The Cult released their third album, Electric, on this day in 1987.
After delving into the new wave genre with their first two LPs, their next project would emerge as a straight ahead hard rock effort.
The band had enjoyed commercial success with the hit single She Sells Sanctuary from Love. Other prominent songs include Rain and Revolution which gained popularity on the Top 40 singles chart in the UK.
The style of Electric struck listeners instantly with its riff-driven songs rather than gothic post-punk. Many were quick to compare their distinctive tone to AC/DC in terms of songwriting and attitude. However, they would rise above the label with future albums carrying their own weight such as Sonic Temple and Beyond Good And Evil.
The fans were not the only ones who noticed the band’s shift in musical sound. Engineer Tony Platt admitted that producer Rick Rubin had a few bands in mind when creating the album. “Well, he’s getting the guitar sounds from Back in Black, the drum sound from Highway to Hell and the voice sound from Led Zeppelin!” a studio assistant said.
While a then unknown Guns N Roses were producing their debut, Appetite For Destruction, and Aerosmith was paving a new era in their career, The Cult had taken a similar path as Mötley Crüe with both of their albums having a like minded approach. A stripped down rock album was the perfect contribution for 1987 and it wouldn’t be their last to make that kind of impression.
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