My relationship with British rockers The Cult has been a bumpy ride since day one. I was never a fan of the band’s first two records Dreamtime (1984) and Love (1985). The band took on a different approach with the rootsy and AC/DC influenced 1987 album Electric and that record changed things for me. At least for a while. The magnificent Sonic Temple (1989) and the almost as brilliant Ceremony (1991) ticked all the right boxes for me and to this day I love those records. That’s when things stopped for me. The self-titled Grunge infected record from 1994 was really bad and the band split up shortly after its release as it sold close to nothing. Of course singer Ian Astbury and guitarist Billy Duffy had to reunite at some point and after a six year hiatus they did.
The reunion album Beyond Good And Evil (2001) turned out great in my opinion but again nothing happened so the guys took yet another breather from The Cult. The duo brought the band back to life in 2007 and released the uneven Born Into This and even though the follow-ups Choice Of Weapon (2012) and Hidden City (2016) were solid affairs neither could hold a candle to The Cult’s golden days between 1987 – 1991. Now Astbury and Duffy are back with a new album, their first in six years, with yet another rhythm section – Charlie Jones (bass) and Ian Matthews (drums). Where the band would take their music in 2022 was a bit unclear before the album’s release and I took it on with no expectations at all.
Opening track and second single “Mirror” is a darkening mid-paced yet upbeat and stompy rocker with a The Doors vibe and a dreamy atmosphere. We get a driving bass-line and catchy guitar riffs and some earlier The Cult gothic elements but the tune is also quite direct and holds a main melody that grabs a hold from go. The chorus isn’t single-catchy but still lingers in the back of my mind. A good song. “A Cut Inside” is slower and more laid-back and dwells inside a darker soundscape but the bouncy rhythms gives it an upbeat touch and the guitars holds a rawer edge. It picks up the pace and becomes faster and distinct with a strong refrain. A decent song.
“Vendetta X” is built on some juicy grooved bass-lines and a steady drums beat with some straight ahead guitars. It’s an upbeat groover with a punchy live-feel where Astbury’s vocal melodies takes on a spacey outlook. There’s an electronic touch too where the synthesizers gives it an early 80’s vibe and an early The Cult twist. It’s an ok song with memorable melodies but it doesn’t rock my world. Leading single “Give Me Mercy” is upbeat and direct with a chunky, rhythmic stomp and a classic Cult melody. The melodies strikes right from hello and it holds an infectious and very memorable chorus. Best song so far.
The upbeat and crunchy riffed “Outer Heaven” stomps along with a tribal-like drum pattern and an almost danceable beat where the distinct and direct melodies creates a catchiness. Heavy bass-lines and big synths comes along for the ride and chorus is uplifting enough. Pretty good, this one. “Knife Through Butterfly Heart” is an upbeat semi-ballad of sorts – a slow burner with a chunky rhythm and a laid-back vibe inside a dreamy soundscape. It holds a kaleidoscopic and psychedelic touch in the first half and also some orchestral nods to Led Zeppelin’s “Kashmir” much to the combined guitars and strings. Memorable melodies and an affable chorus makes the song a stand-out track here. Very good.
The alternative sounding and gothic laden “Impermanence” blends upbeat rhythms and held-back and sparse vocals with a dreamy and spacey musical landscape yet with some prominent bass-lines. It’s a hookless piece that passes by pretty much unnoticed. They close the album with the title-track, a slow, dark and down-beat number, a semi-ballad of sorts. It’s orchestrated and holds some chunky bass-lines and smooth vocal melodies. There’s a dreamy atmosphere and it holds dramatic undertones with Astbury releasing his inner Jim Morrison at times. It’s a cinematic track with a direct melody-hook. Good one.
While one might argue that the band might should’ve brought more than eight songs to the table after six years, that is unfortunately not the album’s only issue. I’m not gonna say that The Cult’s new record is bad, it’s really not, but it’s not that bloody good either. In fact, I find a bit dull. Even the songs I really like doesn’t linger when the album is done playing and I get the feeling that nothing really happens even after numerous spins. It’s a pleasant and competent album but too bland and with way too few hooks for comfort. I’m not slagging this, I just think that they could do better.
4/10
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Tracklist:
1. Mirror
2. A Cut Inside
3. Vendetta X
4. Give Me Mercy
5. Outer Heaven
6. Knife Through Butterfly Heart
7. Impermanence
8. Under The Midnight Sun
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