Reviews (page 3 of 7)
punchy, sounded like a group of friends jamming out in the garage on a Saturday night! I liked this album a lot but could have left out the cover of Born to be Wild without missing anything in my opinion. 3.5*
It's '80s rock in the same vein as Guns 'n' Roses, so if you're into that then you'll probably enjoy this. The sound reminded me a lot of Danzig, at times, which is odd as I haven't thought about them in many years. Something which I haven't seen other people talking about is the impressive production quality of the whole thing. The guitars sound massive and the drums are powerful, but that's perhaps not too surprising when you consider that Rick Rubin was at the helm.
Classic, if fairly mainstream, rock. No surprise to find out Rick Rubin was involved. A few great songs, and possibly the worst cover version I have ever heard, but on the whole really good. Not five stars, but way too good for three!
Tof hardrock album. Niet erg speciaal of opvallend, maar heb er mij wel mee geamuseerd
Ох, спасительный альбом из тройки В начале думал что какой-то базовый рок из гаража бати (думал что надо прям пиво взять чтобы дослушать до конца) Но он меня вернул к времени когда хард рок решили мешать с тяжелеком и получали то ли motorhead то ли slayer. Короче, прям приятно и драйвово. Добавил пару песенок к себе
Hadn’t listened to much of the cult before, pleasantly surprised by this one, up their with the best hard rock albums I’ve heard.
Good alternative to the hair metal of the time
Great voice, great album
Normally I don't like it when every song on an album sounds the same, but this was awesome. Best song is "Love Removal Machine" but after hearing the whole album, I think that's because it was the first song of theirs I'd ever heard.
I'm reaching the 700 albums listened to here and was missing this kind of Hardrock. Maybe it is my mood or the fact that I got too much country and electronic music and didn't get enough glam/hard rock yet, but the energy around this album is all I enjoyed when I discovered this kind of music. I'll surely listen to more of The cult, even knowing Wikipedia that this release is different from their previous albums. By the way, his producer's Wikipedia description of this album as a mix of AC/DC and Led Zepellin is quite accurate for reference. Nice job, mister Rick Rubin.
Doubt i will ever give this one another spin, but as a one-off eighties-hard-rock amusement this one definitely rocks
I weirdly like this more than I probably should. Don't normally have any time for cock rock, but this doesn't put my hackles up. Maybe it's the splash of goth in the mix. That "Born to be Wild" cover isn't great though, eh? Fave tracks - "Wild Flower" is a fun opener, and "Love Removal Machine" was good too...
Excelente disco de rock con canciones muy bien elaboradas, con guitarreo trepidante y voz intensa. No baja el ritmo en ningún momento. Le faltaría algo de innovación, pero no es un elemento necesario
Rock n roll bb
Gros rock pour le genre de band année 80 . Très bon, pas trop long, ac cogne et c'est parfait comme ca. 4.5
Genres: Hard rock, blues rock, gothic rock, R&B, glam metal Formed: Bradford, England in 1983 Run time: 11 songs, 38 min, 52 sec The third album by the British rock band. Combining the distinct vocals of lead singer Ian Astbury with the instrumentals makes the group's music identifiable within a few bars of starting a song. The album is essentially about love, lust and embracing life to the full. Spotify: Least popular song: >800k Most popular song: almost 22M plays. Track 1, “Wild Flower” is said to be about love. It is actually describing lust and its effects. Track 2, “Peace Dog” is critical about war and its glorification and how peace is sometimes portrayed as a dirty word. Track 3, “Lil’ Devil” is about being drawn to a bad girl and the excitement and danger she might bring to the protagonist's life. Track 4, “Aphrodisiac Jacket” uses abstract imagery to describe an energy driving life and pushing through obstacles. Track 5, “Electric Ocean” describes being drawn to something dangerous. Track 6, “Bad Fun” describes embracing life by being wild and reckless. Track 7, “King Contrary Man” discusses the desire for extraordinary experiences without considering the consequences. Track 8, “Love Removal Machine” the song begins by mentioning a “red room” and a “scarlet woman”, which suggests to me this is about an encounter with a professional lady. She provides sexual excitement but not the love the obsessed protagonist seeks . Track 9, “Born To Be Wild” is a great cover of the Steppen Wolf song. It is, however, very similar in style to the original. Track 10, “Outlaw” is about a man rebelling against authority and social norms. He takes out his anger on small towns, suggesting he’s not as tough as he makes out. Track 11, “Memphis Hip Smoke”. Memphis Hip is a dance move associated with Rock ‘n’ Roll. This is a great album with some fantastic songs. Definitely worth a listen. If you get to see the Cult live, they still know how to Rock and they sound exactly the same. Amazing. Listen Again?: Yes My Rating: ****
Mid Mid Mid Mid Its mid
I know a lot of folks who are big fans of the Cult, and I just...don't get it. They are about the most generic '80s hard rock band I know of. Their songs are repetitive and all sound the same to me, their lyrics are bland and uninteresting, and they just never seem to do anything musically interesting. There's nothing wrong with the album, mind you, but there's also nothing special about it.
A lot of tree Hill so I actually know a lot of songs on this album, but I have a hard time with you too because all I can remember is the next album to everyone. Lol.
Pretty good three-chord rock, but this stuff is a dime dozen. They have other stuff that is better than this: and this is pretty good. The kicker is that he is trying so hard to sound like an edgy Jim Morrison that it comes off as a parody of himself. Anyway....pretty good listen; once.
Kyllä tämä hyvä bändi on! Kunnon rokkenrollia eikä mitään syntikoita.
Ihan tiukkaa kasarirokkia, kuitenki jäi itellä jotenki yllättävän mitäänsanomattomaksi. Positiivisen puolelle kuitenki, mutta ei paljo muuta
Tää pärähti vakuuttavasti käyntiin! ⚡️ Mut sit ihan ei kuitenkaan pitänyt otteessaan loppuun asti. Born To Be Wild coveri oli ihan veikee, mut ei ehkä sit kuitenkaan riittävän erilain et ois erottunu edukseen alkuperäsestä.
tää on kyl Radio Rock kuuntelijat kun soitat oikeasti mitä haluat etkä M'tällikäh - Tsäd Put Tryy ja Sänta KryyZ - Fallin Without a Pärächyyt 😎 tai mainosten jälkeen Amorphis - House of Sliip. 🤟🏻 aivan hyvvää tykitystä ja paappaheviä, Bad Fun lemppari koska se on Tony Hawks ProSkater 4 🙂↕️🙂↕️
Might be the best 80’s arena rock album I’ve heard (the bar is not that high).
I listened to enough of each song to know they're good at what they do but it's not a genre I'm drawn to. I know it well from growing up in the 80s. I probably shouldn't rate it because I didn't listen to the whole thing. But I'd say that if I liked that style of rock (and I once did), it'd get 4 stars, but in my opinion it doesn't stand the test of time, so 3 stars for doing it well.
Write me a 3/5 star review for the album Electric by The Cult. Be sure to mention how generic it was. Here's a 3/5-star review in a moderately critical tone: ★★★☆☆ *Electric* finds The Cult trading much of their earlier gothic and psychedelic identity for a stripped-down hard rock sound. The album is loud, energetic, and packed with swagger, with tracks like "Love Removal Machine" delivering plenty of attitude and driving riffs. The production is polished and powerful, giving the record a consistent, radio-friendly punch. That consistency, however, is also one of the album's biggest weaknesses. Many of the songs blend together, relying on familiar blues-rock riffs and straightforward structures that feel surprisingly generic. While the band performs with conviction, much of *Electric* lacks the distinctive personality that made their earlier work stand out. Instead of pushing boundaries, it often sounds like it's following a well-worn hard rock formula. There are enough strong hooks and performances to keep the album enjoyable, but it's difficult to shake the feeling that The Cult sacrificed some of their uniqueness in exchange for a more conventional sound. *Electric* is a solid rock record, but not a particularly memorable one. This version lands around a 3/5 rating by acknowledging the album's strengths while emphasizing its generic and formulaic qualities.
not bad, but also not not bad
Initial reaction was "they sound like that Billy Idol song 'Fire'". Then I realized it's actually _their_ song "Fire Woman" (from a subsequent album). Oops. This whole album has a similar sound/energy. I find it kind of meh/disappointing to read that they specifically hired a producer "to remake the band's sound in an effort to capitalize on the popularity of hard rock and heavy metal in the 1980s." To me that sounds like they were following (not leading) which makes me question their place on this list.
There’s probably a hypothetical world in which someone does a better version of “Born to be Wild” than Steppenwolf, but The Cult is not the band to make that happen.
Mid. It didnt feel grunge it was missing something. 5/1]
тяжеловато для меня (и голос, и музыка)
I liked them more when they were pretending to be Native American Goths and when they went grunge and hung out with loaghtan sheep. But that said if this project is going to force me to listen to American Glam Metal I'd sooner it was played by Billy Duffy and Ian Astbury than 2nd division cheesemongers like GNR or Motley Crue.
It’s not bad
*1987. *I've listened to this a few times and it's not bad, but it's totally forgettable. *It sounds like early Van Halen. Pretty easy listen, but not anything I would ever be in the mood for. RATING - 6.5/10
5.5/10
I enjoy this album. I like The Cult's blending of hair-metal-esque arena rock, with new wave,and a bit of goth. But on the whole, this album is just good, but not exceptional. If this isn't your style, then it'll be whatever. 'Love' is a far superior album, and where they really start blazing new ground. 3/5 - fun if already your style, but not worth branching into if it isn't already
Although not my style, I always appreciate a touching guitar and I have to give them props for producing an album in the late 80s that is very reminiscent of something made several years later in the 90s. Maybe that is a compliment to Rick Rubin more than The Cult but both work together to create the album so it's mutually beneficial.
Enjoyable but it didn’t really stand out to me. Fun to hear their cover of Born To Be Wild but I think I prefer the original. To be honest I don’t really understand why this album was on here. It was a pretty good rock album but nothing about it felt like I had to hear it before I die. It grew on me after a second listen, and I ended up enjoying it more, but I still don’t think it’ll be one I come back to. Fav song: Bad Fun – and the cover of Born To Be Wild, but that might just be because it was familiar. Least fav: Memphis Hip Shake
About as vanilla a hair rock album as you could possibly imagine. Blatantly borrows from the Aerosmith, Free, Zeppelin and many others' playbooks, with a Steppenwolf cover thrown in for good measure. Is it listenable? Sure. There are some decent riffs and solos here and there. But there's not an original, influential or remotely noteworthy track here because it just feels like it's all been done a hundred times before, and better. It's a bit of headbangy fun that I'll have forgotten about by this time tomorrow. Oh, and that cover 'art' is an utter disgrace to graphic design.
If you’ve ever wondered “What if Metallica tried to sound like ACDC and was more boring than an elevator control panel?” Then Electric by The Cult is your answer.
Not a terrible rock album. Vocals. Reminded me of Danzing.
stabil
This band has all the right parts without having right timing I guess because I didn’t know anything from this except for the cover by steppenwolf that was released 20 years prior. Looking at their discography, this was not the claim to fame album, looks like Love has their top hits. This is a talented group but this album misses the mark for me.
This album is the equivalent of the stock photo that comes with a purchased picture frame - unremarkable, but great hair. The Born to Be Wild cover will haunt my dreams.
ROCK WINS!!1!11
A nice 80s hard rock album, just nothing on it that really stood out to me (and I didn't love their take on "Born to Be Wild").
Good tracks but the cover and couple end songs lost me a bit
Surprised by this. So much more of a classic rock album than I thought The Cult ever produced. It was completely devoid of the haunting melodies and lyrics that I knew them for. I liked it.
I’ve never heard of these guys before, which is kind of odd because you’d think half of these songs would be played on classic rock radio stations. This is as down the middle but unspectacular as it gets
Not sure if it's good or bad but this is what I imagine the School of Rock kids grew up to play
If they didn't have a wiki page, I would have assumed this was the AI generated output for the prompt "make an album of energetic riff-driven hard rock"
basic
I have to admit that I’ve never actually listened to the cult before this album. I wasn’t really sure what to expect but I don’t think I expected this. Maybe I thought they would be a little bit more Goth or industrial. Instead sounded a little more like variant of glam rock more at home with AC/DC than with Depeche Mode. So, it was fine. Probably not something I will actively seek it again.
This is a strange one for me - the first half of the album I can take or leave but once it gets to Electric Ocean it really picks up. Some great high energy beats and straight up rock riffs, Bad Fun is an absolute banger. There's some great shredding when they want to as well, I definitely love their faster paced stuff. It has to be said the back end of the album saves this from a lower rating. "Love Removal Machine" is one I'd heard before but not for a while and I forgot how great of a track it is. There's just one thing - I can't actually decide if I like the vocals or not. It's a distinct voice and does suit the band. Maybe there's too many "yeahs" and "baby's" but I'm leaning more towards liking it! 3/5 is probably fair...if the first half had a couple of better tracks I'd definitely put it higher (my actual rating is 3.5 but can't do half stars here).
Alternative rock album, timeless. Sounds still fresh.
Nice rock n roll album. Pretty fun to listen to and work out to.
Decent guitar licks, nearly no charisma
3.75
2.75
fine dad rock
Pleasant classic rock! I know I’m saying a lot of these are middle of the road, but once again this album was catchy and perfectly fine.
Didn't stand out. The rock albums are all blending together for me :(
I have never been more confused by an Albums inclusion on the list. In almost all cases for rock bands with 1 item on the list it will include either their best album or their first album. Understandably the first album was excluded as its just OK. The Cult did change over the years but have 2 stand out albums Love and Sonic Temple. Both are amazing albums so while die hard fans would only accept Love as the correct choice I personally feel Sonic Temple would have been better. Either of the two would have been a 5 star album for me. Instead we get Electric which is just OK but was really a transition album where they were searching for a new sound. They did find that sound but it wasn't until Sonic Temple that they mastered it. So if you like the new sound better Sonic Temple was the choice. Electric just makes no sense here.
Alright 80's sounding rock. Could've been a bunch of different bands. Don't know what made it stand out, but it wasn't a bad listen
Not bad, would give it 3.5 stars if there was a possibility to do so.
Lead singer kinda sounds like Danzig
You're The Star Of My Dreams 1001 Albums Generator 270 (4/16/2026) The AC/DC comparisons are not unwarranted. I feel like this probably sounded dated even in 1987. While this is totally fine (bordering on good) hard rock, did I need to listen to this before I died? Eh, probably not. Apparently, these guys used to be a more punky, gothic rock band. I don't know, but it sounds more interesting than Electric. I just don't have much to say about the specific songs here, they are pretty much all basic cock rock, but the cover of Born To Be Wild is particularly heinous and unnecessary. 2.5/5, rounded up to 3. Favs: Wild Flower Bad Fun Love Removal Machine Least Fav: Born To Be Wild
I didn't realize some of their lesser-known stuff was a little heavier. Kinda giving off Danzig vibes
ROCK.
Danzig vocals over AC/DC beats?
I preferred Love to this by a considerable margin, but it's still decent. The stripped down sound and "back to basics" approach is interesting, but it just sounds a bit generic to me. Three stars.
5/10… 80er hard rock / glam metal / *1987
Enjoyed this one more than I expected.
rick rubin
Kinda boring, but still better than a lot of generic rock.
Tongue in cheek rock n roll. ACDC to 11. Only passable because it isnt serious. I hope.
This album is the definition of a 3/5 album. Nothing here is bad, but man is it just okay at best. I discovered Love Removal Machine through guitar hero years ago and still enjoy that song, but every other song on this album is just a lesser version of that song. It is crazy how much every song sounds the same here. Mid 3.
I like all hard rock, so naturally I enjoyed this too, but as an album that you "should hear before you die" this felt rather bland.
Thought this was Billy Idol singing. It’s fine, but I definitely can’t take a full album of this straight through.
Solid rock album that feels anachronistic from two directions simultaneously. Too mystical for the glam era and too classic rock. Still pretty listenable.
2.75. This started strong but as it went on it kept sounding very "same-y" and I was bored/annoyed by the end of it.
It’s like the most stereotypical rock. Not bad, nothing of notice. 5/10
Sounds a little like senior skip day down at the creek with a cooler of beer and maybe a jazz cigarette. A little cheesy but played with feeling, fun to listen to. 3.8
Just another rock album
Classic rock album. Made me think of Fieldy
Yet another album I've never in a million years heard of. This cover obviously infers a hard rock or metal album, but that year of release is what's throwing me. I do know there's an Aerosmith album as well as one or two other 80s hard rock albums on the list, so I'll go strong with my prediction. On with the music. This was alright. If there's one thing I'll always be appreciative of when it comes to hard rock, it's that these albums are always short and sweet. It makes for an easy out whenever one of these things don't go my way. Such wasn't the case with this album, fortunately. It's easy, unpretentious fun, but man if it isn't derivative. Hard rock is already samey as is, yet this band really wear their influences on their sleeves. Not that I'm complaining. Those influences are, fortunately, pretty decent. The guitars are solid across the board, with plenty of punchy power chords and appropriate levels of growl. Good percussion, too. The pattering sound complements the methodical, billowing guitars without distracting from their focus. Decent vocals, too. Overall, yeah. This was a solid album. Book time. "Electric was the sound of The Cult abandoning their self-conscious indie-goth roots and making a memorable bid for stadium credibility." Rick Rubin produced this album, who I still don't have a feel for. In my as-of-yet unreleased review of Yeezus I mentioned that I thought Rick Rubin had always been a rock producer until I learned that he was more prominently known for producing hip-hop albums, yet here he is producing another rock album. Very elusive. "...their career peak." The album cover is a homage to Grateful Dead. "...the album stands tall on this list thanks to its array of shining singles." Rubin intended this album to be a departure from the "...English indie scene and its pussy jangly guitar sound", which is BASED in all caps no less. Wikipedia says this album was their best-performing release, charting for a total of 27 consecutive weeks in the UK. It was also well-received by critics, albeit only moderately. The album peaked at No. 4 in the UK yet found even more success in Canada, climbing up to No. 3. It had a respectable, yet more modest chart performances in the remaining Western countries and the same can be said about the few European countries where it charted. It didn't make any year-end charts at the time of release, but had somewhat of a resurgence in 2023, peaking at No. 58 on the Scottish charts and No. 19/No. 7 on the UK Indie/UK Rock & Metal charts. I'm split on this. I think 80s hard rock has an interesting place in music history, but I'm not knowledgeable enough about it to really understand why. It likely has something to do with the music remaining defiantly analogue at a time when digital production had completely engulfed popular music. Looking into it now, it seems that hard rock reached its commercial peak in the 1980s, whereas the acclaimed and influential bands primarily released their material in the 70s. I wasn't expecting that - I thought the genre would have been past its prime by the 80s. There's got to be a better example of a smash hit hard rock album from the 80s, though I don't mind this pick. If it's emblematic of where popular music was at during the time, then I think it can stay. I cosign this inclusion.
This was fine, electric guitar heavy. Enjoyable enough but nothing here is sticking with me
It was pretty fun but why is it on the list. Just put the one with she sells sanctuary on it if you have to
Nice guitar tone and the vocals work well too. If you are in the mood for some generic hard rock, this fits the bill! The two songs I know by The Cult - “She Sells Sanctuary” and “Rain” are not on this album. Both those songs are good and I didn’t find any good replacements on this album. This album just lacks any real hits. Generic rock, not bad but not on the levels as some of their contemporaries. Mid 3.
It was fine, no takeaways from me, but they did have some that sounded familiar. Nothing crazy, but not bad by any means.
For some reason, I thought The Cult was a goth band like The Cure? Wildly off on that one. Decent 80s hard rock.
Missed this band. Obviously didn’t miss much.
Another band I’ve never heard of, another curious selection for the 1001. Not much stands out from others of the same genre. I’m sure some of these tracks will end up on my 80’s rock playlist eventually.
The Cult is a weird band for me. Growing up, I didn't know if they were alt, metal, or Goth. Still kinda don't as they change looks quite a bit over the years. I like them, but I never think about listening to them. This is a solid record, but a little heavy on the cock rock for me.
Generally enjoy Cult but this album is too generic. Rick Rubin ruined their sound in an attempt to make them more popular. Still has a few great songs and the musicianship is still there.
It was fine. 3*
After rejecting an initial album (released years later) they teamed up with Rick Rubin (fresh from Slayer) and created a sound more akin to AC/DC and ZZ top than the more 'Goth' approach of 'she sells sanctuary'. The drums almost sound like demo recordings they're so organic. There is a lacklustre Steppenwolf cover and a better single in 'love removal machine'. I remain unconvinced by this band as the real deal and Ian Astbury was a distinctive yet limited rock voice. Memories, but not of total musical excellence.
I think you have to be in the right mood and frame of mind to listen to more than three Cult songs in a row. Many breaks taken to finish off this album.
2.75 - Decent. Not what I expected.
whats the difference between this and any 80s hard rock albums 3/5
iconic rock
I'm surprised a Cult album is on the list. I'm sure it's been mentioned before, but Love is probably the better choice. Most of this is solid rock and roll with some great leads, but what were they thinking with that lame Born To Be Wild cover??? Liked Songs Added: Wild Flower Love Removal Machine
The bangers bang as much as any top tier rock can, but the majority of the songs here are "just fine". That said, this album still has more than enough vibes, tunes, riffs and elemental rock and roll to carry it! They gained some energy and focus here, but misses the superior songwriting of their previous and next albums. Did the world really need another cover of Born To Be Wild by this point? Favourite tracks: Wild Flower, Lil Devil, Love Removal Machine
Not my cup of tea, but it's refreshing to hear some hard rock that isn't wildly misogynist and/or racist.
pretty nice
veel van t zelfde maar leuk. rifje van Love Romoval Machine is dezelfde als Start Me UP?!??
wel leuk opzich
Always have a soft spot for The Cult. If this album had “Fire Woman” on it I’d be forced to give star it.
Good straight ahead rock
They sound like they're having fun but it's too much shouting without nice sounds.
makese miss the old cult :(
Pretty generic tbh
fine
Very generic 80s hard rock and their Goth stuff is much better...having sad that, Ian Astbury's vocals always sound good and that helped here
love their goth era but this is meh
I love The Cult but this is nothing compared to Love, where’s that on this list?
Very good and then that cover of born to be wild spoiled it
Fine. I don’t mind this kind of thing, but I generally prefer it to be more interesting
Generic hard rock
The Cult! Awesome! She Sells Sanctuary, Rain, this is going to be great cheesy rock fun. . . . It's not Love? Okay, okay, I can understand that. Then it must be Sonic Temple. Fire Woman, Sweet Soul Sister - the fuck you mean Electric? Because reasons? Because Rick Rubin? Did the editor actually listen to these albums or just pick shit he likes, bands he has to include to be relevant, and things that sound important to him (i.e. the one album from an uber-popular band that was produced by a famous guy)? FML, now I have to rate an album with no business on the list from a band that absolutely should be on the list. And I have no idea if Love or Sonic Temple will appear later. Sigh. Influence 2. Hits 3. Quality 2. Intangibles 4. It's still The Cult, but I'd skip this one in the rotation. Ugh. 3.
British rock (hard?). It's okay.
Instrumental Toe tapper Vocals
It's Electric ... I'll give it that! I enjoy the Cult, I really do, but I have not really taken a deep dive into their discography. I know the songs that were on the radio, but not much else. One day I will do that deep dive and maybe earn this album another star. This album is good, its also just sounds like a well produced Rick Rubin rock album from 1987. So I kind of need to listen to what came before as a reference. But still a fun listen, especially of course, Love Removal Machine.
I don't love this, but it's ok.
perfect length
hard rockin 80s tunes
Fairly generic 80’s hard rock. It’s a genre that doesn’t seem to have aged well. I don’t dislike the album but didn’t think there was anything too special about it.
A little slice of 80s rock that isn't all that groundbreaking nor influential. What makes this album more important than anything made by Great White Lion Snake or even Winger? Nothing....not terrible, but a must listen?
Honestly, not the biggest fan of this one. Just seems a little bit too much of your standard "cookie-cutter" 80s rock. 2.5 bumped up to 3.
I’m at a 3.5 that I’ll bump down to a 3, even though I did enjoy a lot of this. It’s just too safe, really. I appreciate an album that knows what genre it is, what strengths they have, and how to consistently execute it. Hard rock just requires a little more variety behind it, and unless you’re AC/DC and can get away with it in dazzling fashion like on “Highway to Hell”, it needs a bit more variety than what’s present here. I do like all of these tracks, don’t get me wrong, but as an album experience, the level of focus needed to enjoy this album is rather minimal, which is the same amount of focus put into the lyrics. They’re practically useless here, acting as a gateway for the vocals. The vocals are good, but Ian Astbury never really leaves his specific range, leaving each track just too similar by the halfway point of the album. The guitar & percussion work are good, but there’s such a minimal focus on extra flair (driven by Rick Rubin’s production choice to cut out every effect other than the wah-wah pedal) that each track feels a bit more devoid for ‘80s rock. I mean, it really does just boil down to feeling “too safe” – if you’re not throwing a little more at the wall, all you’re doing is spinning the wheel. I’m not opposed to spinning the wheel, since not EVERYTHING has to feel reinvented, but if 90% of your album is spinning the wheel at the same pace without even a slower track involved (or a hyper-fast one), then you’ve accidentally just made a Merry-Go-Round. It’s a fun ride, but if you’re on a merry-go-round for too long, the appeal will fade, and unfortunately, it fades here to the point of dropping down to a 3. It has all the potential in the world; cut a few tracks, be a little riskier here & there, or just do literally anything different, and it’d probably be a strong 4. It just doesn’t do enough to make itself feel like a classic, and ultimately, it doesn’t do anything special enough to feel like it’s worth being on the list. I did enjoy it, but… yeah, it’s just a 3. A higher 3, mind you, but just a 3.
Average.
Really not my cup of tea, but I can see its appeal
- not bad but not great, not a sound I never heard before; very generic classic rock - les guitar riffs sont vrm catchy tho - meilleure chanson: wildflower
Good
I am, more than anything, confused about this album. Why is it here? Like, on this list but also in the world in general. Why did the band that made she sells sanctuary suddenly sell out and become ac/dc lite in the late 80s? Are any of these songs actually popular or do they just feel familiar to me because they lift riffs from other, better songs? Why did they feel a need to cover steppenwolf? Overall, none of these songs were particularly special in any way, but I did like what I heard 3/5.
そもそもハードロックをほとんど聞いてきていないので興味深く聴いた。典型的なハードロックの中でも高品質だからこのリストに乗ってるんだと思うけど、あまり面白くないアルバムだなと感じた。ジャンルが好きな人にとってはシンプルな楽器隊が一周回って良いという感じなのだろうか。 このアルバムのレビューでよく引き合いに出されているAC/DCを自分は一切聞いたことないんだけど、AC/DC聞く前にこれを先に聞いていいのか？
Really fun 80s rock album. Really enjoyed it.
While I appreciate getting a British band doing glam metal American-style (apparently courtesy of Rick Rubin), I'm not at all surprised this album didn't last through all that many editions of the "1001 Albums" book. Despite Rubin's insistence that they model themselves after AC/DC and Zeppelin on this album, nearly every track reminded me more of a kind of anemic version of Guns N'Roses (probably more for how similar Ian Astbury's voice is to Axl Rose). There's nothing wrong with their take on 80s hard rock, but there's also very little to distinguish them, aside from what one (modern) reviewer hilariously (and perhaps a bit unkindly) described as "one of history's worst versions of 'Born to Be Wild.'" Kind of interesting to read the tortured path Astbury and company went to get from Southern Death Cult to Death Cult to just "The Cult", as well as the evolution of their sound from muddy doom-punk to muddy heavy metal to less-muddy glam rock.
Is necessary, yet, dangerous.
5/10 Best songs: Wild Flower, Outlaw A perfectly fine album. Very '80s rock vibes: heavy bass, lots of drums, yelling/forceful singing. There really aren't any standout songs. It's just kind of... average, honestly.
At least it's not Appetite for Destruction.
Added kudos for the Yorkshire connection. Strays too far into rawk for my liking.
I actually kind of liked it… This kind of music definitely has its place in the world.
Classic 80s Rock ... but British (Points deducted)
Enjoyed it. 3.5/5
Some good drumming
I though it was good but it just wasn't special. I feel like it blends into every other rock album in a kind of unmemorable way with no stand out hits, however, I did listen again to see whether it was one of those albums that needs some repetition to make an impact, but having done that I still feel exactly the same way. Slightly disappointed as this is the kind of music I normally really enjoy and this one came up short.
Not the biggest fan but got into it by the end
Ahh
6/10 straight forward 80's rock with a cool name 1-2-2025
classic rock album
Nothing here to really dislike, but it's like exactly what you think of when you think of 80s hard rock. I mean it's totally fine, but it's totally forgettable.
Overall: 5/10 I wouldn't say this album is terrible, but it's incredibly bland and generic. There were very few moments of energetic excitement for me. It's honestly like an even blander version of late era AC/DC. The high points were pretty great though, the guitar solos are much better than the riffs. Fav Song: Love Removal Machine
Decent, like a C-tier Def Leppard. "Aphrodisiac Jacket" sounds like White Room by Cream
I can't explain it, but I find The Cult to be both very distinct and very generic sounding. The "Born to be Wild" cover cements that.
Decent stuff
Serviceable rock
its fine.
Electric is The Cult at their most stripped-down and muscle-bound, but also at their least interesting. The AC/DC-by-way-of-Rick-Rubin approach delivers blunt, crunchy riffs and plenty of swagger, yet the album rarely rises above competent hard rock pastiche. Ian Astbury’s charisma carries a lot of the weight, and there are moments where the raw energy hits just right, but too many tracks blur together into mid-tempo stompers that feel interchangeable. It’s not bad—just aggressively generic, especially when compared to the atmosphere and ambition of the band’s other work. Solid background rock, but far from essential.
I used to be a lot more into that back in the days. But it's still OK. Solid rock music with a glam vibe.
Good old rock and roll.
always overrated for me
Decent listen.
Listened June 2022 Solid hard rock record but not really much here for me.
Boring dad rock, but good enough that I didn’t need to turn it off. I do fw a mean tambourine tho
Interesting record, but a little samey, a little macho, a little Tenacious D
OK.
Interesting album, because while Ian Astbury's distinctive vocals tell you that you're listening to The Cult, the musical style is a throwback to the 1970s and you can definitely hear starins of Led Zeppelin. Nothing really grabbed my attention though. As for their cover of Steppenwolf's "Born to Be Wild" being the worst ever according to one critic, I disagree - musically it's good but it's let down by the insipid vocals which are devoid of any feeling.
fun album and a great word to describe it is consistent. lots of fun guitars and drums and has a cohesive sound with some replayable tracks in my liked songs
It sounds pretty good but also pretty middle of the road? I don't think there's anything worth returning to here really but I wouldn't turn it off, just sounds pretty generic now.
Des bons riffs mais on dirait une longue chanson. Peu de variété
not my kind of music anymore, but well done.
It’s ok
This is them getting pretty mainstream but I like ‘Love’ better
This album is fine for what it is, hard rock from the 80’s. There’s nothing that stands out or makes this an album I would think you need to hear before you die. I understand there are going to be plenty of albums on here that I don’t like because it’s just not my style, but some are just baffling in their banality. This album is one of those.
The rock music is good and the bravado of the lead singer fits in nicely. I don’t see anything overly special about this album that would make it a must-listen but it’s not bad either.
Happy to see The Cult on the list, always liked them, although never liked them enough to buy the cassette. Instead, they were the cassette I'd borrow from a friend to dub a copy of. Couple of classic bangers on here, Wild Flower and Love Removal Machine. Rest of the album is solid 80s hard rock, good stuff. I question why this album and not either Love, which has their biggest hit, or Sonic Temple which has loads of bangers and is far better than Electric. Not sure if we'll have another Cult album, but doubt we'll get two more so including Electric isn't my favorite choice. Solid album regardless, enjoyed listening.
Not a huge “classic rock” fan but this was solid. Felt like sitting in a biker bar in the late 80s
Classic divorced dad rock, pretty nice.
The Cult, I believe, are the band or musicians actually on this list who originated or lived closest to where I live. I’ve got to whisper this but that location is Bradford. Despite it being the capital of culture 2025 it is a bit of a dismal place to live. Thankfully I don’t live there but in a place where the band Embrace live. In fact I can wave to the band’s drummer from my bedroom window. It is a gross mis-justice that Embrace do not feature on this list as they are head and shoulders better and more deserving than a lot of what does actually appear on the list and that includes The Cult. This album is standard MOR mid 80’s radio friendly rock. Which surprised me because I always thought of them as producing Goth rock type stuff. But overall not a bad way to spend an hour but not an album I will return to. Worth a top end two stars but as they are from Bradford and despite its present state it is a place I have very fond memories of I will promote it to three. 3/5 3/12/25
youtube links didnt' work mostly, what I heard didn't wow me
Quite cool. Same line as ACDC, Airbourne, etc.
3.4 stars rounded down
It’s fine, doesn’t stand out to me, but doesn’t do anything that’s bad
This felt like a perfectly enjoyable rock album, but I’m unsure on what about it necessitated its placement on this list. I’d consider it a cool find if I discovered it organically, but there’s nothing on here that Kiss or a similar band weren’t doing a good decade prior.
...
6.5/10
3.0
I've never heard a whole Cult album before. I've heard this first one. I like the dudes voice, and I like the name Cult for a band.
Great Rock album if that's what you're into. I didn't know about The Cult but it's like a comically rock band name for the 70's. Like this is the shit that parents were freaking out about their good Christian children listening to in the 70's and 80's.
5 Not big love for this but did not hate it
Not bad but the most stand out song here is "born to be wild" and it's not a good song to be your standout
Pretty solid rock album. Highlights: "Peace Dog" and "Memphis Hip Shake"
The Cult turned into the caffe latte of pub rock covers bands and this album is the proof.
Like an hybrid between Led Zeppelin and AC/DC and possibly every heavy rock band you’ve ever heard. Not particularly original but reasonably effective
This is not a top album from this band. Gone are the goth / industrial intrigue, replaced with late 80's guitar riffs. Still a solid band for the era!
Not a lot of variety, many of the songs sounded the same, but that sound was ok
It was fine. Simpsons: No
So middle of the road I couldn’t tell if this was a 3 star or a 1 star. I’ll be generous
Mid review for mid metal. 3/5
Stock standard rock but sounds great
It's derivative as hell, but it's undeniable fun. And given the period (and Rubin's own list of crimes), produced/mixed very well.
Nochmal hören Rock
I enjoyed this. Not sure when I’ll play it again though.
Bit samey and not really my genre of choice.
Enjoyed this more than I thought I would. Listen, it's rock. It's pretty uninspiring but it's fun at times. It's basically AC/DC without the really annoying vocals, and that's alright by me. & I do dig that chugging bass sound. 6 / 10 Best track/s: Peace Dog, Bad Fun
A onako mi je album hard rock doordi
Pretty good rock album. Doesn't feel super dated, but definitely has a little bit of hair band vibes. Enjoyable. 6/10
It’s a rock album. You could tell there influences, (ac/dc , zeppelin) but overall I didn’t feel like they had their own sound. It was just sort of vanilla
I liked the song peace dog. It was vocally interesting. The songs overall were pretty good, but I wouldn't seek them out.
It's meh, I wouldn't pay to see them live nor would I ever go out of my way to buy or put on an album of theirs. But nothing offensively shit and some of the solos, riffs etc were actually pretty good.
I've been a big fan of The Cult for decades. Personally, I would have included LOVE and SONIC TEMPLE on this list as well. Anyone who thinks they are a AC/DC derivative or just another pub rock band, is not listening closely enough. Faves: "Wild Flower", " Peace Dog", "Lil' Devil", and "Love Removal Machine"
3 absolute bangers and 8 of the most deeply mediocre rock-by-numbers filler tracks you'll ever hear in your life. Can't give it more than three stars in good conscience.
Another album the English are begging the rest of the world to take seriously. Unfortunately for them, in the USA, we are up to our tits in generic rock bands. Coming out in '86, I can't even say these guys were ahead of the curve.
It was kind of fun but it also kind of sucks too
Better than average dumb 80s rock, bit it's still dumb 80s rock.
When this album was first released, I remember thinking, “What the fuck happened to The Cult?” Listening to it today, I feel similarly. It did make me go back and listen to their earlier albums just to convince myself I wasn’t crazy, so I did technically get something out of it. The Cult are great musicians and their earlier work was compelling post punk and gothic mashups. This album was their first foray into a more mainstream hard rock or metal sound. It isn’t bad, but it sure isn’t great either. To save anyone who feels similarly, it only gets worse from here. This is actually a tough one for me to rate. There so pretty damn good guitar playing and again most songs are not bad there are just much better examples of what The Cult is trying to do here, maybe 2.5*.
Unexpectedly enjoyed this.
1985's Love is a foundational text in the Kyle Ryan Alternative Awakening, but for whatever reason, I never really heard Electric. I was super psyched when Sonic Temple came out, even though it sounded so different. Electric would've eased the transition between Love and Sonic Temple for me. I prefer the gothier Love vs. the RAWK of Electric, Sonic Temple, and what followed, but I still like this. Ian Astbury has a great voice, though he's never had much to say lyrically, and Billy Duffy is one of the guitar greats. I would deduct a star for the inessential cover of "Born to Be Wild," but I'm not that petty.
Well this was a 4 then it somehow dragged on too long and an odd choice to cover Magic Carpet Ride happened. 3
7/10 Favourite: Wild Flower Least Favourite: King Contrary Man
Shit hot cock rock from England, better than almost anything I heard coming from that Sunset Strip scene of hair metal poodles in the 80s. Hard, fast, loud, kinda lame but pure 100% rockin! Big dumb fun, and sometimes that's all you need. Fun fact: the guitarrist used to be in a band with Morrissey. Small world! Best song: ¨Outlaw¨
I think these guys like to fuck. If you put “80s Rock” into a really good AI generator, it’d spit out a reasonable facsimile of this album. Nothing particularly original but it’s a lot of fun. Most of the songs are built off of great little riffs, they would’ve been a blast to see live in a smallish venue in the 80s.
3.4 yeahh-aha-ahs out of 5. I dont think the cult really gets their due now-a-days (for the first three albums at least). For this rock offering, I thinks its pretty solid. Duffy's guitar work is really great and there are a ton of good riffs throughout. Ian Astbury seems like a pretty cool frontman. The few singles stand out and the rest is fine besides born to be wild which sure drags
This was pretty easy to listen to. Not a single track stood out, though. Favourite Track(s): King Contrary Man, Memphis Hip Snake Least Favourite Track(s): Outlaw
Couple good guitar solos - nothing I will choose to listen to again
A very good album but I need to pull back on the number of starts so I can reserve the 4 and 5 stars for true standouts. These guys absolutely have a very recognizable sound and catchy tunes but nothing that ever made them a favorite... Unlike my friend Kiok who is a big fan. Still sort of shocking The Stones never called them out on copying Start Me Up for the opening riff of Love Removal Machine. A fun listen for sure but nothing about it blows me away musically or vocally.
I can't listen to The Cult without thinking of Beavis and Butthead talking about tattoos (I wish I had been born with one). I wanted to be dismissive of this album but ended up listening to it four times. Minus the unnecessary Born to Be Wild cover, it really grew on me.
I did not appreciate The Cult enough when I was younger. They weren’t as heavy as the other metal bands that I was listening to at the time. As I’ve gotten older, I realized what a great band they are. 3.5 stars
It's fine, it's just not my thing.
I'll never complain about hearing these songs but, equally, I wouldn't seek them out.
This band is great. A blend of of AC/DC and van Halen, but i might like it s little better than either of those bands? The singer’s voice is memorable. The instrumentation is well-executed and muscular. Not quite a 4, but a strong 3.
It’s weird hearing Ian Astbury sing on an AC/DC record. Still not a bad record, though. Has a few gems.
Hair metal is not usually my thing, although Born to Be Wild is an all-time classic, and it's nigh impossible not to nod to it. Nice work, guys.
imagine a rock album. yeah this is it
This was pretty boring. I'm not familiar with this band or if they had a significant impact on anything, but I wasn't particularly enthusiastic about the sound. It's in the same vein as other hard-rock from the era (AC/DC seems to be a relevant reference), not super imaginative. Everything felt very obvious, maybe a good time at a bar, but not so much an attentive listen.
The most generic 80s rock album imaginable.
Hardrock Enthält "Born to be Wild", das gefällt mir aber besser von Steppenwolf.
solid album
Dad rock. As energetic and yelly as you’d expect. I enjoyed how the singer let himself be taken away in “Electric Ocean,” really gave the song the electricity they were looking for I bet. All solid songs, no complaints.
Fairly by the numbers hard rock from 1987, but not unpleasant. I think they should have included their previous album, Love, as opposed to this one, but I understand the logic. This is the one that propelled the Cult to stardom.
Solid,high energy. Reminded me a bit of Aerosmith in places. Like the singers voice. 3*
It is serious Rock, but it isn't exactly 'Love' ('85). They probably come closest on "Love Removal Machine." It's not an unlistenable record; it embodies the driving sound of the genre, but, really, so much so that this one doesn't really stand out amongst the crowd.
Not bad but l preferred their previous album
Didn't do too much for me, but maybe if I'd grown up listening to it it would have been different
Not much uniqueness here
Not a patch on its predecessor, fun nonetheless. More commercial and rock oriented, The Cult discovered ACDC’s chords laying around and used them to good effect.
pretty nice 80s rock but doesn't stand out to me.
Solid rock-album with nothing remarkable on. Just because of "Love Removal Machine" I give it weak three stars. 2,5
A raw, stripped-down hard rock sound full of swagger and muscle, driven by blues-based riffs, pounding rhythms, and snarling, soaring vocals.
Cool rock album although I wouldn't listen to it on a regular basis.
I was not previously familiar with this album. This is some good guitar rock. Nothing here is remarkable, but it's good for what it is. I would listen again because I enjoy rock.
Not the best Cult album, but
Perhaps it’s a generational thing, but every song on this record sounds, to me, like “She Sells Sanctuary”, just with different tempos. Ian Astbury… great singer, but he’s found a style and stuck with it. Great pipes, not much depth.
Run of the mill hard rock, kinda like budget AC/DC. Not bad, but not super memorable either.
Not bad, but very generic hard rock at a time when everything had already been done
Meh
not bad
Not bad, but unremarkable
Mid. Perfectly fine, but nothing really stands out here.
Me gustó, muy notorio y bien aplicado el rock de época, me gustó la tapa que también denota la época del lanzamiento del album
Didn’t hate it but did get bored, this whole album is like one long song
This was cool. I listened while hungover so that almost killed me but worth running back
Enjoyed it, but almost certainly won’t go back to it either.
Very good.
Really old school rock
Siento que si bien suena genial y poderoso, no es nada nuevo? Siento que no logra destacar. Nota: 2.9
really classic-rock vibe..., not a huge fan of this specific genre but i enjoyed it nonetheless
This chugs along nicely. Nods to the likes of AC/DC, Skynyrd, ZZ Top.
I like the Cult. I Enjoyed Aphrodisiac Jacket off this one.
Generic blunt dad rock. The cult has better albums that this one
Not a bad album, but definitely lacks in quality. At least it was easy to get through. 2.5/5 Probably won’t listen again
Its certainly rock 'n' roll. It is perfectly fine, but I have no clue why its on this list
Nothing memorable, but enjoyed it 3/5
In paper, The Cult should be one of my favorite bands. They are a hard rock group with a gothic sensitivity. However, I haven't really clicked with them apart from their most iconic singles. This is a fun album to listen to, but I can't actually recognize most of the songs.
That was certainly an album
review en español cause idgaf Buen álbum, no el mejor de su estilo en la historia pero si alguien lo pone no me quejaría
i’m disappointed in myself for hearing born to be wild and thinking “it’s the og pamper’s commercial song!”
Vibes asl but I lowk got distracted
Very generic but listenable.
It was good! Not something I'd listen to again necessarily but I enjoyed it.
Don't know why I didn't get into these at the time, think I could have done. But listening to them now, well, they seem a bit tame. It's not bad. I would probably buy it, but mainly because I feel I should have something in my collection. It was a pleasant listen, but I still don't understand the lizard in a bottle.
next up is honestly a pretty straightforward 1980s metal rock album. I can only describe it as metal at its true foundations, distorted guitars and bass, hard hitting drums and loud vocals. what else would you need realistically? in the past these guys started off leaning towards more new wave and alternative endeavors; this entry switches it off for something more simple. the songs are objectively good but it doesn't really stick out to me. that's the only thing preventing me from rating it high, really. it's incredibly earnest, but unremarkable. i've heard at least a few bands that sound exactly like these guys.
Some good riffs amongst a very average rock record
Otro de tantos discos mediocres de hard rock de los 80... ¿A quién se le ocurre versionar Born to be Wild?
Good hard rock album. I see no reason to go any further with my review
Good
🐣🤷♂️
Excellent 80's rock with outstanding vocals. Hard to describe but the singer is really going for it on every line of every song, putting everything he has behind it. It's not something that I would listen to all the time but great for a party mix or when a higher energy mood hits. This is probably what my older sister was listening to when I was a kid, causing my dad to yell at her to turn it down.
1. Wild Flower - 9 Vocals are alright on this track. It has a solid intro and a great guitar solo on the bridge. It's very very of it's era. The late 80s kind of hard yet still pop rock style that appeared out of Britain, also found in artists like Billy Idol. Overall, an enjoyable track. 2. Peace Dog - 6 Instrumentally it's good but lyrically it's a bit lost. It's hard to follow and even harder to understand. 3. Lil' Devil - 7 Bit repetitive but much better and easier to follow than the last track. Lyrically you'll find yourself singing along to the chorus quite a bit. Guitar rounds great on this track. 4. Aphrodisiac Jacket - 9 Song starts well enough. Lyrically it's a bit all over the place but the pausing in the middle of the song feels very unnecessary. Guitar solo is great though as are the drums and the supporting guitar. Really instrumentally a very enjoyable listen. 5. Electric Ocean - 3 Lyrically and instrumentally this song is uninspiring. It's a pass over track. The words have no meaning. Pair this with the fact that the sound isn't as good as the rest on the album and you get a kind of very boring song. 6. Bad Fun - 7 It's a fun song. Lyrically it's a bit simple in it's messaging, which is a theme for the album but the drum line is really fun on this track and the guitar compliments that stutter in between lines brilliantly. Chorus is a lot of fun. Overall a solid track. 7. King Contrary Man - 5 Chorus is boring. Guitar solo is enjoyable. The way the bass guitar is on this reminds me almost of Highway Star by Deep Purple but without a lot of the fun that made that track a classic. The bridge on this track is dull. 8. Love Removal Machine - 4 Elevator music kind of song. Boring, nonsensical, absolutely a pass over track. Guitar solo is the only enjoyable part of the track. 9. Born To Be Wild - 10 An all time classic. Great guitar, brilliant lyrics, awesome track. Not much more needs to be said about it. 10. Outlaw - 10 Another awesome track and the best on the album. Guitar sounds so great with the tempo it leads the track with. Also has a great ending. 11. Memphis Hip Shake - 3 Annoying song. The first half of it very average in both sound and song. Then you get to the ending and it's monotonously repetitive to the point where you're ready for the track to just end. Average Rating: 6.64 Adjusted to a 5-Point Scale: 3.32 Rounded Down: 3
Doesn't raise any bar but still a fun 80s rock romp
= The Beatles
zwei bis drei
I don't really get the hate for this album. Yeah it may not be the best from The Cult but it's a solid rocker. The cover of Born To Be Wild is kind of bad and unnecessary. This may not be a life changing album for anyone but I liked it. Peace Dog and Aphrodisiac Jacket are the two that stand out to me. I think their more gothic-centered stuff is better for sure. This album is pretty straightforward and simple but has some great elements. The guitars are great. Drums sound huge. Good vocals. 80s rock isn't everyone's favorite, myself included, but I liked this album well enough. 3.5/5 but rounding down because it's not good enough to round up.
It’s cool, I like the sound Rick Rubin finds. But this dudes voice might as well be AI generated. He’s boring.
This album is good. The rhythm guitar has more than a passing similarity to AC/DC. Ian Astbury is a powerful singer, but I think these songs are meant to be experienced live. The singles are catchy, the rest rocks, but is a bit forgettable.
Hard Rock wie aus der AI, aber echt weil damals voll in. Gefällt mir, aber halt etwas verstaubt.
Plutôt correct rock
That album listed a whole lot of ass, but I feel like they've got better ones out there.