Whether or not it’s my weird brain but did you ever find an album really good but can’t explain why you like it so much? This has always been the case for me with The Cult’s album, “Sonic Temple.” It’s a brilliant album, make no mistake about that. The songs are just fantastic, some critics criticized the album for repeating the same formula song after song but hey, it works. I find myself bobbing along to the opener, “Sun King” and then doing the same on the next track with the single, “Fire Woman.” I really love the riffs on this one.
Another criticism hurled at the album is that they went from a defiant indie rock band to Warrant wannabees. Okay, there are some elements in songs which do point to hair metal but those are done in a way unique to The Cult. Maybe it’s because it seems to me that Billy Duffy is let loose more on the album to do what he does on the guitar. He nails some really good guitar solos, one on the mentioned opener and another on the power ballad, “Edie (Ciao Baby).”
A difficult task, although I’m not complaining because it meant I had to listen to the album more, was identifying the hidden gem. There were a couple of candidates. “American Horse” does bring the power and this song alone puts them in the heavy metal category with that blistering guitar solo and the mentioned power ballad was also a strong consideration. However, and it was a very very close call, the hidden gem goes to “Sweet Soul Sister.” This song has a bit of a Savatage feel at the beginning and that was what won it for me. In addition, it’s one of those metal anthem type songs where if played live, would have the audience clapping along with it.
While I prefer the first half of the album, the second half is by no means weak. “Soul Asylum” starts things off in a cool melodic metal way with some great power chords, though it does drag a little at over seven minutes long. “New York City” is also a strong power rocker which borders near thrash and when I first saw the track listing, I thought the penultimate track, “Soldier Blue,” was going to be a cover of the Buffy Saint-Marie classic. Trust me, it’s nothing like that! Instead, it’s another great metal sounding tune. Still, I wonder what a Cult cover of Buffy’s song would sound like.
Track Listing:
- Sun King
- Fire Woman
- American Horse
- Edie (Ciao Baby)
- Sweet Soul Sister
- Soul Asylum
- New York City
- Atomic Blues
- Soldier Blue
- Wake Up Time for Freedom
Ian Astbury- vocals, percussion
Billy Duffy- guitar
Jamie Stewart- bass, keyboards
Additional Musicians:
Mickey Curry- drums
Note: Eric Singer and Chris Taylor played drums on demo versions
Iggy Pop- backing vocals on “New York City”
John Webster- keyboards
Bob Buckley- string arrangement on “Edie (Ciao Baby)”
Said it before and I’ll keep on saying, “Who gives a stuff what the critics say?” “Sonic Temple” is a fine offering from The Cult.
Next post: Aerosmith- Pump
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