Cream

hortly after the breakup of the Cult, frontman Ian Astbury formed the band Holy Barbarians. Joining him for the band's first release, Cream, was Scott Garrett, who had drummed in the final incarnation of the Cult. Produced by Astbury and Matt Hyde, the album doesn't deviate too far from the previous sound. Unfortunately, the band definitely suffers from the absence of Billy Duffy to serve as Astbury's sonic foil. Guitarist Patrick Sugg is a melodic player, but his understated playing only makes Astbury's lyrics seem even more pretentious. Much of the album is mid-tempo, psychedelic-tinged groove rock. "Brother Fights" is a keeper, with Sugg's fluid guitar work, and "Bodhisattva" features some buzz-saw guitar and Eastern rhythms. "Opium" is Cream's standout track, with some lonely, twang guitar and a hypnotic rhythm. Nothing here is as memorable as Astbury's work with his previous band and this album is mostly of interest only to those hardcore Cult fans. ~ Tom Demalon|