The Contrarians - Episode 58: The Cult "The Cult"

[@thecontrarians2438]

1994 self-titled album by The Cult is currently in Jamie's gravitational pull, which Cult album is in yours? Support us on Patreon or Ko-Fi: www.patreon.com/contrarians ko-fi.com/thecontrarians

[@SGtem]

Always thought “Phoenix” off of Love foreshadowed the heavy stuff to come ..

[@bryanmcfadden4071]

Love always in rotation

[@Gedsparrow81]

Love is untouchable for me, Revolution is one of my fav songs ever.

[@shotakuervo]

Most rock fans of The Cult have no idea how big Rain/She Sells Sanctuary were on the dance floor in the mid to late 80's. They both were huge club hits.

[@angusiha]

"So if you were one of the weird kids with your Cure shirt on and you were mixed with the metal kids...." Is Jamie talking about me? I was that kid from 87 up to 90 (after 91, that was not an issue anymore). Sometimes I was the opposite, the "not-so-long-hair kid with an AC/DC shirt hanging out with the Bauhaus/Sisters of Mercy people". Always like both camps and 90% of times I managed to click with both cliques. The 94 album was always a favorite, although there are 2/3 songs more than it should to be a best one (those typical 90's CDs that are too long for a single LP, but not too long for a double LP). Agree with Martin, it's not such a stripped down album, it has lots of noise guitar bits here and there and drums treatments (but those make a great headphone listening). I believe that The Cult was always an alternative band at its heart, since the beggining. They dipped their toes on goth at the beggining, but pretty soon they realised that the second generation of goth bands (those post-82-Batcave Club bands like Sex Gang Children, Alien Sex Fiend...) would not get that long. So Love was the right choice: mixing a post-punk feel (the alternative UK sound at the time) to a classic rock vibe (Billy's always being a rocker). But being young and touring USA, they felt tempted to dip their toes on hard-rock after not feeling happy about the completion of Peace (the first incarnation of Electric). Thank God they did that. But even on a AC/DC-land album like Electric, you still hear the alternative mindset somewhere (Love Removal Machine has a Stones riff played in AC/DC fashion, but finishes ripping off the riff of 1969 from The Stooges). So, by 1992, with hard-rock not getting any atention, The Cult released The Witch with that Madchester sound that Martin hates so much. By 1994, the alternative genre was a formula for most bands, but The Cult had such a body of work that they could be what alternative really meant; do whatever the fuck you want and don't give a crap about it. To finish this long comment for "the 24 people watching this". Love and Electric are the great ones, but I've listened to those albums so much that in the last 15 years the 94 album has been on a higher rotation. Choice of Weapon was a return to form, great album. BTW, I do have Ceremony on vinyl since Christmas 91.

[@escaton74]

I remember a 1992 MTV special with Billy, Ian and Rick Rubin where the promoted "The Witch" and said there was more of the same in the pipeline though it sadly never materialized. The 10 min version to me represents the best of The Cult (contrarian maybe as it had no impact at all but definitely was inspired by Achtung Baby), and justifies the Pure Cult album. Regarding their beginnings, Little Face is a nice hidden gem and Resurrection Joe their great early single for me... the Death Cult stuff deserves an honorable mention, listened to it a lot in the 80s. "Love"'s Omnibus Edition with the demo versions shows their path from early goth rock to their slicker more psychedelic sound. on a final note, how is "Beyond Good And Evil" still not on vinyl ?!

[@shotakuervo]

Ah, The Witch. Forgot about that song, killer tune. And Billy Duffy never gets enough credit for his playing.

[@jerryattwooll4864]

My favourite Cult album is Sonic Temple. Still love that album. For me it combines their earlier alternative roots with the Classic Hard Rock sound and gives the latter a unique twist. I enjoy all their albums, Love, Ceremony, Choice of Weapons, Electric etc all great.

[@domielakrabi3276]

Great to see a discussion on The Cult, a band often forgotten. Thumbs up! I enjoyed the comparison with Neptune and Pluto. I feel the same way about Love and Sonic Temple. They became really big with Love in Europe in alternative and gothic circles. Totally agree on Sun King - killer opener! A great album start to finish!

[@purpletemple1]

I adooooore that album! So under-rated, so dark. Saw them on that tour, it was awesome! My fav Cult album remains "Electric" (first encounter with them), probably followed by "Ceremony" (another under-rated one). But "The Cult" (the album) isn't far behind! I can't say there's a stinker in their catalogue, their music is always guitar-loaded, and they never went for the fake drums. Astbury is in my Top 3 fav singers. Love The Cult! CFFC! Cheers!

[@VigilanteMan32]

One of the greatest albums of ALL TIME (Self Titled The Cult 1994)

[@rael2099]

The goat album was definitely a pleasant surprise for me, it was like their U2 Achtung Baby-esque album mixed with the industrial and funk of the alternative scene, and they pulled it off very well by keeping all those ingredients not too overwhelming, serving the songs, and that means the production was great. I bought the cassette as well, and I couldn't stop listening to it despite not being as powerful as side 1 of Sonic Temple, or iconic as Love. The goat album is definitely in the top 3 of the Cult, a band I never stop following no matter how hard they disappointed me with the radical change of lane they took with Electric. Like Genesis going full pop, the Cult went full American hard rock when they were an interesting breed of british goth rock without the drama and the gloom. Martin is right, The Cult are artists. Ian and Billy are more creative and artistic than they realise they are. As if they never knew their full potential.

[@keith.tdublin3268]

Great show! Jamie's such a great guest, his presenting style and humour is just fantastic! Brilliant 😎

[@purpletemple1]

Jamie: Actually for "She Sells", they went into the past...That track was recorded before the "Love" sessions and was still performed with the "Dreamtime" line-up. Great track indeed and it stands out proudly! Cheers!

[@lionelraoul]

The maestro of the props, the viceroy of visuals, the legend himself, Jamie Laszlo!

[@thecontrarians2438]

he’s the GOAT! 🤣

[@aleksandarfrick2656]

Sound of guitar from album " Love " and production is my all time favorite .

[@scottwalker5275]

Yes The Cult. The Ceremony album is a great album. Wonderland is one of favorites.Great song to end an album with. The Cult (self titled) I go back and forth with this as my favorite Cult album.

[@rodneystanger1651]

I love Ceremony. Probably second for me after ST. I like the heavier Cult tho. After that is Good and Evil then Love. I also like the Manor versions instead of Electric.

[@oskarklang8616]

1. Electric 2. Love 3. Dreamtime 4. Sonic Temple 5. Ceremony

[@tomcurless7691]

Great job guys. Totally agree with Jamie that Born to be wild is the ONLY blemish on the otherwise perfect Electric!

[@TimsVinylConfessions]

thanks for the shoutout :-)

[@jonathanjordan5234]

Wonderful… great talk about one of my favourite bands. But ….. I’ve always disliked the Cult ( the album) . I will go back and listen to it. Saw them a couple of years ago , headline a festival in England. They were superb , as always. Dropped two unexpected songs from Beyond Good and Evil - wonderful. Top band .. cheers By the way Beyond Good and Evil is by far and away my top Cult album.

[@andrewwestcott3095]

I saw The Cult live at Brixton Academy in 1986, and it being my first real live gig, I've always had a soft spot for the band, but sadly after the Electric album they fell off my radar. On seeing them live in 2016 after the release of the Hidden city album, I felt the album lacked the versatility of their earlier albums. I may need to give the nineties albums a listen. ' She sells sanctuary' on Top of the pops is a defining moment in my teen years. Love your show!

[@jasonleonard4000]

Excellent episode, gents!! My quick 2 shekels: 1. Sonic Temple is my favorite Cult LP. Personally, I adore the production by Bob Rock. The songs are stellar and Ian is singing his ass off! "Sweet Soul Sister" has one of the greatest, most catchy choruses by ANY BAND. 2. Surprised u didn't know this...the cardboard CD long box was mainly used to merchandise the product in bins designed for LPS. It saved retailers from having to buy different fixtures (until later). I have a TON of long boxes, I used to tack them up as wall decorations! Love the show!!! "The right show. GUARANTEED."

[@Jamie.Laszlo]

Yeah. I do remember hearing that about the longboxes. Sometimes you forget crap when you're talking off the cuff.

[@jasonleonard4000]

Of course, I completely understand! I loved the episode

[@1Vettefan]

Love The Cult! The 1994 album is great. Bought it on cassette at first when it was new. The first album that I heard by them was "Electric" which was a heavily blues based album that I loved. Bought "Sonic Temple" and "Love" and really dug those 2 albums as well. Bought "Ceremony" when I was in college and wasn't disappointed. I always really liked Billy Duffy's guitar riffs and Ian's singing so I like most of their albums. The whole vibe of the 1994 self-titled album is so cool. I liked it right away at first listen.

[@kevinturchin]

This was a great episode. Awesome analysis by Jamie and Martin. I love the Cult but I definitely need to give this album a re-listen because the last time I listened to it was with much, much younger ears. For what it’s worth I also think Choice of Weapon is my favorite Cult album. I played the heck out of that when it came out. It’s the perfect blend of everything they are capable of and the lyrics and songwriting are really strong. But I love everything from Beyond Good and Evil onward. Martin nailed it at the end, Ian and Billy are true artists.

[@charlesalford476]

As a teen I bought "Electric" about 7 or 8 times. I took it everywhere and played it at parties and stuff. Then I would either forget it, or more likely, people would steal it and I would immediately go buy it again. Such a great album.

[@vincentquagliariello4794]

The Cult Love Album for me, however can't get enough of the deep track stuff like Judith, Sunrise, Love Trooper, Wolf Child Blues, The River, The Snake, No. 13, Groove Co. and Zap City. Listening to all the deep tracks on UK issue 12" 45 speed...that's where its at for me!!

[@sprakeNS65]

Besides "Love" which ranks super high for a bunch of personal reasons, these days I always go to the original "Electric" mixes that ended up on "Electric/Peace" in 2013 as well as previous odds'n'ends comps. Those "Electric" songs with the "Love"-esque sound are incredible.

[@shotakuervo]

I always enjoyed the ying and yang of Love/Electric. Love always had this big wall of sound, atmosphere and mood where as Electric sounds like the amps were turned up to 11 and invokes a sort of American wild west feel and imagery.

[@fedefossati7236]

I am with Martin! For me Electric was/is an amazing stripped down straight to the face Hard Rock masterpiece. Sonic Temple always felt was overrated, LAish, over produced and has that Use your illusion, Pump! sound that I dont like. As I grow older “Choice of weapon” im 48, keeps on growing in me, love those emotional dark slow tempo tunes. Salud from Mallorca Island! Still waiting for The Danzig episode 😎

[@stevetobin7495]

Choice of weapon is a masterpiece

[@lancem6363]

Beyond Good and Evil and Electric were definitely my jams back in the day. Born Into This is underrated, I like the sound of that record.

[@sdavis6806]

Loved the Cult, especially when Electric came out, from dreamy goth type, or I don't know how to describe their early work, to full on acdc riffs haha, last album I owned was Ceremony, kinda lost interest after that, but what a great band, I'll check out that record.. Ian Astbury lived in my hometown Hamilton Ontario in his teenage years,also off topic but I came across Mama's boys on KZbin, remember them? I remember them in hit parader or cream magazines back when I was a kid, they never broke big in North America and listening to them their quite a good rock band, how about an episode on them if you haven't already? Thanks keep up the great work

[@jasonleonard4000]

I want to form a band called "Day Shift Stripper"!! Excellent one liner, sir!!

[@thecontrarians2438]

haha i'll be first in line to get a ticket!

[@U-rok]

One great thing about The Cult is their versatility. If I want to listen to the Cult, I ask myself what genre of music do I want to listen to. The Cult has covered a good portion of different genres of music (hard rock, goth, metal, grunge, post-punk, etc). If I were to pick one album to be my favorite, it would be like asking a parent which is your favorite child. To me, it's impossible to pick one. It's too bad you didn't give an honorable mention to the "Peace" album. That is another fantastic album.

[@wernermoritz882]

On which album did the Cult play metal? Wow, I did not know that, I only know some of their albums.

[@strangeways75]

Love this record. I'm glad to see it featured here.

[@joshuacottton6985]

The goth in me says Dreamtime

[@joebecht5554]

The Cult is one of my favorite bands. Thanks for this. BTW - Sonic Temple is #1 followed by Beyond Good and Evil . Dirty Little Rock Star off of Born Into This sounds a lot like Undercover of the Night by The Stones

[@pajeromike]

Really enjoyed watching this. The Cult have been my favourite band by far for decades. It’s impossible for me to pick one favourite album. Neptune and Pluto, that was hilarious!! Lets also not forget the dozens of amazing b-sides (See the Rare Cult box set)

[@thecontrarians2438]

Thanks Michel! Glad you enjoyed it!

[@purpletemple1]

Some of their B-sides are "Physical Graffiti"-level quality. They could make an awesome record with those rareties. Cheers!

[@pajeromike]

@@purpletemple1 absolutely!! The Best of Rare Cult is a great example.

[@sspbrazil]

I have to correct Martin, the term Alternative began to be used in the mid-late 80’s, at least in the Detroit area where Mike Halloran started the first Alternative radio station format across the river in Windsor in 1986.

[@dexterriley]

1. Electric 2. Love 3. Sonic Temple

[@Peatmoss0979]

Love the Cult !Glad u guys covered this band.

[@thomaswery3087]

exellent show.love the cult I also like the self titled album.Between that and rare cult are the cds I play the most

[@damo0616]

It’s so cool to see a band like the cult getting talked about on this channel. They don’t get anywhere near enough credit.

[@Jamie.Laszlo]

I think it's pretty cool too.

[@troymosson8975]

This is my favorite as well. Nice pick Jamie.

[@darkjedi447]

I have every CULT album, and their 3 most recent albums - BORN INTO THIS, CHOICE OF WEAPON, and HIDDEN CITY are amazing albums, but my favorite is still ELECTRIC. I have great memories of riding the bus to school with my walk-man on listening to ELECTRIC over and over. Saw them live once only during the CEREMONY tour but unfortunately it seemed like Ian was pretty wasted on stage and the opening act - a new artist by the name of....LENNY KRAVITZ - Out-preformed them quite a bit. I find it interesting that some of my favorite songs by them are not originally on their studio albums or are b-sides. Here's my list of best CULT songs (would love to hear your list too): 15. GIMMICK 14. LOVE REMOVAL MACHINE 13. SHE SELLS SANCTUARY 12. EVERY MAN AND WOMAN IS A STAR 11. JUDITH 10. THE PHOENIX 9. EDIE 8. LITTLE FACE 7. ZAP CITY 6. DIRTY LITTLE ROCK STAR 5. THE WITCH 4. RISE 3. RESURRECTION JOE 2. WILD FLOWER 1. LOVE TROOPER If you are not very familiar with THE CULT, these 15 songs I listed are my personal 'greatest hits' to introduce you to them Thanks and keep smiling 🤘 🙂

[@neilmiller2779]

LOL @ Jamie's "favourite Cult album orbit" prop!

[@stevetobin7495]

Great band!!

[@thanoscult]

Cult Forever Forever Cult! So underrated lp so much Pation and soul in it!

[@samd1569]

Well said Jamie. I agree with you 100% . Great show guys. Cheers from Australia

[@thecontrarians2438]

Thanks Sam! Cheers from North America!

[@OgnjenDraganic]

You've forgotten to mention the song "Universal You" from the self-titled album.

[@sspbrazil]

Mine will still always be “Love” and the b-sides from that album are great too.p, I agree with Martin on “Sonic Temple”, it’s not a very good album, “The Cult” is their last great album.

[@kylewoolsey6635]

Black Sheep is getting a vinyl re-issue. I was on CD universe (no I do not work for them) and they have the vinyl lp on sale, with a release date of 12 May.

[@thanoscult]

The thing that proves how this band is so significant and unique, is that if you speak with thousand of fans ot nofans, about best track or best lp or favorites in general, you ll get thousands of opinions. You can't put them where YOU want them...no way... they play with their rules, their truth, and if you get it and accept it, finally you become an addict Cult maniac!

[@facundollano5122]

In hindsight I think they did better than most bands of their generation. I don´t know in United States, but in Europe and South America they still play in big halls and they still release good new music, which they play live. Which is a lot more to say than 90% of the same era bands

[@themayor1716]

You can thank Rick Rubin for pushing The Cult to cover Born to be wild. The band didn’t want to do it. And it’s the only song that they didn’t play when they did the Electric 13 tour.

[@jayjaytee9944]

Love The Cult and Self Titled is my fav too. This moved them away from the 80s and reinvented them for the 90s and it just works so well imo and most of all it sounds sincere.

[@HuddshouseofRockNMetal]

Unless your choice is "Love" or "Sonic Temple", your favorite is probably a contrarian choice. "Beyond Good and Evil" is my favorite by far. The great thing about The Cult is they never made the same album twice.

[@cornchipsnovemberland3565]

"Dreamtime" is the bee's knees...airy, romantic and crackling with youthful energy...nothing else sounded like it in 1984, or since..."Love" is my other favorite...I was very disappointed in "Electric" and still don't care for it...However, I admire their adventurous artistic nature and every record has good tracks...and I like "Hidden City" better than any of their 90's and most of their 21st century material.

[@drewrose374]

Another great episode! Laszlo Rules! The Cult for me , I came in on Love, bought Electric when it came out and I felt Sonic Temple was their peak and I lost interest after, so those are my Cult Trilogy. But I did purchase Pure Cult, and the songs I didn't know from my Trilogy I felt were great and fit right in with the rest perfectly. and I agree with Jaime that The Cult as a Bridge between the Hard Rock, Alternative and Goth fans. So with that I guess I will be heading down that CULT RABBIT HOLE!!! lol!

[@Skycladatdusk78]

I have even more contrarian picks for my two favorites, Ceremony and Beyond Good And Evil. The 94 self titled is my #3, good Choice.

[@johndunlop72]

I love choice of weapon, it's a straight rock record hfak and for the animals sublime .

[@christsantalis]

Love every album but the 94 was a Masterpiece! Best rock band ever!

[@christophercheney1006]

Man, Jamie is a funny dude! I gotta say, I revisited the self titled record. I like it way more than I thought I did!

[@thecontrarians2438]

haha Jamie is the man!!

[@christopherbinns3040]

For a rock band that started in the 80's I think they have stayed the course incredibly well.....I can't really pick a favorite album tbh but I do like how stripped down the self titled one was.All there albums have their own vibe without ever chasing trends....they are just a kick arse rock band!!!

[@jakepetri5624]

I really dig ceremony

[@brendankilroy9203]

Wild Hearted Son is such a banger

[@SuperStrik9]

I like The Cult. I need to check out their albums as I've never really checked them out before. I just know and like the hits basically. She Sells Sanctuary, Love Removal Machine, Fire Woman, Edie (Ciao Baby)... Songs like that basically. I had a buddy who was a big fan of the Sonic Temple album which is the album I'm probably most familiar with. I definitely need to check out this release from 94.

[@franciskocher200]

Nice show...

[@jamesbedford3774]

Not my favourite Cult album, but 'Saints Are Down' is a fucking great song.

[@aleksandarfrick2656]

This is best or maybe second best The Cult album . They were and are so popular in all ex - Yugoslav republics . I have all records .

[@OgnjenDraganic]

Takođe!

[@OgnjenDraganic]

Takođe!

[@laddw8455]

This is one of the best albums I've ever heard. It's that damn good

[@marclahn7072]

Wow, I am so with Martin on this (with regard to Sonic Temple) Seems like everyone else I knew loved that "Sonic Temple" album. Me? I just never liked it much at all. I thought I would at first with Sun King (good track), but after that and NYC, the rest of it is just a meh...affair for me IMO, it's *both* the glossy production (cannot stand that later 80s Bon Jovi type sheen... just hate it!) *and* the songs themselves! Sonic Temple songs just do not compete with the greatness of LOVE (1985) which is for me, their best, most realized and effective LP. The tracks of "Love" are not only moving in a guitar-heavy rock sense, but they're also trippy, gothic, psychedelic, sparkling and highly memorable. There's a running *hypnotic quality* in Love's tracks. That kind of cool, somnambulistic, surreal effect where, after getting immersed and involved in the album, you feel like you might "lift off" with the the songs (eg "Big Neon Glitter," "Love," "Hollow Man," "Nirvana," "Brother Wolf Sister Moon" and obviously "She Sells Sanctuary") And that kind of coolness and more cerebral, involving vibe...it's just not there in the tunes on Sonic Temple. That's an MTV ready album, and I guess if that's your thing, have at it. But the more trippy, psychedelic yet guitar-centric compositions on LOVE also marry up better with Ian A's unique voice. For me, the guy was just better suited for the kind of music on "Love" (and to an extent, the great "Electric" -- aka their AC/DC album) than he was for the glossier more common in ways, Sonic Temple LP. To me, that one was their, I dunno, "K-Mart ready" effort. The way I saw it, the band was too big for their own good at the time of ST. The "Fire Woman" video kinda tells you all you need to know about Sonic Temple. Ian looks like a bit of a hair metal wannabe in that video, and as Martin rightly says, the sound production of the album does too. Heh. Not quite the same group I was digging just a few years beforehand. I mean, In '85, The Cult could've done a show with The Cure. In '89, they seemed better suited to pair up with Bulletboys or Skid Row. Well, not *that bad*, but that's just how it kinda-sorta came off at the time. And again, I have a general disdain for that vapid Winger, Warrant, Bon Jovi, Slaughter, White Lion, etc. crap. It pains me to even type those band names. Feh...all the stinkin' "W groups" I digress.... Look, I haven't even mentioned this very good s/t CULT album from 1994. To me, that album deserves much more credit. Bought it when it came out and liked it from the jump. Much more fitting of The Cult than the Sonic Temple stuff. Several very good songs on this 1994 album, and it still sounds good. If I had to rank, let's say, the Five big albums from 1985's "LOVE" through this one from '94, I'd personally have em set up like so.... 1. LOVE 2. ELECTRIC 3. S/T, 1994 4. CEREMONY 5. SONIC TEMPLE So, hats off, Martin. You've found a person here who's right with you about #5 there. 🚽 MARC (NJ, USA) ⚡ P.s. "Beyond Good and Evil" might be a decent/good record, but that thing is so compressed and brick-walled, I can hardly enjoy it. Purchased it the day it was released. Got home, popped 'er in....and the sheer WALL-OF-SOUND BOMBAST had me running for the hills by the second song. Just a shame what happened with music mastering in the late 90s to about 2009, especially. Audio crimes.... P.p.s. No damn way about "She Sells Sanctuary!" Like they Pulled it off Sonic Temple ( or even Electric)?? Not a chance. That great song is just as cool and groovy as the rest of LOVE. It's just a bit more energetic, with a fantastic riff in tow. And it's got that, "Whoa! We've got a single here!" charisma. But yeah, that was a pre-LOVE track that, to me, fit perfectly with all the other excellence of the Love album. Better single than "Rain" too. Both good. "She Sells..." better.

[@MsKalachakra]

I have all Cult albums on vinyl til Sonic Temple. Their 3 earlier albums are their best, of course they are post punk gods till Love and then became hard rock with the Rick Rubin makeover. I have the self titled on CD but never heard it, so now I'm going to give it another chance after this episode. You missed their first album, when they were called Southern Death Cult, that is one of their best cause they have this batcave goth sound that was so cool back then.

[@jasonleonard4000]

Quick question, is there a Contrarians store? I need a t shirt!

[@thecontrarians2438]

Yes sir~! www.teepublic.com/t-shirt/24904510-the-contrarians?fbclid=IwAR3y9qR9VVF-Cb0fu6X04X7Osp_-rQ16-yINCTS7xezQ-QaACpVlXGmzzyI

[@danielwolski873]

Martin. Will you ever invite Pete Pardo on the show?

[@purpletemple1]

"Choice of Weapon" & "Hidden City" work better if you listen to them as an entity, funally enough-and that's pretty rare- it would have been better as one long album. Somehow everything clicks and nothing is missing. And production-wise they're very close to each other. My opinion :-) Cheers!

[@neuropete1]

How the heck is the kid with the Cure shirt the 'weird' kids? Having good taste in music does not make you weird.

[@potatofry1237]

The cult electric is a great album.

[@sadekx5251]

Jamie always makes any show he is in interesting and fun.

[@thecontrarians2438]

Jamie is the man!

[@TheProphetJoshua]

Need to mention the Ian track "Flame On" from the Iommi solo album...oh what we could've had if The Cult went metal.

[@inmyhouse11]

Still partial to Electric

[@raybbaby]

It was 1984, not 94.

[@johnzavradinos4677]

I agree with Martin on Sonic Temple. Never was a fan of the album, aside from a few songs. I kind of lost interest with them after that album.

[@kylewoolsey6635]

Another band that is only getting better is Killing Joke.

[@newwavepop]

the Southern Death Cult album which isnt even an actual studio album is one of my all time favorite albums possibly in my actual top 10. the Death Cult EP and 45 i like about half of the material and dislike the other half. for the actual Cult i absolutely love Dreamtime, and Love a little less, then Electric a little less then Sonic Temple a little less then i was done honestly. which is a shame because Ian is absolutely in my probably top 5 all time vocalists, but more than a few of my personal favorite vocalists dont have a lot of good material. which goes to show why those reality tv singing talent shows suck, because just having a good voice doesnt mean a whole damn lot and doesnt mean you are talented either. good songwriters are EVERYTHING.

[@marksargeant1019]

Sonic Temple was a return to form after Electric

[@tylerport7909]

Love The Cult but, Electric is the best.

[@lancem6363]

This album has some great stuff like Star, but there's also embarrassing songs and songs that go nowhere on it. I think it's underrated but not even in the top 5 for me.

[@robirving4492]

The Cult was a great album. If the dreadful Ceremony had never existed and this had come out on the same day as Nevermind, it would have been a lot more succesful and critically recieved than it was.

[@neuropete1]

You guys SERIOUSLY do not know the reason for the longboxes? You have to be joking! Two rock connoisseurs should know. A) The CD came at the TOP of the box, not the bottom, kids. B) The purpose of the box was not to make it harder to steal CD... it was a very practical reason... it was so record store owners would not have to get rid of the racks they owned to display records. The CDs in long boxes fit just right on those racks...

[@thecontrarians2438]

Thanks for the info Pedro!

[@Jamie.Laszlo]

The CDs were on top when it came to the plastic reusable long cases record stores would use. But they were on the bottom of the cardboard longboxes.

[@pacochuquiure7807]

Bon Jovi is just the greatest rock band, hard rock band of the eighties, If You hate them and at the same time adore Bulletboys man You need professional help.

[@SuperStrik9]

I checked out this album and the rest of The Cult's catalogue and sorry Jamie but this album stinks. Love, Electric, Sonic Temple and Celebration are all WAY better albums. Even the album that came after, Beyond Good And Evil is better. To each their own.