Release Date: 07 March, 2000
Audio CD
Tracks
- Nirvana
- Big Neon Glitter
- Love
- Brother Wolf Sister Moon
- Rain
- Phoenix
- Hollow Man
- Revolution
- She Sells Sanctuary
- Black Angel
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Rating 5.0
One of the best albums of the the last 25 yearsThe Cult's Love album was the soundtrack to my senior year in high school and my first year of college. Unlike alot of other albums that were important in my youth, I still find this one as relevant and enjoyable as I did in 1986.(Out of the over 600 cd's I own, I probably have played this one the most) Most people my age (37) know and love the albums bell cow, "She Sells Sanctuary", but Love offers so muxh more.
Love was the Cult's second full release. Dreamtime showed a glimpse as to the direction the Cult were heading with its spiritualistic, gothic, psychedelic, swampy soundscapes, but it never achieved the fullness of their second release. The mid 80's were full of teflon bands making disposable music that in the end left you less than filled up.And then you had the Cult, who were making music to LISTEN to. What a fresh approach in 1985-86.
The first song that turned me on to the Cult is the albums opener, "Nirvana". (I remember my best friends big brother had it cranked) A song that stands the test of time ( was still in their live set before their second split). Great lyrics that either reminded me of people I knew or lyrics that made me think. "I float through day and night life, well most of the time; till I hung up my blues on a nail in your wall" Classic Cult. "Big Neon Glitter" could have fit comfortably on Dreamtime. It opens with a chiming riff, 3 note bass line and a bass drum before going in to its psychedelic blues on growing city life. "sex on the hip at the crack of a whip, oh yeah" The third track, "Love", truly showed that the Cult were shaking off the goth-post punk label and headed into full on blues rock, with searing lead guitar lines from Duffy that punctuate verses throughout. The fourth track "Brother Wolf, Sister Moon" gains back the goth title that the Cult so successfuly shed on "Love". I find that this is many peoples least favorite track, but I dig it for its atmospheric sound and the passionate lyrics. A dirge type mumber with another impassioned vocal. "embrace the wind with both arms, stop the clouds dead in the sky, hang your head no more, and beg no more, brother wolf and sister moon, your time has come" The storm in the background add an epic feel to it. "Rain" is the other "hit" off of the album. A great rocking tune with a great atmosphere to it. Also for the first time, backing vocals from the other members that fit the track nicely. A dance club and fan favorite.
Side two opens with the wah wah scream and feedback that introduce "The Phoenix". This, up to that point in time was the heaviest Cult tune recorded with more great lyrics. "Hollow Man" is another Dreamtime era like number with a goth feel, that works well sandwiched between "Phoenix" and the 3rd side two track "Revolution". Released as a single, the down tempo song is perhaps the only cut on the album that I think sounds a little dated today. It is my least favorite cut on the album. "She Sells Sanctuary" is the next track and in my opinion is the best song recorded in the 80's. It is timeless and is a cross genre song that all types like, from metal heads to punks, goths and new wavers. It is just that good. The closer is the sister to the side one goth track, "Black Angel". A slow mumber with a heavy feel to it. A fitting close to a timeless album.I have owned 3 copies of this album!2 cassettes that I worn through both by playing daily in my walkman in 1986 on the bus to school and then CD version I still enjoy today. All I can say is Masterpiece! The commercial success of some of the songs over shadows the true gems like 'Love' and 'The Phoenix' that make this album truly outstanding.The Cult - 'Love' (Beggars Banquet)Originally released in 1985,this was the follow-up to their stunning debut effort 'Dreamtime'.I remember when this lp first came out as I knew several patrons that went nuts over the record.In my opinion,this is The Cult's BEST album,period.They have like three others that are good,like the previously mentioned 'Dreamtime',the fantastic 'Electric' and 'Sonic Temple'.Part British metal and part neo-psychedelic.When I saw The Cult the first two times,I thought to myself,that vocalist Ian Astbury was like Jim Morrison's long lost love child and then light years later,he toured as frontman for the 21st Century Doors.Ironic?Every tune here rocks,like the title cut "Love","Brother Wolf,Sister Moon","Rain"(love seeing the video on VH1 Classic),"Revolution" and "She Sells Sanctuary".A must-have. |
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