The Cure have released their first record in four years. I am not sure if the album is self-titled because they have run out of ideas or if they are trying to reach a new audience in the guise of a debut album. The Cure is the furthest thing from a new band. They have a career that spans almost 30 years and have earned the respect of music critics and fans across the world, not to mention those companies who happen to manufacture black eyeliner and hairspray.

This album has a raw sound without losing the unique qualities which Robert Smith and company have honed over the last three decades. Robert's passion and emotional grasping are right on target. I haven't heard him quite like this since the 1982 album Pornography. However, something is missing.

The first thing I noticed is a definite change in the guitar sound. The guitars are crunchier than usual. There are also updated electronic effects, which are more in the background and lend support rather then offering the traditional "second melody" that many great Cure songs contain. If you are looking for Friday I'm in Love you won't find it here.
(and in my opinion that's not such a bad thing, to a point...)

As I listened to the record I found my foot tapping and enjoying Robert Smith's recognizable voice and passion. This is a good record, but after awhile it hit me that this album does not come close to their best works. Albums like Kiss Me Kiss Me Kiss Me,The Head On The Door and the classic and influential Disintegration are still substantially better works than this. I would even say that I am more partial to 2000's Bloodflowers, which in my opinion, was underrated by fans and critics alike.

I believe The Cure is in a tough spot. The band is responsible for creating some master works of art, which makes it almost impossible for them to rise to the same level on every release. No matter how talented Robert Smith and company are, they will never give us another Disintegration. What they give us here on The Cure by any other standard would be a 4 star effort. Unfortunately for Cure fans, they have raised the bar so high you may be a bit disappointed. Nevertheless, this is a must have album for Cure fans and it may attract the attention of a younger Radiohead generation.