Is Cut a good place to start with Golden Earring?

Yes, Cut is recommended as a starting point for new Golden Earring listeners. A fusion of hard rock and progressive elements enveloped in catchy melodies and introspective lyrics, showcasing the band's expansive sound. Released on September 10, 1982, Cut marked a transitional phase for Golden Earring as they embraced a more polished production style. This album came after their commercially successful release, Moontan, which included the hit 'Radar Love,' thus setting high expectations for this follow-up. At this point, the band was looking to solidify their international presence while exploring new musical territories.

Cut works well if you're into dynamic emotional journeys, long, immersive listening sessions and layered, dense sonic textures.

How many songs are on Cut?

Cut has 8 tracks, running approximately 38 minutes.

Cut

Golden Earring · 1982

38 min · 8 tracks · hard rock

A fusion of hard rock and progressive elements enveloped in catchy melodies and introspective lyrics, showcasing the band's expansive sound.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Twilight Zone — As the standout track from the album, 'Twilight Zone' combines haunting melodies with narrative-driven lyrics that explore themes of existentialism and dislocation. Its distinctive guitar riffs and atmospheric soundscapes helped it become a defining song for the band.
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The Devil Made Me Do It Start here — Opening the album with an energetic burst, this track sets a tone of rebelliousness and defiance, showcasing Golden Earring's hard rock roots while still incorporating melodic hooks.
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Last of the Mohicans — This track stands out for its unique blend of storytelling and rich instrumentation, reflecting the band's ability to craft songs that are both compelling and musically complex.
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Baby Dynamite — 'Baby Dynamite' exemplifies the album's catchiness with its infectious chorus and driving rhythm, highlighting Golden Earring’s knack for creating radio-friendly rock anthems.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

56 /100

Foothills

Higher than 47% of albums we've rated

The album blends hard rock with progressive elements, featuring strong instrumentation and memorable melodies.

What we noticed

The first track opens with a heavy guitar riff that sets a driving pace, which is maintained through the first half of the album.
The sixth track, 'Twilight Zone,' features a notable shift in dynamics, incorporating atmospheric synths and a slower tempo.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 8/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 6/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 5/10

Influence 4/10

Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

dynamic emotional journeys
long, immersive listening sessions
layered, dense sonic textures
contemplative late-night vibes

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Breakthrough — This album features 'Twilight Zone', which significantly boosted the band's recognition.
Themes: Twilight Zone dislocation· rebellious hard rock· narrative-driven storytelling
Career context: Released on September 10, 1982, Cut marked a transitional phase for Golden Earring as they embraced a more polished production style. This album came after their commercially successful release, Moontan, which included the hit 'Radar Love,' thus setting high expectations for this follow-up. At this point, the band was looking to solidify their international presence while exploring new musical territories.
Stylistic neighbors: The Alan Parsons Project· UFO· Thin Lizzy