The Cure

[Cylob]

Nice to see people are still into The Cure! Seems to be generally accepted that:

• Disintegration was their finest hour (goth "White Album" and all that)
• Bloodflowers was somewhat disappointing (actually is was complete crap)
• Their depressing songs are much better than their happy tunes.

I supported the Cure after Lol Tolhurst left (I rate "High" as one of their best albums) but.... 2 crap albums in a row is too much. Even worse, Bloodflowers had many a song with chord-changes similar to tracks on previous albums. Out of ideas then Robert (and looking a bit fat lately).

For me, The Cure are an excellent 70's - early 90's act.

[Twilightseer]

Yus, very much into the Cure Thanks Cylob for opening this thread

If I remember correctly, High was a single, Wish being the album

The Cure was the greatest music shock I had; for a long while, they were practically the only band I was listening to. It was the first time that I decided to buy all of a band's albums one by one; I like the pop stuff, it's just so awesome (especially the Head On the Door era, the b-sides of this era were simply fabulous); but the darker stuff is incredible as well - "Faith" is such a sad and intense album and the song itself...
I think that today's Cure is lacking something, this is mostly due to their lame-ass drummer (Jason, if you read this, please let Boris come back ) : this shows incredibly on the "trilogy" DVD, this guy ruins great songs such as " A Short-Term Effect" "Hanging Garden" " Closedown", he's kinda better on the Bloodflowers stuff (I rate Bloodflowers as good even though it's not in my top 3) but on the Pornography stuff, he's just worthless, even Tolhurst was better.
I can only hope that they fire their drummer asap and get a real one. Good news is that they're working on a new album produced by Ross Robinson. Can't wait to get it

[Cylob]

You actually liked Bloodflowers??? From memory there was one half-decent track. Admittedly I've only played the album 3 or 4 times.

I haven't got "Faith" or any b-sides. Care to list some track names?

The Cure had a large impact on me (back in '91), I bought Mixed Up, Entreat, Disintegration, Boys Don't Cry and Staring at the Sea within a week. That was one hell of a week too! Of course I've been a fan ever since.

I've recently acquired Kiss Me Kiss Me Kiss Me & Head on the Door. It's just getting time to listen to them (i'm sure you know what I mean).

As for the future, I think the problem goes beyond the drummer. The general rule is a band will 'become' crap with the passing of time (it just happens). The edge is lost, the blade-tip is blunted. The only exceptions I can find are New Order & Rush.... Time to go home. Hoorah!!

[ShyShy]

ahhh, home sweet home you're my hero cylob


i'm guessing the both of you are in england? if so, cool... i can use you guys as my updaters! anyways, i only skimmed thru "bloodflowers", didn't even really like what i was skipping. the last cd i bought from them was their 2 disc greatest hits. i forked over $32 for that and it was worth it, mainlyl because of the second disc being acoustic. most of the songs sound great that way, but there were a few that didn't just quite cut it. i never even heard of their dvd special... hmm, must ask the older brother about that.

[papadoc]

I used to be a huge Cure fan.
Disintegration was awsome, especially when I was coming down
after all-night parties at the local underground Dance Club.
My other favorite Cure album is Mixed Up, released in 1990,
one year after Disintegration.
Mixes by Paul Oakenfold, Francois Kevorkian, William Orbit, and others.

[Cylob]

I would say Twilightseer is the resident expert on The Cure (I'll be relying on him for updates). I'm lacking much of their early 80's material ...for now! It's on my to-do list.

How about Cure-ish bands? I mean, you can't be into the Cure without having a soft-spot for similar goth/rock/indie artists. They've all lived in each other's pockets (been to the same gigs, drunk at the same bars, shared the same barber).

[Cylob]

Originally posted by papadoc
My other favorite Cure album is Mixed Up, released in 1990,
one year after Disintegration.
Mixes by Paul Oakenfold, Francois Kevorkian, William Orbit, and others.

Mixed-up is fantastic! I had the good fortune of picking-it-up as my first Cure album. Must be a contender for the best mix album of all time. I can't think of a comparable album.

[Cylob]

Sorry papadoc, no disrespect (man) - my third-to-last post was despatched before I knew you had posted! This is where the ability to draw arrows on the screen would be nice.

[papadoc]

Originally posted by Cylob
Sorry papadoc, no disrespect (man) - my third-to-last post was despatched before I knew you had posted!

[Cylob]

Cool

[ShyShy]

i actually used Mixed Up to get others to listen to something besides the crap that was coming out at the time... then Nirvana hit.

on a side note, does anybody else have their autobiography taht came out in 1990(?), great reading.

[Twilightseer]

Originally posted by Cylob
I would say Twilightseer is the resident expert on The Cure (I'll be relying on him for updates)

WOW, that's a major compliment
shyshy, for the record, I am in France but heck, if you need any info, feel free to ask

Okay, some info now.

"Faith" was the band's third album following "3 Imaginary Boys" and "17 Seconds". To me, it's the darkest most mysterious album they've made (even darker than Pornography). It's a strange record because it's both very quiet and sort of terrifying, top cuts to me are "All cats are grey", "other voices", "The Drowning Man" and of course the title song "Faith". This song is particular; Smith himself says it's the best song he's ever written and like " A Forest", it has a special treament when played live : the album version is 6'43'' but the live versions especially during the Prayer Tour (for the Disintegration albums)in 1989 could reach 15 and even 17 minutes. In those versions, Smith usually adds lots of improvisations on guitar and lyrics.
Faith as an album is kind of a surreal experience, i wouldn't recommend it to young/depressed listeners for it's very dark and intense but to me it's a masterpiece.
You also have to know that the cassette version of the record includes a 26-minute track called "Carnage Visors", it was the soundtrack to the movie the band used to replace the first-act during the Picture Tour (1981). It's a repetitive drak piece, played mostly with guitar and a drum machine. If you get to grab the cassette version, pay it a listen
About the B-sides : in 1986, on the cassette version of Staring at the sea (called Standing on the Beach), the B-sides of all the singles released by the bands were included (except the ones that already appeared on Japanese Whispers). The B-sides are really excellent, especially those of the HOTD era : top cuts "Stop Dead" "A Man Inside My Mouth", "A Few Hours After This", "The exploding boy".
You have to know that the band plans to release a B-side compilation in 2004 as well as re-release all albums digitally remastered with additional material, in 2004 as well, so stay tuned

An additional note on Mixed Up : as almost always happened with The Cure, the cassette version of the album included an additional track which was the extended version of "Why Can't I Be You?" (Absolutely awesome ) I don't listen to Mixed Up much, it's usually one of the most hated albums along with Wild Mood Swings and The Top. Personnally, I like it a lot especially the remixes of "Lullaby" and "The Caterpillar".

About the Greatest Hits : well, the acoustic hits didn't quite do it for me, I guess it was a way of making another compilation seem more attractive.

About the DVD : the Cure has just released a DVD called "Trilogy" : it includes 3 albums (Pornography, Disintegration and Bloodflowers) played entirely and in chronological order live in Berlin. The DVD is technically awesome but since the drummer sucks, most songs are ruined by his crappy drumming

About the autobiography : it was called "10 Imaginary Years", and was released in 1986. It only covers the band's first ten years, a sequel covering the rest, tentatively called "More Imaginary Years", has been in the works for years now. I don't have "10 IY" yet, I'll get it when I have the time.

Cylob : THOTD is perfect, Kiss me is different, extremely varied, but there are gems on it, the drumming is fantastic (The Kiss) and the guitars should leave you baffled. Have a great time listening to them.

There, i have finished. If you need any more info, just ask

[Cylob]

Thanks for the info Twilightseer, I printed it out and read it from my desk (looks as though I'm working)! I'm typing the reply into outlook express (again, looks like I'm working)!!!! It's much more fun than fiddling with a spreadsheet I can tell you.

I'll pick-up "Faith" on the way home, it was reaching the top of my list anyway. I do like a dark, atmospheric album, it sounds like "Faith" is exactly that. I've also noted those b-sides. No chance of getting them in town but there are other methods!

Have you got "Entreat"?? It really is a good live album. Fascination Street, Disintegration and Prayers for Rain are played with real energy. For me, it's the Cure's zenith.

Thanks for the feedback, may this discussion continue!

[Twilightseer]

Yes, I do have "Entreat". Although it's quite hard to find these days, since it was a promotional record, I was luck enough to find a copy in a used cds store Still, it was much much easier to find than Curiosities, which is the really rare live album by this band.
"Faith" is excellent, you won't regret it. As I said, it's soothing and disturbing at the same time, very ethereal keyboards, powerful bass and precise guitar work, only two more aggressive tracks (Primary and Doubt), the rest being contemplative and very dark. You'll definitely like it, at least i hope so

[Cylob]

Originally posted by Twilightseer
You'll definitely like it, at least i hope so

It's a certainty.

[ShyShy]

twilight, thanks for the info... very cool. and acutually i do have have 10 IY, at least i bought it and i think the older brother stole it.

cylob, hmmm, i've always thought that Souixse and The Banshees were a little Cure-ish. but it's no wonder, when they would trade band members occasionally during live performances.

[Cylob]

Faith - It is sullen, however the drums manage to lift the theme a bit. I love Primary and Other Voices (probablty the most instantly accessible). No fillers - every track is decent. I don't usually agree with AMG, but they're right in saying the album is one piece - the tracks blend into each other (possibly unintentionally). A mark of a good album though when it flows from start to finish.

It'll take a week to peel off the cover of the slower tracks, particularly "Faith" itself.

The album as a whole reminds me of New Order/Movement (also 1981), only without the bleeps!

Will spin it more over the week! Fits my current mood like a glove.

[Cylob]

Originally posted by ShyShy
i've always thought that Souixse and The Banshees were a little Cure-ish. but it's no wonder, when they would trade band members occasionally during live performances.

Yeah, it was always amusing to see Robert Smith on "Top of the Pops" alongside Siouxsie. They actually looked quite similar (the hair, the clothes, the makeup)!

Both bands helped shape music in the UK. You couldn't ask for better influences really.

[Twilightseer]

Robert Smith and Steve Severin joined in 1983 to form The Glove, a group that only released one album called Blue Sunshine. Smith wasn't entitled to sing on this record because of contract purposes so a female backup singer, Jeanette Landray sang on the record. Still, Smith sang on two tracks.
Blue Sunshine is a weird but very interesting record, pretty close to "The Top"

[Cylob]

I bet Blue Sunshine's harder to find than polar bears in the antarctic. Harder possibly

[ShyShy]

my favorite Cure moment would have to be when the first Crow movie came out. Opening sequence... you hear the music buildup... theater was filled and very quiet. then you hear this voice: "omg... that's the fucking Cure playing that song!" yup, that was me. and the funny thing was, no one told me to shut up. the guy i was dating at the time had the nerve to ask me who i was talking about.

[Twilightseer]

"Burn" is an incredible song indeed. It also happens to be the last one the band recorded with Boris Williams on drums
It's also the best song they've written for a movie; initially, for The Crow, the director wanted to use "The Hanging Garden" and Smith said "No, we're gonna make a new song"

[Cylob]

Burn - there's another song I never knew existed. When you think you know a band.......

[Twilightseer]

Cylob,

You have to check it out, it's definitely awesome
If you're interested, other songs that The Cure wrote for movie soundtracks were "Dredd Song" (Judge Dredd), "More Than This" (X-Files, Fight The Future) and another one called " A Sign From God" for the movie Orgazmo and released under the name Cogasm.

[Cylob]

Dammit!!! More songs I've lived without. I thought Curve had cornered the action-hero blockbuster market (Spiderman, Buffy etc). This week my Cure collection will grow by about 10%.

[ShyShy]

Originally posted by Twilightseer
"Burn" is an incredible song indeed. It also happens to be the last one the band recorded with Boris Williams on drums
It's also the best song they've written for a movie; initially, for The Crow, the director wanted to use "The Hanging Garden" and Smith said "No, we're gonna make a new song"

that's the title of the song!!! anyways, Cylob, The Crow soundtrack is pretty good as a whole. i thought it went with the movie quite well. and i've started turning the rugrat into a Cure fan... got the greatest hits playing in the car when i drop and pick her up from daycare. she seems to like Just Like Heaven and Head On The Door so far.

[Cylob]

Thanks for those tracks Twilightseer, they are now in my database (ready for the "play" button). As a matter of interest, have you got "This Twilight Garden" (B-Side of "High")? IMO, it's better than half the tracks on Wish!

ShyShy, good to see your tot growing-up on wholesome tunes. It's the same with my kids, they loathe the manistream and love what I play (obviously the Cure included). Killing an Arab, The Walk & Love Cats are particular favourites. It's great when you can mould your kids in your own image (it's for the best)!

[Twilightseer]

Cylob and ShyShy => Are you men or women ?

Cylob

Yes, I do have "This Twilight Garden", heck, it's where the first part of nick comes from
It's a fabulous song, so dreamy and eerie. Apparently, we're not the only ones who love it, in 2000, prior to the Dream Tour, the Cure asked the fans on their websites to vote for the songs that they'd like to hear most and TTG made it to n°2 (only second to Faith). Robert Smith wrote that he was flabbergasted by this
Sadly, I only know the Wish B-sides that were on High Single (plus a couple like Scared As You, which is fantastic as well). I can't wait for the damn B-Side boxset they've been promising for years

[Cylob]

I'm 100% man (110% if you take my intellect into account)!

They should've put the track on the album then!! I'd swap it for "Friday I'm In Love".

[ShyShy]

100% woman

actually i like playing Friday I'm in Love... gets the rugrat to learn her days... and as far as moulding her musical tastes, i try to expose her to lots of different genres, she especially likes latin music, it's pretty damn funny seeing the looks we get when we're out in public and she's busts out singing in spanish.

[ShyShy]

ssshhhh, i *borrowed* part of this article from, ahem, a site:


IRVINE, California — Blink-182 are continuing their fine tradition of potty humor album titles, following up 2001's Take Off Your Pants and Jacket with Use Your Erection I and II.

Drummer Travis Barker revealed the Guns N' Roses-inspired name at Saturday's KROQ Weenie Roast, where he performed with the Transplants (see "Pink Teams With Transplants, Good Charlotte Unplug For Weenie Roast"). He said the album is due October 28, although a spokesperson at the band's label said it's scheduled for November.

According to Barker, a collaboration with his friends the Neptunes is still just in talks, but Blink-182 are definitely working with a few guests, including DJ Shadow, Dan the Automator and singer Robert Smith of the Cure.

"We just got a lot of people who ... we love and we look up to," Barker said. "[The Smith collaboration] is a super downer. I mean, there's some dark songs on the record. It's pretty cool."


it seems like we're not the only ones still into the Cure... just for that alone, i'm going to *check-out* blink-182's new album.

[Cylob]

Cool - but I bet the Blink 182 record will still sound crap!!!! Throat blisters on top of throat blisters on top of throat blisters. I prefer loud music (wall of noise) with clearly audible vocals. Shouting not necessary man.

But good on them for having such role-models. My fear is, in 10 years time, who will be the role-models then??? There's a vaccuum in Britain (no native music and the foreign acts aren't doing well). They may have to start from scratch. Robert Smith should give-up recording and lend his hand at producing full-time.

[ShyShy]

hmmmm, Robert as a producer... that would rock. i was watching an 80's special on VH1 the other nite and laughed at the people who admitted to being closet Cure fans.


also, my brother has my Boys Don't Cry poster hanging in his room

[Twilightseer]

Actually, Robert Smith did produce a couple of 7" in the early 80s.
He had a micro-label called Dance Fools Dance and produced a couple of 7" for local bands (I mean bands from his city in the UK). Some of them were The Obtainers (a duet of 11-year old kids !) and Animation.
All of them flopped miserably and the records by these bands are absolutely impossible to find. This flop was the reason why Simon Gallup (The Cure's current bass player) called his band Fools Dance after The Cure briefly disbanded after the Pornography Tour (14 Explicit Moments Tour). This band was awful (Gallup SANG in it) which explains why Gallup easily rejoined the Cure in 1985
Sadly, it seems that Robert Smith is now willing to collaborate with every lame-ass band that claims to like the Cure. I wish he focused on kicking the current drummer and bringing Boris back.

[Cylob]

It's always painful when a band member's replaced. Particularly at a late stage of the band's career.

Take Blur - I can't take them seriously without Graham Coxon. The delicate balance has been destroyed.

[Twilightseer]

Well, Cooper, the current drummer has been here for 8 years and I still feel Boris is missing. Cooper has the flattest drumming ever heard in the Cure, he drums as if the Cure was some lame-ass crappy teenage pop band.

[Cylob]

What was Cooper's first album - Wild Mood Swings???? If so, that would explain a lot.

[ShyShy]

see, this is why i hate living where i'm at... i never knew that Robert produced. btw... i think that Simon rejoined because he ended up marrying Robert's sister. i read that somewhere in 10 I.Y.

[Twilightseer]

Originally posted by Cylob
What was Cooper's first album - Wild Mood Swings???? If so, that would explain a lot.

Actually, several drummers played on Wild Mood Swings because the new drummer hadn't been chosen at that point, Cooper played most tracks though.

ShyShy

It was Porl Thompson (guitar and occasional keyboards/saxophone player) who married Smith's siter

[Twilightseer]

*BUMP*

Great news : at last, a b-side compilation is planned for October/November ! I hope they'll put all the hard-to-find songs, hell I want a goddamn boxset (that and Cooper to be fired )