What was once Southern Death Cult, and basically an indie goth band, transformed into what has now become a big rock behemoth (with a little stop off at Death Cult in between). This is the second album as The Cult, and the indie stylings and sounds are still evident. This is my favourite period of the band as it’s quite a unique sound. Lots of echo and chorus on the guitar, and lots of echo on the vocals. This was the album that broke them big as the singles, She Sells Sanctuary, and Rain, were big songs.
The two opening tracks, Nirvana, and Big Neon Glitter, have a big goth/pop vibe to them and are two great songs. Love is next, and has a very retro-rock vibe and a killer vocal from Astbury. Brother Wolf Sister Moon is up next, and is a slow haunting song – until the end where it cranks up the volume. However, it is the weakest song so far. Rain is next, and the quality goes up considerably – what a great choice for a single!
Over to Side 2 we go and the big gothic opening of Phoenix – with wah-wah peddle a go-go and a very late 60’s vibe. Great tune! Hollow Man follows, and the trademark echo/chorus picked opening. This could only be The Cult. Revolution is next and is, apart from the chorus, another filler song that could have been left off the album. Probably the best known Cult song, She Sells Sanctuary graces us with its presence next, and is just a great tune. With the picked riff intro, and simplistic beat – plus an ear worm of a chorus – you can’t go wrong. It’s kept them in beer and smokes for a few years that’s for sure. Close out track, Black Angel, is almost Zeppelin at the intro, and frankly speaking, is a bit of a weak ending to the album.
Could they be Bradford’s finest musical export?
8/10 from The Grooveman.
