Customer Reviews

Cult

5 star:		(30)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Though The Cult have reformed with a spectacular lineup and have Bob Rock on the dials again, there is no way that they could ever live up to what they gave us here. This cd has never left my side. It's as powerful as any of their previous releases and more emotional than anything in years. It rock's, grooves and soothes. Unfortunately they no longer play any of it live.

This cd is to metal what U2's Achtung Baby was to rock. This cd was overlooked and will never make the impact that it could have with a proper label promotion.

Ian has never sounded better and Billy's riffs were cut short but very sweet. This cd has made Cult fans out the biggest skeptics. Do yourself a favor, forget what is new and hyped and buy this gem. You will not be sorry.

The Cult are a band that never really stood still-- after evolving from pretty much a goth band with the pomp of psychedelia into a straight ahead hard rock band, they kept moving, and their eponymous album (their sixth overall) was something altogether different-- a "modern rock" album of sorts, embracing some of the ideals of the exploding grunge movement from Seattle but not joining fully with it. One thing that's obvious-- playing this album today, 12 years after it's release, it sounds as fresh as it did when it came out.

The response from the fan base was about as expected-- one thing I've noticed over the years is that whenever an artist achieves commercial success, change is view negatively. And this album is very different, but it's quite honestly also very good. The songwriting is top notch-- diverse, explosive and energetic, Ian Astbury's vocals are full of life and energy and guitarist Billy Duffy seems equally inspired by the new setting to perform in.

The only really common thread throughout the album is a high level of energy, the pieces move from mood to mood and sound to sound, whether it be angry and explosive (opener "Gone"), ecstatic and energetic ("Star"), a slow burn buildup to explosion ("Black Sun") or positively mournful and troubled ("Saints Are Down"). There's a couple pieces that misfire a bit ("Naturally High" has a rather irritating chorus, "Be Free" is kind of hokey), but all in all, the album is fantastic.

Truthfully, "The Cult" is so different from everything the band had done prior that it was pretty much guaranteed to be released to a negative reaction, but it's an album that deserves a careful chance. In my assessment, it's the only thing they've done that equals the power and inventiveness of "Love". Highly recommended.

I appreciated the cult but was not a fan until this album (so I am not the typical cult fan) This is in my top 5 rock albums of all time. It is soulful, rich and textured, and one of the few albums you will not get tired of over time. Pure genius!

Yes, I am a Cult fan. I purchased this album because it was one of the few I missed. At first, I was disapointed because it sounded nothing like what I was used to from The Cult. The truth is: That was the intent!!!!! And I must say, it became addictive listening to. This is definetly Ian's vision. Worth the purchase. -Mike http://www.ebooksontheweb.com

First of all I have to admit, that this CD spent some time unnoticed in my cd-rack after I bought it. But once I "rediscovered" this little treasure, I got addicted to it! In fact, this cd reveals its beauty after listening to it several times. I love the Cult because of the sleazy edge of their rock music. This cd shows another musical aspect of the Cult. But it is fascinating, diversified and more sophisticated than other classic cds by the Cult. And it rocks!

What a great album. It is SUCH a shame that the masses never got their claws in to this one. How it missed (lack of promotion, grunge) is debatable, what is not is that this is another classic album by a great band.
I am and always have been (since 1985) a huge Cult fan. However, I was extremely disappointed in the bands Ceremony album. I did not believe that it was even in the same stratoshphere as any other Cult releases. Ceremony made me think that perhaps my favorite band had reached its end. Then in 1994, "The Cult" was released without much fanfare. I remember picking it up on its release date, and finding later that others that were into the band didn't even know it was out. I guess the record company had given up also. A true shame, because this ones only rival in their catalogue is "Love"
As with all Cult releases (sans Ceremony) this one is a bit different stylistically. The album opener "Gone" is full of aggression, anger, and passion. It opens with a dragging bass line and short drum fills and Astbury singing "so your anger didn't carry you too far, what you expect, anyway--there's no patience left in your shattered little self, you havent got a f---ing thing to say," and then goes in to a angry chorus with Duffy's distorted guitar and Astbury screaming "Gone, Motherf---er, f---ing stoned". You know he means it.Quite a bit different from the sound laid down on Sonic Temple and Ceremony and a statement of intent really. "Coming Down (Drug Tongue)" is the second cut and again different than anything the band has laid down before. "Dirty hippie girl, your soft lips make me swirl" The guitar remains distorted and the chorus is instantly memorable. The next two track are worth the price alone. "Real Grrrl" and "Black Sun". The things that I have always loved about this band are most apparent here. They play and sing with PASSION that takes you with them and makes you believe in the power of good music. "Black Sun" is the story of an abused child (I have heard it is a story about Ian being raped when he was 13) that begins with a slow intro and a swampy guitar run by Duffy. As the track continues it picks up speed and by the end you are right there with Astbury exalting in his anger and threats of revenge. "Yea you were a bully, a univeral bully, ha ha ha who's laughing at you now" great lyrics and even better in the way it is sung. I am getting a little long winded, but every tune offers something here. The Cult pull out all of the stoms with samples, keyboards, tempos, etc... They try new things all over the album and the thing of it is, it works in such a delightful manner. If you have never heard the Cult, this is the one that I reccomend. If you quit on them when they went to straight rock with Electric, buy this and rediscover them. You will not be sorry.

This may be the best disc from the Cult...
Okay the songs are a bit less powerful than on their other albums, but they are all great and flawless;
Ian Astbury is definitely an incredible singer.
You've got to listen to this album a few times (and then I bet you 'll buy it)

The Cult is a great band, and this is their best CD. This CD, "The Cult" doesn't throw itself at you suggesting greatness on a first listen, but stick with it, and let it work its magic. What stands out is the intensity, commitment, and sheer power of the music, performances, and lyrics. You can't help but conclude that this CD cuts very close to home for Ian Astbury and Billy Duffy. "The Cult" is one of those moments in any band's career where everything they've ever worked with comes together at the right time and place, producing a transcendent work that far exceeds the sum of all the parts.

Although the best records by The Cult are Electric and Love, this is not a bad CD. You can listen to it with emotion and knowing you have a good group of rock, like Grand Funk, Led Zeppelin or Rolling Stones ...

I'm an early Cult fan primarily. I own just about everything they ever put out, but I've found that the early stuff is the most enduring for me (Dreamtime and such)...with one exception. This album is unlike anything else they ever put out, but it's still the Cult.

This album has atmosphere. For most the most part it's not upbeat. At times it's brutally honest...even creepily so. This one definitely took a few listens to get into, but once it did I kept it close at hand and have ever since.