O Cure, what became of you?

[mollyringle]

Feeling nostalgic, I decided to give new Cure another try, and checked out the 4:13 Dream album from the library. I really wanted to like it, but, well...glad I didn't pay for it, at least.

I miss the days when Robert could hit and hold notes. (Maybe he still can, but he's choosing not to.) I miss the clean, sharp guitar and keyboard notes, which have been replaced mostly by noise that I can't enjoy listening to. As for lyrics--well, I stopped trying to pay attention after Wild Mood Swings (which did at least have a couple good tunes and lines).

I also checked out The Top, since I don't have it on CD, and coveted the extra tracks. It's not usually anyone's first pick for best Cure album, nor is it mine, but it's striking how much better it is--even the bonus demo tracks--than 4:13 Dream.

What happened, Robert? And can't you fix it?

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Comments

[pith]

As much as I adore The Cure, they seem to have about 3 different styles of songs, and they don't stray from them much. That's probably why if I had to pit The Cure vs. Depeche Mode, DM would win: DM at least tries different sounds. Sometimes those experiments are lacklustre, but at least they have some variety.

(But luckily I don't have to pit The Cure vs. DM. Someone already did it for me: http://www.stylusmagazine.com/articles/vs/depeche-mode-vs-the-cure.htm)

[polygonia.livejournal.com]

I'd say vocally I like Depeche Mode better because I dig deep low pitched vocals.
They make me happy.
Plus Depeche Mode has songs such as-
One Caress
Freelove
Comatose
And other assorted songs I can listen to over and over and over and feel delighted by, but, The Cure has Disintegration which is an album I like best by them, but I do not dig Robert Smith's vocal style as much as the deep baritone kind of voices, so do not throw internet bombs at me...

[polygonia.livejournal.com]

Also, dang it, that guy doesn't know what he's talking about! One Caress is an awesome song.

Grrr. I hate critics. As I think my opinion is better.

[mollyringle.livejournal.com]

Great article! Makes me want to listen to both bands again.

I seem to remember Robert Smith once admitting he had basically two songs ("Friday I'm in Love" and "Faith"--i.e., happy and sad), which was in contrast to Morrissey, who had only one in his view ("Heaven Knows I'm Miserable Now"). :) Still, I like Morrissey's one sound. Loreena McKennitt and Enya have only one style too, but I like that style, so I like them...