The Cure is one of those bands that, when I was first getting into music, back in the late 80's/early 90's, decided that I did not like. This was in addition to another band, U2, if you asked me what I thought, I would respond "Can't stand them." There was no rational basis for this distaste I had for them. I had the impression that there were rock fans, hip hop fans, classical fans, whatever fans, and at no point would they intersect. Years would pass before I actually grew a brain for taste allowed myself to venture to the farthest reaches of style variation. Well, perhaps not that far, but I have much broader tastes than I imagined I'd have, and those tastes now include The Cure (and U2).
On April 26th, Fiction and Rhino records continue their releasing of The Cure's albums as two disk special editions, with remastered audio and a disk of rarities from the period. The three albums in this wave are 17 Seconds, Faith, and Pornography, these come hot on the heels of the initial release of Three Imaginary Boys this past December. This proved to be the perfect opportunity to introduce myself to these older albums. You see, while I have become a fan of The Cure, I am woefully unfamiliar with their early albums, I have listened more to the 90's releases. I have decided to take the dive in Pornography.
The music is dark, it is gloomy, it is depressing, and those are it's good points. I have come to learn that not many bands can come close the level of goth and gloom mongering as Robert Smith and crew do. Listening to this album is an odd experience. I am much more accustomed to how they sound currently, which, while not nearly the same as these earlier music, it is interesting to listen to where the beginnings came from.
The music contained within paints a dark vision, sound layered creating a hypnotizing wall. Initially I was put off, the recording seems primitive by today's standards, and I had trouble piercing the rhythmic layer, but once I did, I was sucked into this soundscape of depression. It is a sound I am not used to hearing, the structure is intriguing and maddening at the same time. It is like a slow paced film populated with fascinating characters, the pacing tries your patience, but the actual content holds you enthralled.
The drum beats are hypnotic in repetition, the bass thrums along, dissonant guitars all together creating an apocalyptic cacophony. On top of that is the disturbing imagery conjured by or gothic master of ceremonies, Robert Smith. From the uplifting opening line "It doesn't matter if we all die" right through the closing thought "I must fight this sickness" the listener is taken on a stream of consciousness slipstream of imagery and despair.
I am not sure I could really pick a "favorite" from among this bunch but "Siamese Twins" and "Cold" left a mark, striking a chord in me. Pulsing along at a pace under their control, I had no choice but to listen. And this is just the first album.
This isn't a pointless rerelease, as tends to happen. This features a second disk, compiled by Robert Smith, of rarities from the time surrounding the release of the album. In this case there is a selection of demos and live tracks. The first few demos are moody instrumental tracks including "Demise," there is also a selection of live tracks including the title cut "Pornography." The most intriguing track of the bunch is the 12 minute epic soundscape "Airlock: Soundtrack." I am not sure what this was used for, but I read somewhere that it was a tour soundtrack, so I am guessing that it was something used during their concert set. It is an interesting blend of dissonant sounds and gothic groove, an intriguing journey in sound.
Topping off this package, are some interesting liner notes placing the state of the band into context. The downward spiral of escalating drug use, internal turmoil threatening to tear them apart, and on a musical note, the introduction of a new producer.
This may not be my favorite Cure album, I'm not sure I've found it yet. A couple favorites are Wish and Bloodflowers. I still have a lot to uncover in these early releases.
Recommended.
You can read a review of 17 Seconds, by El Bicho, HERE.
You can read a review of Faith, by Timothy Jarrett, HERE.
Interested in any of these reissues at a discount? click HERE for Rhino's offer.
How about sampling some of the songs online? click HERE for Rhino's Listening Party.
Or would you just like to check out The Cure's website? try HERE.
You can also read me at Blogcritics.org.
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