THE CULT - LOVE

This is the album The Cult found their sound on. Although it does differ from later material in that it has way more 70's guitar rock than anything since. They gradually moved more into power chord metal whereas they initially started sounding more punk. This record is a transition piece and has a lot of that 70's icon rock via Led Zepplin, The Who, etc. etc. Ian Astbury has finally found his voice and his performance style here. From the opening lines of 'Nirvana', you can tell the group has matured. The sound is more polished and the production higher quality. Of course this is their first major label release and the first time they called themselves simply, The Cult. 'Big Neon Glitter' further establishes the new sound while 'Love' delves more fully into the 70's sound and gives Astbury a chance to show off his powerful chops on the record's first ballad.

'Brother Wolf, Sister Moon' is the first song dealing with themes involving Native American culture. Subsequent albums more fully embrace these concepts as Astbury seems to have an obsession with them. With it's slower pace and somewhat Folk feel, this track is truly beautiful. Astbury sounds like some metaphysical werewolf howling at the moon pronouncing his undying love. The guitar work is ethereal and drifts like fog across an empty canyon. But the mystical feelings don't last as 'Rain' kicks in and brings the tempo back up to a rockin' pace. 'The Phoenix' sounds like something you would hear at a 60's concert in San Francisco while tripping on acid. Especially when you hear Ian shouting "Fire" over and over again. 'Hollow Man' brings the song back to the partial punk sound of alternative rock in the early 80's.

'Revolution' recalls The Beatles with its message of rebellion and a movement away from traditional values. But it's the next song that really lights up this side of the record. 'She Sells Sanctuary' is the song that hints at what's to come. It opens wide the doors of potential and dips its pen into the creative heart of inspiration and explodes all over the speakers with its sharp guitar riffs and intense drum track. This track is the promise and the new sound The Cult would continue to perfect over the course of their progression. 'Black Angel' is another tune culled from Ian's fascination with the American West. It has the sound and the rhythm of something you'd expect to hear in a modern version of a spaghetti western.

All in all, this is a great record. And it's even more brilliant because the band was smart enough to distance it from their earlier works through name changes. In reality, it's not the first recording by this band. But technically, it's a debut or freshman effort by an incredible group who never really got their due. My final words: A CULT CLASSIC FOR ALL ROCKERS!

THE CULT - LOVE
01. Nirvana
02. Big Neon Glitter
03. Love
04. Brother Wolf, Sister Moon
05. Rain
06. The Phoenix
07. Hollow Man
08. Revolution
09. She Sells Sanctuary
10. Black Angel