After being a bit disappointed with The Cult’s latest album (reviewed elsewhere on HRH) this live DVD popped through my letterbox for review. Recorded in New York City, November 13^th, 2006 it’s meant to capture the band in full, reunited glory. Pity then that singer Ian Astbury seems to have the right arse with everyone throughout. Chip on his shoulder or what? 

He ruins what atmosphere they’ve tried to capture and whilst we are it why is Billy Duffy’s guitar so low in the mix. On my promo copy (it might be different on yours but I can only review what I’m given) he’s largely inaudible. Instead what I got was an earful of snare that dominated the sound when all I was wanting was Duffy’s innovative Goth-metal riffing blasting through the speakers. I tried playing the DVD through the stereo speakers but it made little difference. I can’t ever believe Duffy has heard this and sanctioned it for release. It’s unprofessional. 

Filmed in HD the whole shebang is further let down by the editing – which cuts from shot to shot with alarming speed. I felt quite seasick and had to check outside my back door to see whether our house really had been finally ‘acast’ into the Irish Sea.  

The best thing about ‘Live at the Fillmore’ is the set list. And actually if they’d just filmed a bit of paper on the floor with all the songs on I might have felt a little less nauseous. However all the classic’s are here from ‘Spirit Walker’ through ‘Rain/Sanctuary’ to ‘The Phoenix’ and ‘Fire Woman’ etc. As a fan of the band you couldn’t ask for more in that regard. 

Astbury starts the gig in his big Busby hat and jacket. I know it’s cold in New York in November but it’s hardly bloody Alaska! By third number ‘Electric Ocean’ he’s sweating cobs. Two songs later and it’s ‘Spritwalker’ and you’d think they’d filmed the thing in Sydney, Australia he’s stripped down so much.    

Starting with ‘Lil’ Devil’ the band sound pedestrian at times. Though to be fair things do improve as the DVD moves towards the encore. Astbury though behaves weirdly throughout. His inter-song rants falling flat on their proverbial faces. When he starts banging on about new bands and is less than charitable he just sound’s like he’s got a huge Maris Piper on his shoulder. The Cult have earned their place in Rock ‘n Roll history but haven’t done anything decent for years. Time me thinks for others to have a go too. 

All in all ‘Live at the Fillmore’ is another disappointment from a band I (think) I love. The only real highlight for me was listening to Astbury hurry his way through an acoustic version of ‘Edie’. (Duffy by the way actually sounds louder on his acoustic than his electric guitar such is the dire mix.) Astbury’s pronunciation of an abbreviated ‘Edie’ to ‘Iddy’ had our household in stitches simply because you were waiting for the next ‘Iddy’ to come along! 

If The Cult are to get serious and regain their ‘star’ they need to be a lot more professional than this, and I’m also including their last album. The biog I received with the album actually stated the band ‘rose from the streets of London’. I kid you not. Billy Duffy’s as northern as Lancashire Hotpot and so is Astbury. Add to all this no extra film footage (i.e. why did Astbury & Duffy decide to revive their symbiotic relationship?) And no booklet, apparently, and you are left wondering if someone out there isn’t taking the piss.

Let us know your views on New York City: Live At The Fillmore

 Track Listing

Lil Devil
Sweet Soul Sister
Electric Ocean
The Witch
Spirit Walker
The Revolution
Rain
The Pheonix
Edie
Fire Woman
Wonderland
Peace Dog
Rise
Wildflower
Love Removal Machine
Nirvana
She Sells Sanctuary

Line Up

Ian Astbury - Vocals
Billy Duffy - Guitars
Chris Wyse - Bass
John Tempesta - Drums