This is a magnificent album in my opinion. From first listen, I was hooked it's a no skip for me. I love every track. This is a rare occasion where we disagree on a record Brendon. Have you watched their live gig from Troxy London on Friday night, where they played the album in full & then 2 hours of their back catalogue? It was fantastic, it's still on their UA-cam channel.
I'm blown away by it, a truly magnificent album, way better than I could've hoped for given the negativity from the likes of Fantano. The instrumentation is certainly dense, with an almost tape saturation feel, but not muddy. The changes in each intro are subtle, which lends it a contemplative feel, perfect for the subject matter, and Robert's vocals are crystal clear. The quote from Keats' sonnet, 'When I have Fears' on the first page of the booklet, frames the album perfectly (I'm surprised you didn't mention that). And as for the paper stock - that's real quality, like Robert's put some real care into the whole project.
Best Cure album since Disintegration IMO, but no wonder we are different opinion, coz Wish is not a favorite of mine. "Songs of a Lost World" is just great and in the mood of the classic Cure albums. Even the Instrumentals bonus CD is great to listen.
Good album, but not nearly as good as "Disintegration", "Kiss Me, Kiss Me, Kiss Me", " Head on The Door", or "The Top". I fact, I think "Pornography" and "Funeral Party" are probably better albums than this one. I'm with this reviewer and couldn't help being a little disappointed with this one. 16 years is a long time between albums and this one could have been much better.
I love the albums haunting, layered soundscapes, but I can see how the slow pacing and deeply melancholic tone may not appeal to everyone. With the albums intense repetition and brooding lyrics that can make the listening experience feel heavy or overwhelming.
Sometimes, you're not quite in the right mood to discover a new album. Sometimes, months or years after, you pick this album on a shelf and suddenly, you're astonished... wondering why you didn't like it the first time. That's the magic of music. Best wishes Brendon ! Keep on the good work !
Mr. AllMusic published a very elaborate description and review! Yours too! Moreover, they perfectly demonstrate the full extent of this high-quality opus. I fully agree with the review. This is one of The Cure's best albums with: 1. Pornography; 2. Disintegration; 3. Songs...; 4. The head...; 5. Kiss me... Several other reviews mention that this album is beautiful, but depressing. This album is more than that. The atmosphere, the sounds and the content form the expression of an inspired and skillfully presented work. That these critics consider the album depressing is an opinion, but the subjects treated and chosen go in the direction of a tragedy. When an artist chooses to talk about suicide, death, the end of things, it cannot be otherwise! Besides, if we focus on the titles alone, we find the essence of the subject: ... alone... nothing is forever... fragile... war... nodrone... never... end... There is nothing joyful there!!! Once the subject is understood, we enter the musical world and that is where EVERYTHING makes sense! The dissonant guitars, the repetitive and bewitching drums, the heavy bass, the atmospheric synths... everything conjures to transport us to the afterlife, if only we are sensitive to it. So I will dance on the Endsong as a man alone before the fate of the world with dark glasses that are worth as much as those of the pleasant but superficial ditties of the current songs and... so sad by their scope! The Cure deals with sad things, it is true, but my god it is joyful to get carried away and fly away with them!!! I will be at their next show in Quebec to celebrate their vision... and I will not be the only one... living from this collective divergence, shared with the joy in my heart of dancing on the sadness of this world!
Brendon, appreciate the review from The Cure. Their music has brought in a lot of listenership. Glad you recognized my favorite album, ‘The Head on the Door’ (1985). To hear Push live was awesome! I enjoyed your trips to Princeton Record Exchange. Haven’t been there in a while, the place still looks great!
This is the most brilliant album I have heard in quite a while. It is very Cure and very cool. I haven't cared for much of anything since Disintegration.
Same as you. Even though it's 10.000 times better than the previous two records. I can't understand critics calling this the best thing since Disintegration. Point 1, there was Wish in between, that was amazing. Point 2, the production on this I absolutely detest. Anyway, the album is fine. And I absolutely loved "Endsong". And Robert sounds absolutely fantastic. By the way, I'd judge it as the best thing since Bloodflowers, way more realistic.
Hi Brendon, thanks for the review. You should give it another go.This new Cure album is a fantastic listen. Every song is good. I understand this is the first of some forthcoming releaes from The Cure, which might explain why there are only eight songs on this one.
Thank you for this thoughtful, well balanced and brave (according to the overwhelming positive reviews out there) review of this record. You put in words exactly how I felt with this album, and for the same reasons as you. I wanted to buy it but, for now, am still waiting and listening to it on streaming services. Thanks a lot for your excellent work (I'm a faithful follower but I don't comment most of the times). Greetings from Switzerland.
Thanks for the honest review. When I heard the new single, I kept thinking I must be missing something because it wasn't that great. I thought the intro would never finish. Ha!
Longtime fan here since '82. I've caught clips of recent concert footage over the past 2 years. "A Forest" and "Charlotte Sometimes" still sounds amazing. And the more commercial stuff like "Just Like Heaven" and "Friday I'm in Love". Knowing there was an album coming out soon back then, I purposely stayed away from the live clips of their new song debuts. "Alone" was the only one I slightly heard. I'm glad I waited for the album release. When the "Alone" video dropped, I found myself crying when Robert's vocals kicked in. I totally lost it with the lyric" all the love falling out of our lives". "I Can Never Say Goodbye" also hit me, ushering great emotions. Maybe me getting closer to 60 with each passing year, maybe the new album is hitting me differently. Who knows? On a side note, I'm still not used to Reeves being in The Cure. Bowie is my all-time favorite artist. And his guitar work is so indicative of 90s Bowie. But Robert and David were big fans of each other's work. So maybe it was meant to be. Either way, excellent album. I need The Cure in my life. More than ever.
I wasn't expecting much from this album tbh. I saw The Cure at Wembley Arena in 2022 when he played six new songs (although I don't know how many of those have ended up on this CD) and I wasn't convinced by them. Robert Smith claimed in a 2016 interview that they had two whole albums of material ready to go. I don't know what happened to them but those 'two albums' worth' sank without a trace. What with the false claims and the sheer length of time since 4:13 Dream Robert Smith has become the George RR Martin of alternative rock. Let's face it, Robert Smith has run out of inspiration. It happens to people as they get older. That is the simple reason for the sheer length of time since the last album. A good friend who heard the new single said, "It's good - but not sixteen years' good". I'm not expecting much from this album. In fact the day this album went on release I bought the 3 CD reissue of Disintegration instead. This will almost certainly be the last original album The Cure ever release. I do still hope to catch them on tour again though.
Got into The Cure in the summer of 1997 when I was 16 after buying Disintegration and Wild Mood Swings on cassette. Took a few listens for their stuff to click with me but once it did I was hooked. Actually preferred Wild Mood Swings to Disintegration at that point because it was brighter and livelier with more variety. Soon enough I’d buy everything Cure I could find, it was a band like no other, they still are. Their weakest album to me is the Self Titled from 2004, 4:13 Dream was just okay but most all their records have gold on them scattered about if not all throughout. My preorder hasn’t came in the mail yet so I can’t really give my full opinion on the new record but I watched 35 minutes of a live set they did of the new record the other day and it all sounded damn good to my ears. If I had to rank a top three Cure album list I’d say Kiss Me, Kiss Me, Kiss Me, Wild Mood Swings and Wish.
Nice critical review Brendon. However, this one just gets better and better with each listen. And wow, the first and last tracks just build into a mesmerizing glory.
Hooked me in overall on first listen, really impressed with this album considering how long they've been going. Amazing and can only get better on future listens! Sorry you didn't catch the vibe on this Brendon, it might open up again for you but I doubt it, I know you really tried. So probably getting my vote for AOTY, it's that good!!👍👍
to my delightful surprise Cure were another of a handful of what are now also "legacy" acts, time flies, that has as of the last 5-10 years been one of few that has returned with an masterful album, with their trademark sound, with many hints to Disintegration, Pornography coming to mind first and foremost, and is what Bloodflowers should've been, namely THEE final part of their legendary trilogy whose 2 first installations were the 2 albums that this new wonderful dark, yet melodic, and with yes a new twist to it all, but this is the first Cure album that has moved me to tears, in a good way for a few decades now, so hats off to Robert who wrote the entire album on his own, the first since Bloodflowers (The Head On The Door being the last one before that again), and Robert IS indeed the captain of this ship, though Simon has been in the band since late '79, and only with a short break from '82-'85, and with Roger having been in and out of the band since '87, and Jason, still the new drummer, though having been the longest serving since '95, just not too many album, as in studio albums that is, and Reeves being their latest new member, and eclectic session guitarist who amongst others has worked with Bowie (RIP)
My biggest issue is the long, drawn out, instrumental passages that never evolve. Had Robert cut those repetitive parts down and made this a 30 minute record, I would be more excited to revisit it.
I’m pretty much with your opinion on the new Cure album , it’s a great album and I’m sure most Cure fans will be very content with it . For me though, it feels a bit flat . I’m missing that definition of sounds that you can hear in their 80’s period ( though I do love ‘Wish’ ). Tracks like ‘Lullaby ‘ , ‘In between Days’ , ‘ The Walk’ ‘ A Forest’ etc is where I remain as a life long Cure fan ; I love the production of that period . No disrespect to the Crawley boys , it’s a fantastic piece of work , but just not for my ears .
Seems to be a way their albums are produced and mixed, Disintegration also had a very dense and cluttered sound, but also due to so much going on with the arrangements
Don’t agree with your review. If Wish is your favorite Cure album, then you’re right, it’s probably not going to resonate with you. Disintegration tour was my first show as a 14 year old. These songs are beautiful and resonate and speak to me from my 14 year old self. Either you get or you don’t.
I'm '59 and I have been a day one fan. One of the main reasons I loved Kiss Me,kiss me,kiss me and Wish so much were because of the mix of the up temp /pop songs with their signature orchestratel sounds. Gave you the best of both worlds. After all these years waiting I really tempered my expectations. After first couple listens I had it at 3 outta 5 but after multiple listens I bumped it to 3.75. my two favorites are it's a fragile thing and I can never say goodbye. I think the short length and amount of songs really works in it's favor. I really feel it's something to listen to from beginning to end. I found the album really enjoyable but not nearly as much as those claiming it to be masterpiece or anywhere close to Disinegration. My favs before this album. They sometimes switch spots especially top 2 or 3. I'll have to figure out where this new album fits. Kiss me Kiss me Kiss me Disinegration Wish Head on the door Pornography Japanese Whispers Bloodflowers The Top 3 Imaginary Boys 17 seconds/Faith Wild mood swings The Cure 4:13
Great review! Most of these songs are well known by fans since they’ve been played live for over a year. So give it time. Interestingly the 3 songs you call “standout” are the ones that were not played live. My take is that Robert added exactly these songs to lighten what was going to be a hour of the darkest music to date. Personally I think it was a mistake and he should have released a 100% dark album to silence those that say “but Pornography”. Robert says there are two more albums coming, so that’s two more chances for 100% dark.
Thanks Brendon thought provoking review. Like many of the other comments, album is fantastic IMO. Agree art work underwhelming at 1st glance but for me makes sense so to speak as one listens to the record
As a long term Cure fan I partly have to agree with you on how you feel about this album. All I Ever Am is the standout song for me and I love a couple of the others, but like you I wish the album had a bit more flesh on it’s bones and especially Endsong just drags too much. I also miss the creative lyrics we got on earlier albums. I love their long intro’s, but something feels off on this one…I will surely give it many more listens, but for now Faith, Disintegration and Wish still remain as my top three Cure records,
This album is more inline with Bloodflowers..it has some resemblance of Disintegration as well. The only song i really dont care for is, "drone nodrone". The best songs for me hands down are, "Warsong and Endsong "
It's from "Bloodflowers" or "Pornography" side. But I think you should give it more time to grow, believe it or not it's quite...catchy if you listen to it sometimes!
Do you not think more than 10 listens is listening to it? You don’t think I really sat and listened closely giving it my full attention? Catchiness is going to suddenly appear if it’s not there for me. My mood might change but the song won’t. I listened both at morning and night and in the middle of the day trying all moods. I did listen.
@BrendonSnyder Well, I don't question your listenings but I think it needs some (more) time to grow. Surely it's not "The head on the door"! Try it again after a couple of weeks.
With bands that take a long break and also have a “sound” lot a “niche” in something they do I think there will always be letdown and some who may not be heavily into a band like the Cure it’s almost better to not even think of the past work sometimes. I’m definitely not a die hard fan by any means which surprises people because I’m 100% down with Duran and a-ha and Depeche Mode U2 REM but the cure I have always had a problem getting full into, Disintegration was the album I feel for me I got into a full album of them, could be because I was working in a music store at the time and we wore it out playing it but I felt I got into it but even that for me I just can’t revisit them very often. I do have almost all their stuff but again I don’t feel I can be any kind of expert on them because I’m not revisiting the work, and we all hear it differently the new album I feel like it’s a good record but I can see myself forgetting I even have it. And it’s not that it’s 8 songs, again it’s just something with them that just never pushed it over the edge for me. For me now especially I need short albums for the purpose of revisiting them, of course it helps if all the songs are strong too. But I do find myself gravitating back to shorter albums and being able to get a better feel of them. Again I will use a Linkin park example with their 11/15 album it’s 31 minutes long, 11 tracks one is an intro so 10 songs 31 minutes now to me that’s solid I’ve already heard 4 songs and they are stellar but also it helps I don’t have history with them I know a few songs was never really into them so for me they are a new band others it’s someone taking over “their band” but all in all we are all going to hear it differently and the best thing that we listen to the music and buy the music too
If you are fan of disintegration, pornography or head on the door albums you will love the album a lot imo it sound that era and for me thats what catch me back then.. i think they did a really great album after so long
A very good review. My thoughts mirror yours. Many are hailing this as the “best album The Cure have ever put out”, but I definitely don’t fall into that camp. I really do not care for the art direction on this record. I to am very visual and the art direction is uninspired. Dare I say lazy. It is the new “Faith” in many ways.
You seem surprised by long, drawn out intros on this album. Umm, have you actually been listening to the Cure? That’s kind of their thing! Lol! I love this album!!!
I’m not surprised by long intros…I’m surprised by the long drawn out mundane repetitive intros that don’t develop or do anything. Did you listen to the review at all? It’s kind of my thing to give good reasoned explanations for my opinions! lol…glad you love it!
@, yeah, I listened to your review. But listen closer to those intros. There is an incremental “building up” in many of them that maybe you still haven’t noticed. And in some of them that don’t necessarily “build up,” there are little changes in the instrumentation that you might notice and appreciate the more listens you put in.
@@aaronclick6388 To be fair he did give it a good few listens, made a point of it. I was surprised how down the review was, seemed quite a good album to me (at least a 7/10). I will give the album a few more listens through the week to be sure.
@, I agree that he did say he gave it several listens. But occasionally an album comes along that doesn’t connect with the listener until an absurd number of listens. Perhaps this will be one of those albums for him. And perhaps not.
Is very difficult for a band or artist to keep their music creativity high like in their youth, I have noticed that decline in every single artist when they reach certain age, so if people is expecting something like what they did in the 80s is very difficult for that to happen to not say imposible
@BrendonSnyder I think is also related with perseption, for me those bands you name are not even close to what they did before, but is normal you know, is part of thr natural course of life, I am not saying they are making bad music, just saying that their prime is over
Thank you, i love this album...It is "Disintegration" part 2... However, for me personaly, their best works still are "Seventeen seconds", "Faith", and "Pornography"...
Not a fan of reviews on an album only 2 days old. I cannot see how you have spent enough time with it to have an honest review. Always seems like just a content grab to me.
I don’t like people who don’t like opinions that disagree with their own and then come up with excuses as to why something came be as it’s presented. As I said in the video I’ve had the album for over a week. Additionally I mentioned having listened to the album more than 10 times. I dare say that qualifies me to review the album. That said it’s just an opinion. Don’t work yourself up so much. No one made you watch album reviews for an album that’s 2 days old. That’s on you man. 🤦♂️
@@BrendonSnyder Don't work myself up so much? LOL do I appear worked up? Look at your reply and calm down there smoke stack. Your the one worked up. Can't take a little criticism? Maturity comes late for some I guess. Also you say no one made me watch reviews for an album 2 days old. Your right. Because I have not. I did not even watch yours. I just commented when I saw it based on what I said. So as you say...That is on you man.😂
Hi, tastes do differ, but I think you really miss the point of this album. Sure, the art work is mundane and dark, yes, the songs are slow and repetitive, but that is exactly what these are about. No mention of the lyrics. Did you actually listen to them? This album for me is about realising life is often disappointing and hard to cope with, it is about melancholy, longing for youth, longing for people that are lost… it is not supposed to be energetic. This is a very good album but not for everyone. It is obvious that it does not fit you. Just saying.
I never said it was a bad album. It just didn’t click with me. As for lyrics, I’m not big on lyrics. For me that doesn’t define the album. Instead for me it’s the sound first and lyrics second. Though the lyrical content is not enough to save this album for me. But as I said, it’s not a bad album. I can be critical and still like the album. Just saying…
Hey you're wearing my favorite band on your T-shirt Duran Duran on my favorite band ever play I need to say something about The new album by the cure don't like it at all
I just "listened" to this, well skipped this album because couldn't get though it and skipped all songs before minute one. I've tried a few times to give The Cure a chance and definitely it's not for me. I hope their true fans enjoy it.
I have always personally disliked The Cure. There was never anything special about them, even at their peak in the 1980s. Poor quality pop dressed up with pretentiousness for people resembling Viz's "Student Grant".
Sorry, the whole new album is garbage. No magic in the songs like disintegration, no melodys and bad songwriting. For me ist is not an album with only 8 songs, its an EP. Even Bloodflowers is million times better album than this garbage
This is a magnificent album in my opinion. From first listen, I was hooked it's a no skip for me. I love every track. This is a rare occasion where we disagree on a record Brendon. Have you watched their live gig from Troxy London on Friday night, where they played the album in full & then 2 hours of their back catalogue? It was fantastic, it's still on their UA-cam channel.
It’s a damn masterpiece! I’m just blown away how a band this late in their career could drop an album like this. Wow!
I'm blown away by it, a truly magnificent album, way better than I could've hoped for given the negativity from the likes of Fantano. The instrumentation is certainly dense, with an almost tape saturation feel, but not muddy. The changes in each intro are subtle, which lends it a contemplative feel, perfect for the subject matter, and Robert's vocals are crystal clear. The quote from Keats' sonnet, 'When I have Fears' on the first page of the booklet, frames the album perfectly (I'm surprised you didn't mention that). And as for the paper stock - that's real quality, like Robert's put some real care into the whole project.
Best Cure album since Disintegration IMO, but no wonder we are different opinion, coz Wish is not a favorite of mine. "Songs of a Lost World" is just great and in the mood of the classic Cure albums. Even the Instrumentals bonus CD is great to listen.
Are the instrumentals different songs or album tracks? That sounds nice
@ericmiller1881 Whole album as an instrumental album. No difference otherwise
I love Wish and the SOALW album as well...I've no need for the deluxe version.
Good album, but not nearly as good as "Disintegration", "Kiss Me, Kiss Me, Kiss Me", " Head on The Door", or "The Top". I fact, I think "Pornography" and "Funeral Party" are probably better albums than this one. I'm with this reviewer and couldn't help being a little disappointed with this one. 16 years is a long time between albums and this one could have been much better.
My top 3 Cure albums are SOALW, Faith and Wish. Disintegration next. Japanese Whispers after that..
Listening to it [again] right now, I love it. Already a classic in my mind. The bookends of ALONE and ENDSONG is genius.
Kind of surprised by this review. Great album. Highly recommended.
I was surprised I felt this way. I expected to be bowled over by it but simply was not.
THE CURE KING OF ROCK
BEST ROCK BAND IN THE WORLD ! 🍃🍂🖤🤎🤍🍁🍂
I truly think this record is up there with their best. Absolutely amazing from start to finish
Agreed
Agreed ✌️
Loving what I’ve heard so far. Waiting for my vinyl to arrive!
I love the albums haunting, layered soundscapes, but I can see how the slow pacing and deeply melancholic tone may not appeal to everyone. With the albums intense repetition and brooding lyrics that can make the listening experience feel heavy or overwhelming.
Sometimes, you're not quite in the right mood to discover a new album. Sometimes, months or years after, you pick this album on a shelf and suddenly, you're astonished... wondering why you didn't like it the first time.
That's the magic of music.
Best wishes Brendon ! Keep on the good work !
Drone: Nodrone rocks. Killer bass line.
Great album
Epic long songs to which love and his vocals still sound great
Hope my vinyl shop gets the vinyl this week
Mr. AllMusic published a very elaborate description and review! Yours too! Moreover, they perfectly demonstrate the full extent of this high-quality opus. I fully agree with the review.
This is one of The Cure's best albums with:
1. Pornography;
2. Disintegration;
3. Songs...;
4. The head...;
5. Kiss me...
Several other reviews mention that this album is beautiful, but depressing. This album is more than that.
The atmosphere, the sounds and the content form the expression of an inspired and skillfully presented work. That these critics consider the album depressing is an opinion, but the subjects treated and chosen go in the direction of a tragedy.
When an artist chooses to talk about suicide, death, the end of things, it cannot be otherwise!
Besides, if we focus on the titles alone, we find the essence of the subject: ... alone... nothing is forever... fragile... war... nodrone... never... end... There is nothing joyful there!!!
Once the subject is understood, we enter the musical world and that is where EVERYTHING makes sense! The dissonant guitars, the repetitive and bewitching drums, the heavy bass, the atmospheric synths... everything conjures to transport us to the afterlife, if only we are sensitive to it.
So I will dance on the Endsong as a man alone before the fate of the world with dark glasses that are worth as much as those of the pleasant but superficial ditties of the current songs and... so sad by their scope!
The Cure deals with sad things, it is true, but my god it is joyful to get carried away and fly away with them!!!
I will be at their next show in Quebec to celebrate their vision... and I will not be the only one... living from this collective divergence, shared with the joy in my heart of dancing on the sadness of this world!
Brendon, appreciate the review from The Cure. Their music has brought in a lot of listenership. Glad you recognized my favorite album, ‘The Head on the Door’ (1985). To hear
Push live was awesome!
I enjoyed your trips to Princeton Record Exchange. Haven’t been there in a while, the place still looks great!
This is the most brilliant album I have heard in quite a while. It is very Cure and very cool. I haven't cared for much of anything since Disintegration.
Outstanding review, thank you, Sir!😎
Bonus props for the Duran st tee!🔥
Same as you. Even though it's 10.000 times better than the previous two records. I can't understand critics calling this the best thing since Disintegration. Point 1, there was Wish in between, that was amazing. Point 2, the production on this I absolutely detest. Anyway, the album is fine. And I absolutely loved "Endsong". And Robert sounds absolutely fantastic. By the way, I'd judge it as the best thing since Bloodflowers, way more realistic.
Hi Brendon, thanks for the review. You should give it another go.This new Cure album is a fantastic listen. Every song is good. I understand this is the first of some forthcoming releaes from The Cure, which might explain why there are only eight songs on this one.
This album is phenomenal. I’m glad to have saw the tour.
Thank you for this thoughtful, well balanced and brave (according to the overwhelming positive reviews out there) review of this record. You put in words exactly how I felt with this album, and for the same reasons as you. I wanted to buy it but, for now, am still waiting and listening to it on streaming services. Thanks a lot for your excellent work (I'm a faithful follower but I don't comment most of the times). Greetings from Switzerland.
Thanks for the honest review. When I heard the new single, I kept thinking I must be missing something because it wasn't that great. I thought the intro would never finish. Ha!
Longtime fan here since '82. I've caught clips of recent concert footage over the past 2 years. "A Forest" and "Charlotte Sometimes" still sounds amazing. And the more commercial stuff like "Just Like Heaven" and "Friday I'm in Love". Knowing there was an album coming out soon back then, I purposely stayed away from the live clips of their new song debuts. "Alone" was the only one I slightly heard. I'm glad I waited for the album release. When the "Alone" video dropped, I found myself crying when Robert's vocals kicked in. I totally lost it with the lyric" all the love falling out of our lives". "I Can Never Say Goodbye" also hit me, ushering great emotions. Maybe me getting closer to 60 with each passing year, maybe the new album is hitting me differently. Who knows? On a side note, I'm still not used to Reeves being in The Cure. Bowie is my all-time favorite artist. And his guitar work is so indicative of 90s Bowie. But Robert and David were big fans of each other's work. So maybe it was meant to be. Either way, excellent album. I need The Cure in my life. More than ever.
This is a masterpiece of an album
Not quite that for me but it's a welcomed return to form for sure, glad you like it that much! 🙂
Not a Cure fan in the past. Loved the hits but did not delve into the albums.
THIS IS A FANTASTIC ALBUN 😊
I wasn't expecting much from this album tbh. I saw The Cure at Wembley Arena in 2022 when he played six new songs (although I don't know how many of those have ended up on this CD) and I wasn't convinced by them. Robert Smith claimed in a 2016 interview that they had two whole albums of material ready to go. I don't know what happened to them but those 'two albums' worth' sank without a trace. What with the false claims and the sheer length of time since 4:13 Dream Robert Smith has become the George RR Martin of alternative rock. Let's face it, Robert Smith has run out of inspiration. It happens to people as they get older. That is the simple reason for the sheer length of time since the last album.
A good friend who heard the new single said, "It's good - but not sixteen years' good". I'm not expecting much from this album. In fact the day this album went on release I bought the 3 CD reissue of Disintegration instead.
This will almost certainly be the last original album The Cure ever release. I do still hope to catch them on tour again though.
i love this album , hopefully we will get another sometime soon
They have another one coming out at some point. The press release from a couple months ago said they had 2 albums finished
Got into The Cure in the summer of 1997 when I was 16 after buying Disintegration and Wild Mood Swings on cassette. Took a few listens for their stuff to click with me but once it did I was hooked. Actually preferred Wild Mood Swings to Disintegration at that point because it was brighter and livelier with more variety. Soon enough I’d buy everything Cure I could find, it was a band like no other, they still are.
Their weakest album to me is the Self Titled from 2004, 4:13 Dream was just okay but most all their records have gold on them scattered about if not all throughout. My preorder hasn’t came in the mail yet so I can’t really give my full opinion on the new record but I watched 35 minutes of a live set they did of the new record the other day and it all sounded damn good to my ears. If I had to rank a top three Cure album list I’d say Kiss Me, Kiss Me, Kiss Me, Wild Mood Swings and Wish.
Nice critical review Brendon. However, this one just gets better and better with each listen. And wow, the first and last tracks just build into a mesmerizing glory.
Great review, Brendon. I don't yet own the Disintegration LP, so that will be my next purchase of music by The Cure.
Their best since Bloodflowers. Classic Cure.
Hooked me in overall on first listen, really impressed with this album considering how long they've been going. Amazing and can only get better on future listens! Sorry you didn't catch the vibe on this Brendon, it might open up again for you but I doubt it, I know you really tried. So probably getting my vote for AOTY, it's that good!!👍👍
Album of the Year
Same
to my delightful surprise Cure were another of a handful of what are now also "legacy" acts, time flies, that has as of the last 5-10 years been one of few that has returned with an masterful album, with their trademark sound, with many hints to Disintegration, Pornography coming to mind first and foremost, and is what Bloodflowers should've been, namely THEE final part of their legendary trilogy whose 2 first installations were the 2 albums that this new wonderful dark, yet melodic, and with yes a new twist to it all, but this is the first Cure album that has moved me to tears, in a good way for a few decades now, so hats off to Robert who wrote the entire album on his own, the first since Bloodflowers (The Head On The Door being the last one before that again), and Robert IS indeed the captain of this ship, though Simon has been in the band since late '79, and only with a short break from '82-'85, and with Roger having been in and out of the band since '87, and Jason, still the new drummer, though having been the longest serving since '95, just not too many album, as in studio albums that is, and Reeves being their latest new member, and eclectic session guitarist who amongst others has worked with Bowie (RIP)
love the DD shirt 👌🏻
Absolutely blown away by it. Best record since Wish imo and possibly 3rd after Disintegration and Wish for me. Need to live with it for a few weeks
My biggest issue is the long, drawn out, instrumental passages that never evolve. Had Robert cut those repetitive parts down and made this a 30 minute record, I would be more excited to revisit it.
The long instrumental passages are what makes their greatest albums great.
Stick with 4-13 Dream. Quit pop Didi's that go nowhere.... Right up ur ally....
That was the best part!! lol I was so happy they did that as opposed to the 2 minute songs that artists make now
I’m pretty much with your opinion on the new Cure album , it’s a great album and I’m sure most Cure fans will be very content with it . For me though, it feels a bit flat . I’m missing that definition of sounds that you can hear in their 80’s period ( though I do love ‘Wish’ ). Tracks like ‘Lullaby ‘ , ‘In between Days’ , ‘ The Walk’ ‘ A Forest’ etc is where I remain as a life long Cure fan ; I love the production of that period . No disrespect to the Crawley boys , it’s a fantastic piece of work , but just not for my ears .
This is a seriously excellent album. Not a hair metal riff in sight! 👌✌️
Seems to be a way their albums are produced and mixed, Disintegration also had a very dense and cluttered sound, but also due to so much going on with the arrangements
Don’t agree with your review. If Wish is your favorite Cure album, then you’re right, it’s probably not going to resonate with you. Disintegration tour was my first show as a 14 year old. These songs are beautiful and resonate and speak to me from my 14 year old self. Either you get or you don’t.
Wish, Faith and SOALW are my top 3 Cure albums
I'm '59 and I have been a day one fan. One of the main reasons I loved Kiss Me,kiss me,kiss me and Wish so much were because of the mix of the up temp /pop songs with their signature orchestratel sounds. Gave you the best of both worlds. After all these years waiting I really tempered my expectations. After first couple listens I had it at 3 outta 5 but after multiple listens I bumped it to 3.75. my two favorites are it's a fragile thing and I can never say goodbye. I think the short length and amount of songs really works in it's favor. I really feel it's something to listen to from beginning to end. I found the album really enjoyable but not nearly as much as those claiming it to be masterpiece or anywhere close to Disinegration. My favs before this album. They sometimes switch spots especially top 2 or 3. I'll have to figure out where this new album fits.
Kiss me Kiss me Kiss me
Disinegration
Wish
Head on the door
Pornography
Japanese Whispers
Bloodflowers
The Top
3 Imaginary Boys
17 seconds/Faith
Wild mood swings
The Cure
4:13
Great review! Most of these songs are well known by fans since they’ve been played live for over a year. So give it time. Interestingly the 3 songs you call “standout” are the ones that were not played live. My take is that Robert added exactly these songs to lighten what was going to be a hour of the darkest music to date. Personally I think it was a mistake and he should have released a 100% dark album to silence those that say “but Pornography”. Robert says there are two more albums coming, so that’s two more chances for 100% dark.
Thanks Brendon thought provoking review. Like many of the other comments, album is fantastic IMO. Agree art work underwhelming at 1st glance but for me makes sense so to speak as one listens to the record
As a long term Cure fan I partly have to agree with you on how you feel about this album. All I Ever Am is the standout song for me and I love a couple of the others, but like you I wish the album had a bit more flesh on it’s bones and especially Endsong just drags too much. I also miss the creative lyrics we got on earlier albums. I love their long intro’s, but something feels off on this one…I will surely give it many more listens, but for now Faith, Disintegration and Wish still remain as my top three Cure records,
Every one is entitled to their opinion......i thinks its up with Disintegration as their best work. Endsong is truly a modern classic!!!
Indeed! Glad you enjoying it 👍
This album is more inline with Bloodflowers..it has some resemblance of Disintegration as well. The only song i really dont care for is, "drone nodrone". The best songs for me hands down are, "Warsong and Endsong "
It's from "Bloodflowers" or "Pornography" side. But I think you should give it more time to grow, believe it or not it's quite...catchy if you listen to it sometimes!
Do you not think more than 10 listens is listening to it? You don’t think I really sat and listened closely giving it my full attention? Catchiness is going to suddenly appear if it’s not there for me. My mood might change but the song won’t. I listened both at morning and night and in the middle of the day trying all moods. I did listen.
@BrendonSnyder Well, I don't question your listenings but I think it needs some (more) time to grow. Surely it's not "The head on the door"! Try it again after a couple of weeks.
This is very Disintegration-esque...it has that depressing tenge to it. Love it!
Every Cure album has a depressing tinge to it 😂😂😂😂
@BrendonSnyder that's what makes them...them
This is a top 3 record in their discography, no doubt.
With bands that take a long break and also have a “sound” lot a “niche” in something they do I think there will always be letdown and some who may not be heavily into a band like the Cure it’s almost better to not even think of the past work sometimes. I’m definitely not a die hard fan by any means which surprises people because I’m 100% down with Duran and a-ha and Depeche Mode U2 REM but the cure I have always had a problem getting full into, Disintegration was the album I feel for me I got into a full album of them, could be because I was working in a music store at the time and we wore it out playing it but I felt I got into it but even that for me I just can’t revisit them very often. I do have almost all their stuff but again I don’t feel I can be any kind of expert on them because I’m not revisiting the work, and we all hear it differently the new album I feel like it’s a good record but I can see myself forgetting I even have it. And it’s not that it’s 8 songs, again it’s just something with them that just never pushed it over the edge for me. For me now especially I need short albums for the purpose of revisiting them, of course it helps if all the songs are strong too. But I do find myself gravitating back to shorter albums and being able to get a better feel of them. Again I will use a Linkin park example with their 11/15 album it’s 31 minutes long, 11 tracks one is an intro so 10 songs 31 minutes now to me that’s solid I’ve already heard 4 songs and they are stellar but also it helps I don’t have history with them I know a few songs was never really into them so for me they are a new band others it’s someone taking over “their band” but all in all we are all going to hear it differently and the best thing that we listen to the music and buy the music too
Didn't click with it either, my issue has to do also with mastering, the last well mastered Cure album was Bloodflowers.
I agree totally with the production sounding muddy. I thought maybe my headphones were trashed.
Its a shame it didn’t connect with you. It blew me away but i like it dark and depressing while still being propelled upward.
Bands and musicians get forgotten if they don't release an album in 3-4 years.
Do you own any Norwegian
Black metal albums???
That’s my favourite genre.
I fell in love and had to
Buy everything I came
Into contact with.
If you are fan of disintegration, pornography or head on the door albums you will love the album a lot imo it sound that era and for me thats what catch me back then.. i think they did a really great album after so long
A very good review. My thoughts mirror yours. Many are hailing this as the “best album The Cure have ever put out”, but I definitely don’t fall into that camp.
I really do not care for the art direction on this record. I to am very visual and the art direction is uninspired. Dare I say lazy.
It is the new “Faith” in many ways.
You seem surprised by long, drawn out intros on this album. Umm, have you actually been listening to the Cure? That’s kind of their thing! Lol! I love this album!!!
I’m not surprised by long intros…I’m surprised by the long drawn out mundane repetitive intros that don’t develop or do anything. Did you listen to the review at all? It’s kind of my thing to give good reasoned explanations for my opinions! lol…glad you love it!
@, yeah, I listened to your review. But listen closer to those intros. There is an incremental “building up” in many of them that maybe you still haven’t noticed. And in some of them that don’t necessarily “build up,” there are little changes in the instrumentation that you might notice and appreciate the more listens you put in.
@@aaronclick6388 To be fair he did give it a good few listens, made a point of it. I was surprised how down the review was, seemed quite a good album to me (at least a 7/10). I will give the album a few more listens through the week to be sure.
@, I agree that he did say he gave it several listens. But occasionally an album comes along that doesn’t connect with the listener until an absurd number of listens. Perhaps this will be one of those albums for him. And perhaps not.
I kind of lost track of The Cure after 1996's Wild Mood Swings
Is very difficult for a band or artist to keep their music creativity high like in their youth, I have noticed that decline in every single artist when they reach certain age, so if people is expecting something like what they did in the 80s is very difficult for that to happen to not say imposible
There are some bands IMO who are making some of their best albums of their career right now….Deep Purple, Styx, The Black Crowes…so it’s possible
@BrendonSnyder I think is also related with perseption, for me those bands you name are not even close to what they did before, but is normal you know, is part of thr natural course of life, I am not saying they are making bad music, just saying that their prime is over
Thank you, i love this album...It is "Disintegration" part 2... However, for me personaly, their best works still are "Seventeen seconds", "Faith", and "Pornography"...
On that level impossible to choose
reminded me of Disintegration
The packaging is cheap. Love the albumn, but disappointed it is not in the traditional jewel case.
IMO traditional jewel cases make all the difference in the world.
😎👍
I agree. The production is mushy and it's a bit tuneless.
The 16 years of waiting was not worth it. This album was a big disappointment for me.
You don't get it whatsoever because this is one of their best. The subject manner is raw, dark and foreboding. I'm sorry but cannot subscribe.
Scott let’s be real…you’re not the kind of guy to subscribe anyway 😂
@@BrendonSnyder I subscribed to two other reviewers yesterday. Honestly, take care.
Not a fan of reviews on an album only 2 days old. I cannot see how you have spent enough time with it to have an honest review. Always seems like just a content grab to me.
I don’t like people who don’t like opinions that disagree with their own and then come up with excuses as to why something came be as it’s presented. As I said in the video I’ve had the album for over a week. Additionally I mentioned having listened to the album more than 10 times. I dare say that qualifies me to review the album. That said it’s just an opinion. Don’t work yourself up so much. No one made you watch album reviews for an album that’s 2 days old. That’s on you man. 🤦♂️
@@BrendonSnyder Don't work myself up so much? LOL do I appear worked up? Look at your reply and calm down there smoke stack. Your the one worked up. Can't take a little criticism? Maturity comes late for some I guess. Also you say no one made me watch reviews for an album 2 days old. Your right. Because I have not. I did not even watch yours. I just commented when I saw it based on what I said. So as you say...That is on you man.😂
Yes you appear worked up. You’re taking things too serious smoke stack.
👌😆
Hi, tastes do differ, but I think you really miss the point of this album. Sure, the art work is mundane and dark, yes, the songs are slow and repetitive, but that is exactly what these are about. No mention of the lyrics. Did you actually listen to them? This album for me is about realising life is often disappointing and hard to cope with, it is about melancholy, longing for youth, longing for people that are lost… it is not supposed to be energetic. This is a very good album but not for everyone. It is obvious that it does not fit you. Just saying.
I never said it was a bad album. It just didn’t click with me. As for lyrics, I’m not big on lyrics. For me that doesn’t define the album. Instead for me it’s the sound first and lyrics second. Though the lyrical content is not enough to save this album for me. But as I said, it’s not a bad album. I can be critical and still like the album. Just saying…
Hey you're wearing my favorite band on your T-shirt Duran Duran on my favorite band ever play I need to say something about The new album by the cure don't like it at all
I just "listened" to this, well skipped this album because couldn't get though it and skipped all songs before minute one. I've tried a few times to give The Cure a chance and definitely it's not for me. I hope their true fans enjoy it.
It's decent at best. Definitely nothing memorable about it. And I'm a life-long Cure fan. Wish was their last great record.
I didn't think a Duran Duran fan would like it. This is not pop music.
This the best album to capture that psychedelic sound they always had , on top of their pop songs , deft a classic .
Sorry, dude. No Cure fan should be seen in a Duran Duran shirt.
There's nothing wrong with early DD, Rio is a masterpiece
Those crybaby reviews….
I have always personally disliked The Cure. There was never anything special about them, even at their peak in the 1980s. Poor quality pop dressed up with pretentiousness for people resembling Viz's "Student Grant".
Garbage take
“always personally disliked” them is where the validity of this review ends, all the rest is gaslight
Sorry, the whole new album is garbage. No magic in the songs like disintegration, no melodys and bad songwriting. For me ist is not an album with only 8 songs, its an EP.
Even Bloodflowers is million times better album than this garbage