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The Cure => General The Cure Discussion => Topic started by: dsanchez on August 19, 2005, 00:00:12

Poll
Question: What's the best CURE sound?
Option 1: The 17 seconds/faith/pornography era votes: 20
Option 2: The Top era votes: 3
Option 3: The Head on the Door era (1985/1986) votes: 4
Option 4: The Kiss me Kiss me Kiss me era (1987) votes: 6
Option 5: The Disintegration era votes: 24
Option 6: The Wish era votes: 16
Option 7: The WMS era votes: 1
Option 8: The Bloodflowers era votes: 4
Option 9: The Cure 2005 votes: 1
Option 10: After 4:13 votes: 0
Title: What was the best Cure SOUND?
Post by: dsanchez on August 19, 2005, 00:00:12
I like and I always have loved THE CURE, but having heard so many concerts it lead me to think that the actual The Cure sound is definitely not the best. In my opinion, it's just too "rock". I definitely stay with the "new wave" sound from 1985-1987.

What do you think about?

David.
Title: What was the best Cure SOUND?
Post by: Tristan Berlin on August 19, 2005, 00:07:13
Cure soundet best in 1981, 1982, 1982 and espacially in 1992
WISH FOREVER!!!!  :lol:

And now they sound great again.
Title: Fav Cure Sound
Post by: CureWhispers on August 19, 2005, 04:40:34
:smt060 1989 BABY!!! That was the year everything changed for me, with the release of Disintegration! I am a different person because of this album! I LOVE IT!!!! IMO It is the best album that has ever been made!! :smt049
Title: What was the best Cure SOUND?
Post by: wickedchild on August 21, 2005, 13:58:31
Looks good that so far, we appreciate the Wish sound cos I think that it is where Old Bob is leading us again  :D
Title: What was the best Cure SOUND?
Post by: j on August 26, 2005, 08:51:45
For me it is 17 Seconds/Faith/Pornography.  Dark and dreary.  Perfect.
Title: What was the best Cure SOUND?
Post by: Janko on August 26, 2005, 23:00:06
The "OUR GENERATION" band (that is: Robert-Simon-Jason-Roger-Perry)

WAS MOST ELABORATE LINE-UP EVER!!!

This line up had best defined sound, without many variations and concluding with 'Trilogy'  it reached an amazing level of concrete wall of blasting sound which then masterfully allowed Robert to develop his voice into best ever (even though it fell at least half a note since ...ehm... 'Lovecats')...

Roger and Perry have yet to be thanked for that. Praised.

As you can see now - there are some voice problems...  :-D
Title: What was the best Cure SOUND?
Post by: rdruiz8 on August 27, 2005, 03:55:28
I love the sound of the Wish era. The best line-up I think. They've reached a great quality of performance with this tour, just listen the Show and Paris albums.
Although the Disintegration era was great, they've reached a higher level during the Wish era: the drumming was more intense (open, cut), Porl was terrific (FTEOTDGS) and the versatility of Perry and Porl aternating between keyboards and guitar gave more flexibility to the band's sound during live shows.
Title: What was the best Cure SOUND?
Post by: lostflower4 on August 28, 2005, 06:29:18
Quote from: rdruiz8Although the Disintegration era was great, they've reached a higher level during the Wish era: the drumming was more intense (open, cut), Porl was terrific (FTEOTDGS) and the versatility of Perry and Porl aternating between keyboards and guitar gave more flexibility to the band's sound during live shows.

A little known fact... Robert played all the guitar parts on the album version of From the Edge of the Deep Green Sea, even the solo. You can read about it here:

http://www.musicfanclubs.org/cure/press/I10.html

But yes, there is something very special about Wish to me. I'm sure some of it has to do with the fact that it was when I discovered the band, but they were a real powerhouse back then. With Porl back, they're getting close again.
Title: What was the best Cure SOUND?
Post by: Bone on August 28, 2005, 17:02:24
Quote from: jFor me it is 17 Seconds/Faith/Pornography.  Dark and dreary.  Perfect.

listen to him he is smart. ;-)
Title: What was the best Cure SOUND?
Post by: rdruiz8 on August 28, 2005, 19:45:32
Hey! Thanks Caley. I didn't knew about that!  :-D  You're right, right now they're getting close  to the sound back then. I'm really happy because of that!!!!
Title: What was the best Cure SOUND?
Post by: arielcc on August 30, 2005, 15:34:36
well for me, the best sound and the peak in the cure career has always been the disintegration era!!
specially the european tour, when they played many different songs fromall the eras jus to grow up till those marvelous shows in wembley

about the album i remember the first song i listened from this album was pictures of you walking on the streets near my house (i had just received the cassette version from the postal office) i remember i cried when i listened to it, i didnt understand the reason of the change of sound between "kiss me kiss me kiss me and this new album" , it sounded very strange and darkie, i thought the cure were copying the goths bands, that become very popular in peru by then! but later i notice it was really different it always has this CURE SOUND that you can find on any album. i said i cried because that song was beautifull and when ou listen something like pictures of you for the first time yo have to be shocked, i felt proud, but to be honest for a few days i feel really strange and worried that this new album would become as popular as the kiss me kiss me kiss me album. at least it was consider so dark by the local record company that it was not released here in peru! ha!!

the concept of disintegation is so coherent and complex that together with that great new sound by then i think its the best cure sound forever and ever and ever

anyway i still dream the cure would make a better album in the near future!!

ariel
Title: What was the best Cure SOUND?
Post by: Tof on August 30, 2005, 17:16:17
Quote from: jFor me it is 17 Seconds/Faith/Pornography.  Dark and dreary.  Perfect.

Nothing more to say    " The trilogy "
Title: What was the best Cure SOUND?
Post by: dsanchez on August 31, 2005, 00:00:49
I always considered these 3 discs as the real "Trilogy"....the darkest one ;)


Quote from: Tof
Quote from: jFor me it is 17 Seconds/Faith/Pornography.  Dark and dreary.  Perfect.

Nothing more to say    " The trilogy "
Title: What was the best Cure SOUND?
Post by: boneheadhaggar on August 31, 2005, 12:11:41
loved the disintegration sound, although the "real" trilogy pushes it very close :wink:
Title: What was the best Cure SOUND?
Post by: cult_hero on August 31, 2005, 12:18:29
just my opinion...

best songs: disintegration
most fun and best tour: swing tour
best live sound: since 95 they got better and better
my favourite line-up: robert, simon, jason, perry, roger
Title: What was the best Cure SOUND?
Post by: curiosa on September 01, 2005, 18:10:15
i was lucky to see cure since 1980 on each tour (not in 1992 where i married my wife) and so far to my opinion the cure 2005 sound absolutely great !!

curiosa frank
Title: What was the best Cure SOUND?
Post by: strange_as_angels on September 04, 2005, 22:38:54
Disintegration is my favorite album, i cried when i first heard it!
it has a beautiful, dreamy, layered sound and the songs just drift into each other! it's like being in a dream! i cant really describe it but the music sort of becomes part of you, i've never had such a strong emotional connection with music
Title: What was the best Cure SOUND?
Post by: How the end always is on September 05, 2005, 03:42:26
Disintegration is the best album ever and the era 1987/89 is absolutley the most creative in my opinion but...the best cure sound for me is the Bloodflowers period...
Title: What was the best Cure SOUND?
Post by: curiosa on September 05, 2005, 19:35:44
to me they sounded perfect on the pornography-album, great guitars
great bass-lines and it was the darkest sound they ever made (well
"prayers for rain" and "disintegration" would have fit perfectly on the
pornography album as well)

curiosa frank
Title: What was the best Cure SOUND?
Post by: crowbi_wan on September 06, 2005, 09:11:53
head on the door has too many of my favorite songs.  i'd have to say 1985.
Title: What was the best Cure SOUND?
Post by: meatfeeder on September 09, 2005, 20:42:22
for me kiss me, songs like if only tonight,the kiss,torture,snakepit,just like heaven and so on, live at this time A forest live was fantastic !
Pornography a very close second i still play it to death!
Title: What was the best Cure SOUND?
Post by: Tristan Berlin on September 29, 2005, 23:45:33
The best line-up for me is
Robert - Simon - Porl - Boris - Perry

They have never sounded better. I think it's because they were at their climax in 1992. It was the best period ever. Wonderful album, dreamy b-sides and this amazing world tour with so much great concerts.

But it's good to see so different opinions.... :lol:
Title: What was the best Cure SOUND?
Post by: yrbadrenau on November 06, 2005, 01:06:22
definitly the 80-81-82 era sound. and the same for the line up.
OK Lol was the worst drummer cure ever had. but it is a question of alchemy and atmosphere. and the live recordings from this period (after the departure of Hartley) are amazing. it sounded as if it was the beginning of the end of the world.

I'm sorry Dsanchez but the 85-87 sound is not the new wave sound. it is the pop sound. the real new wave sound for me is the Seventeen Seconds sound. don't forget that new wave comes from the early beginning of eighties.

The Disintegration era is really really good too.

And i've got sentimental feelings for the Concert line up. i think this recording is unique : it goes dark, fast, precise. No overdubs, nothing to make it sound nice to our ears. It is punky. The Killing an Arab, Give Me It, A Forest, One Hundred Years, Charlotte Sometimes versions are amazing. Andy Anderson was really really good.
Title: What was the best Cure SOUND?
Post by: harrold on November 15, 2005, 22:20:09
NO question for me: sound of 17secs/faith/pornography is the most perfect. And I agree with Tristan, besidest the early albums contain 'same old songs'  :wink: Disintegration-Wish era is another twinkling milestone...  :)
(Anyway, check the stupid topic opened by me, called the setlist of the last show or something, I compiled only from the early albums, and from 3IB as well. I'd like that, hmmm... :lol: )
Title: What was the best Cure SOUND?
Post by: Joe on November 18, 2005, 17:28:32
In my opinion it was the 17 Seconds/Faith/Pornography era.

The live shows sounded amazing. Such power and aggression. I wish they filmed one of them.
Title: What was the best Cure SOUND?
Post by: gioez on November 21, 2005, 09:26:36
I voted for 1992 era, but I love Disintegration and 1980-1982 era too.
Title: What was the best Cure SOUND?
Post by: feefoo on January 11, 2006, 23:14:31
Wish era...Wish is excellent recording, Paris and especially Show fantastic! and B-sides too :)
Title: What was the best Cure SOUND?
Post by: egon_beeblebrox on January 12, 2006, 05:28:52
1989 is the Cure's finest moment as far as I'm concerned. Who knows, though, maybe their new album may knock it out of the park and be better than all the others.

Here's hoping, at least........
Title: What was the best Cure SOUND?
Post by: Stu on January 21, 2006, 12:32:52
Probably The Disintegration era but I also thought they were awesome on the Trilogy shows. :-D
Title: Re: What was the best Cure SOUND?
Post by: Aarna on June 20, 2007, 21:37:34
(digging the topic out from the grave...)

Can't decide really, either Disintegration or Pornography era. Most were good anyway, but those were just particularly amazing
Title: Re: What was the best Cure SOUND?
Post by: B-Flower on June 22, 2007, 23:29:48
The Best line-up was the Wish one! Teddy was good keyboardist, i absolutely love his parts on Paris cd!  :smth020 :rocker
Title: Re: What was the best Cure SOUND?
Post by: (passarinho) on June 23, 2007, 17:34:58
Quote from: j on August 26, 2005, 08:51:45
For me it is 17 Seconds/Faith/Pornography.  Dark and dreary.  Perfect.


i agree ,because 17seconds and faith are my favorite albums.
Title: Re: What was the best Cure SOUND?
Post by: disintegration on June 24, 2007, 10:37:38
Quote from: (passarinho) on June 23, 2007, 17:34:58
Quote from: j on August 26, 2005, 08:51:45
For me it is 17 Seconds/Faith/Pornography.  Dark and dreary.  Perfect.


i agree ,because 17seconds and faith are my favorite albums.
for me too!
Title: Re: What was the best Cure SOUND?
Post by: Carnage Visor on June 29, 2007, 03:37:30
I'd have to say my favorite Cure "sound" is anything from their Easy Cure demos up until Disentigration...my honest opinion.
Title: Re: What was the best Cure SOUND?
Post by: Aarna on June 29, 2007, 13:27:36
I agree on that, the whole period was fruitful music-wise
Title: Re: What was the best Cure SOUND?
Post by: revolt on August 01, 2008, 16:20:48
Quote from: disintegration on June 24, 2007, 10:37:38
Quote from: (passarinho) on June 23, 2007, 17:34:58
Quote from: j on August 26, 2005, 08:51:45
For me it is 17 Seconds/Faith/Pornography.  Dark and dreary.  Perfect.


i agree ,because 17seconds and faith are my favorite albums.
for me too!

Well, it's muy favourite era too. The issue here is: we cannot talk about just ONE SOUND here. It's two different line-ups (Robert-Simon-LoL and the same 3 plus Mathieu) and basically THREE different sounds, really.

'17 Seconds' has the most subtle/subdued spacy production, with Robert's voice placed as just another instrument.

In 'Faith' Robert's voice comes upfront (even though he hadn't yet developed completely in this area, and that is possibly the only problem with this album) and the bass guitar becomes the most important instrument, with the whole sound of the band being still relatively "minimal" and restrained.

With "Pornography" the intensity level increases overall, everything is louder and darker, and Robert shows for the first time that he truly is a singer (he would even get better, it's true).
Title: Re: What was the best Cure SOUND?
Post by: maluflower on August 02, 2008, 08:09:19
I love the minimality of the first few records up to Faith. Three Imaginary Boys I especially liked as it was very melodic and not quite as skeletal as Seventeen Seconds, although like revolt said, it was more about atmosphere for that one. But then I also really love the sort of fresh and refined sound that came with the addition of Boris and return of Simon to the group in 1985. It was like a Cure renaissannce.  :)
Title: Re: What was the best Cure SOUND?
Post by: othervoices on August 02, 2008, 14:35:59
I've always been a fan of the disintegration era... which in turn compliments seveneen seconds/faith/pornography.

However, the current 4tour take on older material has really rejuvenated the back catalogue... I'm not missing the keys at all.
Title: Re: What was the best Cure SOUND?
Post by: DroidAKov on August 05, 2008, 12:47:46
Clearly difficult to pick one.
When considering which to choose I ask myself which time would I have most apprieciated seeing them live, so this has to be 17Sec/Faith/Pornography 'era'.
The mix of at times minimalism with pure mood 'tunes' wins it for me.
While musically I've no doubt a lineup with Boris/Porl would make for a better band the thought of a live show at this time with these albums with sprinkles of the 1st album means there is only one choice for moi
Title: Re: What was the best Cure SOUND?
Post by: mint car on August 05, 2008, 22:04:28
for me is it Disintegration era. I love this album, and sound on this album is perfect. They used perfectly keyboards here. Especially Plainsong is beautiful keyboards song  :shock: and then for example Robert's Fender Bass VI in Pictures Of You...  :smth023
Title: Re: What was the best Cure SOUND?
Post by: Bloodflower on August 06, 2008, 08:02:26
Has to be the Prayer Tour line up. Cold, majestic, beautiful. Keyboards and the six-string, that's what that tour was about.

The Wish line-up and the Seconds/Faith/Pornography line-up tie for second best, though. There's something to be said for the performances of Cut, End, and A Forest from 1992, something perhaps a little more to be said for the 1982 performances of songs like The Figurehead, The Drowning Man, All Mine [I'm looking at YOU, All I Have To Do Is Kill Her!], and Faith [in '81, obviously].

But yeah, you can't really beat 1989's performances of Plainsong, Pictures of You, Disintegration, Prayers for Rain, The Figurehead, All Cats Are Grey, The Holy Hour, The Same Deep Water, Homesick, Untitled, Cold[!], and especially Faith, which, especially in its live '89 incarnation, is the best ever Cure song.

So sayeth the Bloodflower....
Title: Re: What was the best Cure SOUND?
Post by: japanesebaby on August 06, 2008, 11:26:23
Quote from: Bloodflower on August 06, 2008, 08:02:26
Has to be the Prayer Tour line up. Cold, majestic, beautiful. Keyboards and the six-string, that's what that tour was about.

i suppose it depends whether we're talking about the sound on the albums or the live sound here - or both(?).
i don't know how to vote because i don't know which one this is about.

because for instance: the soundscapes on the 'disintegration' album are certainly among the best there ever was, i can't say the same about the prayer tour live sound: the more i listen to the '89 live shows the more i am displeased with it, it's just lacking something. for instance,  it's lacking porl. the live sound was mixed weirdly and a lot of times you can't really hear him much at all.
:?


(and yes i agree that 17 seconds/faith/pornography shouldn't be clamped together as one era, regardless of whether it was about album or live sound. that's definitely three different eras there!
+where's pre-1980 from the poll? they had no sound (be it album or live) before that? :?:)

Title: Re: What was the best Cure SOUND?
Post by: revolt on August 06, 2008, 11:39:45
Quote from: japanesebaby on August 06, 2008, 11:26:23
.

because for instance: the soundscapes on the 'disintegration' album are certainly among the best there ever was, i can't say the same about the prayer tour live sound: the more i listen to the '89 live shows the more i am displeased with it, it's just lacking something. for instance,  it's lacking porl. the live sound was mixed weirdly and a lot of times you can't really hear him much at all.
:?



I think much of the time Porl is playing that melodic guitar / melodic bass sound, maybe that´s why you feel like can't hear him? He is playing the kind of things that you usually think Robert is playing (actually, on record sometimes it happens the other way round: the rocking solo on "From the Edge" is by Robert and not by Porl, as one would presume...).
Title: Re: What was the best Cure SOUND?
Post by: japanesebaby on August 06, 2008, 11:56:03
Quote from: revolt on August 06, 2008, 11:39:45
Quote from: japanesebaby on August 06, 2008, 11:26:23
.

because for instance: the soundscapes on the 'disintegration' album are certainly among the best there ever was, i can't say the same about the prayer tour live sound: the more i listen to the '89 live shows the more i am displeased with it, it's just lacking something. for instance,  it's lacking porl. the live sound was mixed weirdly and a lot of times you can't really hear him much at all.
:?



I think much of the time Porl is playing that melodic guitar / melodic bass sound, maybe that´s why you feel like can't hear him?

not exactly. regardless of what he's playing i just think that he was too low in the mix then. of course there are songs where he's not even supposed to be prominent, like i suppose quite a lot of 'disintegration' stuff can be like that. so that's fine, i don't need to hear him all the time. but it's not the same on some older songs and sometimes the overall sound is just lacking guitars. just my opinion.
Title: Re: What was the best Cure SOUND?
Post by: revolt on August 06, 2008, 12:24:28
Quote from: japanesebaby on August 06, 2008, 11:56:03
Quote from: revolt on August 06, 2008, 11:39:45
Quote from: japanesebaby on August 06, 2008, 11:26:23
.

because for instance: the soundscapes on the 'disintegration' album are certainly among the best there ever was, i can't say the same about the prayer tour live sound: the more i listen to the '89 live shows the more i am displeased with it, it's just lacking something. for instance,  it's lacking porl. the live sound was mixed weirdly and a lot of times you can't really hear him much at all.
:?



I think much of the time Porl is playing that melodic guitar / melodic bass sound, maybe that´s why you feel like can't hear him?

not exactly. regardless of what he's playing i just think that he was too low in the mix then. of course there are songs where he's not even supposed to be prominent, like i suppose quite a lot of 'disintegration' stuff can be like that. so that's fine, i don't need to hear him all the time. but it's not the same on some older songs and sometimes the overall sound is just lacking guitars. just my opinion.

Well, you could be right, I'm not exactly familiar with Prayer Tour bootlegs. I only know 'Entreat' and, well, I attended one Prayer Tour show back in 1989. In both cases I never noticed a "lack of Porl", but then, it's been a long time...
Title: Re: What was the best Cure SOUND?
Post by: MeltingMan on August 24, 2014, 19:03:16
I love some specific electric guitar sounds (echo, feedback) which can create, if necessary, a
gruesome, gloomy atmosphere and The Cure achieved this perfectly in the first half of the eighties.
Of course, you must handle these sounds carefully and the group master this craftsmanship to date.
A "noisy" or silent audience is also a key factor.
Title: Re: What was the best Cure SOUND?
Post by: Ulrich on August 25, 2014, 15:32:44
What I've liked about The Cure over the years was the fact that they'd changed their sound from time to time!

There were the "pop" songs like "BDC" and "Lovecats", but also the darker sounds of "Faith" album, the diversity of KM KM KM and so on...

Can't really tell there is one sound I prefer over others.
"The Same Deep Water As You" is brilliant "soundwise" (wouldn't want them to always sound like this though!)...
Title: Re: What was the best Cure SOUND?
Post by: Josefyne on January 06, 2015, 00:27:55
1985
Title: Re: What was the best Cure SOUND?
Post by: mooki on January 07, 2015, 11:28:29
Pretty much the whole 80's and early 90's kicked ass for them. My favorites are KMKMKM which showed a big whole variety and Pornography which I love more for the structure of the songs. It's always been interesting having songs like A Strange Day where the guitar is so sparse but powerful. It's like the songs are bass and drums, and then a guitar riff comes out of nowhere. Pornography is a very cool album
Title: Re: What was the best Cure SOUND?
Post by: Sludgebaby on February 28, 2015, 02:10:47
I voted for their early stuff. It's what defines them for me; doom, gloom and all that nice stuff. :twisted:
Title: Re: What was the best Cure SOUND?
Post by: Ulrich on February 28, 2015, 14:21:48
Quote from: Sludgebaby on February 28, 2015, 02:10:47
I voted for their early stuff. It's what defines them for me; doom, gloom ...

Well, their earliest sound was on "3 Imaginary Boys", not too gloomy for my ears.  ;)
Welcome to this forum, btw!
Title: Re: What was the best Cure SOUND?
Post by: Sludgebaby on March 01, 2015, 05:13:02
Quote from: Ulrich on February 28, 2015, 14:21:48
Quote from: Sludgebaby on February 28, 2015, 02:10:47
I voted for their early stuff. It's what defines them for me; doom, gloom ...

Well, their earliest sound was on "3 Imaginary Boys", not too gloomy for my ears.  ;)
Welcome to this forum, btw!

Haha yeah I meant Seventeen Seconds, Faith, and Pornography. Thanks!
Title: Re: What was the best Cure SOUND?
Post by: subarucure on June 11, 2015, 08:50:36
''sound''?? i have to go with 'kiss me'.  i always felt 'the top' was the beginning or birth of the real/modern cure sound and where i draw the line between new/old cure.  although i LOVE 'wish' and consider it to be the last REAL ''cure cd'' that is super solid with amazing b-sides..... it was a bit too distortion laden (mixed as a wall of sound) to give it the top spot.  i dont love the newer cds as a whole like i used to, but on the flip side i think Robert's voice is better than ever and not just the pitch but HOW he sings now.  his collaborations especially have blown me away.  i cant wait for the new one in just a few days!!  as for Kiss Me - the sound quality and mix of it, # of songs, the variety, Simon's bass has that prominent crushing quality to it, lots of keyboards and other non-traditional instruments, Boris' drums have power AND finesse and seem more creative than ever, and those b-sides!!!  it just has has a lot of 'bang for the buck' when comparing cds.  it is interesting how all cure cds ''sound like the cure'', yet each one sounds and feels so different from each other.
Title: Re: What was the best Cure SOUND?
Post by: cuneytarkin on June 15, 2016, 17:55:44
Hard to choose. But I know every time I put on Disintegration, it feels massive and immersive, and that's one of the reasons I love it so much. But I'm also pretty into the 17/Faith/Porno years. And Head. So, most years I guess.  :smth023