Fire of Unknown Origin was BÖC at their peak. However, they would never get higher than they did with it. This was the first album without Albert Bouchard on drums, as he’d been fired. (Rick Downey was originally a roadie, so this is his only album.) The album reached #93 in the US, and #95 in the UK. The album was produced by Bruce Fairbairn
Members:
Eric Bloom: guitar, vocals
Buck Dharma: lead guitar, keyboards, vocals
Joe Bouchard: bass, guitars, vocoder, vocals
Allen Lanier: keyboards, piano
Rick Downey: drums
The Tracks:
- “Take Me Away”: This song references “ETI” and its Men in Black. Lanier has some good keyboards complimenting the guitars.
- “Eyes on Fire”: A nice sad keyboard starts this off. One of my favorites.
- “Shooting Shark”: This was inspired by another Patti Smith poem. It’s got a good bassline.
- “Veins”: This has some intense guitar work. Another favorite.
- “Shadow of California”: I like the eerie keyboard effects on this one. Downey sounds all right on the drums.
- “Feel the Thunder”: Best song on the album! I love the chorus.
- “Let Go”: This is often considered the band’s worst song ever. Really? With that riff?
- “Dragon Lady”: This has some excellent screaming guitars.
- “Light Years of Love”: Great song to end on. The keyboards are good.
Final Verdict: Downey doesn’t sound bad on the drums, but I can see why he wasn’t a permanent addition. This was a good one.
Grade: B