Ian Astbury - Spirit/Light/Speed [Bonus Track]

All Music Guide

Ian Astbury's longdelayed solo debut shifts the focus from metal to the kind of ragged industrial triphop heard on the Cult's 1992 single "The Witch" (a new version of which is also included here). Spirit/Light/Speed is probably indistinguishable from what a Cult album would've sounded like circa 2000: rough and earthy, full of the mystic lyrics and extroverted performances that Astbury's been doing since early in the Cult's career. Chris Goss is an able standin for the Cult's Billy Duffy on the production and guitarplaying side, though it's clear that Duffy's distinctive songwriting skills could've come in handy. Though this is a solo album only a fan could really love, Astbury's transcendent voice one of the best of any British band during the '80s makes highlights out of a few songs here, including the ballad "Tonight (Illuminated)." [A Japanese version added a bonus track.]

- John Bush, All Music Guide