Greatest Hits - Cure

Author's product rating:   

Originality	Definitely a cut above the rest
Lyrics	Thought-provoking
Quality and consistency of tracks	A couple of weak links
How does it compare to the artist's other releases	Good
Value for Money	Excellent

Advantages:	Spans the bands career  (to a degree) / Good for 'beginners'
Disadvantages:	Missing lots of my favourites !  / Entire albums missing

Recommend to potential buyers:

yes

Full review

'The Cure', England's legendary alternative band released this compilation album - 'The Cure's Greatest Hits', in 2004. The band, fronted by Robert Smith has been around for well over 23 years; subsequently they have a large catalogue of songs. Ranging from 1979's Three Imaginary Boys, to 1982's 'Pornography', to the self titled album 'The Cure', (this also hit the shelves last year). Over this time, the band has created plenty of what could be classed as 'alternative pop' for all to sing along to, to dark, reflective and depressing masterpieces. No matter what 'The Cure' seems to do, I find their work still keeps true to their style.

I went in to Woolworth's and wandered over to their CD section, hoping to locate 'Disintegration' or 'Pornography', but I realised the chances are I would not find them here. I frantically looked for 'The Cure', and came across this album. It's really attractive design wise, a dark blue setting, littered with stars and Robert on the front, although his face obscured by his own hands. I gave the track listing a look, recognised some of the songs, and went ahead and purchased it anyway, even though almost all my favourites were missing. However, I couldn't wait to get home and try it out!

I will explicitly state a problem though with this compilation album. While boasting, which it does to a degree, that it spans The Cure's career, it does in fact miss entire albums out, such as 'Pornography' and 'Blood Flowers'. It is easy to see why, as songs from these albums would not suit the commerciality of this album. After all this is for people that enjoy 'The Cure's' more commercial hits, and chances are the doom drenched "The Hanging Garden' would not fit in too well here.

Songs from 'Disintegration" have made it on here despite the fact the album has depressing tones, albeit it also has some rather friendly "depressing" songs in there, such as 'Lovesong' and 'Lullaby'. Sadly, 'Fascination Street' that was a single (and also a favourite!) is mysteriously absent from the album. I think it would have been a great addition.

The album plays in chronological order of The Cure's career, opening with "Boys Don't Cry'. From the moment this started I knew it was going to be a favourite of mine. The guitar on the intro is rather sad sounding and delicate, and then it suddenly launches in to a great 70s sounding guitar riff accompanied by some great drumming.

Robert delivers the vocals passionately, and the bass accompanies them tremendously setting a bouncy yet sad feeling to the song. 'I would break down at your feet and beg forgiveness, plead with you, but I know that's too late and now there's nothing I can do'. On one section of the song, and another highlight is the lyric 'Misjudged your limits, took you too far, took your for granted - thought that you needed me more', in which the song picks up some more speed. The song has a tinny sound to it, due to obvious recording restrictions back then, however this doesn't ruin the song at all.

This isn't a ballad, nor a depressing song, but a great 70s friendly rock tune! Also the fact that the track is short and sweet, keeps the repetitiveness of the main riff from becoming monotonous. Smith's vocal's are yet to develop here, and you will be able to discover how as the album progresses.

The fast paced feeling is ended when 'The Forest' begins. A slow mysterious bass line, equally as mysterious guitar work and a monstrous synthesizer sets a rather lost and lonely feeling in this track. After all, as Robert calls in a rather distant voice - "lost in a forest, all alone'.

I originally heard this song and wasn't too affected by it, the bass line I liked, but it seemed rather monotone, apart from a select few lyrics which I thought were sang really well, and accompanied by the music created a nice (well, rather dark atmosphere, which I liked), specifically towards the end of the song where Robert calls "running towards nothing, again and again and again and again' - which continues on for a fair amount of time with the aid of echoed vocal effects. The following guitar work is exceptional also I may add.

As I say, I wasn't too taken to it at first, but I really do like this track now. It is rather dark, but doesn't evoke really any emotion from me, like the darker songs from 'Pornography' and 'Disintegration'. However, this song will allow 'new comers' investigating 'The Cure' to realise that the band has a darker side to them...and I find it strange that this rather pop-like album houses this rather dark and dense track.

'Let's Go To Bed' has a comical feel to it. It consists of rather 80s sounding synth effects among the drumming and guitar work, and sounds rather bizarre. I like the 'clapping' that takes place during the song, and I really enjoy Robert Smith's vocal performance during the lines of: "I don't care if you don't", which is probably also my favourite part of the song, however it definitely is not a favourite song overall. The same can probably be said for "Love Cats". A piano drives this rather happy go- lucky song which has an effective double bass backdrop and parping trumpets creating a rather light modern jazz song. It's comical, but lacks impact.

'The Caterpillar' is the only song from 1984's album 'The Top', to be the subject of inclusion on this compilation - note that 1982 has been skipped, sadly, so no songs from 'Pornography' here. In any event, 'The Caterpillar' consists of a rather 'messy' piano backdrop, a bunch of acoustic guitar and obscure noises, which mould together magnificently to create an image of a clumsy caterpillar trundling along.

'Catter-catter-catter-catter-caterpillar go' Robert stutters in a rather melodic tone, which is rather amusing, yet works well strangely enough. I really like this happy sounding song, on my first hearing of this song I wasn't too taken by it as with the two tracks before this one, however, this is now a song I would happily listen to, even if it is just to hear the rather cute sounding "doo doo doo " noises in the background. Oh, and above all, it shows Robert's skill with acoustic guitars.

It is easy to see why the general public may appreciate this song much more than 'The Hanging Garden'.

'Inbetween Days" and "Close To Me" are both short and sweet songs. 'Inbetween days" consists of a fantastic acoustic line, in which the synth effects rise and drop during the course of the song. The speed of the song creates a rather happy atmosphere (despite the fact that the opening line is 'yesterday I got so old I thought that I could die!'), .However, it is Robert Smith's vocals on the song which astound me, as he calls 'and I know I was wrong I said it was true, and couldn't be me and her in-between, without you'. It is an ok song, but not The Cure's best work. As for the latter, it has a very memorable and strange music video, in which Robert is placed in a wardrobe and then pushed off a cliff in to the sea, and the wardrobe fills with water as he sings the song.

The song opens with what emulates a squeaky wardrobe door closing, and is soon followed by Robert's constant breathless panting and clapping. The bass on this song is fantastic and the various effects create a rather comical, yet claustrophobic feeling to the song, especially with the way that this song is semi-spoken, giving a feel of urgency (and considering he is sinking in a wardrobe, there is plenty to be urgent about!) No way is this a depressing song, it is in fact quite amusing, which is just as well really, as it is quite repetitive. Although it isn't my favourite song I think that Robert's voice is in top notch in this particular track, especially as he sings 'like my head on the door was a dream'.

' Why Can't I Be You" gets off to a start with superb drumming and jangling guitars, this fast upbeat song is accompanied by some really fitting trumpeting. I like the fact that 'The Cure' can pull off such repetitive sounding songs (individually through-out, not as a whole collection), yet can add a touch of amusement to them to keep them interesting. I think that musically this is great, although I am not too fussed for the lyrics, which to be honest I think are a bit hard to work out amongst all the various strange noises Robert takes to doing in this track!

I had already heard 'Just Like Heaven' due to downloading it before I purchased this album, and this is in fact one factor that swayed me to purchasing this album, even though I was initially looking for 'Pornography' and 'Disintegration'. However, I was stunned to hear that in fact on the CD the song sounded so much better, and housed small pieces of guitar work that were lost somehow in the mp3 form I downloaded.

After some great drum work and some jangling guitars, 'Show me show me show me' Robert chants, as the synth effects create a heavenly atmosphere. 'And I promise you, I promise that I'll run away with you, I'll run away with you' sings Robert in a rather distant manner as the guitar and synth effects rise in unison to emphasise the seriousness of him running away with his loved one, and the same musical effect is replicated later in the song along to the lyric of "I'm in love with you, that I'm in love with you'. The song has many favourite parts for me and the way the song builds up from start to finish is brilliant. This track is definitely a highlight of the album for me.

'LoveSong' comes next. This inclusion from 1989s 'Disintegration' is one of the less depressing songs, and rather a public friendly one.The song is rather monotone in places, as the bass plays and the drums beat. However the synth effects are great on this song, and give love an eerie feeling. Next comes "Lullaby", this song is probably one of the more well-known songs by 'The Cure'; the song paints the story of somebody being eaten by a spider, and the fear of spiders. 'Lullaby' is a rather bouncy song, with fun pseudo-gothic lyrics. You can hear the clock ticking and the creepy-crawling of "The Spiderman" in the music. 'Lullaby' features a nice synth lick, combined with a organ line which conjures up images of moonlight and shadows moving across a dark wall.

Robert's singing tone on this song is almost like a whisper of panic. "On candy-striped legs the Spiderman comes" are the first words whispered, which sets the song's atmosphere off perfectly. This song has some of my favourite 'The Cure' lyrics in it, "His arms are all around me and his tongue in my eyes!" and "My precious boy, don't struggle like that or I'll only love you more".

This is the shorter version of 'Pictures of You' that I prefer to the 7 minute or so version on the album 'Disintegration'. The bass appears to be toned down in this version also, and the rather Eastern like jangling of the guitars and twinkling effects are more apparent. Also, it doesn't take long to get to Robert's fantastic vocal performance which took a long time to reach on the 7 minute version due to the large instrumental part at the beginning. What I like about this song is the way it sounds so happy, yet so sad at the same time, that is one gift that The Cure seem to house, and Robert's calls of ' There was nothing that I ever wanted more, than to feel you deep in my heart' are saddening, and could be easily related to, as the song basically boils down to lost love. The solo section of this song is fantastic and probably one of my favourite parts of the entire album. The bass takes a slight back seat as the jangling guitar increases slightly in volume along side plenty of dazzling tinkling effects, before the bass takes a hold and brings this jangling section to an end as Robert delivers the final emotional few lines of the song ' there was nothing in the world that I ever wanted more, than to never be the breaking apart, my pictures of you'.

'Never Enough" houses great drumming, which continues all the way through the song, accompanied by some rather heavy-handed bass, creates a rather bouncy and fast paced track, and probably one of the 'heaviest' so far on the album. As if the song doesn't sound 'messy' enough, Robert's vocals have a layered effect on them creating a rather 'dizzy' song. A simple yet effective part of the song is the way the song suddenly comes to a halt with a 'whisp' like effect. It is quickly followed on by "High", I really like the delicate enchanting sounding guitar on this song, and the drum and bass accompany it perfectly. This somewhat mysterious, yet happy song sounds relatively the same throughout, and Robert's vocal performance is great here once again, as he calls out the lyrics emotionally. 'Friday I'm In Love' is a pure example of pop by 'The Cure', not that it is a problem of course. This song can often be heard being aired on the radio. Not a personal favourite of mine, as I hardly do tend to go for the more popular songs, however, the guitar boasts great guitar work and suitable lyrics that cycle the week speaking of various feelings he experiences until Friday - which is when he is in love! This song is bound to appeal to any 'new-comer' or casual fan.

It is somewhat strange that 'Mint Car' has been included on this hits album, due to the fact it actually wasn't really that popular. However, I personally find this song a highlight on this album and liked it from the first hearing. At the beginning Robert makes a yowling noise, the really happy sounding guitar then blasts on accompanied by some really effective bass-work. This is a really 'summer' sounding song which you could easily play loud while driving. What I like about this song is it so quirky and happy, yet on various parts it sounds rather sentimental and sad 'say it will always be like this, the two of us together, and we'll always be like this, forever and ever and ever'. It's overlooked by many, but a really good song in my eyes.

Another interesting inclusion is "Wrong Number", I didn't know I liked this song from the first hearing - I knew I liked it from the first second! This track is strangely placed on the album, as this was the only original from another greatest hits album, however, I am not complaining at all. This fast tempo song begins with tons of electro noises and wailing guitar work, soon drums kick in and the bass bumps along to the disco/rock like atmosphere. The effects stop and the song slows down on various parts, for example when Robert begins singing the odd lyrics: 'Lime green, lime green and tangerines, the sickly sweet colours of the snakes I'm seeing', before the disco like electro effects kick back in. This song has a fantastic chorus to it, greatly propelled by Robert's vocal performance: 'I had the best laid plans this side of America, started off in church and finished with Angelica', I especially like the last time this section sounds, because by now the song has really picked up and the guitars and electro effects increase in pitch and wail along perfectly to the sentence. This is the longest song on the album and there are definitely no complaints from me as I think this is absolutely fantastic and a definitely highlight.

'Cut Here' is a song that was added especially to this album, as was "Just Say Yes". 'Cut Here" begins with rather 'springy' guitars, and the drumming and bass then take their place. It's a rather mid-tempo song, and sounds generally happy, with a rather odd sounding chorus: 'So dizzy Mr Busy / Too much rush to talk to Billy/ All the silly frilly things have to first get done' However, the synth effects present on this track, coupled with the lyrics and the way Robert emotionally delivers them, results in a rather sad sounding song: 'and over my shoulder as I walk away I see you give that look goodbye, I still see that look in your eye/but I didn't and it's all too late, it's over and you're gone...'

'Just Say Yes" features a very Hindu influenced music throughout this track, which then turns rather disco-like. This track, also especially for this album also has some great guitar wails on it, and fitting electro effects. 'This is it, don't wait and see, don't try to work it out' Robert sings along side the jangling guitar work that runs throughout most of the track. It's nothing special, but definitely worth a listen. There are also versions of this Greatest Hits album, which includes a second CD, with pretty much of all the above tracks in acoustic form.

Recommendations:

This album is definitely is useful for any newcomers to 'The Cure', or for casual listeners, and subsequently this album has the more commercial material on it, as discussed near the start of the review. I am a big fan of The Cure, and they are one of my favourite bands, and I am fairly happy with everything on here, although I do prefer their deeper thought provoking songs to their amusing ones.

There is 'Lullaby' and 'A Forest', which leave a small hint for newcomers that this band holds the ability to create dark and rather depressing songs. This album runs along nicely, with a nice mix of tracks and any listener can easily conclude which era of The Cure they prefer (if, any in particular appeals to them more), and as result, a more in depth investigation to the band's catalogue of albums and songs can begin.

It may also be worth noting, some versions of this album have the very excellent synth pop track,'The Walk', instead of 'The Caterpillar'. The album can also be acquired along with a DVD (not reviewed here, as there is a different section for that). So there are a few varieties of this Hits album around.

The average retail price for the 'normal' version of this album is
£10.00, however you may be able to locate cheaper original copies of the CD on EBay.