Disintegration
The Cure
1989
Album Summary
Disintegration is the eighth studio album by English rock band the Cure, released on 2 May 1989 by Fiction Records. The record marks a return to the introspective gothic rock style the band had established in the early 1980s. As he neared the age of 30, vocalist and guitarist Robert Smith had felt an increased pressure to follow up on the band's pop successes with a more enduring work. This, coupled with a distaste for the group's newfound popularity, caused Smith to lapse back into the use of hallucinogenic drugs, the effects of which had a strong influence on the production of the album. The band recorded the album at Hookend Recording Studios in Checkendon, Oxfordshire, with co-producer David M. Allen from late 1988 to early 1989. Following the completion of the mixing, founding member Lol Tolhurst was fired from the band. The album became the band's first commercial peak, charting at number three in the United Kingdom and at number 12 in the United States, and producing several hit singles including "Lovesong", which peaked at number two on the Billboard Hot 100. It remains the band's highest selling record to date, with more than four million copies sold worldwide. It was greeted with a warm critical reception before later being acclaimed, eventually being placed at number 116 on Rolling Stone magazine's list of the "500 Greatest Albums of All Time". Stephen Thomas Erlewine of AllMusic called it the "culmination of all the musical directions the Cure were pursuing over the course of the '80s".
WikipediaDisintegration sustains an atmosphere that is gloomy, yet thoroughly gorgeous. It somehow manages to feel both claustrophobic and seductive. Thirty years after its release, Disintegration still holds up. The songs are written and produced excellently, with a clear direction to preserve the general moodiness.
When I was a kid my older sister was a goth. She loved The Cure (and she really loved Robert Smith). I was into rock music; AC/DC, Motley Crue, Def Leppard and other bands of that ilk. As far as I was concerned Rock was cool, Goths were ridiculous and my ears were to remain closed to The Cure. Since then this band remained elusive to me. That is until earlier this year when I listened to Seventeen Seconds for the very first time. I immediately seen the error of my ways and began exploring more of The Cure. As a lifelong the Cure fan of approximately six months now Disintegration has already become one of my favourite albums. It’s a mesmerising album, seductive and atmospheric this is the band at the peak of their powers delivering a gorgeous, an epic laden album.
Starting the week with a classic! I can't remember if I've listened to this in full before, but I know I've seen it on many a list of great albums. Very quickly I could hear how influential this is--it sounds like a blueprint for so many alternative/emo/dreampop artists that followed (like Mazzy Star, M83, even Hatchie). Probably not the first of it's kind, but it feels seminal. Deep, spacious instrumentals, and Robert Smith sounds perfectly ethereal (though I didn't love his vocal performance on "Lullaby"). It's a long album, and the tracks are long, but I don't mind at all. It gives time for me to settle into these tunes. I liked a lot of songs on here, especially "Pictures of You." Man, that's a perfect, beautiful song. I really dug this album immediately, and I can see it growing on me even more. Definitely deserving of the classic status. Favorite tracks: Pictures of You, Lovesong, Fascination Street, The Same Deep Water As You. Album art: I recognize this one of course. I don't love it, but it's cool. Trippy if you will. Makes the album seem way older than it is. If that's Robert Smith in the picture, he looks like a creepy ghoul from Carnival of Souls. 4.5/5 (potentially a 5, and I hereby symbolically downgrade Rio and ArchAndroid to 4.5)
Admittedly, I actually listened to this album 2 days ago, so this is great timing! I love this album, I think it's one of the most melodically rich and textured new wave albums out there. The synths here are so full and heavy, they're layered perfectly with the guitars and drums that give each song a meaningful impact. Everything here sounds like it would work well in a film soundtrack. I feel like the way the vocals are layered into the songs was a precursor to shoegaze, the way they melt into the songs make them sound so dreamy. The lyrics match the melodic, pretty, romantic and emotional melodies. I guess part of the reason I can see these songs being in movies is that they're crafted as these kind of sentimental beautiful romantic stories. Overall I love the rawness, the layers upon layers of melodic components and overall great feelings this album inspires. I just want to end this review by saying 'Lovesong' is one of the greatest songs ever created.
Goddamn beautiful. Deserves every bit of praise it gets. The production, the songwriting, the personality and everything that comes along with it. It flows so well from one song to the next, it feels like one giant, wonderful experience. And that is what albums should strive for: experiences. I've had a string of 3-star albums for a bit now so this will break the streak, and I couldn't be happier that it did.
This is my favorite album from the Cure. Go ahead. Put on some headphones (this is a headphones kind of album), sit in a dark room and just listen. The album is filled overlapping waves of sound that can fill a room. The album is dark, but comfortable. Favorite tracks include "Lullaby", "Fascination Street", "Pictures of You", "Plainsong", and "Disintigration". I will listen to this one again, and I might make someone listen with me. 5 stars
Just such a good album. It's clearly one of the top albums for the band, as well as one that defines a particular moment and genre of music. People who love the Cure mostly love Disintegration, but it's also the sort of album that someone who doesn't really like the band and who doesn't listen to any of their other music might still have in their collection and love. It's also pretty perfect as a complete album, the songs are great but the flow and feeling of the whole thing is also clearly carefully considered.
Hands down my favorite Cure album. This is one of the most sonically gorgeous albums I've ever heard and is exquisite on headphones. The atmosphere is so intricate and detailed it's like your ears are on drugs. The contrast of the shimmering/stereo panning chimes and then the deep hit of the bass/synth at the beginning is like a 1-2 punch that just immediately knocks me out. The first two tracks are my favorites and pair so well together. Reverb, delay, and EQ all brilliantly balanced in such a way that they create this practically narcotic effect on me where I just want to shut everything else out and listen to this album over and over again in the dark as I go in and out of consciousness. I want to stay in it forever. The contrast of elements throughout the album from delicate to saturated and intense is so thrilling and dramatic in the best possible sense. A masterpiece.
This album goes into the (very small) pile of albums that are so good I can't listen to them anymore. I still remember the eeriness of listening to the end of the album slowing down as my walkman batteries died.
Beautifully gloomy, atmospheric and grand. An intimately claustrophobic but seductive album that rewards repeated listening. It's main drawback (if it has one) is that it feels a tad too long, but this doesn't majorly detract from what's a pretty outstanding record overall.
This is the music that sits in a corner by itself at a party waiting to be discovered. This album makes me relive, uhhh revile, high school and this album was played perpetually from the sidelines amongst my group of friends. Robert Smith, the personality, overshadowed the music within. When Disintegration came out it was difficult to enjoy this album without dressing up like Robert Smith or Edward Scissorhands. But today, separating the Robert Smith-goth fans from this music is pretty easy. Time has moved on. There are some great takeaways from this that even today I'll listen to. That intro to Fascination Street is incredible, Pictures of You, Lullaby and Last Dance all are on some playlist of mine somewhere. Disintegration is a late-80's early 90's piece of nostalgia that, no matter how terrible high school was, I'll always want to remember.
I know exactly who you are if this is your all-time favorite album. Your favorite film director is Tim Burton, but you don't want him involved in adapting The Book of Mormon into a movie. Jim Steinman's death hit you harder than you expected. You never considered cigarette smoking a habit and still refer to it as a "hobby". You became a Seattle Mariners fan only because they've never been to the World Series. The only Seattle Mariner you can name is Ichiro. You know that former NFL Running Back Robert Smith is agnostic but refuse to learn where he went to college. You think Anne Rice was overrated but own all of her novels. You remember what getting dumped felt like when you were 21-years old, and you've written it down so you always will. You once started a "Dear John" letter by writing "By the time you read this, I'll already be dead" just for shock value. You shake your head any time you hear a story about Morrissey. Shoplifting.
I love Lovesong so much. And Lullaby- so eerie and beautiful. Very into the rest of the album, too. Cool atmospheric 80s alt-rock.
So atmospheric, that guitar effect which they so heavily use is like an electric harp from heaven.
Powerful, dark, orchestral, ambient album that's super depressing. At first I didn't know what to expect, and I didn't think I'd like it very much, but it was engaging and fascinating from front to back.
Brilliant, moody, atmospheric, introspective goth rock. A haunting and memorable experience. It’s a soundtrack to your feelings.
Their absolute high point and peak for me - I used to laugh at the goths dressing like Robert smith and wrote the cure off as a teenager. Thankfully i wised up as I got older - lovesong and fascination street are two of my absolute favourites but this album is full of brilliant tracks - plainsong, pictures of you, disintegration, lullaby… an easy ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
A peak point in the Cure album discography. It might not feature the very best the Cure songs, although it has one or two classics on it, but this album is however not about individual songs. It is more a flow of music from the opening track till the last tone of the last track, hence complete without any unnecessary fillers. True perfection.
This album is a walk—no, a romp, a wallow—through a moonlit garden at night, except that the garden is on a planet of lush, thick magic, and the moons are red and blue, mingling to purple, making the petals of alien flowers glow.
5 stars. Loved it then, love it now. Somehow, this sadsack never came off like a phony. This album was necessary for a fifteen-year-old kid with big feelings and nowhere to put 'em. Good stuff.
Oh my gosh, what a first album to get. Truly one of my favorites of all time, an absolute CLASSIC. Re-listening right now :) Love the atmosphere it generates right from the get-go. There's just something comforting about the two minutes or so of Plainsong, right before it decides to rip your heart out. Pictures of You just makes me cry. Not sure why, but as soon as it starts, I just well up with tears. Absolutely gorgeous song, especially the instrumental bits. Closedown's opening is a great break of pace from the previous two, but it still blends in with the rest of the album's recognizable tone. Reminds me very much of King Lear - in that it's something that I think will grow in relevancy as I age. "If only I could fill my heart with love", what a haunting last line, even as the song continues for at least a minute after it. Ugh and then Lovesong! Honestly, if you ever need to refresh your belief in the concept of True Love TM, this song (and Robert Smith's relationship with Mary Poole) should help you find it again. It's also a nice breather in such a heavy and gothic album. While Last Dance wasn't on the vinyl, I'm gonna include it here anyways. I'm not the biggest fan of the vocals on it for some reason, but I love the backing instruments, especially whatever's going on in the bass region. Lullaby creeps me out still to this day. I love it, but something still sits in the back of my mind, freaked out. The bass on Fascination Street bangs so hard. Honestly, on this re-listen, this is probably one of my favorites so far! Robert Smith's vocals on this are *great*. Forget what I said about Fascination Street... the bass on Prayers for Rain is even better. I love love love love love this song. It drags you under and just keeps going down. I could listen to this for hours. The outro with the backwards notes is a nice touch. 9 minutes... this song is 9 minutes of depression and I LOVE IT. The Same Deep Water as You just vibes so hard. Sure, the thunder is cheesy but can you really have a Cure album without a bit of cheese? Disintegration's beginning is a good change of pace once again from the 9 minutes of slow gloom - granted Disintegration has its own special brand of gloom. Huge fan of the instruments once again, they really complement Robert Smith's voice on this track. Especially the steady, hyper pulse that creeps underneath it all. Such a good track. Again, Homesick isn't on the vinyl but damn it, this is MY listening party and I'll choose if I listen to it or not! As always, the instrumental parts of this album blow me away. The Cure does such an insanely good job of creating an overall atmosphere on this record. Vocals and lyrics hit on this one too!! Untitled's beginning blows me away again for some reason. I love Robert Smith's vocals on this too, they lock in so well with what the rest of the band is playing and it just works as a fantastic end to such a depressing album. Stellar song, stellar album, stellar band.
The Cure is just great. This is Robert Smith and the boys firing on all cylinders.There's a great mixture of the lengthy, moody tracks and the great pop leaning tracks that can occupy your skull for days. There's just so much to love from beginning to end. Just thinking about the album makes a medley of songs pop into my head. Man, I love The Cute. I love me some 80's UK sad boy music and they are on the Mount Rushmore of that...very specific genre that only exists in my mind. Jesus, I have to go listen to the title track now because it's just won't get out. Smash that 5 star button!
This must be my college-age heavy-hitters' week. "Disintergration" is the The Cure's 8th album and a return to the Goth dark side. Robert Smith was depressed at turning 30 (oh boy) and the band was not happy about the "pop" success of the previous two albums. This prompted a return to Goth and a more depressed style of music. However, this album is not a totally depressing album; some of these songs are actually happy (to me). But, yes, there is an overriding atmosphere of darkness. Also, Smith had lapsed back into taking hallucinogens to deal with his depression, affecting the music (more on that later). I've always felt this album was their culmination combining their earlier Goth and recent pop. There's a few ways you can go with songs on this album: the popular, more upbeat or those representing the more deep, dark atmosphere/mood. Let's do both. When I think of The Cure, the first song that pops into my head is "Pictures of You." Just a great rhythm, Goth guitar progression and chorus and of course, the lyrics (smashing my pictures of you). The most Cure Cure song. "Lovesong" was written for his future wife and has a great innovative music base with its bass/drum/ guitar intro and synthesizer chorus and bridge. "Lullaby" might have my favorite lyric of the 80's: "Spiderman is having me for dinner tonight." A great example of combining LSD with "Nightmare on Elm Street" thoughts....throughout the song actually. The title track "Disintegration" is my favorite song for capturing the album's mood with a killer bass line and dark groove. Some people say The Cure reached their peak with this album. Maybe. I think they have a couple good ones after but no doubt, this is a great one.
Easily one of my favourite albums ever! While being one of The Cure's darkest albums each song fits perfectly into an overall theme of despair, a feeling Robert Smith was famously experiencing at the time, with an intensity unparalleled by many artists. The title track is my personal favourite, with its consistent tempo it leads you further and further down the rabbit hole commanded by Smith's powerful lyrics, while songs like Lovesong and Lullaby marry the elation of love with an underlying feeling of dread through the fear of losing that love.
Wouldn't be the cure without being too long and too self-indulgent. That said this is my favourite Cure album so far
I mean, it's The Cure so it's WAY too dramatic for its own good. That said, this is a remarkably solid album for a) 1989 and b) The Cure. "Lovesong" and "Fascination Street" have both been covered so many times I'd forgotten that the original recordings are as good as they are. And they really are quite good. Overall, pleasantly surprised by how well this album has stood up over time.
Definitely long-winded, but the Cure here manage to avoid falling into feeling bloated and land squarely into a dreamy, moody hypnosis. I dig it. Great for these rainy days going on.
Did not like it. Long, boring and drawn out instrumental intros on each song were a turn off. Probably won’t listen again.
Goth rock with hints of pop softness, and I love it to pieces. Important to me at 17, important to me now.
Want to give a 4.5 but eff it. They'll get a 5. A few all time face songs and the non-faves are still nice to listen to. No duds. Someone please kiss robert smith.
No bad songs. Classic cure sound. Amazing production as you’d expect. Love song and Fascination street great singles. Album actually gets better as it goes on
ну классный альбом чо, такой не веселый ниразу и депрессивный, но слушается круто. понравился
I really liked this album. It's super gloomy and moody, with some great-sounding drums and swirly atmospheric guitars.
Just gorgeous atmospheric brilliance. Can't fault it. I think Lullaby is one of the great indie songs
Creo que ya tengo que admitir que sí me gusta The Cure, como todas sus vibras darks y de letargo, sentir morir mientras escuchas algunas de sus canciones. Muy buen servicio, no skips. 9/10
it's brooding, moody, atmospheric and amazing how they can take a 9+ minute song (same deep water) and just keep you entranced. They also have dark energy when they need... that dirty bass line on fascination street has a great groove. Fabulous album.
Enjoyed start to finish, beautifully gloomy and gothic will absolutely be listening again
Très solide album, aucun moment faible. On voit beaucoup comment cet album a influencé tellement de genre et je comprends le statut culte du band.
This is a watershed album. It is remarkably coherent and engaging from beginning to end. The Cure’s goth edged post-punk is unique and influential. This album gave rise to some of the most enduring music of the last 30 years
King of the Goffs in not actually that goff shocker. It's just really good indie/rock/pop/whatever music. Happy face emoji. Sad face emoji. Panda bear emoji.
A truly amazing album. Melodically interesting, beautiful lyrics. The mic is instrumental and lyrics based songs added for a fantastic range of sounds and vibes. Loved it
Listened to on 1/28/22 4.5/5 stars Favorite song: Pictures of You Very beautiful songs with lots of instrumentals - would for sure listen to the album again and again
A particularly gloomy period for Robert Smith and The Cure that resulted in some truly spectacular gothic rock.
Great album among the best! Standout tracks “Pictures if you,” “Lullabye,” and “Fascination Street.”
Zu diesem Album muss ich eine kleine Geschichte erzählen: 2019 wurde ich angesichts des Besuches von Markus Söder an unserer Universität in den Chor der Philosophisch-Sozialwissenschaftlichen Fakultät rekrutiert. Die Fakultät – die seit Jahren unter Budget-Kürzungen litt – wollte sich wohl bei unserem bayerischen Ministerpräsidenten (heute ist er wohl eher als inoffizieller Corona-Kanzler bekannt) beliebt machen und entschied sich Arrangements der besten The Cure Songs für den hohen Besuch zusammenzustellen. Die Lieblingsband des Frankens mit CSU-Parteibuch sollte ihn wohl gnädig stimmen und weitere Kürzungen abwenden. Als der große Tag dann gekommen war und ich inbrünstig »HOWEVER FAR AWAY // I WILL ALWAYS LOVE YOU« grölte, bemerkte ich wie ein Kommilitone, aus dessen Richtung ich ein paar schiefe Töne vernommen hatte, von einem Mann mit Anzug und durchsichtigem Hörer im Ohr abgeführt wurde. Erst neulich tauchte er wieder auf dem Campus auf – er wirkte geistesabwesend und murmelte die Lyrics von »Plainsong« vor sich her, während eine Träne seine Wange hinab kullerte. Zunächst war ich schockiert angesichts solch barbarischer Methoden und des Willens, Studierende in irgendwelche unbekannten Folterkeller zu stecken. Die Geschichte lies mich seitdem nicht los und, je mehr ich Disintegration hörte, desto mehr Verständnis gewann ich für Herrn Söder, der sich gezwungen war die perfekte Musik der Band mit den äußersten Mitteln zu verteidigen. Ich hoffe ich wähle gleich die richtige Anzahl Sterne aus, meine Hände schwitzen etwas, da ein Mitarbeiter des Innenministeriums neben mir sitzt.
Ist ein grower der immer besser wird. Es ist unmöglich sich nicht in die Tragik fallen zu lassen. Perfekt auch zwischen Pop und Goth.
Das ist so ein unglaublich gutes Album. Was soll man dazu noch sagen was noch nicht gesagt wurde. Es hat so eine singuläre gleichzeitig wunderschön und traurige Stimmung, die in der Pop-Verpackung und Zugänglichkeit nur The Cure hinbekommen. Trotzdem bangen andere Songs wiederum. Es gibt auch wenige Alben die so eine perfekt angestimmte Tracklist haben, eine oft unterschätzte Kunst. Schlägt auch eine schöne musikalische Brücke zwischen der Klarheit und Direktheit der 80er und einer gewissen beinahe verwirrten Subtilität und Zurückhaltung in die diese Art von Musik sich in den 90ern entwickelt. Einfach ein Meisterwerk.
Eines der wenigen alben, die es schaffen, düster und gleichzeitig wunderschön zu sein. romantisch und destruktiv. klar und verwoben. einfach wunderbar
Bardzo spójny i przyjemny w brzmieniu albumik. Ciekawy i bardzo klimatyczny do jakiegoś wieczornego spacerku, dłuższej jazdy autem, a nawet chillowania wieczorem. Pomimo często baardzo długich wstępów w żadnym momencie albumik mnie nie znudził, żebym odczuwał chęć przewinięcia. Jest na tyle przemyślany jako całość, że zupełnie nie czułem, że któraś piosenka wyraźnie odstaje jako gorsza, na sto pro kiedyś odpalę sobie na spacerek.
Gothic, soulful…. Just huge!! Clear joy division influences here, but it’s all the better for them!
It’s long and kind of slow, but the overall atmosphere is so singular and well executed. Also “Love Song” would get almost any album to at least 4 stars.
This is one of the best album of all times. Every melody, erery note, all lyrics are perfect
THIS IS NOT A DRILL. God I love this album. Bought it on cassette at the mall at the age of twelve. My science teacher tried to be cool and listened to it and liked it. This was post-Depeche Mode Elaine. I had heard other Cure albums before (Kiss Me Kiss Me Kiss Me was a vibe!), but this album sealed the deal. I’ve only ever worn black since then. 🖤
Masterpiece. This album has everything that speaks to a Cure fan. The extended instrumental intros, the moody, introspective lyrics, and the Cure sound. This album is amazing. Plus it generated like 5 hits - but the whole album is hit after hit. A true perfect entry to this list for sure.
Dark and brooding and pretentious and moody. Beautiful sadness. Another top album from my teenage years. I will always love the Trilogy before all other Cure albums but this one is in my top 5. A classic album.
First I wanted to say this album HAS quite a mood. That's not entirely accurate though. Instead I'll say this album IS quite a mood. Was thinking way too hard about if this is a 4 or a 5. But who cares. I listened to it twice and enjoyed both spins.
So much gothic angst. Loved this when it first came out and still love it today. Fascination Street is still a great moody banger.
Super good. Very mellow rock with the stand out “Pictures Of You” Very long last couple of songs.
Decent album, found the melodics and the heavier instruments to be the missing thing from Britpop
The ULTIMATE painful "sunny day" break-up album. When you hate her/him/them, but it's the summer and other albums simply won't do.
Great album. Strong start and a lot of great songs throughout. Great vibes from exiting the 80s.
Some truly legendary songs on this album, especially Pictures of You. There are also a few songs that are kind of duds for me. Not my favorite listen all the way through, but the highs are very high.
I like this album! The only song I recognize from it is "Lovesong," but I also enjoyed all of the ones I've never heard before. Nice, chill, a bit dark, but good background music to work to.
It's time for Disintegration by the Cure for my daily listen. I've not really gotten to deep into the Cure, besides them being a big part of the music landscape. When I say landscape, I mean the music I listen to along with friends and family. I should like them a lot more. They are definitely my kind of band. So far I'm enjoying this album and how epic and moody it seems. It's almost like I've heard the whole album by osmosis. In one way or another they have left a blueprint across a lot of the music I listen to. I enjoy how this album is breathing and stretches out and gives the songs time to expand. It's been a greatest hits album so far, every song I've run into on the radio or on a soundtrack. I've not listened to this album over and over again like many similar albums. It seems very familiar though, like it's so baked into our culture I've been exposed over the years.
Only know of the popular tracks from this album, so it was great to listen to a full album from an 80's band. Lots of extended jam songs towards the end of the album, did not know the Cure had songs like that! Highlights: -Plainsong -Pictures of You -Lovesong -The Same Deep Water as You -Disentigration
"Lovesong" is on this and I had no idea this was the original compared to the cover by 311. "Pictures Of You" was great. Good album all around. 8/10.
Probably the greatest post-punk band ever. This album has so many great singles, Pictures of You, Lovesong, Fascination Street, Disintegration, but the other tracks are also really really strong. Standouts for me are the strings on Lullaby, the guitar hook and sad lament on Untitled, the Wall of sound on Plainsong, the Thunderous drums in Closedown and their classic gothy dark sound in Deep Water and Pray for rain. I'd give this album a 9/10 but on the 5 star scale its not quite "perfection" so I must sadly round it down to a 4.
I don’t know what it is about this album but I love it. I was very put off by the length of the songs but they quickly became easy to listen to in the background as there are not a lot of words. When there is, it is haunting and exactly what I expected from the Cure from other songs and albums I’ve heard. After last weeks double disc of music, I saw 12 songs and thought this would be quick but many of them are 6-9 minutes long which rivals bands like Metallica. The standout for me was Lovesong but that’s because I’ve heard it before. I also really liked Pictures of You and Prayers for Rain but I’m going to listen to this one again and see if any others stand out. The album cover is perfect for this music. Very strange and almost Jared Leto Joker like in its presentation but it makes total sense as almost every song can be listened to while driving through the city on a rainy night looking for something that can’t be found.
Kolejne spotkanie z The Cure, tym razem jest to osma studyjna plyta bandy, wiec prawie dekada przeskoku od ostatniego picka curowego, czyli seventeen seconds, jesli tamta plyta byla pierwszym krokiem w tworzeniu swojego brzmienia, to disintegration moze byc zwienczeniem tej drogi, na ktorej koncu dostajemy pana smitha, ktory kradnie spotlajt tej plyty, o wiele bardziej opartej na lirycznej stronie niz wczesniej sluchane siedemnascie sekund, chociaz i tak charakterystyczne czesto nawet 2-3 minutowe intra instrumentalowe pozostaja, to na tej plycie kawalki maja o wiele wiecej do powiedzenia, bo sama plyta liczy ponad 70 minut, no i nie ma traka krotszego niz 4 minuty, a znajda sie nawet 9 minutowce wsrod tych 12 numerow, wiec o wiele wieksze pole do popisu niz poprzeni material, jest to tez pierwszy album nagrywany z mysla wylacznie o cdkach, stad wlasnie tak nietypowa dlugosc materialu jak na jeden albumik, a nie podwojna plyte, charakterystycznym brzmieniem jest tutaj podwojny bass, ktory ma w sobie tragiczny wyraz w polaczeniu z mrocznymi kojacymi, depresyjnymi, cudacznymi tekstami, na wokalu smithowym, ktory zdecydowanie sie rozwinal na przestrzeni lat, gitarki nadal graja bardzo prosto, jedynie lickami, do tego dochodza klawisze prawdziwie grobowe, co daje w calosci prawdziwie pogrzebowy dzwiek, ktory swietnie pasuje do tytulu, ktory odnosi sie do rozpadu w grupie, bo jest to w wiekszosci material smithowy, ktory desperacko staral sie stworzyc cos po czym zostanie zapamietany, a nie tylko sprzedany, przed trzydziestymi urodzinami, wiec dochodzi tu motyw forsowania stworzenia swego magnum opus, nie jest to pierwszy taki wybuch tworczy w jego przypadku, bo ta plyta zajmuje drugie miejsce w trylogi pornografia, dezintegracja, krwawokwiaty, no i kolejny raz wypadaloby sprawdzic reszte, ale co do samej dezintegracji, to moze nic szokujaco nowego nie uslyszalem, ale i tak ocenie go wyzej niz poprzedni pik curowy, bo jednak jest o wiele bardziej spojny i czuc doszlifowanie stylu zaprezentowanego na sekundach, na plejaka wrzucam tytulowy song, lovesong, i pictures of you, do ktorego trzeba dodac nastepujacy po nim closedown, bo jak dla mnie musza one isc jako bundel
"Sometimes you make me feel Like I'm living at the edge of the world Like I'm living at the edge of the world It's just the way I smile, you said" (Plainsong) "You stifle me Infectious sense of Hopelessness and prayers for rain" (Prayers for rain) Madre mía, cuánto me gusta The Cure, qué vergüenza.
I have heard the Cure but really listened this time to lyrics and music and was very impressed. Lots of favorites on this album; Homesick, Love Song were fun but a knew favorite was Lullaby but should have named Spider-Man! Very catchy and smooth. Great job and hats off it A best hit “Friday I’m in Love Again.
The height of the sad boi sound. The songs on this album really use the many synths and make such beautiful textures and is really just well crafted songs all around. No I ripping guitar, but beautiful simple guitar lines to add to the texture of the songs. Love to hear this one.
Big fan of the overall sound/feel. Can imagine Joseph Gordon-Levitt's character in (500) Days of Summer listening to this a lot.
I really liked the long and flowy instrumentation. Hadn't listened to an entire The Cure album prior to this; I expected it to be good and it was. Must be a precursor to shoegaze, right?
I don’t really have time to write a detailed review here, but I liked this album and would listen to it again. If half stars were a thing I think I’d give it 3.5, but since they aren’t and I’m feeling generous today I’ll round it up to 4.
This was a really good album. The lead singers voice has a lot of character and sounds great. I loved the guitar/bass work on this too with some of the layering. The only little problem is the songs drag on just a bit too long in some cases.
Okay I’m staring to like The Cure more than when I was younger. Still not my favourite but some good, well-structured songs here
30th July 2021 Listened on my way to Ryder's wedding!! It is amazing, it's urgent and glamorous and emotional. I think the more listens it gets the more it will reward you.
Having long hated The Cure's radio singles, I have been pleasantly surprised by each Cure album I've listened to, with this being the best I've heard so far.
Herkenbare sound van 'The Cure' met heel wat deprimerende tekst en muziek. Wel een goed album, maar niet meteen iets om spontaan nog eens op te leggen
I only knew of "Close to me" before this, so the overall vibe of the album was somewhat surprising. It was excellent though, I love the singer's voice, the synths, and the wafting depressingness of it was in sync with my current surrounds, so it worked for me. Favourite song: Homesick
I enjoyed this more now, remembering my youth, than I remember enjoying it then. Some great songs, such as Spiderman.
sounds relaxing, there are beautiful space in sound, typical for The Cure, good album in general
I don't recall owning this CD or cassette, but I felt an strong connected to each one of these songs. This will be going into rotation for me.
Robert Smith describes this record better than I could on its opening track - "It's so cold". Not cold as in without soul or devoid of feeling - in fact this album provokes lots of feelings - sadness, heartache, pain, and even hope. The music feels frigid, yet it's remarkably relatable and impactful. "Plainsong" is a beautiful opener. "Pictures of You" is for me the most lyrically potent track. It's long, but enjoyable all the way through. "Lovesong" is quite the dramatic mood shift, yet there are still somber undertones to this track that fit it in nicely with the gloominess of the rest of the album. The instrumentation across the album has a lot of reverb and a lot of repetitive layers, which creates lots of physical space on each song. This sound is what pulls each record together and allows for the album to sound sonically cohesive. I really love the subtle touch to the transition between "Prayers For Rain" and "The Same Deep Water As You" where the narrator of the first track begs for rain and in the beginning of the next track, it begins to thunder and pour. It's minor additions like that that bring life to this album.
Atmospheric, very deep themes of love with depressing undertones Fav tracks: plainsong, love song, last dance, fascination Street, same deep water as you
Pretty great album. Recognized a lot of songs from it and those that I didn’t were also great. The Cure are just a good vibe all around. 8/10
Such a great album, bringing back so many great memories, this is The Cure at their very best, rich and melodic, with Robert Smith’s characteristic vocals at the front of the mix, ably supported by a beautifully tight and menacing musical soundtrack. This is a classic Top tracks: Fascination Street, Plainsong, Pictures of You, Disintegration
J'ai passé un excellent moment en compagnie de ces joyeux gothiques. Bien malheureusement, celui-ci a été gâché par mon rival et compagnon d'écoute elclapet. Voici comment il s'y est pris. Hier, comme vous le savez, la plateforme Spotify donnait la possibilité à chacun d'accéder à un récapitulatif de son année musicale. J'appris très vite par l'intermédiaire de connaissances communes qu'elclapet avait écouté exactement 2505 artistes différents au cours de l'année. N'ayant pas bien conscience de ce que cela représentait, je m'en allai voir combien j'en avais moi-même écouté, pensant tout naturellement que j'allais battre ce chiffre à plate couture. Quelle ne fut pas ma surprise de découvrir que le mien n'était que de 1188. Fou de rage, j'appelai immédiatement Robert pour lui demander comment cela était possible. Ce dernier connaissant très bien le PDG de Spotify Daniel Ek, il l'appela en direct tout en me laissant assister à la conversation. Au fil de celle-ci, Ek nous signala qu'en effet, un problème venait d'être détecté sur le compte d'elclapet. Pour que vous compreniez la suite de cette critique de The Cure, je me dois de vous donner quelques éléments de contexte. Elclapet travaille depuis plusieurs années en tant que démarcheur pakistanais au sein d'une entreprise de télécom. Il appelle en effet à longueur de journée des clients potentiels situés aux quatre coins du globe pour leur proposer différents services proposés par son entreprise, en empruntant un très fort accent indien que d'aucuns jugeraient d'extrêmement raciste s'il était entendu hors des murs de son lieu de travail. Parallèlement à cette mission, elclapet travaille de nuit comme conseiller au service après vente de la marque afin de boucler ses fins de mois. Les clients font donc la queue au bout du fil pour le joindre et tenter de régler des problèmes liés à leurs forfaits ou à leurs téléphones (très bas de gamme, il faut le dire). Une fois la situation précaire d'elclapet évoquée et parfaitement claire pour vous, je peux reprendre là où j'en étais. Le PDG de Spotify appela donc le service après vente de l'entreprise d'elclapet en laissant Robert et moi en ligne. « Si vous voulez vous abonner à ce qu'on propose, tapez 1. Si vous voulez être mis en relation avec un de nos conseillers pakistanais parmi lesquels elclapet, tapez 2. » proposa la boîte vocale. Ek choisit la deuxième option. « Si vous voulez être mis en relation avec n'importe lequel de nos conseillers pakistanais, tapez 1. Si c'est elclapet que vous voulez, tapez 2. » proposa ensuite la voix. Le PDG choisit encore une fois la deuxième option et fut connecté à la ligne d'elclapet : « Tuuuuut. Tuuuuuut. Tuuuuut. *décroche le téléphone* Bijour Missié ici ci elclapé commé jpé foussédé ? - Bonjour, je vous appelle au sujet d'un problème au sujet de mon téléphone. - Kississé comm problém ? - Je n'arrive plus à l'ouvrir - Kississé comme tép dé téléphoun ? - Un téléphone à trapèze. - Tré bieng, ji vou mé on attenté. Tuuut. Tuuuut. » Robert et moi demandâmes alors à Daniel Ek ce qu'il avait pensé de cette conversation. Celui-ci nous confia que pendant toute la durée de l'appel, il était écrit sur son ordinateur qu'elclapet streamait au même moment différentes playlists sur son application. « Ci bon missié ji soui drétrour... - ... Excusez-moi elclapet, êtes-vous concentré sur mon problème de téléphone où êtes-vous en train d'écouter de la musique ? - Ji souis cocentré sir vou. - Vous me jurez que vous n'écoutez pas de la musique ? - Ji fou lé jire. » Elclapet venait d'avouer. Il travaillait donc en laissant son application enchaîner les chansons sans les écouter. « Vous êtes en état d'arrestation, elclapet. Tout ce que vous direz avec un accent indien pourra être retenu contre vous. » déclara Daniel Ek à mon compère pris la main dans le sac. Elclapet passa la journée suivante en garde à vue et fut relâché le lendemain, Robert ayant payé la caution de son protégé avec un goût extrêmement amer et une déception incommensurable.