Flat Out

by Buck Dharma, Donald Roeser

Overview

Blue Oeyster Cult vocalist/lead guitarist Donald "Buck Dharma" Roeser released a solo album, Flat Out, as Buck Dharma in 1982. It was the year after BOeC's commercially and artistically successful Fire of Unknown Origin. It's too bad Dharma couldn't sustain that vision for Flat Out, which is generally a mess, although it has some scattered interesting moments. Dharma seems unsure which direction Flat Out should take. It's a schizophrenic mixture musically and lyrically. He plays virtually every instrument, but special guests include session wizards like bassist Will Lee and drummer Steve Jordan, new BOeC drummer Rick Downey and classic Alice Cooper bassist Dennis Dunaway, and drummer Neal Smith. Dharma's wife, Sandy Roeser, co-wrote some songs and contributes background vocals. The production is sleek and Dharma's guitar retains its capacity to sweetly sting one's eardrums, but the songs are limp. "Born to Rock" has a punk-like edge, a few clever lyrics, and a ripping guitar solo, but it fails as an anthem. The laid-back "That Summer Night" relies on a pop melody. The best thing about "Cold Wind" is the guitar arrangement: a slow, 1950s-like electric guitar riff with lightly strummed acoustic guitar on top. "Your Loving Heart" is simply bizarre -- and embarrassing. The lyrics attempt BOC-like morbid shocks -- the song's literally about a heart transplant -- but they are laughable. The weird bridge featuring "hospital personnel" yelling out medical lingo also induces snickers. "Five Thirty-Five" is a spry, melodic hard rocker with a danceable jam at the end. The best song is the moody, soaring instrumental "Anwar's Theme." Flat Out didn't even crack the Billboard album chart. ~ Bret Adams

Product Details

Release Date:	11/22/2011
Label:	Rock Candy
UPC:	0827565058273

Tracks

1. Born To Rock
2. That Summer Night
3. Cold Wind
4. Your Loving Heart
5. Five Thirty-Five
6. Wind Weather and Storm
7. All Tied Up
8. Anwar's Theme
9. Come Softly To Me

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Buck Dharma   Primary Artist,Noise,Vocals
Donald Roeser   Primary Artist,Drums,Vocals,Keyboards,Synthesizer
Neal Smith   Drums
Richie Cannata   Clarinet,Saxophone
Sue Evans   Percussion
Craig MacGregor   Bass
Teruo Nakamura   Bass
Dennis Dunaway   Bass
Will Lee   Bass
Sandy Roeser   Vocals,Vocals (Background)
Spyke Grubb   Vocals,Vocals (Background)
Giis DeLang   Guitar,Guitar (Rhythm)
Rick Downey   Drums
Billy Alessi   Synthesizer
Gils de Lang   Guitar (Rhythm)
Richard Crooks   Drums
Steve Jordan   Drums
Ken Kessie   Vocals

Technical Credits

Donald Reiser   Producer
Clay Hutchinson   Engineer
Barbara Ellis   Composer
Gary Troxel   Composer
Gretchen Christopher   Composer
Jeff Kawalek   Engineer,Remixing
Neal Smith   Composer
Richie Cannata   Horn Arrangements
Tony Bongiovi   Engineer,Remixing
Blue Oeyster Cult   Performer
Bob Ludwig   Mastering
Buck Dharma   Effects,Instrumentation
Richard Meltzer   Composer
Donald Roeser   Composer,Engineer,Producer
Jan Allen   Staff
Sandy Roeser   Staff,Composer
Jeffrey Kawalek   Engineer,Remixing
Gary Troxell   Composer
Barry Bonglovi   Assistant Engineer
Chris Isca   Assistant Engineer
John Berg   Design
Wayne Lewis   Assistant Engineer
Ken Kessie   Engineer