, rhythm guitar, bass on "Morning Final", vocals
* [[Joe Bouchard]] – bass, piano on "Morning Final", vocals
* [[Albert Bouchard]] – drums, percussion, acoustic guitar, vocals, harmonica

; Additional musicians
* [[Patti Smith]] – vocals on "The Revenge of Vera Gemini"
* [[Randy Brecker]] – horns
* [[Michael Brecker]] – horns
* [[David Lucas (composer)|David Lucas]] – vocals, keyboards, percussion

* The [[Cowbell (instrument)|cowbell]] on "(Don't Fear) The Reaper" may have been played by [[Albert Bouchard]],<ref name="Washington Post">{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A46074-2005Jan28.html|title=Blue Öyster Cult, Playing Along With 'More Cowbell'|access-date=August 2, 2012|last=Farhi|first=Paul|date=January 29, 2005|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]}}</ref> [[David Lucas (composer)|David Lucas]],<ref name=hall>{{cite news|url=http://www.wivb.com/dpp/entertainment/music/Blue-Oyster-Cult-cowbell-ringer-honored |title=Blue Oyster Cult cowbell ringer honored |date=June 30, 2011 |access-date=August 2, 2012 |newspaper=[[WIVB-TV]] |last=George |first=Eli |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110702084549/http://www.wivb.com/dpp/entertainment/music/Blue-Oyster-Cult-cowbell-ringer-honored |archive-date=July 2, 2011 }}</ref> or [[Eric Bloom]].<ref name=stockton>{{cite news|title=Blue Oyster Cult's innovative use of a cowbell will never be forgotten|url=http://www.recordnet.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090917/A_ENTERTAIN/909170308/-1/rss03|date=September 17, 2009|last=Sauro|first=Tony|work=[[The Record (Stockton)]]|access-date=August 7, 2012|archive-date=August 2, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200802183250/https://www.recordnet.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090917/A_ENTERTAIN/909170308/-1/rss03|url-status=dead}}</ref>

; Production
* [[David Lucas (composer)|David Lucas]], [[Murray Krugman]], [[Sandy Pearlman]] – producers
* [[Shelly Yakus]], Andy Abrams – engineers
* Tony Stevens – mastering
* [[John Berg (art director)|John Berg]], Andy Engel – design
* Lynn Curlee – paintings

==Charts==
{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders"
|-
! Chart (1976)
! Peak position
|-
! scope="row"| Australian Albums ([[Kent Music Report]])<ref name=aus>{{cite book|last=Kent|first=David|author-link=David Kent (historian)|title=Australian Chart Book 1970–1992|edition=illustrated|publisher=Australian Chart Book|location=St Ives, N.S.W.|year=1993|isbn=0-646-11917-6}}</ref>
| align="center"| 53
|-
{{Album chart|Canada|28|chartid=5114a|artist=Blue Öyster Cult|album=Agents of Fortune|rowheader=true|accessdate=February 10, 2024}}
|-
! scope="row"| Finnish Albums ([[The Official Finnish Charts]])<ref name=FINI>{{cite book|last=Pennanen|first=Timo|title=Sisältää hitin – levyt ja esittäjät Suomen musiikkilistoilla vuodesta 1972|edition=1st|publisher=Kustannusosakeyhtiö Otava|location=Helsinki|year=2006|isbn=978-951-1-21053-5 | language= fi}}</ref>
| align="center"| 18
|-
{{Album chart|Sweden|10|artist=Blue Öyster Cult|album=Agents of Fortune|rowheader=true|accessdate=February 10, 2024}}
|-
{{Album chart|UK2|26|date=19760711|rowheader=true|accessdate=February 10, 2024}}
|-
{{Album chart|Billboard200|29|artist=Blue Öyster Cult|refname=Billboard 200|rowheader=true|accessdate=February 10, 2024}}
|}

==Certifications==
{{certification Table Top}}
{{certification Table Entry|region=Canada|type=album|artist=Blue Öyster Cult|title=Agents of Fortune|award=Gold|relyear=1976|certyear=1977}}
{{certification Table Entry|region=United States|type=album|artist=Blue Öyster Cult|title=Agents of Fortune|award=Platinum|relyear=1976|certyear=1978}}
{{certification Table Bottom|nosales=yes}}

==Accolades==
{|class="wikitable"
|-
! Publication
! Country
! Accolade
! Year
! Rank
|-
| ''[[The Village Voice]]''
| US
| The 1976 [[Pazz & Jop]] Critics Poll<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/pnj/pjres76.php | title = The 1976 Pazz & Jop Critics Poll | access-date = March 30, 2012 | work = [[The Village Voice]] | publisher = [[Robert Christgau]]}}</ref>
| 1976
|align="center"|10
|-
| ''[[NME]]''
| UK
| Albums of the Year<ref>{{cite web |title=NME's best albums and tracks of 1976 |url=https://www.nme.com/features/1976-2-1045411 |website=NME |access-date=11 June 2024 |date=10 October 2016}}</ref>
| 1976
|align="center"|6
|-
| [[Dave Marsh]] & Kevin Stein
| US
| The Best of the Album Chartmakers by Year: 1976<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.rocklistmusic.co.uk/dmarshal_p2.htm#76 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20060707165819/http://rocklistmusic.co.uk/dmarshal_p2.htm#76 | url-status = usurped | archive-date = July 7, 2006 | title = The Dave Marsh Lists | access-date = March 30, 2012 | work = Book Of Rock Lists - Albums Of The Year: 1976 | publisher = Rocklist.net}}</ref>
| 1981
|align="center"| 12
|-
| ''[[Kerrang!]]''
| UK
| The 100 Greatest Heavy Metal Albums of All Time{{CN|date=December 2023}}
| 1989
|align="center"|62
|-
| ''[[Q (magazine)|Q]]''
| UK
| The Greatest Classic Rock Albums Ever!<ref>{{cite magazine | url = http://www.rocklistmusic.co.uk/q_mojo_se.htm#Classic%20Rock. | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20060507010757/http://www.rocklistmusic.co.uk/q_mojo_se.htm#Classic%20Rock. | url-status = usurped | archive-date = May 7, 2006 | title = Q Lists: Q Special Edition – The Greatest Classic Rock Albums Ever ! | access-date = March 30, 2012 | magazine = [[Q (magazine)|Q]] | publisher = Rocklist.net}}</ref>
| 2004
|align="center"| No order
|-
|}

==References==
{{reflist}}

{{Blue Öyster Cult}}

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Blue Öyster Cult albums]]
[[Category:1976 albums]]
[[Category:Columbia Records albums]]
[[Category:Albums produced by Murray Krugman]]
[[Category:Albums produced by Sandy Pearlman]]

Secret Treaties

2025-09-28T10:22:22Z

2601:483:900:3487:A0F2:A4D7:3604:2667: /* Track listing */

{{about||the concept|Secret treaty}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=September 2018}}
{{Infobox album
| name = Secret Treaties
| type = studio
| artist = [[Blue Öyster Cult]]
| cover = BlueOysterCultSecretTreaties.jpg
| border = yes
| released = {{start date|1974|04|05}} <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.riaa.com/gold-platinum/?tab_active=default-award&ar=Blue+oyster+cult&ti=SECRET+TREATIES&lab=&genre=&format=Album&date_option=release&from=&to=&award=&type=&category=&adv=SEARCH#search_section|title=RIAA certifications|website=[[Recording Industry Association of America]] }}</ref>
| recorded = 1974
| studio = [[Columbia 30th Street Studio]] (New York City)
| genre ={{Hlist|[[Hard rock]]<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.loudersound.com/reviews/blue-oyster-cult-secret-treaties-album-of-the-week-club-review| title = Blue Oyster Cult: Secret Treaties - Album Of The Week Club review| access-date =May 30, 2021 | last = Rock | first = Classic | date = 25 February 2021 | publisher = [[Loudersound]]}}</ref>|[[heavy metal music|heavy metal]]<ref name="Mojo2007"/>|[[psychedelic rock]]<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.allmusic.com/album/secret-treaties-mw0000197327| title = Blue Öyster Cult - Secret Treaties review| access-date = July 22, 2012| last = Jurek| first = Thom| work = [[AllMusic]]| publisher = [[Rovi Corporation]]}}</ref>}}
| length = {{Duration|m=38|s=14}}
| label = [[Columbia Records|Columbia]]
| producer = {{hlist|[[Murray Krugman]]|[[Sandy Pearlman]]}}
| prev_title = [[Tyranny and Mutation]]
| prev_year = 1973
| next_title = [[On Your Feet or on Your Knees]]
| next_year = 1975
| misc = {{Singles
| name = Secret Treaties
| type = studio
| single1 = Career of Evil
| single1date = 1974
| single2 = Flaming Telepaths
| single2date = 1974
}}
}}

{{Music ratings
| rev1 = [[AllMusic]]
| rev1score = {{Rating|4.5|5}}<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.allmusic.com/album/secret-treaties-mw0000197327| title = Blue Öyster Cult - Secret Treaties review| access-date = July 22, 2012| last = Jurek| first = Thom| work = [[AllMusic]]| publisher = [[Rovi Corporation]]}}</ref>
| rev2 = ''[[Christgau's Record Guide: Rock Albums of the Seventies|Christgau's Record Guide]]''
| rev2Score = B<ref>{{cite book|last=Christgau|first=Robert|author-link=Robert Christgau|year=1981|title=[[Christgau's Record Guide: Rock Albums of the Seventies]]|publisher=[[Ticknor & Fields]]|isbn=089919026X|chapter=Consumer Guide '70s: B|chapter-url=https://www.robertchristgau.com/get_chap.php?k=B&bk=70|access-date=February 22, 2019|via=robertchristgau.com}}</ref>
| rev3 = ''[[Classic Rock (magazine)|Classic Rock]]''
| rev3Score = {{Rating|4.5|5}}<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.loudersound.com/reviews/blue-oyster-cult-secret-treaties-album-of-the-week-club-review| title = Blue Oyster Cult: Secret Treaties - Album Of The Week Club review| access-date =May 30, 2021 | last = Rock | first = Classic | date = 25 February 2021 | publisher = [[Loudersound]]}}</ref>
| rev4 = ''[[Martin Popoff|Collector's Guide to Heavy Metal]]''
| rev4Score = 10/10<ref name="martin" >{{cite book | last1 = Popoff | first1 = Martin | authorlink1 = Martin Popoff | title = The Collector's Guide to Heavy Metal: Volume 1: The Seventies | publisher = [[Collector's Guide Publishing]] | date = October 2003 | location = [[Burlington, Ontario]], [[Canada]] | isbn = 978-1894959025|pages=53–54}}</ref>
| rev5 = ''[[Rolling Stone]]''
| rev5Score = (favorable)<ref>{{cite magazine | url = https://www.rollingstone.com/artists/blueoystercult/albums/album/261128/review/6067632/secret_treaties | title = Album Reviews: Blue Oyster Cult - Secret Treaties| access-date = July 22, 2012 | last = Miller | first = Jim |date = June 20, 1974| magazine = [[Rolling Stone]] | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20071228005422/http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/blueoystercult/albums/album/261128/review/6067632/secret_treaties | archive-date = December 28, 2007}}</ref>
| rev6 = Sputnikmusic
| rev6score = {{Rating|4.5|5}}<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.sputnikmusic.com/review/50131/Blue-Oyster-Cult-Secret-Treaties/ | title = Blue Öyster Cult - Secret Treaties| access-date = June 6, 2012 | last = Davis | first = Robert | website = Sputnikmusic}}</ref>
| rev7 = [[Tom Hull (critic)|Tom Hull]]
| rev7Score = B<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Hull|first=Tom|authorlink=Tom Hull (critic)|date=April 1975|url=http://www.tomhull.com/ocston/arch/rekord2.php|title=The Rekord Report: Second Card|magazine=Overdose|access-date=June 26, 2020|via=tomhull.com}}</ref>
| noprose = yes
}}

'''''Secret Treaties''''' is the third studio album by American [[Rock music|rock]] band [[Blue Öyster Cult]], released on April 5, 1974 by [[Columbia Records|Columbia]].<ref name="Mojo2007">{{cite book|author=MOJO Magazine|title=The Mojo Collection: The Ultimate Music Companion|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=AVQbF9lTBwgC&pg=PA334|edition=4|date=November 1, 2007|publisher=Canongate Books|isbn=978-1-84767-643-6|page=334}}</ref> It features the same band members and production team as their previous album.

The album spent 14 weeks in the US album charts, peaking at No. 53.<ref name="USA" >{{cite web | url = http://www.allmusic.com/album/secret-treaties-mw0000197327/awards | title = Secret Treaties Billboard Albums | access-date = July 22, 2012 | work = [[Allmusic]] | publisher = [[Rovi Corporation]]| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130930023942/http://www.allmusic.com/album/secret-treaties-mw0000197327/awards| archive-date=September 30, 2013}}</ref> It was certified [[gold album|gold]] by the [[RIAA]] in 1992.<ref name="RIAA" >{{cite web | url = https://www.riaa.com/gold-platinum/?tab_active=default-award&se=blue+oyster+cult#search_section | title = RIAA Searchable Database - search for Blue Oyster Cult | access-date = July 22, 2012 | publisher = [[RIAA]]}}</ref>

In 1975, a poll of readers of the British magazine ''[[Melody Maker]]'' voted ''Secret Treaties'' the "Top Rock Album of All Time".<ref name="Mojo2007"/> In 2010, [[Rhapsody (online music service)|Rhapsody]] called it one of the all-time best "proto-metal" albums.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://blog.rhapsody.com/2010/06/protometal.html |title=Classic Rock Crate Digger: 10 Essential Proto-Metal Albums |last=Farrar |first=Justin |publisher=[[Rhapsody (online music service)|Rhapsody]] |date=June 22, 2010 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100703145824/http://blog.rhapsody.com:80/2010/06/protometal.html |archive-date=July 3, 2010 |access-date=September 1, 2018 }}</ref>

It is the only BÖC album that does not feature a track with lead vocals sung by guitarist [[Buck Dharma|Donald "Buck Dharma" Roeser]]. The band also did not write any of the lyrics to the album, handing that duty to producer [[Sandy Pearlman]], rock critic [[Richard Meltzer]] and singer [[Patti Smith]].<ref name="booklet">{{cite AV media notes |title=Secret Treaties |others=[[Blue Öyster Cult]] |year=2001 |pages=5-11 |type= CD Booklet|publisher=[[Columbia Records]]/[[Legacy Recordings]] |id=502236 2 |location=New York City}}</ref>

==Cover art==
The cover, with art by Ron Lesser, depicts the band standing beside and sitting on a [[Germany|German]] [[Messerschmitt Me 262|ME 262]] fighter aircraft; this scene is inspired by the song of the same name.

While the LP cover has the band name in red (a darker red on the Japanese LP), on the CD it is in [[Lime (color)|lime green]].<ref name="booklet"/>

==Songs==
Lyrics to the lead-off track "Career of Evil" were written by future punk poet [[Patti Smith]], a longtime contributor to the band (and, at the time, girlfriend of BÖC keyboardist and rhythm guitarist [[Allen Lanier]]).

A few changes were made to "Career of Evil" on the single version. The vocals are different: only Eric Bloom is heard for most of the song, instead of Bloom and Albert Bouchard singing together. Also, one verse was removed ("Pay me..." to "...kneeling in the rain"). Part of the bridge was changed also, presumably to make the song more acceptable to radio: "do it to your daughter" became "do it like you ought to." The line "I want your wife to be my baby tonight" was changed to "I want your life to be mine, maybe tonight".{{citation needed|date=September 2018}}

The transition between the tracks "Harvester of Eyes" and "Flaming Telepaths" is marked by a piece of classical music played on a [[music box]]. Members of the band recall that it was something the sound engineer had found on an unlabeled recording, but they could not identify it. The piece and its composer were uncredited on the album. It has since been identified as an excerpt from a waltz by [[Ion Ivanovici]] called ''[[Waves of the Danube]]'' (Donauwellen). The source of the original recording remains a mystery.{{citation needed|date=September 2018}}

"Career of Evil" was the inspiration for the title of the 2015 [[Career of Evil|novel of the same name]] written by [[J.K. Rowling]] under the pen name Robert Galbraith.<ref name=Strike>{{cite web|last1=Sims|first1=Andrew|title=J.K. Rowling's third Cormoran Strike novel titled 'Career of Evil' arrives this fall|url=http://www.hypable.com/cormoran-strike-book-3-title/|website=Hypable|access-date=June 9, 2015|date=April 24, 2015}}</ref>

The compilation ''[[Don't Fear the Reaper: The Best of Blue Öyster Cult]]'' contains a version of "Flaming Telepaths" without the music box intro. The original version with the complete sound effects is found on the compilation ''[[Workshop of the Telescopes]]''.{{citation needed|date=September 2018}}

The psychedelic folk group [[Espers (band)|Espers]] covers "Flaming Telepaths" on their CD ''[[The Weed Tree]]'' in 2005.{{citation needed|date=September 2018}}

==Release history==
In addition the conventional 2 channel [[stereo]] version the album was also released in a 4 channel [[quadraphonic sound|quadraphonic]] version on [[LP record]] and [[8-track tape]] in 1974. The quad LP release was encoded in the [[Stereo Quadraphonic|SQ]] matrix system.

The album was reissued on the [[Super Audio CD]] format in 2016 by Audio Fidelity. This edition contains both the stereo and quad mixes.

==Track listing==
{{Track listing
| headline = Side one
| extra_column = Lead vocals
| all_lyrics = [[Sandy Pearlman]], except where noted; All lead vocals by [[Eric Bloom]], except where noted.
| title1 = Career of Evil
| music1 = [[Albert Bouchard]]
| lyrics1 = [[Patti Smith]]
| extra1 = Bloom, A. Bouchard
| length1 = 3:59
| title2 = Subhuman
| music2 = Bloom
| length2 = 4:39
| title3 = Dominance and Submission
| music3 = Bloom, A. Bouchard
| extra3 = A. Bouchard
| length3 = 5:23
| title4 = ME 262
| music4 = Bloom, [[Buck Dharma|Donald Roeser]]
| length4 = 4:48
}}
{{Track listing
| headline = Side two
| extra_column = Lead vocals
| title5 = Cagey Cretins
| music5 = A. Bouchard
| lyrics5 = [[Richard Meltzer]]
| extra5 = Bloom, A. Bouchard, [[Joe Bouchard]]
| length5 = 3:16
| title6 = Harvester of Eyes
| music6 = Bloom, Roeser
| lyrics6 = Meltzer
| length6 = 4:42
| title7 = Flaming Telepaths
| music7 = Bloom, A. Bouchard, Roeser
| length7 = 5:20
| title8 = [[Astronomy (song)|Astronomy]]
| music8 = A. Bouchard, J. Bouchard
| length8 = 6:28
}}
{{Track listing
| headline = 2001 CD remaster bonus tracks
| total_length = 56:07
| extra_column = Lead vocals
| title9 = Boorman the Chauffeur
| note9 = outtake from the ''Secret Treaties'' sessions
| music9 = Joe Bouchard, [[Murray Krugman]]
| lyrics9 = Joe Bouchard
| extra9 = Joe Bouchard
| length9 = 3:13
| title10 = Mommy
| note10 = outtake from the ''Secret Treaties'' sessions
| music10 = Eric Bloom
| lyrics10 = Richard Meltzer
| extra10 = Eric Bloom
| length10 = 3:32
| title11 = Mes Dames Sarat
| note11 = outtake from the ''Secret Treaties'' sessions
| lyrics11 = [[Allen Lanier]]
| music11 = Allen Lanier
| extra11 = Eric Bloom
| length11 = 4:07
| title12 = [[Born to Be Wild]]
| note12 = non LP single
| lyrics12 = [[Mars Bonfire]]
| music12 = Mars Bonfire
| extra12 = Eric Bloom
| length12 = 3:40
| title13 = Career of Evil
| music13 = Albert Bouchard
| lyrics13 = Patti Smith
| extra13 = Eric Bloom
| note13 = single version
| length13 = 3:00
}}

==Personnel==
;Band members
*[[Eric Bloom]] – vocals, rhythm guitar, keyboards
*[[Buck Dharma|Donald "Buck Dharma" Roeser]] – lead guitar
*[[Allen Lanier]] – keyboards, rhythm guitar, synthesizers, second lead guitar on track 11
*[[Joe Bouchard]] – bass, vocals
*[[Albert Bouchard]] – drums, vocals

;Production
*[[Murray Krugman]], [[Sandy Pearlman]] – producers
*Tim Geelan, Jerry Smith – engineers
*Lehman Yates, Lou Schlossberg – recording
*[[John Berg (art director)|John Berg]] – cover design
*Bruce Dickinson – production (2001 remaster)
*Thom Cadley – mixing on tracks 10 and 11 (2001 remaster)
*Vic Anesini – remastering (2001 remaster)

==Charts==
{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders"
|-
! Chart (1974)
! Peak position
|-
{{Album chart|Canada|54|chartid=5036b|artist=Blue Öyster Cult|album=Secret Treaties|rowheader=true|accessdate=22 April 2018}}
|-
{{Album chart|Billboard200|53|artist=Blue Oyster Cult|refname=Billboard 200|rowheader=true|accessdate=22 April 2018}}
|}

== Certifications ==
{{Certification Table Top}}
{{certification Table Entry|region=United States|type=album|artist=Blue Öyster Cult|title=Secret Treaties|award=Gold|relyear=1974|certyear=1992}}
{{Certification Table Bottom |nosales=true}}

==Accolades==
{|class="wikitable"
|-
! Publication
! Country
! Accolade
! Year
! Rank
|-
| ''[[NME]]''
| UK
| Albums of the Year{{CN|date=December 2023}}
| 1974
|align="center"|13
|-
| [[Dave Marsh]] & Kevin Stein
| U.S.
| The Best of the Album Chartmakers by Year: 1974<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.rocklistmusic.co.uk/dmarshal_p2.htm#76 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20060707165819/http://rocklistmusic.co.uk/dmarshal_p2.htm#76 | url-status = usurped | archive-date = July 7, 2006 | title = The Dave Marsh Lists | access-date = March 30, 2012 | work = Book Of Rock Lists - Albums Of The Year: 1976 | publisher = Rocklist.net}}</ref>
| 1981
|align="center"|36
|-
| ''[[Kerrang!]]''
| UK
| The 100 Greatest Heavy Metal Albums of All Time{{CN|date=December 2023}}
| 1989
|align="center"|22
|-
| ''[[Mojo (magazine)|Mojo]]''
| UK
| Mojo 1000 - The Ultimate CD Buyers Guide<ref>{{cite magazine | url = http://www.rocklistmusic.co.uk/mojo_p4.htm | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20060214175208/http://www.rocklistmusic.co.uk/mojo_p4.htm | url-status = usurped | archive-date = February 14, 2006 | title = Mojo 1000 - The Ultimate CD Buyers Guide | access-date = October 25, 2012 | magazine = [[Mojo (magazine)|Mojo]] | publisher = Rocklist.net}}</ref>
| 2001
|align="center"| No order
|-
| ''[[Rolling Stone]]''
| U.S.
| The 50 Coolest Records of All Time<ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Levy |first1=Joe |last2=Sheffield |first2=Rob |title=The 50 Coolest Records |magazine=Rolling Stone |date=April 11, 2002 |issue=893 |pages=105-108}}</ref>
| 2002
|align="center"|47
|-
|}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

{{Blue Öyster Cult}}

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Blue Öyster Cult albums]]
[[Category:1974 albums]]
[[Category:Albums produced by Murray Krugman]]
[[Category:Albums produced by Sandy Pearlman]]
[[Category:CBS Records albums]]