Choice of Weapon from The Cult – CD Review

Choice of Weapon from The Cult (signed by Ian Astbury)

Read our exclusive Ian Astbury interview in support of this album here.

May 16 2012 – The Cult are set to release a brand new record on May 22, 2012 entitled Choice of Weapon. The record was written by vocalist Ian Astbury and guitarist Billy Duffy (both are founding members of the band) and recorded in New York City, Los Angeles, the California high desert, and the band’s Witch Mountain studios in the Hollywood Hills between July and December 2011. The current incarnation of The Cult has Astbury and Duffy joined by drummer John Tempesta and bassist Chris Wyse. An interesting sidebar to this record is that the band used 2 different producers for the final product – first Chris Goss laid the foundations and then Bob Rock put on the finishing touches. The press release we received claimed: “the album’s 10 tracks, reveal the band at its rawest and most visceral, encapsulating cinematic visions and themes of love, revolt and redemption…. It reflects the current discontent and destruction of our eco systems, the search for individual meaning against a tide of rampant materialism, narcissism and disconnected lives.”

Wow – that’s some deep stuff. We have had this album for about 6 weeks now and will review it track by track to see if we agree with the above claim.

The Cult

Track 1: Honey From A Knife – The first song on a record is perhaps the most important. You only get one chance at a first impression, and the first song is the band’s chance to grab the listener. The Cult picked well here as hard thumping rock kicks off the album and within seconds we hear Astbury’s remarkably distinctive voice. “I‘m running down Lafayette, my bloody shirt soaked through, I was beaten and confused…” Great up tempo rocker with a sense of urgency and the song ends with the statement of  “Fucked up children“

Track 2: Elemental Light – This song brings the tempo down a bit (but not the raw energy). It builds up continually with beautiful interplay between Duffy’s guitars and the ever thumping back end. The chorus is simply “Elemental Light, you’re beautiful, youre beautiful” in a powerful and hypnotic tone.

Track 3: The Wolf – Fairly standard rocker. Steady drum and bass thumping through the song with Astbury and Duffy playing on each other. The chorus is not the strongest on the album and this one is best enjoyed on headphones rather than cruising with it cranked to 11.

Track 4: Life > Death – Oh yea! The sweet melodic beginning sets a different pace from the first 3 songs. “You Break the man, leave his shell on the ground,” is the opening line of this slow burner that really highlights Astbury’s impressive vocals. Without a doubt one of the best songs on the album for its raw emotion. This song really takes a hold of you and touches you the way good music is supposed to.

Track 5: For The Animals – First single from the album and the absolute best choice. This is The Cult at its rocking best. Addictive chorus, piano accompanying the beat, classic Duffy guitar solo, a mid song slow down with the lyrics “For all the children, staring down at the barrel of a gun.” This song should be on every rock radio station on the planet, and if you only hear one song from the album make it this one. No holds barred heavy rock.

Track 6: Amnesia – Continuing where For The Animals left off in energy, Amnesia is more good rock. Lacking an addictive chorus this one wont make it to radio but that is a good thing. It leaves hidden gems for listeners of this album to explore. Great instrumental ending with nicely layered guitars over the bumping rhythm.

Track 7: Wilderness Now – Another slower song, but not as gripping as Life > Death. Not a bad song but the bar is set high with Track 4. Slowly builds up at the end of the song but then quickly slows back down.

Track 8: Lucifer – This song was available as a free download well before the album was released to give people a taste of things to come. This is a great song which will leave people guessing why The Cult is singing about the devil (which they aren’t of course).” It actually has a very positive connotation” Astbury said about the song. Really good combination of the music and the vocals that make this song neither too heavy or too soft.

Track 9: A Pale Horse – Vocals, music, vocals, music is how this one starts with some cool interplay with Astbury and the rest of the band. Duffy’s guitars really shine on this one with Astbury toning down the rawness during the chorus parts.

Track 10: This Night In The City Forever – Grab really good headphones and close your eyes for this one. I promise you will be transported somewhere. Hypnotic slower song with Astbury casting a spell with his voice. Clearly a Doors/Jim Morrison influence on this song and one would be hard pressed to distinguish which band is playing. Excellent climax at the last quarter of the song signalling the end of “The Choice Of Weapon” journey.

When we asked Ian Astbury how he would define success for this record he answered in the form of a question –  “Does it resonate, and is there a place for it?” It most certainly resonates and there is a place for it in 2012 as much as there was a place for Electric in 1987. Our top three tracks are Life > Death, For the Animals and This Night In The City Forever.

Verdict: 5 out of 5. The Cult have delivered the goods regardless of whether you are into the band’s deep philosophies or not – this is one damn good heavy rock album that happens to also be blessed with lyrics that matter. Destined to be on the next iteration of T-Mak World’s Top 10 albums of the year.

Track Listing: Honey from a Knife / Elemental Light / The Wolf / Life > Death / For The Animals /Amnesia / Wilderness Now / Lucifer / A Pale Horse / This Night In The City Forever