Must be something about 1989. When I looked up that fantastic year on Wikipedia, I found out several great facts: The Berlin Wall was torn down; The Stone Roses' self-titled album debuted (reviewed last week); Seinfeld premiered; the last golden toad was seen (now extinct); and finally, The Cure's Disintegration was unveiled.
The Cure formed in 1976 in Sussex, when its members were fresh out of their teens. With vocalist and frontman Robert Smith as the only constant member, the group assumed several different identities in its early years: The Obelisk, Malice, Easy Cure, The Cure by Smith and finally, the Cure. After Easy Cure was discovered at a talent show they were signed to Hansa Records, though the contract was dissolved a short time later. Under a new name, The Cure, and a new label, the band quickly unwrapped its first album, Three Imaginary Boys, in 1979. Fast forward through a gothic rock phase and touring as a support band, the band released Disintegration 10 years later and became instantly successful.
Despite the fact their two most popular singles ("Just Like Heaven" and "Friday I'm In Love") are on other releases, Disintegration is most likely The Cure's best-known album and is ranked among Rolling Stone's "500 Greatest Albums of All Time." The sound of Disintegration transitions between dark and brooding ballads to upbeat singles. With just fewer than half of the songs on the album being longer than six minutes, Disintegration presents an interesting mix of contemplative, brooding and carefree.
The album begins with "Plainsong," which is anything but what its title suggests. Starting with the quiet sound of chimes, it soon explodes into an array of synthesizers and guitars that can be summed up in one word: epic. Even the lyrics -- though the song could be great just as an instrumental -- are subtly and hauntingly beautiful. Smith, known for his unorthodox style (smudged lipstick and pale complexion), whispers, "Sometimes you make me feel / Like I'm living at the edge of the world." "Pictures of You," the second track on Disintegration, switches style completely with its pop beat and upbeat sound but unexpectedly follows "Plainsong" in lyrical style. Strangely enough, "Pictures of You" seems to be about a love lost to suicide with lyrics such as "And you finally found all your courage / To let it all go" and "If only I'd thought of the right words / I could have held on to your heart." Instances such as this display why The Cure has been so successful and influential -- you're always in for a surprise when The Cure find their way into your headphones.
While you can pretty much zone out to Disintegration and still enjoy it, you'd be better served by listening without distraction. It has a hauntingly beautiful sound and lyrics. Though perhaps not conducive to preparing for a night out, a workout or for relaxing after a tough day, it does work perfectly for when you're feeling a little blue. Robert Smith is in touch with his emotions, and though your roommates might not understand if you need to vent and be alone, he certainly does.
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