the arkive

  • The Cult - Pure Cult: The Singles (1984 - 1995)
  • 1. She Sells Sanctuary
    2. Fire Woman
    3. Lil' Devil
    4. Spiritwalker
    5. The Witch
    6. Revolution
    7. Love Removal Machine
    8. Rain
    9. In The Clouds
    10. Coming Down
    11. Edie (Ciao Baby)
    12. Heart Of Soul
    13. Wild Flower
    14. Star
    15. Resurrection Joe
    16. Go West
    17. Sun King
    18. Wild Hearted Son
    19. Sweet Soul Sister

The Cult

Pure Cult: The Singles (1984 - 1995)

Beggars Banquet
Released 5 June 2000
BEGA-2026 (CD+MP3) BBQ 2026 (LP)

The Cult, unlike its predecessor bands the Southern Death Cult and the Death Cult, was unapologetic about its mainstream rock & roll aspirations, which makes PURE CULT: THE SINGLES 1984-1995 the best possible starting place for the group, and for many, the logical end point as well. The Cult was a singles band, and a pretty great one, too, as evidenced by the Stones-like "Love Removal Machine" and the blazing "Fire Woman." The ensemble's mixture of '60s influences (no wonder Ian Astbury became the lead singer of the reformed Doors) and hard-rock power (no wonder drummer Matt Sorum went on to join Guns N' Roses) not only helped define a whole subset of the late-'80s alternative-rock scene, it's fair to say that the groups like Stone Temple Pilots owed at least some of their success to the Cult's early flirtations with the rock mainstream. Although the set isn't chronologically ordered, PURE CULT still gives a good sense of the band's surprisingly organic shift in sound, ranging from the gothy neo-psychedelia of "She Sells Sanctuary" to the sneering rock of "Star." (Amazon.com)