1987

Perhaps THE CULT's "Electric" doesn't have the depth & dimension of 1985's stunning "Love" record. In fact, Rick Rubin's stripped-down production gives the entire recording a "1971" kind of feel. Rubin has said in subsequent interviews that he didn't "produce" THE CULT, he "reduced" them. But even with all the superb indie and metal releases in 1987, we simply could not get this beautiful slab of rawk off our turntables. While some critics have dismissed the album as AC/DC clone work, nothing could be further from the truth. Very few bands today (including Billy Duffy / Ian Astbury's recent projects) have the panache to create hot stuff like "Lil' Devil" or the delectably simple "King Contrary Man". If ya love rock 'n roll, THE CULT's "Electric" is irresistible, even today.

Picks of the litter, 1987: