THE CULT – Electric Peace (2013)

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THE CULT got its first breakthrough success with the single ‘She Sells Sanctuary’ from the great album ‘Love’ in 1985, mixing Brit hard rock with Gothic atmospheres. When it came to recording a follow-up, the band booked into The Manor studios in Oxfordshire with Steve Brown again producing the album. By the end of October 1986 the album was recorded, the masters assembled and it was given the title “Peace”.
However, due The Cult’s management and the band pretension to conquer the US market and to capitalize on the popularity of commercial hard rock in the States, they decided to re-record the entire album in New York with Rick Rubin behind the desk. The result was a completely different, dry, riffing hard rock entitled “Electric”, a multi-million seller which finally bring international success for the band.

“Peace” was shelved until 2000 (some tracks appeared in the rare The Manor Sessions EP in 1988) when it was part of the expensive ‘Rare Cult’ box set, but now is available as separate release entitled “Electric Peace”, a double CD including both recordings.
I won’t discuss ‘Electric’ here as it’s a well known album, just “Peace” which is a truly must listen for rock aficionados. For fans of early The Cult (like me) “Peace” is a must have, if you’re only into the ‘American’ The Cult, this will be a pleasant revelation.

Many songs never appeared in the US re-recording, such as “Conquistador”, “Love Trooper”, “Groove Co” and the masterful “Zap City”, while classics like “Love Removal Machine” or “Wild Flower” are completely different sounding and arranged, with a polished and dark atmosphere similar as the early style of the band.

“Peace” is an invaluable addition to The Cult’s catalog, especially for fans of their ‘Love’ album.
Musically, this recording has that ‘British sound of the ’80s’ written all over it – lush melodies, crisp clean production, groovy bass lines, sinister yet (in some fans’ eyes, certainly) ‘sexy’ vocals and some of the biggest guitar hooks and riffs you could ever find on a Rock album from the isles.
What is absolutely stellar about on “Peace” is the way in which guitarist Billy Duffy and bass player Jamie Stewart make their respective instruments flow and bond with each other, as if they were to have a long-lasting relationship. Each and every song has that luscious ‘big neon glitter’ in Duffy’s excellent solos, and you can tell just how he manages to fit them in at exactly the right time. Another noticeable stronghold within “Peace” is the excellently written lyrics and how Ian Astbury manages to sing them in sultry way.
Mandatory listening.

01 – Love Removal Machine
02 – Wild Flower
03 – Peace Dog
04 – Aphrodisiac Jacket
05 – Electric Ocean
06 – Bad Fun
07 – Conquistador
08 – Zap City
09 – Love Trooper
10 – Outlaw
11 – Groove Co.

Ian Astbury – vocals
Billy Duffy – electric & acoustic guitars
Jamie Stewart – bass, keyboards, background vocals
Mark Brzezicki, Les Warner – drums

BUY IT !
www.amazon.com/Electric-Peace-Cult/dp/B00CZAYOWI
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