Search - The Cult - Live Cult (Music Without Fear) on DVD

This DVD changed my view of the band for worse

D. Tubbs | Arizona | 12/13/2008

(1 out of 5 stars)

"I have listened to The Cult for many years and enjoy many of their studio songs a lot. Ian Astbury's lyrics are often very cool, unique and strangely poignant: "Time hustles those who wait to die." "You've got to bleed a little while you sing... less the words don't mean a thing." Often they are intriguingly ambiguous-- Ciao Baby seems to be his song to/about a woman he cared deeply for but who had committed suicide. When this concept is combined with the emotion of Ian's uniquely stirring vocals and Billy Duffey's tasteful, driving Les Paul powered riffs results in a strangely romantic, very emotional song (I could be way off on the intent of this song... this sort of ambiguity has fueled some of rock music's most lasting works). I love that Billy Duffy plays a Les Paul-- the coolest rock and rock/blues guitar in the world. Now that you know I really appreciate The Cult's music... In this live performance, the vocals are not nearly as powerful and stirring as in any of the studio recordings they have produced on CD. Billy Duffey's guitar playing is very disappointing to say the least. He does however still look like a rock-and-roll stud with that Les Paul. As a 45-year-old hard rocker since my early teens, I view public profanity as a demonstration of ignorance and stupidity as well as a lack of respect for the audience. I can tolerate occasional profanities during a high-energy performance (although true rock professionals don't need them) but in this show Ian comes across as a hateful, loud mouthed, vulgar punk. I threw this DVD in the trash and am trying to forget it as I go on enjoying the awesome music they produced in the studio."