THE CULT: Electric (HARD ROCK): review / opinion to read on Music Waves

The year 1987 is an important year in the music world. On the one hand it saw the creation of two major bands of a brand new musical style, the grunge, that are Nirvana and Alice In Chains, and on the other hand, the release of the first EP of Soundgarden. It is in this atmosphere that the English of The Cult will release the album "Electric" whose title says it all.

After two albums released a year apart and keeping a very strong gothic post-punk coloration, the band started to compose for their third album. They kept Steve Brown, the producer of Love, but in front of the result of some tracks (and undoubtedly seeing the decline of their musical style), they decide to sack him for the benefit of Rick Rubin (Slayer, System Of A Down, Red Hot Chili Peppers...), who is going to make the sound of Electric more American.

Some tracks disappeared from the version recorded by Brown and the majority was reworked to be more in phase with the band's expectations. The result is that Electric remains the first album to have crossed the Atlantic successfully, while operating a notable change of artistic direction with a hard rock much less ambitious than its two predecessors could be.

The first track, 'Wild Flower' is a good opener with a direct riff, Duffy's solo and Astbury's rocky vocals. The chorus is well found with good contributions of the band but we still remain in a very classic rock straitjacket. 'Peace Dog' is interesting in its jerky rhythm and by the choruses of Duffy. The latter will remain very sober in his soli in spite of an obvious dexterity. 'Bad Fun' even demonstrates all his wah wah technique. The blues, which always fed the inspiration of the binomial, is more than well represented in the heady "Lil' Devil" or "King Contrary Man".

Don't look for ballads in Electric, because the musicians will remain frantic whatever happens. "Love Removal Machine" successfully steps on the Rolling Stones' toes, and The Cult even allows itself the cover of Steppenwolf's original title, 'Born To Be Wild'.

After two rather heavy and dense albums, The Cult has evolved. "Electric" is short and shows that The Cult is a real great hard rock band, which in one album embodies rock better than some bands in their whole career. With its very raw side, it will stand out from the next album "Sonic Temple", a real success for the band and with a better production. In three albums, The Cult is becoming more and more assertive and gives fans three opportunities to celebrate a band that knows how to renew itself with great talent. - Official website

THE CULT

ELECTRIC

BEGGARS BANQUET

HARD ROCK