26th August - The Cure's The Head on the Door

Artist - Album: The Cure - The Head on the Door
Released: 26th August 1985
Sounds like: pop: The Cure-stion

Almost four months ago I produced a typically excellent (ha!) review of The Cure's 1989 masterpiece Disintegration. I must confess to you, dearest reader, that, as it's lovely and sunny outside and it's the last day of my holidays, and as Manchester United vs Chelsea kicks off shortly and I'm a very lazy person really, I'm just going to rehash part of that blog again here.  If you fancy a read of the infinitely more painstakingly assembled original, check it here: http://analbumadaykeepsthebluesaway.blogspot.co.uk/2013/05/1st-may-cures-disintegration.html?m=1

The Cure live some sort of a double life: they're known as one of the pioneers of the gothic scene and have crafted sone stunning albums of glacial, beautifully atmospheric rock; on the other hand, they were one of the great pop groups of the Eighties, delivering stunning singles such as 'Love Cats', 'Boys Don't Cry' and 'Friday I'm in Love'. Although there were relapses, for a snapshot of the transition from bleak goth kids to rock pop stars, look no further than this album. The best known tracks - ‘Close to Me’ and 'Inbetween Days' - are belters, but the rest of the album, from the flamenco sounds of 'The Blood' to the insensible 'Six Different Ways', is similarly giddy and fun.

I may have said the same thing about Disintegration but The Head on the Door just might be the finest album of their career.

Analbumaday... rating: 8/10

1. In Between Days – 2:57
2. Kyoto Song – 4:16
3. The Blood – 3:43
4. Six Different Ways – 3:18
5. Push – 4:31
6. The Baby Screams – 3:44
7. Close to Me – 3:23
8. A Night Like This – 4:16
9. Screw – 2:38
10. Sinking – 4:57

Listen to 'Six Different Ways': www.youtube.com/watch?v=ouitmsVcXqY

Also released on 26th August:

2002: Coldplay - A Rush of Blood to the Head

1st May - The Cure's Disintegration

Artist – Album: The Cure - Disintegration

Released:  1^st May 1989

Sounds Like: Spider lovin’ goths

Just under a month ago I reviewed a 2008 album called Saturdays = Youth by M83; an album that I concluded did a great job at taking all the best bits of the 80’s, stuffing them into a chunky blender and indulging in the results. You won’t find the theatrical, angsty lyrics here, or the teenage spoken middle, or even the bombastic drums, but for the lush, all-consuming soundscapes Disintegration may well have been exhibit A.

Right from the off, the symphonic opener ‘Plainsong’ sets the standard for an album crammed with epic, magisterial pieces. Fan favourite ‘Pictures of You’ is lumbering and slow, but it’s so gorgeous and heartfelt that it could be the best song they’ve ever recorded. ‘Lovesong’ may be a love song, but it’s shrouded in melancholy. ‘Lullaby’ is creeping and eerie, with ominous strings and whispered, paranoid lyrics, whilst ‘Fascination Street’ pulsates hatefully. It’s an exceptional collection of tracks and amazingly well realised record.

For those that only really know The Cure for ‘Love Cats’ or ‘Boys Don’t Cry’ or ‘Close to Me’ - God, they’ve had some cracking songs haven’t they? - this may come as something of a shock; I mean there’s nothing here that even remotely qualifies as pop. But if you’re aware that there’s more to The Cure than ‘Friday I’m in Love’ (gosh, another great one) then you’re bound to have a lot of love for this. It may just be the finest album of their career.

Albumaday... rating:  8/10

1.       Plainsong – 5:12

2.       Pictures of You – 7:24

3.       Closedown – 4:16

4.       Lovesong – 3:29

5.       Last Dance – 4:42

6.       Lullaby – 4:08

7.       Fascination Street – 5:16

8.       Prayers for Rain – 6:05

9.       The Same Deep Water as You – 9:19

10.   Disintegration – 8:18

11.   Homesick – 7:06

12.   Untitled – 6:30

Listen to ‘Plainsong’:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bZoYzne9Tpg