278. DREAMTIME by The Cult

This 1984 debut record by The Cult (after they changed their name from Death Cult) addressed lead singer Ian Astbury's interest with Native American cultures and themes that would continue throughout most of the The Cult's career. Guitarist Billy Duffy hadn't quite found his signature guitar sound yet (that would happen on subsequent album Love covered here), but you can get a sense of where he was heading with it. Dreamtime and Love are fascinating listens in that you would have no idea what direction The Cult was taking with their sound based on these first two records when compared to their next two records (Electric and Sonic Temple).

Essential tracks: 'Go West,' 'Spiritwalker,' 'Horse Nation' and 'Dreamtime.'

Fun fact: Bassist Jamie Stewart left the band in the 90's to start a family and settle down and has worked in the software industry ever since.