The Cult - Love (Omnibus Edition) (4xCD Boxset) [1985/2009]

Album Review

Love is an album by the English rock band The Cult, released in 1985 on Beggars Banquet Records. The record has been released in nearly 30 countries worldwide, and sold an estimated 2.5 million copies. It gave The Cult commercial success in the UK and abroad.

The album was recorded at Jacob's Studios in Farnham, Surrey, in July and August 1985.

Many European CD pressings, as well as Canadian and Australian pressings, include two bonus tracks: "Little Face" as track four, and "Judith" as track eleven. Various other foreign pressings have several other bonus tracks. For unknown reasons, the Korean vinyl and cassette tape editions omitted the songs "Big Neon Glitter" and "Revolution". Also inexplicably, in the Philippines a considerably shorter version of the song "Brother Wolf Sister Moon" was used; it lasts only 5.18, omitting most of the guitar solos in the second half of the song.

In 2000, the album was remastered and reissued on CD, with only the ten original songs and different artwork. "Big Neon Glitter" and "Hollow Man" are alternately listed with and without the article "The" in their title, respectively.

In 2003, the record was issued on CD in Russia, Belarus and Lithuania, formerly being available only as a bootleg LP in the Soviet Union and Uzbekistan. These 2003 Eastern European releases came with the bonus tracks "Faith Healer" and "Edie (Ciao Baby)" (acoustic) as tracks 13 and 14, and the word acoustic is misspelled as "accoustic"; the pressings also use a different font for the lettering. There is also an Indonesian cassette tape version which rearranges the track listing, and includes "Dreamtime" and "Bad Medicine Waltz", from the previous Cult record Dreamtime.

To coincide with the band's Love Live Tour in August 2009, the band will be releasing two different editions of the album:

Version one will be the "Expanded Edition", a 2-CD set consisting of the album on one disc as well as extended versions of album cuts, remixes, and b-sides on the second disc. This set is to be released on August 18, 2009 in the USA/Canada and September 21 in Europe.

Version two will be called the "Omnibus Edition" which will feature the first two discs from the "Expanded Edition" plus two more discs. Disc three will feature extremely rare demos from the Love album presented for the first time, and disc four will feature a live concert recorded by the BBC at the Hammersmith Odeon in London on October 31, 1985.




ENJOY THE BEST BOX RELEASE EVER: THE CULT LOVE (OMNIBUS EDITION) 4 CD BOXSET.

Some albums deserve an expanded reissue. Some don’t. The Cult’s second album, 1985’s Love, is largely a work of genius.

Despite the heady heights of success scaled by The Cult during the arena rock years, their second album Love is by far their best.

Originally released in 1985, there simply isn’t a bad song on here, and evergreen rock anthems such as Rain and the iconic, She Sells Sanctuary are probably their best known and best loved tracks.

Re-mastered from the original studio analogue tapes, this four-disc box set is a feast for fans. Aside from the original album, there’s a disc of remixes and non-album B sides, a disc of previously unreleased early demos and a disc recorded live in 1985 on the Love tour. Add a 48-page book with unseen contact sheets from the album photo session and a mass of other material assembled by Astbury and Duffy and you have the ultimate version of one of the greatest British rock records of the 80s.

The music itself has been reviewed time and time again. Since the reissue, I've read a number of recent reviews which praise Love because it represents the link between the Dreamtime style and the Electric ("arena rock") style. While I do agree with that assessment, believe that Love deserves praise for what it is - outside of the context of the Cult's previous and subsequent styles.

This is, without question, a classic album, which is a lost art form these days. There are no throwaway songs on the album and it stands as a complete work. For diehard fans, the extras offer a lot to get excited about. The demo CD offers an insight into the development of the songs, many of which had been unavailable until now. The Live CD sounds much better than you would have expected from a live CD from 1985 to sound. It will also make its way into regular rotation.

Finally, the packaging is phenomenal. Beggars definitely put a lot of thought into this set and at this price, it's a treat for hardcore fans. Here's hoping that the rest of the Cult's catalog get similar treatment in the very near future.


Album Details

Label: Beggars Banquet
Catalog#: BBQ 2064
Format: CD, Album, Remastered
4 x CD, Compilation
Box Set, Limited Edition
Country:UK, Europe & US
Released:21 Sep 2009
Genre:Rock
Style:Alternative Rock, Indie Rock
Notes: Original Album Release 19 October 1985. Recorded At Jacobs Studio July and August 1985
CD4 Recorded 31 October 1985 at Hammersmith Odeon, London - Previously Unreleased.





Tracklist


CD 1: Love

1. Nirvana 5:27
2. The Big Neon Glitter 4:52
3. Love 5:31
4. Brother Wolf Sister Moon 6:47
5. Rain 3:57
6. Phoenix 5:06
7. Hollow Man 4:46
8. Revolution 5:27
9. She Sells Sanctuary 4:22
10. Black Angel 5:25

Re-mastered from the original studio analogue tapes.

“1985’s Love displayed a marked improvement over the Cult’s early material, and though it remains underappreciated in America (worldwide it was a smash), this exceptional record has actually aged better than the band’s more notorious (and equally important) releases: Electric and Sonic Temple. Equal parts psychedelic hard rock and new wave goth, the songs on Love emanate a bright guitar sheen, tight arrangements, crisp drumming, and a command performance from vocalist Ian Astbury, who as usual says a lot more with less than most singers. Overall, the album benefits from a wonderful sense of space, thanks in large part to guitarist Billy Duffy (who is much more subdued here than on future releases), whose restraint is especially notable on “Revolution” and the remarkably uncluttered title track. Duffy also provides compelling melodies (“Hollow Man,” “Revolution”), driving riffs (“Nirvana,” “The Phoenix”), and even a U2-like intro to “Big Neon Glitter.” Also on offer is the near-perfect “She Sells Sanctuary” and the smash hit “Rain,” quite possibly the band’s most appealing single ever. Considering the musical schizophrenia that would plague each subsequent Cult release, Love just may be the band’s purest moment.” – Eduardo Rivadavia – All Music Guide




CD 2: Singles

1. She Sells Sanctuary (Long Version) 6:59
2. No. 13 4:40
3. The Snake 8:10
4. Here Comes The Rain 6:19
5. Little Face 4:54
6. Revolution (Full Length Remix) 5:30
7. Judith 5:29
8. Sunrise 5:11
9. All Souls Avenue 4:46
10. She Sells Sanctuary (Howling Mix) 8:26
11. Assault On Sanctuary 7:31

Featuring all the tracks from the album’s three singles which included extended versions of album cuts, remixes and non-album ‘B’ sides. This is the first time all these tracks have been presented together outside of the limited, Rare Cult box set released in 2000.




CD 3: Demos

1. Brother Wolf Sister Moon 7:54
2. Hollow Man 5:48
3. She Sells Sanctuary 5:21
4. All Souls Avenue 4:56
5. Little Face 5:45
6. No. 13 6:23
7. Big Neon Glitter 6:34
8. Waltz (Instrumental) 4:37
9. Nirvana (Instrumental) 6:04
10. Revolution (Instrumental) 6:50
11. She Sells Sanctuary (Olympic Rough Mix) 7:04

Ten tracks were recorded in early 1985 as demos to play to potential producers. Mostly performed live in the studio, these raw versions are an insight into the genesis of the album and have never been released before. Additionally there is a bonus of a rough monitor mix from Olympic Studios of ‘She Sells Sanctuary’ before new vocals and a remix were completed at another studio.
UPDATE 23 November ’09 – On the original tape I’d written ‘Clock Demos’ but during the whole research period for the album I couldn’t find any evidence of a ‘Clock Studios’ so doubted the veracity. However, today I was going through some Icicle Works tapes and there was a Clock tape from 1985 – The Clock Studio, 18-21 Middle Street, London EC1. So that’s where The Love demos were recorded.




CD 4: Live 1985 (Live at the Hammersmith Odeon, October 31, 1985)

1. Love 5:55
2. Nirvana 5:05
3. Christians 4:33
4. Hollow Man 5:01
5. Big Neon Glitter 4:46
6. Brother Wolf Sister Moon 7:01
7. Rain 5:12
8. Dreamtime 3:10
9. She Sells Sanctuary 5:35
10. Go West 5:02
11. Spiritwalker 4:36
12. Horse Nation 3:17
13. Phoenix 5:20

Recorded on the Love UK tour by the BBC on 31 October at Hammersmith Odeon, London, this thirteen song set featured songs from the newly released Love album alongside established favourites from their debut release Dreamtime and earlier Death Cult days.




Credits

Bass – Jamie Stewart
Composed By – Duffy*, Astbury*
Design – A Cult*, X=X Design*
Drums – Les Warner (tracks: CD4-1 to CD4-13), Nigel Preston (tracks: CD1-9, CD2-1 to CD2-3, CD2-10, CD2-11, CD3-1 to CD3-11)
Drums [Guest] – Mark Brzezicki (tracks: CD1-1 to CD1-8, CD1-10, CD2-4 to CD2-8)
Engineer – Mark Stent (tracks: CD1-1 to CD2-11), Steve Brown (tracks: CD1-1 to CD2-11)
Guitar – Billy Duffy (tracks: CD2-1 to CD4-13)
Guitar [All Guitars] – William H. Duffy* (tracks: CD1-1 to CD1-10)
Keyboards, Strings – Jamie Stewart (tracks: CD1-1 to CD2-11)
Layout [Redisgn] – Chris Bigg (2), Steve Webbon*
Mastered By – John Dent
Mastered By [Assisted] – Jason Mitchell
Photography [Cover Cd3] – Paul Cox
Photography [Group] – Andrew MacPherson
Producer – Steve Brown (tracks: CD1-1 to CD2-11)
Recorded By [Tape Op And Tea] – 'Syco' Steve Williams* (tracks: CD1-1 to CD2-11)
Vocals – Ian Astbury


Notes

Original Album Release 19 October 1985.
Recorded At Jacobs Studio July and August 1985

CD2 Recorded and mixed at Jacobs Studios except She Sells Sancturay, No.13 and The Snake recorded at Olympic Sound Studios / mixed at Good Earth.
℗ 2009 Beggars Banquet
© 2009 Beggars Banquet

CD3 'She Sells Sanctuary (Olympic Rough Mix)' recorded at Olympic Sound Studios.
℗ 2009 Beggars Banquet
© 2009 Beggars Banquet

CD4 recorded 31 October 1985 at Hammersmith Odeon, London - Previously Unreleased
Licensed from BBC Wordwide
℗ 2009 BBC Wordwide
© 2009 BBC Wordwide
Mastered at Loud Mastering

Published by Tayminster Ltd. / Screenchoice Ltd.
Administered by Warner Chappell Music Publishing.

Sold at both the US and UK Beggars Banquet (Label) web sites. Two different official release dates, however some shipped early. There are no differences in the UK or US versions other than where they were actually sold.

21 September 2009 – Europe & UK
22 September 2009 - USA

This edition ℗ 2009 Beggars Banquet
© 2009 Beggars Banquet

Barcode and Other Identifiers
Barcode: 6 07618 20642 0







Many thanks to original releaser lomik70