Beautifully described by Beggars Banquet as "a mammoth vault-cleansing exercise", the six-CD box set entitled Rare Cult features recordings by The Cult from 1984 to 1995. Best of Rare Cult, as the title implies, draws from this box set and adds yet another four tracks to complete a fifteen-track "appetizer" CD which is, as the promotional material states, "an album in it's own right".

If you have recently returned from Mars and are unaware of a band named The Cult, this could be the perfect alternative take on the band for you - if they hadn't already released a Best Of album. The box set must be aimed at die-hard fans and that means that this CD can only be for i) die-hard fans on a budget; ii) die-hard fans who want the four tracks on this CD which are not included in the box set.

It includes one or two familiar tracks, all of it well-produced and worth a listen. Ian Astbury and chums have a tendency to sound like a Queen tribute band in places, but if you don't mind that one bit and are after some seminal Brit-rock then look no further.

Unlike Astbury's recent solo album, Spirit/Light/Speed, his vocal powers are well demonstrated on this compilation. Die-hard fans and those unfamiliar with the band will all find something here to listen to - it makes for good driving music or for playing in the background while working, so has many uses. And if buying six CDs sounds a little excessive, this is the perfect alternative.

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Mercury Prize 2009 nominees