View Full Version : The Cure -- Recommendations Please
Audio Girl
03-06-2004, 02:28 PM
I was introduced to The Cure's "Pictures of You" thanks to the HP Digital commercial. Really like this song and was curious where I should start with their catalog. Also, LP or CD? Thanks for your help!
TGIS,
Mary
Davey
03-06-2004, 03:14 PM
I was introduced to The Cure's "Pictures of You" thanks to the HP Digital commercial. Really like this song and was curious where I should start with their catalog. Also, LP or CD? Thanks for your help!
TGIS,
Mary
The 1989 album that song came from is by far their best, in my opinion. Disintegration. One of the highlights of the 80s. I have both the CD and the LP and it is really kind of a toss up because I think they are both from the same digital source. The LP sounds better to me but neither is gonna win any audiophile awards. You can find cheap used copies in either format because it sold big time numbers. I think it's their best flowing album. Lots of dark, moody songs but most have that good pop sensibility like in Pictures of You. Just something to be aware of - the Cure catalog is in the process of being reissued in 2-CD remastered sets by Rhino following the same pattern used for the Costello CDs. The first 4 are due in April I think, but doesn't include Disintegration. However, as you may have heard, Warner Bros. is reorganizing Rhino and just showed a lot of people the door last week so I don't know how that will affect their release schedule.
Audio Girl
03-06-2004, 05:13 PM
Thanks, Davey. I should have known that you would be the first to steer me in the right direction. I am going to look for "Disintegration" on vinyl at the local HalfPrice Books, as well as on ebay.
I'll also look for the CD online. I appreciate your help. By the way, I tried to send you an email and it came back to me. If you wouldn't mind sending me an email (still the hotmail address) with you snail mail address. Have a little surprise I'd like to send your way.
M
Dave_G
03-06-2004, 06:05 PM
OK the 2 Dave's rule for the Cure here.
I've been a fan of theirs for years and years, back to Pornography, the Top, and Boys don't Cry.
I wouldn't go with Disintegration first, I'd go with "Staring at the Sea . The Singles."
If you like this then you can look for others.
If you need a copy of it let me know, RIAA be damned.
Dave
Audio Girl
03-06-2004, 07:52 PM
Dave, I'd love to have a comp of The Cure...anything you see fit. How can I email you? My email addy is: mlcheist@.......See the message above to davey for the rest of my email addy. :-) Just trying to prevent as much spam as possible. I'm always open to differing opinions. ;-)
Dusty Chalk
03-06-2004, 11:40 PM
Just another opinion -- there's a best of that recently came out (with a limited two CD version containing...uh, unplugged tracks? I forget), and a 4 disk (!) B-sides collection called Connect the Dots which ain't too shabby. A compleatist's delight. I would stick that one somewhere early in your purchasing program, but not before: Kiss Me Kiss Me Kiss Me Kiss Me Kiss Me, Wish, The Head on the Door, and Staring at the Sea (this last one is an earlier greatest hits collection -- might want to compare it with the new one to see how much overlap there is). Disintegration first, though, of course. Easily their best album, I think most people would agree.
Don't know nuthin' about vinyl vs. CD versions. Sorry can't help you there.
Stone
03-07-2004, 04:18 AM
I'd also recommend Disintegration if you like "Pictures of You." It's a great album, and relatively accessible, but I don't agree that it's their best. I'd save that spot for The Head On the Door. Boys Don't Cry (and Three Imaginary Boys which has many of the same tracks as Boys Don't Cry) is another accessible album that is great start to finish. That's where I'd go after Disintegration, then pick up The Head on the Door. Then if you're still looking for more you can dive into the darker side of the Cure, and for that I'd start with Seventeen Seconds.
As you can see, they have a pretty good sized catalog and something like Staring at the Sea is definitely not a bad way to go, but it doesn't have anything released post-1986, including anything off of Disintegration.
Stone
Finch Platte
03-08-2004, 05:19 AM
I was introduced to The Cure's "Pictures of You" thanks to the HP Digital commercial. Really like this song and was curious where I should start with their catalog. Also, LP or CD? Thanks for your help!
TGIS,
Mary
Oh, wait- I meant to say, the Cure is in my pile of CDs to take in to the used CD store. It's a live disc, rel. around 1993, called 'show.' You may have it if you want it. And yes, it has a live version of 'Pictures of You.'
fp
Ex Lion Tamer
03-08-2004, 06:32 AM
I have to agree with Stone on this one. Head On The Door is my favorite Cure album, the one I reach for most, even today. The best mix of their pop and goth sensibilities, with more of an emphasis on pop, "In Between Days" may be there best pure-pop song. The others Stone mentions (Boys Don't Cry, Seventeen Seconds and of course Disintegration) are all essential, but don't overlook Wish, which I think is their underrated classic.
Mark
Mr MidFi
03-08-2004, 06:38 AM
One more recommendation for both Disintegration and Staring at the Sea. You can own these two (as I do) and have the Cure pretty well covered, IMO.
Be advised...a lot of Disintegration is extremely moody and somber, and may take some getting used to. But then, I guess that can be said for their entire catalog. Give it enough listens...it's well worth it.
I can recommend the 2001 greatest hits package quote from Allmusic 'Greatest Hits is basically for the fans who have to have everything, but also a decent collection for those who never fully enraptured themselves with the Cure. A bonus disc entitled Acoustic Hits, featuring newly recorded unplugged versions of the classic tracks, was also included.
The acoustic collection is especially nice to listen to it has a live one-take sound to it which stands up very well to the originals. Overall I think I probably prefer that to disc 1 the singles collection.
Cheers
Mike
Dave_G
03-08-2004, 07:39 AM
Well I guess all the bases are covered for this band, huh.
Bloodflowers is boring as crud for me so far, but the new 2 dvd set is real good.
Let's move on to prog.
Dave
Audio Girl
03-08-2004, 09:44 AM
Oh, wait- I meant to say, the Cure is in my pile of CDs to take in to the used CD store. It's a live disc, rel. around 1993, called 'show.' You may have it if you want it. And yes, it has a live version of 'Pictures of You.'
fp
FP, I appreciate the offer of the live disc, and I actually think I may have something I can send you in trade. My email addy: mlcheist@. Trying to get past those email scammers -- its a hotmail address.
Thanks to everyone who replied! I lost two ebay auctions yesterday trying to get Disintegration on LP :-( I'm going to see if I can find it and the other LPs mentioned here on the cheap at one of the HalfPrice Book stores.
Happy Monday!
Best,
Mary
Dave_G
03-08-2004, 10:39 AM
I had Head on the Door at one time, but I don't see a lot of their stull on lp, but there has to be a lot of it, as they were real popular at the time whan lp's were as well.
A used shop would probably have some?
Dave
trauski
03-10-2004, 09:26 AM
The Cure was definitly one of my favorite bands during the mid 80' when i was at college. the Head on the Door album is what pulled me in. inbetween days was a great song. i have so many of their discs that i dont even remember all of them. staring at the sea has a great mix althought the first song probably wont be getting any airplay anytime soon due to wars where there is sand. i bought the Cure DVD its called Trilogy. havent had a chance to go all the way through it but there is live performance of pictures of you. the song selection is not what i would have put together for the set but the cure had many followers for many reasons. those acrylic plastic tubes with water in the bottom enhanced some of those strange to somber songs of that decade.
unleasHell
03-10-2004, 01:26 PM
The first Cure CD (in the USA) was "Boys Don't Cry" and is filled with short fun pop songs all sung with a (admitted) heavy Joy Division influence. You should definetly get this one.
The second (US) release was "17 Seconds" and in my opinion is by far their best release. It is filled with wispy-mellow guitars, awesome vocals and music that takes you to a far away dream-land. I wish Robert Smith would try to recreate this magic. It is not poppy at all and has longer songs, for the most part. It is one of MY Top Ten releases of the 80's.
Faith and Pornography are the next two releases, I saw them in Concert, during the Pornography Tour. Both of these are cold and dark, I would not get these until you are a big fan...
Kiss me, Head on the Door and Love Cats era stuff will probably most appeal to the average girl, you might want to start here unless you can admit to also liking Joy Division, Sisters of Mercy and Peter Murphy. I saw them again in Concert and they were becoming far too commercial for my tastes.
With Disintergration and Bloodflowers, the Cure adoted the (good ole) Wall-of-Sound and if you like that sort of recording (I Don't) then these could be their best, but try comparing 17 Seconds to Disentagration, they are worlds apart. the wall-of-sound does not really allow for distinct instrumentation and that is why I don't like it.
OF COURSE, YOUR RESULTS MAY VARY.
-Jar-
03-10-2004, 01:27 PM
I had Head on the Door at one time, but I don't see a lot of their stull on lp, but there has to be a lot of it, as they were real popular at the time whan lp's were as well.
A used shop would probably have some?
Dave
I gots PORNOGRAPHY and KISS ME KISS ME KISS ME on da vinyl stuff. the PORNO was used, and it's on the noisy side, but has great bass.. the KISS ME is decent, but I think better pressings probably exist.
I had FAITH on vinyl too but it was way noisy so I took it back. The antisepticness of the digital medium I thought has always worked in their favor as far as SEVENTEEN SECONDS goes.. The first issue we got at our college radio for DISINTEGRATION was vinyl.. but I can't remember if it came on one or two discs.. that's a lot of music to cram on one lp.. I can't wait to replace the LP of PORNO was a remastered cee dee. I hope the remaster of DISINTEGRATION eases some of the murkiness. We'll see.
-jar
Davey
03-10-2004, 01:53 PM
The first issue we got at our college radio for DISINTEGRATION was vinyl.. but I can't remember if it came on one or two discs.. that's a lot of music to cram on one lp..
Yeah, the CD would be too long for a single LP at around 72 minutes but if you check the notes on the back of the CD you'll see that it has two extra songs not on the LP, Last Dance and Homesick. It does indicate on the CD that it was an analog source which might be why the LP sounds better (IMO), although I still suspect they were both cut from the same digital master.
Dusty Chalk
03-10-2004, 06:35 PM
After listening to the recent greatest hits again, I would recommend that as a good starter. Especially if you're worried about them being too morose or something -- all the upbeat songs are on that one: "Friday I'm In Love", "Lovecats", etc., plus the rocker "Never Enough", and my favourite of the early tracks, "A Forest".
mad rhetorik
03-14-2004, 02:42 PM
Buy <b>Disintegration</b> first, it's an excellent album, possibly the band's best. The title track is probably my favorite cut on there, and the whole album has a very atmospheric, shoegazer feel. Once you've listened to that and want more Cure, go with these (in the following order):
<b>Staring At The Sea: The Singles</b>: Pretty much self-explanatory. Contains mostly pop Cure. This particular comp does <i>not</i> have "Friday, I'm In Love" on it.
<b>Head On The Door</b>: An excellent album that contains both the lighter and darker stylings of the band.
<b>Seventeen Seconds</b>: Darker than the above, but still fairly accessible. The best early Cure album. Contains my favorite Cure single, "A Forest."
<b>Faith</b>: Darker and bleaker still. Contains the excellent "All Cats Are Grey."
<b>Pornography</b>: The closest to "goth" that Robert Smith ever got. It's a great album, but definitely best not to start with this one. Savage, despairing, and scary, this is right up there with Joy Division's output.
<b>Bloodflowers</b>: Smith has said in interviews that <b>Pornography</b>, <b>Disintegration</b> and <b>Bloodflowers</b> form a sort of trilogy. This is a dark album, but not as morose as <b>Faith</b> nor as brutal as <b>Pornography</b>. As of now this is the last Cure album, and it's probably going to stay that way. Not as good as the above albums, but worth picking up.
Dave_G
03-15-2004, 08:22 AM
Well,
we all agree then that we can't agree on which Cure to buy!
Heck, my all time favorite of all the Cure stuff I have is a VHS version of a concert called "In Orange".
It's way excellent, before Porl split, and has excellent sound quality.
Wish that would show up on dvd.
But for a cd selection for the un-initiated, I still vote for "staring at the sea - the singles".
Dave
Audio Girl
03-15-2004, 09:21 PM
Sounds like "Disintegration" is a given since it contains the song that drew me in. Our local used CD store allows you to listen...I'll just go in when I have about 8 hours to devote to the effort. :0
I absolutely appreciate all the time and effort everyone committed to this thread!
Well,
we all agree then that we can't agree on which Cure to buy!
Heck, my all time favorite of all the Cure stuff I have is a VHS version of a concert called "In Orange".
It's way excellent, before Porl split, and has excellent sound quality.
Wish that would show up on dvd.
But for a cd selection for the un-initiated, I still vote for "staring at the sea - the singles".
Dave
vivisimonvi
03-16-2004, 02:07 AM
Check out the Trilogy 2-disc DVD set later along the road. The Dolby Digital soundtrack is spectacular with the recent live sets all from Pornography, Disintegration, and Bloodflowers... Very well performed and worth a listen!
Dave_G
03-16-2004, 06:14 AM
ebay has about 5 listings for the "In Orange" video by the way.
Dave
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