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Music Reviews

The Cult’s “Sonic Temple 30” Review

 

Like Metallica, R.E.M., and so many other bands who hit their stride in the ’80s, The Cult have been systematically reissuing their classic albums in grand style. The latest of which, 1989’s Sonic Temple, is being celebrated with Sonic Temple 30, which is available as a 5CD set, a digital edition, an 8LP vinyl version, a 2LP vinyl edition, and a limited boxed set that has 3LPs and a cassette. But while it has a lot of great music beyond just the album, the necessity of this Cult collection really depends on how diligent you’ve been since the ’80s.

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Music

15 Best Live Albums You’ve Never Heard

 

Ever since I got into music in the late-’70s, I’ve been a big fan of live albums. But I’m also very particular when it comes to them; I only like them if they’re organic, cruelty free, and soundboard-to-stereo. In other words, they have to be from a single show, be the whole show, not be “fixed” in the studio, and be professionally recorded by the band, from the soundboard, or broadcast on the radio or the Internet. If they’re two or three shows mixed together, missing songs, feature overdubbed guitar parts and vocals, or recorded by some guy who snuck a tape recorder in by stuffing it down his pants — a guy I’ve been — then I don’t care.

But while I may be super picky about what live albums I’ll put in my speakers, there are actually quite a few great ones that meet the criteria. They’re just not always the most readily available.

Here’s fifteen great sounding, mostly uncut, single show live albums you might’ve missed.

 

Categories
Music Reviews

The Cult’s “Electric Peace” Review

 

In 1986, The Cult recorded their third album, Peace, with Love producer Steve Brown at the helm. But unhappy with the results, the band rerecorded many of the songs with Rick Rubin, redubbing the disc Electric. Now both albums are being rereleased in the appropriately titled Electric Peace (CD, vinyl), and while this may seem like a no-brainer for fans, it really depends on what Cult albums you like, and how good of a stereo you own.