This is a reissue of the band’s 2016 release produced by Bob Rock.
When you first listen to the album it’s sounds quite restrained and laid back compared to previous efforts. The production is crystal clear and Mr. Rock has really given the album a stripped back sound. This band has always been about the interplay between Astbury’s raw rock god vocals and Duffy’s raw boogie riffs, and this album is no different. Heathens is classic Cult, with the bravado vocals and simple riffage. This is what I love about the band and the opening track Dark Energy follows the same path. Sound And Fury and Lillies are a lot more fragile and simple pieces where Astbury’s vocals really hit home. There are even nods to way back when with Birds Of Paradise that have a really indie goth feel to them. They don’t make bad records and while this isn’t classic Cult it’s the band trying something a little different that really works.
9/10 from The Grooveman.
