0
0
Thanks to lots of heavy, black eyeliner, wayward, straggly hair and somewhat dowdy clothing, The Cure isn’t really thought of as a happy summertime party band. Besides the scary, gothic appearance, there are also the gloomy album tracks that rarely produce a smile. But when it comes to singles, this band is a different entity all together.
Spanning nearly their whole twenty-seven year career, this greatest hits package really does contain some pop gems, as proven by the opening track “Boys Don’t Cry.” Many other bands would have struggled to match such a perfectly simple tune, but The Cure managed to surpass it with “In Between Days.” “Close To Me” and “The Lovecats” are equally as infectious, thanks to whimsical lyrics and clever melodies.
In keeping with their gothic image, there is a bit of gloom here, mostly in the form of “A Forest” and “Lullaby.” “Never Enough” is heavy Cure, its monster guitars and thumping bass are best appreciated at maximum volume. Some of the pop tunes miss the target. “Let’s Go To Bed” and “The Walk” suffer when compared to the likes of “High” and “Why Can’t I Be You?” These sins are easily forgiven though, when accompanied by “Friday I’m In Love” and the brilliant “Just Like Heaven.” A couple of the newer, less well-known tunes prove that The Cure hasn’t lost its touch, with “Cut Here” and “Wrong Number” easily comparable to their best stuff.
So whether you want loud, happy music at home, in the car, on the beach or wherever, this album delivers. And despite what appearances may suggest, it is okay to smile when listening to The Cure.
