Electric (The Cult album)

Infobox Album |
Name = Electric
Type = Album
Artist = The Cult


Released = April 1987
Recorded =
Genre = Hard rock
Length = 38:51
Label = Beggars Banquet
Producer = Rick Rubin
Reviews =
* Allmusic Rating|4.5|5 [http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:51867ue0h0j3 link]
*"Rolling Stone" (mixed) [http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/thecult/albums/album/230279/review/6067916/electric link]
Last album = "Love" (1985)
This album = "Electric" (1987)
Next album = "Sonic Temple" (1989)

"Electric" is the pivotal third album by The Cult. Released in 1987, the album marked a deliberate stylistic change in the band from a goth to a hard rock group. Rick Rubin, the producer on "Electric", had been specifically hired to remake the band's sound.

The "Manor Sessions"

After the breakthrough success of their second album, "Love", the Cult began working on a follow-up to build on their success. In the summer of 1986, they recorded twelve tracks at the Manor Studio in Oxfordshire. These "Manor Sessions" were overseen by Steve Brown, who had produced "Love". The twelve tracks were to be the basis of a new album, tentatively entitled "Peace". However, on completion of the recording sessions, the band decided that they were unhappy with the sound, and looked for a new producer.

The band went on to re-record the entire third album with producer Rick Rubin, with a slightly different track-list and running order. These new recordings became the album that was released, "Electric".

Although all twelve of the "Manor Sessions" tracks were scrapped initially, four of them would turn up as B-sides to singles from "Electric". A further five of them appeared on a limited edited compact disc EP. Eventually, with the release of the "Rare Cult (boxed set)" in 2000, the rest of the unreleased Steve Brown-produced album was made available.

Track listing

All songs written by Ian Astbury and Billy Duffy, except where noted.
# "Wild Flower" – 3:39
# "Peace Dog" – 3:35
# "Lil' Devil" – 2:48
# "Aphrodisiac Jacket" – 4:10
# "Electric Ocean" – 2:50
# "Bad Fun" – 3:33
# "King Contrary Man" – 3:32
# "Love Removal Machine" – 4:17
# "Born to Be Wild" (Mars Bonfire) – 3:55
# "Outlaw" – 2:52
# "Memphis Hipshake" – 4:00

"Manor Sessions" / "Peace" track listing

All tracks appeared on "Rare Cult" in 2000. Tracks 1, 2, 5, 6, and 10 first appeared on "The Manor Sessions" EP in 1988. Tracks 7-9, and 11 were issued as b-sides to singles from the "Electric" album in 1987.
# "Love Removal Machine"
# "Wild Flower"
# "Peace Dog"
# "Aphrodisiac Jacket"
# "Electric Ocean"
# "Bad Fun"
# "Conquistador"
# "Zap City"
# "Love Trooper"
# "Outlaw"
# "Groove Co."
# "Walk My Way" (originally an untitled jam session)

Trivia

*The song "Bad Fun" appeared on Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 4.
*The Song "Wildflower" was featured in the soundtrack to the British film The Business.

Personnel

*Ian Astbury – vocals
*Billy Duffy – Guitar
*Jamie Stewart – Bass guitar
*Les Warner – drums