This is the band's most excessive, violent and intense album. At that time they took a lot of drugs, slept during the day on the studio floor, recorded at night, and in the morning went to drink at a bar. On tour Robert and Simon ended up in a punch fight and the group disintegrated.
Wow! What a tremendous surprise!! LOVE this album!! Upon first listen this album hit me like a freight train and has a place on my personal top 3 albums of all time…. Thank you so much for reacting to this. This album means everything to me
Love this album. Happy for you to listen to a whole album. Since you’ve been listening to Joy Division and other post punk things you would probably really like Faith and 17 Seconds.
This is my favourite album of theirs. The Figurehead is my favoyrite track off it. I like the fact that the rhythm section relentlessly keeps driving throughout.
One of my favourite albums since I heard it first time as very young and a bit depressed teenager in early 80's. Still love it to this day. IMHO the best by them. Also you have to see live version from Trilogy Live, they are playing whole album track by track! (Plus Bloodflowers and Disintegration). It's somewhere here on Yt.
I have been a Cure fan since 1985 and this is actually my favorite album by them. I love every single track on it, but 'A Strange Day' has a special place in my heart, it's one of my all-time favorite songs ever.
Love that you chose to react to this.This is part of a somewhat unofficial "Dark Trilogy" of The Cure albums. It includes Seventeen Seconds, this album and Faith. I highly recommend you react to those as well, especially Faith is fantastic imo. Dare I say quite underrated.
The top three concerts I ever attended were all The Cure. Pure EXCESS, with light shows you could put on your tongue and savor like candy. The Kiss Me Kiss Me Kiss Me show, the speakers were set all around the arena, and the drums would move in circles. Good stuff.
Ah, my favourite Cure album, with probably my favourite song: Siamese Twins, though the album is filled with great songs, so hard to tell. I haven’t watched this review yet, but will do. 😊
IMO when I hear the lyrics to Cold all I can think about is my extremely abusive narcissistic mother. She is now a mental health therapist which fits perfectly for her need to judge and control others while never addressing her own problems. Just another way to gather the vulnerable into her web😢. Also the line “ I was cold as I mouthed the words and crawled across the mirror” is devastating as it’s hard to walk away from abuse like that without carrying some of that ugliness into your own life and relationships as an adult.💔🖤
Love this album and so glad you reviewed it. Personally i like the second half more than the first but it is definitely an album to experience as a whole. I’d love to see you check some Manic Street Preachers on your channel, only thought of this as their “Holy Bible” album is another intense dark masterpiece from a troubled genius
definitely starting in the deep end here. incredible album glad you did the whole album for this one, it ties together so well You might also want to dive into the other two albums from this phase of the cure seventeen seconds and faith (with carnage visors) After this album the cure does the complete opposite and goes ultra happy
The Live in Orange version of 100 Years - Robert's guitar tone is immense. Worth a listen on it's own. And in 100 years - there is indeed a drum machine on that track - I think complementing a real kit.
Recently I found some popular webzine album reviews on my favorite rare, but productive artist, and they were kinda positive, but like 3-lined "this album is ok, the genre is idk but maybe gothic, the rate is idk maybe 4/5 it needs a hit" - obviously from a reviewer by a profession. And there were three of such sort. Feels like another silly youtube comment with "years", but being 32 and finally stumbling across a person who's INTO music and MAKES the sense of it... Man, I really need to pay respect to you (and I would totally do it on Patreon, but I'm not able technically from this Russia lol, so let's hope for some better times), you're discovering all this diverse music on your channel, having fun, searching for lyrics and facts, sharing your interpretations... Just keep doing it (of course you will 'cause you like it)), such attitude to music is precious!
I listened to Pornography a lot the year it was released, but I admit that I quickly moved away from it because its deliberately depressive heavy atmosphere no longer suited me at all. Looking back, I think it's a bit too paroxysmal and forced, both musically and lyrically (but I guess that was the mindset of Robert Smith & Co. at the time). It's been ages since I listened to this album and your review gave me the opportunity to do so, but it's not an album I'm attached to (even if I admit to liking "The Figurehead"). I prefer the atmosphere of collected melancholy found in Faith (1981), the previous album or the stripped down minimalist foggy pieces of the album Seventeen Seconds released in 1980 which is without doubt my favourite album from The Cure. Justin, try to go back and listen to Faith then Seventeen Seconds (and eventually their debut album Three Imaginary Boys) to understand Robert Smith's mental journey that led him to the abyss of Pornography.
My favorite part of the album is the one you see from Siamese Twins to Cold. Although the whole album is very intense I think my favorite of the Sinister Trilogy is Faith (1981).
Very interesting reaction. Catching the meaning is really not easy and you had some good intuitions. BTW the song 100 years or at least the title was inspired by the book "Cien anos de soledad" (One hundread years of solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez.
Hi JP! Thank you for this reaction. TheCure and this album specifically are my favorite. Can I throw out a very specific song suggestion?? I’d love to see someone on UA-cam do a reaction to Dolly Parton I will always love you the 1982 greatest hits version (only found on that album I think). I see other reactions to the version she performed on her show and she has a version on the Jolene album 1974(pretty flat), but the 1982 greatest hits version is one of the most emotional songs you’ll ever hear 💔. She was truly feeling what she originally wrote about years before. Happy listening! Thanks again having lots of fun watching your channel!
Great review . My favourite Cure album, such a wonderful record.Many years ago at school we had to do a project using album artwork, I got spoken to after using this album.
Justin, whilst I was doing my compulsory Finnish army service in 1983 (because we're right next to Russia, Soviet Union at the time), Pornography was on my Walkman non-stop. I'm not sure it was smart to give an assault weapon to a young man under such a terrifying influence.
This album is epic. And yeah, it IS a drum machine on One Hundred Years. the next two drummers, Andy Anderson and Boris Williams played it live, and the next drummer, Jason Cooper, performed it live until Robert Smith decided to add a click track and backing tape on the 2000 tour, when the drum loop was added and he has played over it ever since. The backing tracks have really kinda killed the live vibe from what it used to be. The Figurehead is actually one of the fans favorite songs from this album, it is one that the band pulls out from time to time on rare occasions. I was lucky enough to see it live once. Re: the fanzine they keep referring to, it was called "Cure News" and it was tangentially associated with the band, being run with access to the band and run out of their offices. Around that time, Robert was giving brief meanings of every song, album by album per issue, which you had to send an international post-stamped envelope to the UK to receive. I think I got 2 issues of it. I really recommend you listening to both Seventeen Seconds and Faith, the 2 previous albums, to see how they got here. It is an interesting journey (by train?)
My favorite track is #2 'A Short Term Effect'. 'A Strange Day' comes in 2nd for me. 'The Figurehead' seems to have the same melody as 'The Hanging Garden'. Love the creative lyrics. After this Smith joined Siouxsie & the Banshees officially, replacing their guitarist. He and Steve Severin made an album together as The Glove, titled 'Blue Sunshine' while Siouxsie Sioux and drummer Budgie made an album as The Creatures.
I just listened to this last weekend. Admittedly it’s not very Christmasy. But when the weather is freezing The Cure is one of my picks. But I just listened again with you for your reaction! Always fun.
I always liked The Cure but never listened to an entire album by them. Only have a greatest songs CD. Last year I finally listened to the Desintegration album and was amazed! Loved it so much! Growing up my brother was into Goth and played Synthesizers for a Goth band and I know The Cure was a big influence.
They have 3 albums of that style: Standing on the Beach: The Singles 1978-1986, Galore: The Singles 1987-1997 and the Greatest Hits (2001). I would recommend to start the studio album The Head on the door (1985), it is the most pop.
hi jp the cure are one of the most infectious groups of the 80s went to see them this month in Leeds uk absolutely awesome I'm thinking this could be there last tour shame fabulous evening
If 'Disintegration' is The Cure's most beautiful and emotional rollercoaster, then 'Pornography' is the descent into hell. But I also think it's very beautiful in it's own way, the menacing atmosphere and soundscape they managed to create is incredible.
100 hundred years is a timeless classic. I occasionally chat to the bassist Simon Gallup! great bloke. oh yeah.. I am getting A Forest signed by original keyboardist Matthieu Hartley too! -C- 2023
18:14 About "The Hanging Garden" Robert said: "I was alone at home hearing some noises of cats meowing and they made me feel very strange, I went out into the garden naked, stupid!." At one point in the video clip you can see the three members of the group hanging from the neck of a tree.
What a surprise. Porno on channel. More. The cure. Every LP is worth to listen. Smith is a genius composer. He is good succesor of David Bowie which was his mentor. You know that U2 have phenomenal LP in 80s an 90s too.
Title track is literally about pornography - about what they saw - the abuse, the exploitation, the victims, and even about snuff videos. From the pov of the viewer, addict. Look up the history to it. Its meant to sound like the album cover looks - their souls in hell, licked by flames, the drums being the sound of approaching judgment/punishment. They had an intense catholic upbringing. The Figurehead is also about that, but different angle. From the pov of a victim. Sure they were drinking and high at times. But this wasn't meaningless writing. You can't produce an album this good in a stupor. 100 years is about war and greed. And on it goes. The instruments are played with lots of tension. There's a strong Gothic element to it. For me, it's the sound of righteous indignation.
Pornography was recording in 15 days, with a lot of LSD, Alcohol.... The band litterally lived and sleeped in the studio and made a mountain of Beer cans..... the bad critics and unsuccess of their third ALbum "Fatih" which is a masterpiece , made SMith Angry, so he decided to do the definitive Fuck rock'n roll album, no real single, n for radionjust anger , depression , despair and darkness, Chris Parry their manager was affraid when he heard the album for the first time and said : there is nothing good.... it's horrible....
I think "Faith" has stood the test of time now though. "Primary", "Other Voices", "All Cats Are Grey", "Charlotte Sometimes" of that era all have ober millions of views respectfully with some not even being singles; they did music well of that time I believev
@@bethanyjosephadventures2935 Faith and Pornography are for me the two masterpieces of their discography, and I can't decide which is the best..... Faith is Beautiful when Pornography is pure darkness.....
@@jean-christophelebachelet5926 Seventeen Seconds as well. Those three albums are the hallmark of their early career. What makes me sad is that one of the worst songs on THOTD is the one that they insist on playing at EVERY.FUCKING.SHOW. - A Night Like This... grr... So many better songs they could play. Hell, give me Screw at every show instead.
Oh cool, this is my second favourite Cure album after Seventeen Seconds. They were great but never quite the same after this, given that they went after (and got) mainstream success.
This is the band's most excessive, violent and intense album. At that time they took a lot of drugs, slept during the day on the studio floor, recorded at night, and in the morning went to drink at a bar. On tour Robert and Simon ended up in a punch fight and the group disintegrated.
This is largely horseshit you’re talking, mate..
Wow! What a tremendous surprise!! LOVE this album!! Upon first listen this album hit me like a freight train and has a place on my personal top 3 albums of all time…. Thank you so much for reacting to this. This album means everything to me
Love this album. Happy for you to listen to a whole album. Since you’ve been listening to Joy Division and other post punk things you would probably really like Faith and 17 Seconds.
This is my favourite album of theirs. The Figurehead is my favoyrite track off it. I like the fact that the rhythm section relentlessly keeps driving throughout.
One of my favourite albums since I heard it first time as very young and a bit depressed teenager in early 80's. Still love it to this day. IMHO the best by them. Also you have to see live version from Trilogy Live, they are playing whole album track by track! (Plus Bloodflowers and Disintegration). It's somewhere here on Yt.
I have been a Cure fan since 1985 and this is actually my favorite album by them. I love every single track on it, but 'A Strange Day' has a special place in my heart, it's one of my all-time favorite songs ever.
It's on par with Disintegration for me. Both totally different vibes, too. The Cure never pigeonhole themselves which alone is worthy of respect.
37:35 Idem, my favorite song is Cold, the second A Strange Day. The beginning of Cold is as if the hinges of the gates of hell are opened.
Love that you chose to react to this.This is part of a somewhat unofficial "Dark Trilogy" of The Cure albums. It includes Seventeen Seconds, this album and Faith. I highly recommend you react to those as well, especially Faith is fantastic imo. Dare I say quite underrated.
Ohhhhh man, what a fantastic end to 2022. I love this band. Happy New Year, Justin! 🎉
The top three concerts I ever attended were all The Cure. Pure EXCESS, with light shows you could put on your tongue and savor like candy. The Kiss Me Kiss Me Kiss Me show, the speakers were set all around the arena, and the drums would move in circles. Good stuff.
Ah, my favourite Cure album, with probably my favourite song: Siamese Twins, though the album is filled with great songs, so hard to tell. I haven’t watched this review yet, but will do. 😊
IMO when I hear the lyrics to Cold all I can think about is my extremely abusive narcissistic mother. She is now a mental health therapist which fits perfectly for her need to judge and control others while never addressing her own problems. Just another way to gather the vulnerable into her web😢. Also the line “ I was cold as I mouthed the words and crawled across the mirror” is devastating as it’s hard to walk away from abuse like that without carrying some of that ugliness into your own life and relationships as an adult.💔🖤
enjoyed your analysis, Cold is also my favorite track from this album and one of my fav cuts from The Cure fullstop.
Love this album and so glad you reviewed it. Personally i like the second half more than the first but it is definitely an album to experience as a whole. I’d love to see you check some Manic Street Preachers on your channel, only thought of this as their “Holy Bible” album is another intense dark masterpiece from a troubled genius
Absolutely, and The Holy Bible is MSP's Pornography. A destructive and dirty album that also looks into the abyss.
definitely starting in the deep end here. incredible album
glad you did the whole album for this one, it ties together so well
You might also want to dive into the other two albums from this phase of the cure seventeen seconds and faith (with carnage visors)
After this album the cure does the complete opposite and goes ultra happy
The Live in Orange version of 100 Years - Robert's guitar tone is immense. Worth a listen on it's own.
And in 100 years - there is indeed a drum machine on that track - I think complementing a real kit.
Fun fact the chord progression of the cello in Cold is the same as Batman theme in Burton movie and 1992 Batman anime serie
I love that other people know this as well. Cool fun fact, Danny Elfman loves the cure.
ha, this has been nagging at me for years.
Recently I found some popular webzine album reviews on my favorite rare, but productive artist, and they were kinda positive, but like 3-lined "this album is ok, the genre is idk but maybe gothic, the rate is idk maybe 4/5 it needs a hit" - obviously from a reviewer by a profession. And there were three of such sort.
Feels like another silly youtube comment with "years", but being 32 and finally stumbling across a person who's INTO music and MAKES the sense of it... Man, I really need to pay respect to you (and I would totally do it on Patreon, but I'm not able technically from this Russia lol, so let's hope for some better times), you're discovering all this diverse music on your channel, having fun, searching for lyrics and facts, sharing your interpretations... Just keep doing it (of course you will 'cause you like it)), such attitude to music is precious!
That really means a ton to me Paul, thank you so much. I love music in all forms and love discovering more and more each day😃
I listened to Pornography a lot the year it was released, but I admit that I quickly moved away from it because its deliberately depressive heavy atmosphere no longer suited me at all. Looking back, I think it's a bit too paroxysmal and forced, both musically and lyrically (but I guess that was the mindset of Robert Smith & Co. at the time).
It's been ages since I listened to this album and your review gave me the opportunity to do so, but it's not an album I'm attached to (even if I admit to liking "The Figurehead").
I prefer the atmosphere of collected melancholy found in Faith (1981), the previous album or the stripped down minimalist foggy pieces of the album Seventeen Seconds released in 1980 which is without doubt my favourite album from The Cure.
Justin, try to go back and listen to Faith then Seventeen Seconds (and eventually their debut album Three Imaginary Boys) to understand Robert Smith's mental journey that led him to the abyss of Pornography.
My favorite part of the album is the one you see from Siamese Twins to Cold. Although the whole album is very intense I think my favorite of the Sinister Trilogy is Faith (1981).
Very interesting reaction. Catching the meaning is really not easy and you had some good intuitions.
BTW the song 100 years or at least the title was inspired by the book "Cien anos de soledad" (One hundread years of solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez.
I think Pornography is the best Cure album.
Hi JP! Thank you for this reaction. TheCure and this album specifically are my favorite. Can I throw out a very specific song suggestion?? I’d love to see someone on UA-cam do a reaction to Dolly Parton I will always love you the 1982 greatest hits version (only found on that album I think). I see other reactions to the version she performed on her show and she has a version on the Jolene album 1974(pretty flat), but the 1982 greatest hits version is one of the most emotional songs you’ll ever hear 💔. She was truly feeling what she originally wrote about years before. Happy listening! Thanks again having lots of fun watching your channel!
Great review . My favourite Cure album, such a wonderful record.Many years ago at school we had to do a project using album artwork, I got spoken to after using this album.
Justin, whilst I was doing my compulsory Finnish army service in 1983 (because we're right next to Russia, Soviet Union at the time), Pornography was on my Walkman non-stop. I'm not sure it was smart to give an assault weapon to a young man under such a terrifying influence.
This album is epic. And yeah, it IS a drum machine on One Hundred Years. the next two drummers, Andy Anderson and Boris Williams played it live, and the next drummer, Jason Cooper, performed it live until Robert Smith decided to add a click track and backing tape on the 2000 tour, when the drum loop was added and he has played over it ever since. The backing tracks have really kinda killed the live vibe from what it used to be.
The Figurehead is actually one of the fans favorite songs from this album, it is one that the band pulls out from time to time on rare occasions. I was lucky enough to see it live once.
Re: the fanzine they keep referring to, it was called "Cure News" and it was tangentially associated with the band, being run with access to the band and run out of their offices. Around that time, Robert was giving brief meanings of every song, album by album per issue, which you had to send an international post-stamped envelope to the UK to receive. I think I got 2 issues of it.
I really recommend you listening to both Seventeen Seconds and Faith, the 2 previous albums, to see how they got here. It is an interesting journey (by train?)
My favorite track is #2 'A Short Term Effect'. 'A Strange Day' comes in 2nd for me. 'The Figurehead' seems to have the same melody as 'The Hanging Garden'. Love the creative lyrics.
After this Smith joined Siouxsie & the Banshees officially, replacing their guitarist. He and Steve Severin made an album together as The Glove, titled 'Blue Sunshine' while Siouxsie Sioux and drummer Budgie made an album as The Creatures.
I just listened to this last weekend. Admittedly it’s not very Christmasy. But when the weather is freezing The Cure is one of my picks. But I just listened again with you for your reaction! Always fun.
Have you just reacted to one of the top three greatest albums ever? Have to watch and listen to this..
Classic The Cure album, one of their best! 😍
My favourite Cure album. The two previous albums were even darker.
from what i remember .. part of the reverse sound was from the "BBC's" news (title track)
I always liked The Cure but never listened to an entire album by them. Only have a greatest songs CD. Last year I finally listened to the Desintegration album and was amazed! Loved it so much! Growing up my brother was into Goth and played Synthesizers for a Goth band and I know The Cure was a big influence.
They have 3 albums of that style: Standing on the Beach: The Singles 1978-1986, Galore: The Singles 1987-1997 and the Greatest Hits (2001). I would recommend to start the studio album The Head on the door (1985), it is the most pop.
@@lauce3998 I also have Wish. Definetely need more of their albums, thanks!
@@mariflame1821 Wish is my second favorite.
MOM I'M ON THE TV!
And no worries, you pronounced my last name Onischishin PERFECTLY wich is not always the case even for my fellow countrymen lol
Also THANK YOU for the reaction. It's like showing it to a friend except you are 100% sure they will listen closely without distractions.
As good as Disintegration and Head on the door are Pornography is my favourite the cure album.
For me, this is their first truly great record, along with HOTD, KMx3,Disintegration and Wish.
hi jp the cure are one of the most infectious groups of the 80s went to see them this month in Leeds uk absolutely awesome I'm thinking this could be there last tour shame fabulous evening
Please do more Cure reactions! Love to hear your thoughts on their stuff
"Pummeled with pessimism". I love it. Hahaha.
I'm just glad you reacted to it.
If 'Disintegration' is The Cure's most beautiful and emotional rollercoaster, then 'Pornography' is the descent into hell. But I also think it's very beautiful in it's own way, the menacing atmosphere and soundscape they managed to create is incredible.
The producer is The Cure, the band itself 😊
100 hundred years is a timeless classic.
I occasionally chat to the bassist Simon Gallup! great bloke.
oh yeah.. I am getting A Forest signed by original keyboardist Matthieu Hartley too!
-C- 2023
One hundred years seems to use a beat-box machine then distorted and effected to get that ominous sound.
Great, now listen to Faith by them.. ☺️
I'd enjoy him finishing Kiss Me where he stalled after Torture.
@@eboethrasher wouldn't mind it either
Beautiful lyrics and music, poetry.
18:14 About "The Hanging Garden" Robert said: "I was alone at home hearing some noises of cats meowing and they made me feel very strange, I went out into the garden naked, stupid!." At one point in the video clip you can see the three members of the group hanging from the neck of a tree.
By their arms, to clarify, not their necks, lol.
Um dos melhores álbuns de uma geração
I’ve always thought his guitar playing is underrated ❤
100 years.... 100 years... one hundred years......
C
It's okay. Not really my thing but I am glad I got to hear it.
What a surprise. Porno on channel. More. The cure. Every LP is worth to listen. Smith is a genius composer. He is good succesor of David Bowie which was his mentor. You know that U2 have phenomenal LP in 80s an 90s too.
I think Disintegration is boring, but Pornography is really angst and a manic album.
Title track is literally about pornography - about what they saw - the abuse, the exploitation, the victims, and even about snuff videos. From the pov of the viewer, addict. Look up the history to it. Its meant to sound like the album cover looks - their souls in hell, licked by flames, the drums being the sound of approaching judgment/punishment. They had an intense catholic upbringing. The Figurehead is also about that, but different angle. From the pov of a victim. Sure they were drinking and high at times. But this wasn't meaningless writing. You can't produce an album this good in a stupor. 100 years is about war and greed. And on it goes. The instruments are played with lots of tension. There's a strong Gothic element to it. For me, it's the sound of righteous indignation.
My best chakra cleaner.
Can't do it sorry. "This is before Disintegration, right?" Dude!
not sure, is it?
It's about 7 years before. 1982, i believe!
Pornography was recording in 15 days, with a lot of LSD, Alcohol.... The band litterally lived and sleeped in the studio and made a mountain of Beer cans..... the bad critics and unsuccess of their third ALbum "Fatih" which is a masterpiece , made SMith Angry, so he decided to do the definitive Fuck rock'n roll album, no real single, n for radionjust anger , depression , despair and darkness, Chris Parry their manager was affraid when he heard the album for the first time and said : there is nothing good.... it's horrible....
I think "Faith" has stood the test of time now though. "Primary", "Other Voices", "All Cats Are Grey", "Charlotte Sometimes" of that era all have ober millions of views respectfully with some not even being singles; they did music well of that time I believev
@@bethanyjosephadventures2935 Faith and Pornography are for me the two masterpieces of their discography, and I can't decide which is the best..... Faith is Beautiful when Pornography is pure darkness.....
@@jean-christophelebachelet5926 Seventeen Seconds as well. Those three albums are the hallmark of their early career. What makes me sad is that one of the worst songs on THOTD is the one that they insist on playing at EVERY.FUCKING.SHOW. - A Night Like This... grr... So many better songs they could play. Hell, give me Screw at every show instead.
Oh cool, this is my second favourite Cure album after Seventeen Seconds. They were great but never quite the same after this, given that they went after (and got) mainstream success.
Though that being said, Disintegration was damn good in a gloomy kinda way...
I'm quite the reverse. My favourite period starts at "Head On The Door" and ends at "Wish", with "Disintegration" topping the list!
@@Katehowe3010 interesting! I do love Disintegration, and I used to busk a couple of tracks off Head On the Door so I can't complain too much.
@@pentagrammaton6793 You redeemed yourself there, mate! I was ready to explode with pure indignation for your not mentioning Disintegration.
@@pentagrammaton6793 Just a thought. You mention "Disintegration" as being kinda gloomy. How the hell would you describe this album? 🤔
Best album ever for me.