I was intrigued about The Cure's newest cd for different reasons. First, I had read articles in various music magazines about how this cd would be harder, heavier, darker, etc. Secondly, The Cure have made over 20 albums (including greatest hits & B-side/Rarity compilations), this being their first new stuff released since early 2000.

Overall, I would say this cd is not too bad, but not at all close to the hype I have heard. If you like The Cure, you will probably at least like this album. If you are not a Cure fan, but you like their latest single, you might want to stick to (legally) downloading "The End Of The World" for now. My favorites are "Labyrinth," "Us Or Them" and "alt.end"

I rated it a 2 1/2 out of 5 because the lyrics are quite repetitive, but that does not necessarily make the songs bad.

Now, for the break down song by song:

1. Lost
The background music could almost be considered ugly, but its a pretty combination with Robert Smith's voice. It feels like rather than singing, he is talking, yet the ends of the words sound like singing. The meaning of the song's title isn't too hidden, "I Can't Find Myself" is repeated at least 16 times, letting you know, he is indeed "Lost."

2. Labyrinth
If you let the music move you, I bet you would find yourself swaying to this song. Robert Smith's voice seems to glide and couple fantastically with the background music.

3. Before Three
Rather conventional sounding Cure song. About love, and being with the one you love. I think it's a beautiful song about wanting to always remember a special time with someone great.

4. The End Of The World
It's the first single off this cd. Another song about love. Quite catchy. I can see a lot of people who previously were not fans turning into fans because of this song.

5. Anniversary
Dark, slow, deep, electronica sounding song about love.

6. Us Or Them
The angry poetic lyrics of this rocking song start out with "There is no terror in my heart/ Death is with us all/ We suck him down with our first breath/ And spit him out as we fall." This song is the heaviest on the album.

7. alt.end
A catchy song for sure. Vocals and instruments go well together.

8. (I Don't Know What's Going) On
Surprise: Simple, repetitive lyrics. No surprise: it is about love and confusion.

9. Taking Off
It is a pretty light song. Easy to listen to, with not harsh or weird noises like in "Lost" or "The Promise"

10. Never
Again with the repetitive lyrics...This time, I am not so surprised about that, though.

11. The Promise
When I first listened to this song, I noted that the track length was over 10 minutes. Usually, I would be like "YES! a hidden track!" But no, there is not a hidden track. The song is really over 10 mintues long. I got tired of the guitar "weeyow weeyow" noises after about...45 seconds of it not stopping. It could have easily ended halfway through, and not much would have been loss.



Label: Geffen Records
Release: June 29th, 2004

Track Listing:

01. Lost
02. Labyrinth
03. Before Thee
04. The End Of The World
05. Anniversary
06. Us Or Them
07. alt.end
08. (I Don't Know What's Going) On
09. Taking Off
10. Never
11. The Promise

Rating:



Review by: Candice