This Week's Forgotten Gem of the '80s - the Cult's "Wild Flower"

One of the few bands to come close to the pure molten majesty of AC/DC, England's the Cult went through a number of transformations before settling on its arguably most successful sound. Starting off as a post-punk band with Goth trappings in terms of both image and sound, the group gradually adapted according to what seemed like a genuine pursuit of artistic distinction. Rather than attempting to fit into a popular format for the sole sake of popularity, band leaders Ian Astbury and Billy Duffy combined a throwback psychedelic fascination with driving, punishing rock and roll. Contemporary styles such as hair metal and early alternative rock rarely allowed for as much stylistic meandering as the Cult favored, and the group's 1987 release Electric may well be the gold standard for music capable of resisting classification in the most organic of ways. Perhaps nothing beats "Love Removal Machine" for grab-you-by-the-throat intensity, but "Wild Flower" proves that simplicity - when done well - provides an immediate advantage for bands unconcerned with genre labels.

• Sample or download "Wild Flower" here.

• Compare prices on the Cult CDs here.

Album Cover Image Courtesy of Beggars Banquet Records