The Cure: Classic or Dud?

Slicing Up Eyeballs is doing a Cure poll at the moment: http://www.slicingupeyeballs.com/2017/04/24/vote-for-your-favorite-cure-songs/

It will be interesting to see how the results compare to the one done on this board a couple years ago.

The very first time I listened to "The Kiss," I shut it off after the first few seconds thinking the tape was warped. I went back to the record store, told them I had a defective cassette, and they exchanged it for another copy. I popped in my new copy of the album and realized it was supposed to sound that way.

Kiss Me, Kiss Me, Kiss Me is my go-to suggestion whenever anybody asks what they should listen to as an introduction to the Cure. I feel like out of all their albums, it's the only one which really tried to show off the full range of what they were capable of doing. Well, Wild Mood Swings tried it too (and I actually like WMS), but Kiss Me did it better.

Hmm. I'm not convinced it does show off the full range of what The Cure do, but then I'm not sure any Cure album does.

Just like Disintegration is Faith for stadiums, Kiss Me Kiss Me Kiss Me just builds on the template set by The Top and particularly The Head on the Door, but twice as long and with filler.

I designed the cover for that ILM live comp and also never got one!

me neither!

Huh. Okay you three (counting (sic)), contact me -- ned at kuci dot org -- and I'll arrange something.

Hi folks,

An Amazon mix up means I now have two copies of the Pornography and The Top deluxe editions.

I'm happy to send them to the first EU Ilxor who PMs me. This site allows private messages, right?

Sorry non-Europeans, but shipping elsewhere becomes difficult.

THE CURE will be celebrating 40 imaginary years on Saturday 7th July 2018 with a 120min headline show at BST Hyde Park, London. Tickets on sale 9am Friday 15th December 2017. Presale is 9am TODAY 12th December.https://t.co/gHw1NfahWr - the password is IMAGINARY.
SEE YOU THERE!!! pic.twitter.com/RbWJLeK4iY

— The Cure (@thecure) December 12, 2017

Nice to see the old logo dusted off

If there is any way I can go to that show I have to. What a fucking lineup. The Cure is turning 40 and so am I so it only seems fitting.

yeah this line-up tidily encapsulates my youth. Not a fan of open-air festivals and a two-hour Cure set might be greatest-hits only, so I don't regret missing this.

I'm kinda tempted tbh. I somehow have never seen the Cure live despite them being one of my favourite bands for 27 years.

Worth seeing at some point. That said, if I lived there, obv I'd go but yeah, a festival set is not how I want to see the Cure. (Much less with Interpol, honestly.)

love that old logo

line up looks rly good too

BTW, following up on Tim Pope's tweets the other week:

So, 50 boxes of ‘stuff’ has just arrived at mine. Just peeked and apart from dust they seem to be filled with what looks like films, photographs, memorabilia. They go by the year. Hm. Can’t wait to get cracking, though might take me a while. I can feel Christmas is nearly here.

— Tim Pope (@timpopedirector) December 10, 2017

And earlier today

Things are starting to happen and are afoot, right? I'll say more, too, shortly.

— Tim Pope (@timpopedirector) December 12, 2017

I'm really, really glad Tim Pope is involved, because I absolutely love his work. He is to The Cure what Anton Corbijn is to Depeche Mode, just a perfect fit.

One of my favourite stories is regarding the 'Hot Hot Hot!!!' video - the band apparently gave Tim Pope the brief to make them look like a "lowdown funk band", and Pope interpreted "lowdown" as "dwarf"

I'm kinda tempted tbh. I somehow have never seen the Cure live despite them being one of my favourite bands for 27 years.

― Colonel Poo, Tuesday, December 12, 2017 12:28 PM (three hours ago) Bookmark Flag Post Permalink

They are amazing live. Still. Definitely go if you can.

Okay we have word

So, 2018 will see me collaborating with Robert on a feature-length, chronological documentary of The Cure’s history from the 1970s via present day to the future. Robert himself will tell the story and this will work alongside other events for the band’s 40-year celebration.

— Tim Pope (@timpopedirector) December 13, 2017

The film to which I will bring my own style of jiggery-pokery will use as well as 'old favourites' a cornucopia of material from Robert’s collection which has never been seen before: Super-8; interviews; bootlegs; rare performances; behind-the-scenes, blah. Updates ’as and when’.

— Tim Pope (@timpopedirector) December 13, 2017

i may well be in London that weekend but it's too early to say, so hopefully, if I am, I can snag some second market tix for this.

I hope this will be some kind of three hour extravaganza a la The Cure's gigs - no point doing a documentary if you're just gonna skim over everything.

Saw Mixed Up 2xLP on the leaked RSD list. Hope that's true and hope it has the original 12" mix of Primary on it this time.

That plus a sequel called Tied Up. That said, CD versions as well or GTFO.

I saw somethign else listed but assumed it was post 92, therefore totally pointless and forgettable, so I ignored it.

pretty interested to find out R.Smith's curatorial choices for Meltdown

look at these people hating on the fucking Cure of all bands, at the beginning of this thread.

https://www.southbankcentre.co.uk/blog/first-acts-confirmed-robert-smith-meltdown-festival

*yawn*

pretty dull all around but good on him for giving the Anchoress a slot. the Libertines?

Good on him for bringing The Church aboard. Their latest album is fantastic and I always saw them as somewhat kindred spirits with The Cure so this is cool.

Hi folks,

An Amazon mix up means I now have two copies of the Pornography and The Top deluxe editions.

I'm happy to send them to the first EU Ilxor who PMs me. This site allows private messages, right?

Sorry non-Europeans, but shipping elsewhere becomes difficult.

― Duke, Sunday, 18 June 2017 23:13 (eight months ago) Bookmark Flag Post Permalink

This is still the case. Do get in touch for free CDs

The CDs are now spoken for. Thanks.

'Torn Down'
Presented as a 2LP picture disc set in a die-cut gatefold sleeve with a download voucher.

A1: Three Imaginary Boys – Help Me Mix by Robert Smith ( 3:21 )
A2: M – Attack Mix by Robert Smith ( 3:07 )
A3: The Drowning Man – Bright Birds Mix by Robert Smith ( 4:29 )
A4: A Strange Day – Drowning Waves Mix by Robert Smith ( 5:05 )

B1: Just One Kiss – Remember Mix by Robert Smith ( 4:57 )
B2: Shake Dog Shake – New Blood Mix by Robert Smith ( 5:11 )
B3: A Night Like This – Hello Goodbye Mix by Robert Smith ( 4:24 )
B4: Like Cockatoos – Lonely In The Rain Mix by Robert Smith ( 3:49 )

C1: Plainsong – Edge Of The World Mix by Robert Smith ( 4:33 )
C2: Never Enough – Time To Kill Mix by Robert Smith ( 3:34 )
C3: From The Edge Of The Deep Green Sea – Love In Vain Mix by Robert Smith ( 6:21 )
C4: Want – Time Mix by Robert Smith ( 4:44 )

D1: The Last Day of Summer – 31st August Mix by Robert Smith ( 5:44 )
D2: Cut Here – If Only Mix by Robert Smith ( 4:25 )
D3: Lost – Found Mix by Robert Smith ( 3:59 )
D4: It’s Over – Whisper Mix by Robert Smith ( 4:54 )

I'm not interested in the Mixed Up remaster, but this looks intriguing.

I like the titles of those mixes!

The Last Day of Summer – 31st August Mix by Robert Smith

^ Particularly this one!

Intrigued but apprehensive since I dont really trust Robert's taste anymore. I also suspect that some of these songs, the older ones, might be re-recordings with new (shouty) vocals.

Robert should re-mix everything from 1995 onwards by removing Jason Cooper's drum tracks and getting Boris Williams to replace 'em.

Robert's ears are so fucked now that this seems ominous. (And likely to sound even worse on picture disc.)

Still very keen to hear 'em, though.

http://www.slicingupeyeballs.com/2018/04/10/robert-smith-meltdown-performance/

a two-hour performance by Smith at which he'll be "joined onstage by four of his curious friends to perform special interpretations based on a very particular selection of songs he has sung throughout the years"

so a greatest hits set by the Cure, then

Yes, but in Russian.

Mixed Up / Torn Down to be a triple-CD release, with a middle disc of 1980s and 1990 remixes:

DISC ONE : Mixed Up – Remastered

01: Lullaby – Extended Mix – 2018 remaster ( 7:43 )
02: Close To Me – Closer Mix – 2018 remaster ( 5:44 )
03: Fascination Street – Extended Mix – 2018 remaster ( 8:47 )
04: The Walk – Everything Mix – 2018 remaster ( 5:27 )
05: Lovesong – Extended Mix – 2018 remaster ( 6:19 )
06: A Forest – Tree Mix – 2018 remaster ( 6:55 )
07: Pictures of You – Extended Dub Mix – 2018 remaster ( 6:41 )
08: Hot Hot Hot!!! – Extended Mix – 2018 remaster ( 7:01 )
09: The Caterpillar – Flicker Mix – 2018 remaster ( 5:40 )
10: Inbetween Days – Shiver Mix – 2018 remaster ( 6:22 )
11: Never Enough – Big Mix – 2018 remaster ( 6:07 )

DISC TWO – Mixed Up Extras : Remixes 1982-1990

01: Let’s Go To Bed (Extended Mix 1982 – 2018 remaster) ( 7:44 )
02: Just One Kiss (Extended Mix 1982 – 2018 remaster) ( 7:15 )
03: Close To Me (Extended Remix 1985 – 2018 remaster) ( 6:31 )
04: Boys Don’t Cry (New Voice Club Mix 1986 – 2018 remaster) ( 5:29 )
05: Why Can’t I Be You? (Extended Mix 1987 – 2018 remaster) ( 8:07 )
06: A Japanese Dream (12″ Remix 1987 – 2018 remaster) ( 5:47 )
07: Pictures of You (Extended Version 1990 – 2018 remaster) ( 8:06 )
08: Let’s Go To Bed (Milk Mix 1990 – 2018 remaster) ( 7:13 )
09: Just Like Heaven (Dizzy Mix 1990 – 2018 remaster) ( 3:42 )
10: Primary (Red Mix 1990 – 2018 remaster) ( 7:10 )
11: The Lovecats (TC & Benny Mix 1990 – 2018 remaster) ( 4:39 )

DISC THREE – Torn Down

01: Three Imaginary Boys – Help Me Mix by Robert Smith ( 3:21 )
02: M – Attack Mix by Robert Smith ( 3:07 )
03: The Drowning Man – Bright Birds Mix by Robert Smith ( 4:29 )
04: A Strange Day – Drowning Waves Mix by Robert Smith ( 5:05 )
05: Just One Kiss – Remember Mix by Robert Smith ( 4:57 )
06: Shake Dog Shake – New Blood Mix by Robert Smith ( 5:11 )
07: A Night Like This – Hello Goodbye Mix by Robert Smith ( 4:24 )
08: Like Cockatoos – Lonely In The Rain Mix by Robert Smith ( 3:49 )
09: Plainsong – Edge Of The World Mix by Robert Smith ( 4:33 )
10: Never Enough – Time To Kill Mix by Robert Smith ( 3:34 )
11: From The Edge Of The Deep Green Sea – Love In Vain Mix by Robert Smith ( 6:21 )
12: Want – Time Mix by Robert Smith ( 4:44 )
13: The Last Day of Summer – 31st August Mix by Robert Smith ( 5:44 )
14: Cut Here – If Only Mix by Robert Smith ( 4:25 )
15: Lost – Found Mix by Robert Smith ( 3:59 )
16: It’s Over – Whisper Mix by Robert Smith ( 4:54 )

choice of tracks for torn down is interesting. if bob's theme was "deep cuts worth more attention" as it appears to be then we like a lot of the same cure songs.

Excited about having a remaster CD version of the original 12" remix of Just One Kiss. Intrigued (but dreading) the 2018 RS remixes.

So irritating they didn't include the original 12" mix of Primary.

Disc 3 has potential,,, always found Mixed Up to be a rather plodding affair.

I remember being so disappointed that an album of remixes is what followed Disintegration, which was the height of my Cure obsession... enjoyed the Never Enough 12" though. By the time Wish came out I had moved on. Still excited about the deluxe edition of Wish that should now be next!

Never Enough 12" was great. I still play Harold & Joe. Always preferred that to Never Enough. Loved Mixed Up on release though. It was great to get those mixes all on one disc.

Harold & Joe is a great song. Maybe a candidate for that Deep Cuts thread

“Harold and Joe” is ridiculously good. The immediate _Disintegration_ follow on era had so many good studio, live and remix cuts all in a heap.

http://craigjparker.blogspot.com/2018/04/the-cure-announce-details-of-mixed-up.html

Get ready for 16 new remixes from Robert Smith

The Cure have announced details of the upcoming deluxe editions of ‘Mixed Up’ and ‘Torn Down’ – with new mixes. Check out the epic tracklist along with Robert Smith’s new remix of ‘Want’ below.

‘Torn Down’ serves as a sequel to The Cure’s Record Store Day release – a vinyl reissue of the band’s 1990 remix album, ‘Mixed Up’. Remixed by Smith himself and available across multiple formats, the release includes Cure classics such as ‘Lullaby’, ‘Close to Me’, ‘Pictures of You’, ‘Lovesong’, and ‘Why Can’t I Be You?’.

On ‘Mixed Up’, Smith singled out Brian ‘Chuck’ New’s dub style remix of ‘Pictures Of You’ as the muse for the record’s bold and adventurous direction.

“That mix turned the music on its head, but at the same time left the essential heart of the song intact,” he said. “As soon as I heard it, I updated the entire ‘Mixed Up’ plan. My revised ambition was to compile an album that was contemporary without being dated, immediate without being obvious, musically inspiring, rhythmically exciting and sonically great!”

Of the re-energising power of releasing ‘Mixed up’, Smith continued: “The whole of 1990 was essentially spent emerging from the shadow of Disintegration, and we managed to do it in a creatively satisfying way; by the end of the year, I couldn’t wait to start work on new songs for the next record”.

Speaking of ‘Torn Down’, Smith continued: “I wanted a 3-disc package, but we didn’t have enough ‘historic’ remixes – for a while I thought the ‘extra-extras’ CD would be Cure songs re-mixed by choice artists, rather than by choice re-mixers… that then got me thinking maybe I should have a go at one… so in early August 2017, I decided to experiment with ‘Three Imaginary Boys’. It is a pretty sparse multi-track; I pulled it apart at home and finished the initial re-mix in one session – and I really enjoyed the whole process”.

A release from the band adds: “By choosing favourite songs rather than the usual singles, one of Smith’s objectives was to illustrate the variety of the Cure catalogue, and by October of 2017 working on songs in chronological release order, he had remixed entirely the 16 songs that appear on ‘Torn Down: Mixed Up Extras 2018’.”

Mixed Up’s genesis came from the band’s Disintegration album and its accompanying global Prayer Tour. Released in 1989, Disintegration had delivered a triumphant end to the 80s, but the first year of the 90s found The Cure unexpectedly unsettled.

Determined to keep up the momentum of the band’s ongoing success, but knowing there were internal tensions to address before heading back into the studio, Robert Smith decided on a different course of action; curating an album of the band’s rarer 12” mixes. As work on Mixed Up progressed, Smith realised that some of The Cure’s earlier remixes didn’t stand up to the newer ones.

Two tracks on the album, ‘A Forest’ and ‘The Walk’, were not just remixed but entirely re-recorded, as the multi-track tapes for both songs had long been lost. Both songs were reconstructed in the studio with producer Mark Saunders, using original instruments and gear.

The band convened over five days in June 1990 to record a new track for Mixed Up. After a certain amount of fraught experimenting with beats, loops and sequenced bass lines, Smith decided to change the vibe. A demo entitled PhaseAGE that had previously been deemed ‘too rock’ was committed to tape as ‘Never Enough’ and was released as a single in September 1990. The ‘Closer Mix’ of ‘Close To Me’ soon followed this and both songs were accompanied by customarily deranged Tim Pope videos.

For the Torn Down cover, Smith decided on a self-portrait painted in oils during the summer of 1990 which was originally intended as the sleeve for Mixed Up. He chose Torn Down as the title for the ‘extra-extras’ album inspired by the way he had “torn down” ‘Never Enough’, stripping the song back to resemble his original 1990 PhaseAGE demo. “I felt it was a good way to bring the project back full circle…in a Mixed Up kind of way” he says.