-----------------------The Band-----------------------

The Cure was one of the bands that emerged in the immediate aftermath of the punk rock in the late 1970s. The Cure was one of the most enduring and popular of these bands, and was later followed by similar bands like The Smiths in the early 1980's. The Cure became famous for their slow, gloomy songs and frontman, Robert Smith's, ghoulish appearance. They helped to set the way for goth rock, but then started to move away from this by adding synthesizers and many guitars to their music. This helped them to move into the mainstream music, in the mid-80's with the Smiths, and they were considered to be much more indie, and popular than gothic. They introduced experimental rock, making some many "crazy" sounds and their music became increasingly jolly and jaunty sounding. Many people know of The Cure's music, and they are still running strong today.

The band, originally called "The Easy Cure", was formed in 1976 by 3 schoolmates and founding members:
-Robert Smith (vocals, guitar)
-Michael Dempsey (bass)... no not the much loved Dempsey_review of Ciao, but that would be cool :oD
-Laurence "Lol" Tolhurst (drums)

The Cure's debut album, Three Imaginary Boys, was released in May 1979 with good reviews coming from the critics. Later in the same year, the group released the singles "Boys Don't Cry" and "Jumping Someone Else's Train", and the band were on their roll to fame, and success.

At the end of 1979 Dempsey decided to leave the band and was replaced by Simon Gallup (bass) at the beginning of 1989. At this same time, the Cure decided to add a keyboardist, to their lineup and Matthieu Hartley (keyboard) was chosen. However, after just starting with the band Matthieu Hartley decided to leave the band in the middle of The Cure's first world tour, but the band continued without him.

In 1982 Simon Gallup quit the band and Lol Tolhurst moved from drums to keyboards. At the end of 1982, the Cure released a new single, "Let's Go to Bed". However, the band then changed again and in 1983, a new version of the Cure were introduced. The new Cure featured old members Smith and Tolhurst, and new members, Andy (Clifford) Anderson (drums) and Phil Thornalley (bass). The band then recorded a new single, which is still considered to be one of The Cure's biggest hits; the jaunty "The Lovecats."

However, more changes then occurred and Anderson was fired from the band during another World Tour. Then, in 1985, Thornalley also decided to leave the band. The Cure were then forced to change their lineup again, and added Boris Williams (drums) and Porl Thompson (guitar). Simon Gallup also re-joined the band on bass.

In 1988, the band fired Lol Tolhurst, claiming that the relationship between him and the rest of the band had been damaged. Tolhurst was replaced with former Psychedelic Furs keyboardist Roger O'Donnell (keyboard). However, Roger O'Donnell left the band in 1990 and the Cure replaced him with Perry Bamonte, who had been The Cure's roadie.

Porl Thompson was then the next member to leave the band in 1993 to join another band. Roger O'Donnell then rejoined the band, after his departure, again on the keyboard. Perry Bamonte, therefore, switched from the keyboard and synthesizers, to guitars to replace Porl Thompson.

In 1994, drummer, Boris Williams decided to quit the band, and he was replaced by Jason Cooper in 1995.

The band members have now remained the same for several years and are now currently a 5 piece band:
-Robert Smith (vocals, guitar)
-Simon Gallup (bass)
-Jason Cooper (drums)
-Roger O' Donnell (keyboard)
-Perry Bamonte (guitars)

Due to all of the changes of band members, many of the songs are written by many different people, who were all, at one point, members of the band. The band have clearly had their ups and downs and many changes, but they have managed to keep a successful sound throughout.

-----------------------The Album-----------------------

This album is The Cure's latest Greatest Hits album, released in 2001. It is 73.08 minutes in length, and so a reasonably good length of album, especially for the price that it can be found at in most of the shops. It includes all of The Cure's biggest hits, and two previously unreleased tracks, which are the last 2 on the album; "Cut Here" and "Just Say Yes". There are 19 songs in total on the album, and it is a great listen! The album is released on Fiction Records, and the songs appear from many of The Cure's earlier albums.

-----------------------Track Listing-----------------------

1. Boys Don't Cry - 2.42
Written by:Smith/Tolhurst/Dempsey
This song begins with 4 long guitar and bass chords and then kicks straight into a jolly tune. The vocals then come into the song with a funky bassline, and great flowing guitar progressions. It has every aspect of an early indie song, and makes you start dancing straight away. One of The Cure's most famous songs and featured on the music channel's alot! The song also has great lyrics in places, and most people will probably know this song even if they are unaware of it!
"I would break down at your feet, and beg forgiveness, plead with you. But I know that it's too late, and now there's nothing I can do...So I tried to laugh about it, cover it all up with lies. I tried to laugh about it, hiding the tears in my eyes. Cause boys don't cry. Boys don't cry."

2. A Forest - 4.44
Written by:Smith/Tolhurst/Gallup/Hartley
This song begins with a clear drum beat and guitar, bass then enters and the tune is on a roll. There are some odd "space" type sounds throughout the song too, which I can only describe through text as a "chooooooooo".... Imagine some doors sliding open on the Star Ship Enterprise or something. But they happen throughtout the song, and if you know the song, you will know what I mean. This is another great song, with great lyrics, and experimentation running throughout with the "space" sounds. There are also echoe effects on the voice. The song ends similarly to how it started, with a bass pattern, and guitars. The bass then ends the song alone.
"Suddenly i stop, but i know it's too late, i'm lost in a forest, all alone. The girl was never there, it's always the same, i'm running towards nothing, again, and again, and again"

3. Let's Go To Bed - 3.34
Written by:Smith/Tolhurst
This song starts, clearly, very happily. There are some fun "Doo-doo-doo-dooooo-doo-doo-doo-dooo" lyrics at the start, which seems to be played on the keyboard. There is a lively bassline happening throughout, and a roilling drumbeat. There is also an experimental "CHA-CHA-CHA" sound made throughout the song, which occurs at the end of each line of the song. This effect seems extremely 1980's..... just think of Duran Duran, and they could really use it! The lyrics are, again, good, and the music seems to echoe the lyrics in places. An example of this is chiming bell sounds coming from the keyboard when Smith sings about christmas lights. The bass line can only really be described as being funky in this song. The song ends how it began with the "doo-doo"''s.
"You can't even see now, so you ask me the way. You wonder if it's real because it couldn't be rain...Through the right doorway and into the white room. It used to be the dust that would lay here when I came here alone"

4.The Lovecats - 3.40
Written by:Smith
An AMAZING song! You are also probably quite likely to know this jaunty number! This has to be one of my favourite songs by The Cure EVER! It's clever, and has cool effects! The song begins with a noise that I would describe as a glass jam jar being thrown down an alleyway.... but not smashing, and in a rhythm. Basically, like glass being hit! There is also a drum beat while this occurs. There are then several wails from Smith's vocal, almost like a "MEOWWW", then a piano begins to play some straight piano chords on every beat. The bass also plays a funky little bassline. There is then another "Meoww" sound, but this time it is an effect from a keyboard. It sounds weird is all you need to know.... abit like a creaky door opening. And then it does it again, but even weirder! Smith then enters with his proper vocal. The tune is bouncy, fun, jaunty, and happy, and all about love. It includes fun lyrics like "BA-BA-BA-BA-BA-BA-BA-BA-BAAA-BA-BA-BA-BA-BA-BA-BA" and Smith creates the image of two people being like cats in love. Smith also hisses on the "s" of the word "lovecatsssssss", making it sound even more like a cat hissing. Trumpet sounds from a keyboard are also placed throughout the song, and the guitar takes the background sound, but is still extremely effective. This is a great song, with great experimentation (probably The Cures most experimental song), and it is a great, jolly feel good tune. The song ends simply with a piano chord.
"We're so wonderfully, wonderfully, wonderfully, wonderfully, pretty! Oh you know that I'd do anything for you...We should have each other to tea huh? We should have each other with cream. Then curl up by the fire and sleep for awhile. It's the grooviest thing. It's the perfect dream"

5. The Caterpillar - 3.42
Written by:Smith/Tolhurst
This song begins with fast piano 'spasms', and then fast violin 'spasms', the fast piano 'spasms' then return. These could resemble the movement of a caterpillar... and then suddenly the tune begins in another really jolly, and up tempo way. The tune begins with a "DOO DOO DOO DOOO DOOO DOOO DO DO DO DOO DOO DOO", which could either be voice, or keyboard made to sound like voice again. Robert Smith then begins singing the vocal. The song is fast in pace, and exciting. The tune is similar throughout returning to the "DOO DOO"'s, and the 'spasms' on piano and violin. The song ends with Robert Smith singing the final two words of the song alone. My flatmate even made a comment to me earlier today of, "That's creepy", in reference to many of the cool effects, and 'spasms' used throughout this song, and so it is clear to see why The Cure have gained a ghoulish name for themselves, even though their music sounds generally quite happy. The effects are weird and wonderful, and add the creepy, but fun, side to the music.
"Flicka-flicka-flicka! Here you are. Cata-cata-cata! Caterpillar girl. Flowing in and filling up my hopeless heart, oh never, never go. Dust my lemon lies, with powder pink and sweet. The day I stop is the day you change and fly away from me"

6. Inbetween Days - 2.58
Written by:Smith
This is again another AMAZING song, and another of my favourites. This is again one that everyone will probably know, even if they don't realise it. This song is extremely fast and jolly in tempo with exciting keyboards and layers of guitars throughout. The song starts with a drum solo, and then the tune begins within seconds. The tune is immediately recognisable and will get stuck in your head for days. It is jolly, and the tune is shared between all of the different instruments used. The tune played by the keyboard is repeated in the vocal in the "go on"'s and "come back"'s throughout the song and the lyrics are extremely catchy! This has to be one of the most exciting, and catchy songs to ever be created by a single mans mind. The Cure are quite good at producing songs like that too, and this really shows Robert Smiths lyric writing abilities and music writing abilities perfectly! The song ends with Robert Smith finishing his singing, and then a simple held keyboard chord.
"Yesterday I got so old I felt like I could die. Yesterday I got so old it made me want to cry. Go on, go on, just walk away, go on, go on, your choice is made, go on, go on, and disappear, go on, go on, away from here!"

7. Close To Me - 3.41
Written by:Smith
There is something extremely "Razorlight" about this song, in my opinion. Just 20 years earlier...The song begins with a creaky door opening sound, and then a drumbeat starts immediately, along with some clapping. A bass then also enters, and then a keyboard. The voice then enters quietly, and the build up of noise is complete, with all of the instruments continuing with what they have been doing. The keyboard adds a couple of little solos on a sound, which is a little bit like a flute. The clapping is extremely addictive in this song, and I guarantee you'll be clapping along. The keyboard also adds a trumpet solo, unless it is actually a real trumpet, it gets rather confusing with The Cure.... but I think it is just a keyboard being convincing. But yes, there is a trumpety sort of solo noice, which is cool.... and then a saxophone.... and then something else. And basically a huge build up of funky, dancing noises.... which could be made by anything! The song ends like that. Haha.
"But if i had your faith, then i could make it safe and clean. If only I was sure that my head on the door was a dream"

8. Why Can't I Be You? - 3.14
Written by:Smith/Gallup/Thompson/Williams/Tolhurst
This song begins with some drumbeats and then a wail from Robert Smith who then "Da-Da"'s too. Keyboards then enter with the tune that Robert Smith is about to sing. Smith then enters with the lyrics. There is something spooky sounding about this song, but at the same time, the story behind the lyrics is heartwarming. The song is clearly about love, and passion, and wanting someone. Smith repeatedly asks the question, "why can't I be you?!", and backing vocals also ask this question straight away. I think the backing vocals are also performed by Robert Smith. Smith adds wails throughout the song, in a ghostly, shrieky, shrill sort of way. The beat of the song is constantly driving, and it is extremely exciting throughout. Smith ends the song singing alone again. This song has some fantastic lyrics too.
"I'll run around in circles 'til i run out of breath, I'll eat you all up, I'll just hug you to death. You're so wonderful! Too good to be true! You make me, make me, make me, make me hungry for you"

9. Just Like Heaven - 3.32
Written by:Smith/Gallup/Thompson/Williams/Tolhurst
This song begins with a drumbeat, and then the bass and guitars enter. The keyboard then enters with chords to build the texture of the music further, and then the guitar plays a tune on top of that. The vocals then enter, and the top guitar and keyboard stop playing, with just simple accompaniment. Smith provides his own backing vocals once again, and so his voice really compliments his own voice, and this is something that you do not hear from too many artists. The song is again, clearly about love. The tune is similar throughout, with a great bridge in the middle. The lyrics are also great throughout the song! The listener believes every single word that Smith sings. The song ends with a chord from guitars and keyboards.
"Daylight licked me into shape, I must have been asleep for days, and moving lips to breathe her name. I opened up my eyes and found myself alone, alone, alone, above a raging sea, that stole the only girl I loved, and drowned her deep inside of me"

10. Lullaby - 4.10
Written by:Smith/Gallup/Thompson/Williams/O'Donnell/Tolhurst
A really creepy song, where the spiderman (abit like the bogieman) sneaks into a young boys room to eat him. The song starts darkly with just a guitar playing a tune, with a bass accompaniment. You can hear Smith whispering in the background, and then the bassline comes in louder to make the song sound even darker, and heavier. Keyboards add spooky high chords, and then Smith enters with the vocal, singing in a very whispery creepy way. There are also heavy breathing, breathy moments in his vocal, and this adds a creepy effect. Strings also play, but this is probably a keyboard effect rather than real plucking violins, but no difference can be seen. The song is generally creepy, but this is no different to many of the other Cure songs. The 'strings' end the song along with a rattling noise, to great effect.
"A movement in the corner of the room! And there is nothing I can do, when i realise with fright, that the spiderman is having me for dinner tonight!"

11. Love Song - 3.28
Written by:Smith/Gallup/Thompson/Williams/O'Donnell/Tolhurst
This song begins immediately as being fairly flowing, but at the same time sort of sad sounding. The guitars, keboard, bass, and solid drum beat introduce the song, and then Robert Smith enters with his amazing lyrics. There are some good little keyboard solos in places, and the song seems to get happier and more lively as it progresses, with guitar solos, and a build up of texture. The lyrics are really quite moving, obviously being about love, as the title of the song suggests, and this is a great song, overall!
"However far away, I will always love you. However long I stay I will always love you. Whatever words i say, I will always love you, I will always love you!"

12. Pictures Of You - 4.48
Written by:Smith/Gallup/Thompson/Williams/O'Donnell/Tolhurst
This song begins with a tingling effect coming from some chimes of some sort, which gives the music a magical effect. The drums, bass and guitar then enter, as does Smith's voice, along with another tingle. The guitar plays solos after each section of Smith's vocal, and for me, this song has abit of a U2 feeling about it, but better.... The lyrics are simply amazing, and seem to tell the story of love extremely effectively! The song ends with more tingling, and then a guitar pattern that is repeated.
"There was nothing in the world that I ever wanted more, than to feel you deep in my heart. There was nothing in the world that I ever wanted more, than to never feel the breaking apart, all my pictures of you..."

13. Never Enough - 4.28
Written by:Smith/Gallup/Thompson/Williams
This song begins with a guitar tune, and then a wail from Smith's vocal. Smith then continues to grunt and "doo doo do do dooo" for the next 40 seconds. Smith then goes into his main vocal, and provides his own backing vocal again. Guitar solos occur throughout, and the song is one of 'The Cure's' heaviest, with a heavy, thumping bassline. Guitar wails also occur occasionally to add a little bit more excitement to the track. There is also one extremely waily guitar solo, that Smith also wails to over the top. It is a really exciting song, and totally 'rock'! The song has more moments that could be considered "creepy" again, and it is generally a really good song. The song ends with a couple of drum beats, and Smith's vocal.
"However much i'm falling down (it's never enough.) However much i'm falling out (it's never enough.) whatever smile, I smile the most (it's never enough, never enough). However I smile, I smile the most"

14. High - 3.35
Written by:Smith/Gallup/Thompson/Williams/Bamonte
No, not James Blunt's famous song, but The Cure's song from 13 years earlier! The song begins in a jolly way with a nice flowing guitar melody. The bass and drums and vocals then enter. The song is quite similar to some of the other songs on the album, but at the same time, there is something slightly different. The texture of the song builds up in a similar way, and again the song is about love, but the tune seems to be repeated, which seems slightly different, and I think the way Smith sings the song is different slightly too. That is probably because it is music from the 1990's instead of most of the other songs, which are from the 1980's. There are still some great, fun effects like "meow"'s when cats are mentioned again, and tingles throughout. The song ends with Smith's vocal.
"And when i see you kitten as a cat, yeah as smitten as that, I can't get that small. The way you fur, the how you purr, it makes me want to paw you all"

15. Friday I'm In Love - 3.35
Written by:Smith/Gallup/Thompson/Williams/Bamonte
This is again an absolutely AMAZING song! This is another one of my favourite songs of all time, and probably my favourite Cure song ever along with 'The Lovecats', and 'Inbetween Days'. It's so hard to choose when it is music coming from such a great band! This song is, again, another song that most people would recognise straight away, even if they weren't aware that they knew it. Even our dear own Jo (Lipsalve) sung this song to me the other day via my guestbook, to my delight, and so it is clearly a favourite song to choose when the name 'The Cure' is mentioned! The song begins with a guitar tune for a couple of beats, and then the bass and drum kick in to support the guitar melody. You immediately want to start dancing to the song (infact I will......back, now, I need to play the song again haha), but yes, you want to dance about like an idiot as soon as the song begins. The song is, again, clearly about love, as the title suggests. However, unlike other Cure love songs, this lacks the "soppy" lyrics, set to a rock tune.... and the lyrics are much more uplifting, about how the rest of the week can be miserable, but "Friday, I'm in love!". Great imagery is thrown into the ring, as you can imagine Smith's miserable week becoming great as Friday begins. The bridge in this song is one of my favourite parts of the song, and offers great lyrics, but so does the rest of the song!!! It is simply great! The tune is repeated, but with different lyrics, and this is song writing simplicity, but also song writing genius. Back when the lyrics were good, and the tune was to match! Smith also provides his own backing vocals throughout again, and he adds his little wails in places again! Ohhhh here comes the bridge again. Woo! Fantastic! You have my permission to dance like an idiot! It's Friday I'm in LOVEEEEEEEEEEEEE! :oD
"I don't care if Monday's blue, Tuesday's grey and Wednesday too, Thursday I don't care about you, it's Friday, I'm in love!"

16. Mint Car - 3.29
Written by:Smith/Gallup/Bamonte/Cooper/O'Donnell
The song begins with a drum beat, and a Robert Smith wail! and then the guitar and bass enter with the accompaniment. Smith then enters with his vocals. This song is, again, about love, but it is another great song. It also has some cool noises in it. It has kiss noises, whistles, wails, and crazy backing vocals, again provided by Smith. Listen out for them! Again, there is a great bridge in the song, and I personally find the song to be really exciting. The song ends with Smith and the music just ending the song together. I don't know about you, but I'm so fizzy I could burst! Ow! It feels so big it almost hurts.... that love, is really painful...
"The sun is up, I'm so happy I could scream! And there's nowhere else in the world I'd rather be, than here with you, it's perfect. It's all i ever wanted, I almost can't believe that it's for real, so pinch me quick! OW!"

17. Wrong Number - 6.01
Written by:Smith
The longest song on the album, but it doesn't get boring! The keyboard begins the song with some cool effects, and the guitar and bass and drums then enter. The song is suitably silly for The Cure (just check out the lyrics below), and it is extremely fun. It is similar throughout to how it begins. The keyboard provides space age effects, and the guitar has occasional solos. This song is really quite experimental, but we can tell that we have now reached the year of 1997 for release of the song, as it's really quite modern sounding. Smith, again, provides his own backing vocals, and there is an echo effect on the vocal in places. The space theme is also sung about in the song to match the keyboards; the "trip to the moon". There is a great bit in the song where Smith's note, on voice gets higher and higher in pitch until it pops (which is clearly an effect, as his voice can't do this.... impressive nontheless though). This song is really exciting, and really cool to match. Definitely one to tap the foot and nod the head to! Smith also talks at the 5th minute of the song, along with a female voice who simply copies Smith's line of "Yeah, sorry, wrong number". This song is great, and it has the bonus of being really long too. What more could you ask for?
"Lime green, lime green and tangerine, the sickly sweet colours of the snakes I'm seeing. Lime green and tangerine, the sickly sweet colours of the devil in my dreams!"

18. Cut Here - 4.10
Written by:Smith/Gallup/Bamonte/Cooper/O'Donnell
Smith begins the song singing alone, and then the keyboard enters. The instruments build up again adding bass, guitars, and drums to the setup. You can clearly tell that this is only a new song for the album (2001), as it has a very upbeat dance beat to it. However, luckily, The Cure manage to keep their reputation, and it still involves many of the features of their older music that we know and love! After all, why would they want to change when they have had so much success, and bands nowadays tend to last a couple of years. The lyrics are fun, and there are still some cool effects, especially on keyboard, and some more echo on the vocals. A great song, which differs from quite alot of the other songs on the album. The songs theme is, again, obviously about love, but this time more of a broken love that Smith still misses. This is shown through the great, yet simple lyrics "I miss you, I miss you, I miss you, I miss you", which seems to get more and more meaningful as Smith repeats it! A cool song.
""Oh c'mon and have a drink with me. Sit down and talk a while..."
"Oh I wish I could... and I will! But now I just don't have the time..." And over my shoulder as I walk away, I see you give that look goodbye... I still see that look in your eye..."

19. Just Say Yes - 3.29
Written by:Smith/Gallup/Bamonte/Cooper/O'Donnell
The song begins with odd percussion, and keyboard sounds. The song then explodes, and the guitar and bass and drums enter. Robert Smith can be heard adding some more of his famous wails, and then he begins to sing. He has a slightly stranger sounding voice in this song... sort of "Suede"-esque if you know what I mean by that! There are again some great sounds created by the backing vocal of Smith's own voice. There are, again, some more futuristic, spacey sounds added by the keyboards, giving it more of a modern sound again. As with the last song, you can definitely tell that this song is a new release. It is an exciting ending to the album though, and a great song that really grows on you! It has a great ending, with Robert Smith ending the album by simply shouting, "YESS!" A great end to a great album!
"So don't tell me it could all go wrong. No, don't tell me it could all be a mess. Oh don't tell me it could all be a waste of time. Just say oui! Si! Sim! Da! Ja! Yow! Igen! Kylla! Just say yes!.....YES!"

-----------------------Cover/Sleeve-----------------------

The front cover shows Robert Smith, with his hands out infront of him, spread apart, and with stars on each finger. There are also stars hanging behind him, and there is a purple background. Infront of his hands is the title album "THE CURE GREATEST HITS". The inside of the sleeve continues the purple, and star theme as a background, and all of the titles of the songs are listed. By each song title is information about each song, such as, who wrote the song, who plays on the song, and which album the song is from. The sleeve does not include any lyrics though. I presume this is due to it being a greatest hits, and so most of the lyrics are already known. The song titles are also listed on the back of the album.

-----------------------Price-----------------------

My warning to you is shop around for your copy of this album as prices vary massively. I purchased my copy for £6.97 from Musiczone, but HMV were selling it for £16.99!!! Play.com also sell the product for £10.99, and the RRP is £12.29. Amazon also sell the product for £8.97, but postage is not included on top of this. So I guess Musiczone is currently the place to go. However, if you are an interested Ebay shopper, there are also copies available from Ebay, which start extremely cheaply (from a couple of quid!)

-----------------------My Opinion-----------------------

I think that this album is a great introduction to The Cure for people who do not own any albums, but want to hear their music. The album really does feature all of The Cure's "Greatest Hits" and I think that it is a must have for any Cure fan. The addition of a keyboardist expanded the group's sound, making the sound now more more experimental, compared to their original sound, and it is this experimentation, and "different" sound that make The Cure fun, and exciting! Robert Smith's eclectic big hair, and makeup is also a bonus, which adds a personality to the band, and Robert Smith can be seen on many of the music channels, on programmes like "Top 20 frontmen EVER!" The Cure are also featured on many programmes relating to Top 40 hits of the 80's etc. Smith's voice is piercing, and different from the usual voice, and his wails certainly add excitement to the songs on this album, and really help to make The Cure unique. The Cure are legends in their own right, and have moved music on dramatically, as one of the first "indie" bands. This is shown through this greatest hits album, due to the vast number of great songs, that many people will know, even if they don't know they know them! My favourite songs on the album have to be "The Lovecats", "Inbetween Days", and "Friday I'm In Love". These have to then be followed closely by "Boys Don't Cry", and "The Caterpillar". These songs are absolutely amazing, especially the first three, which I class as my favourites. I think that many people would agree with me in saying that these songs are some of The Cure's best work, and for me, these songs are slightly more exciting, and more great, than their other work. If you're a fan of The Cure, or want to be, then this album is for you! This is a great album to own, and I recommend it with all of my recommendation powers (and that is lots)!

Thanks for reading! Keep smiling, Alastair :o)