Buttsong
― the most brazen explosion of clitoral lust in folk-metal history (cankles), Wednesday, 1 April 2009 01:51 (fifteen years ago) link
title track
― Charlie Howard, Wednesday, 1 April 2009 01:57 (fifteen years ago) link
^^^ great bass from Simon.
― Johnny Fever, Wednesday, 1 April 2009 02:05 (fifteen years ago) link
Impossible poll.
― ilxor, Wednesday, 1 April 2009 02:16 (fifteen years ago) link
Running through the track list, I got chills just thinking of "Disintegration" the title track... so that's how I'm gonna vote and it's the only way I can decide, honestly.
― ilxor, Wednesday, 1 April 2009 02:17 (fifteen years ago) link
it's funny, i think of this album so much as a unified whole that i forget it has their biggest hit single on it. (in the u.s., anyway.)
― paper plans (tipsy mothra), Wednesday, 1 April 2009 02:26 (fifteen years ago) link
Fascination Street, 12" remix or not, is one of my all-time fave Cure tracks. I can't not vote for it here.
i think the longer version as the original mix with the album version being the edited version of that song.
― Bee OK, Wednesday, 1 April 2009 04:30 (fifteen years ago) link
Kinda my thought as well, yes.
― Ned Raggett, Wednesday, 1 April 2009 04:31 (fifteen years ago) link
This poll is impossible so instead I'll just say that the picture above is from the Head On The Door era... ;-)
― LeRooLeRoo, Wednesday, 1 April 2009 04:31 (fifteen years ago) link
damn, you're right!
― Bee OK, Wednesday, 1 April 2009 04:33 (fifteen years ago) link
only know that now that is was pointed out but remember that is from the album before.
― Bee OK, Wednesday, 1 April 2009 04:34 (fifteen years ago) link
or two album before, you know what i was getting at.
― Bee OK, Wednesday, 1 April 2009 04:35 (fifteen years ago) link
Shit I was hoping this was a Basinski poll.
― caekles (libcrypt), Wednesday, 1 April 2009 04:56 (fifteen years ago) link
Each song on this has been my favorite at some point or another
i'd vote for the run of 8-10 if i could― the pains of being melissa joan hart (donna rouge), mercredi 1 avril 2009 02:52 (6 hours ago) Bookmark
― the pains of being melissa joan hart (donna rouge), mercredi 1 avril 2009 02:52 (6 hours ago) Bookmark
This OTM basically. I find it hard not to simply vote for "side 2" (8-12). I guess ultimately I'll vote for "Homesick" but let's sleep on it
― baaderonixx, Wednesday, 1 April 2009 07:34 (fifteen years ago) link
The Same Deep Water as You
I came back to this album a couple of years ago after not listening to it for 15 years or something, and I'd forgotten that song even existed, and it's beautiful, still and meditative, but moving (in both senses) at the same time. The heart of the record.
― Jamie T Smith, Wednesday, 1 April 2009 08:30 (fifteen years ago) link
Hmmm ... why didn't the longer version end up on the album? There was a shorter, radio edit of "Pictures of You" as well but of course the long version on the album is 100000X times better. Is it because the album was long enough already, without yet another eight minute track?
― NoTimeBeforeTime, Wednesday, 1 April 2009 09:35 (fifteen years ago) link
Title track.
― cee-oh-tee-tee, Wednesday, 1 April 2009 10:10 (fifteen years ago) link
My turkish brothere-in-law, whose tastes were somewhat more of the Prince/disco type, loved "Lullaby" back in the day, I'd bought the (3" CD) single...
He dashed out and got "Disintegration" as soon as it came out, and was all like "WHAT IS ALL THIS?????"
His loss, my gain.
― Mark G, Wednesday, 1 April 2009 10:14 (fifteen years ago) link
This is nearly impossible, but went with the title track. High class gut wrenching drama.
― Gerard (Le Bateau Ivre), Wednesday, 1 April 2009 10:22 (fifteen years ago) link
Plainsong >>> you know, pretty much every other song ever.
― a tiny, faltering megaphone (grimly fiendish), Wednesday, 1 April 2009 10:24 (fifteen years ago) link
Yeah, I think this is an album where the singles don't really matter unless they're heard within the context of the whole thing.
I've always said The Same Deep Water As You, so I think I'll stick with that. The bassline is extremely hypnotic and the way it starts (and ends) with the sound of rain is perfect for setting the atmosphere.
― Temperamental Catstrings (Bimble), Wednesday, 1 April 2009 19:21 (fifteen years ago) link
I listened to this song on repeat for 4 hours one day while I was in high school. It's easily one of my favorite things of their, possibly my all-time favorite Cure song.
― ur an ugly hamster-abusing "girl" or whatever u are, gtfo (HI DERE), Wednesday, 1 April 2009 19:24 (fifteen years ago) link
'Pictures of You' is one of my least favorite songs.
― i'm shy (Abbott), Wednesday, 1 April 2009 19:44 (fifteen years ago) link
I feel like "Pictures of You" was the last major song with a rambling narrative Robert wrote that actually worked (honorable mention to "From the Edge of the Deep Green Sea").
― ur an ugly hamster-abusing "girl" or whatever u are, gtfo (HI DERE), Wednesday, 1 April 2009 19:49 (fifteen years ago) link
otm
― baaderonixx, Wednesday, 1 April 2009 19:55 (fifteen years ago) link
Pictures of You interrupts the flow on this so I don't like it as much, but it was awesome the first time I heard it after Plainsong
― I just take my louis jag out and wave it round in the air (Curt1s Stephens), Wednesday, 1 April 2009 21:33 (fifteen years ago) link
yeah i get kinda bored w/ PoY around minute 4 or so
― the pains of being melissa joan hart (donna rouge), Wednesday, 1 April 2009 21:46 (fifteen years ago) link
― paper plans (tipsy mothra), Tuesday, March 31, 2009 10:26 PM (Yesterday) Bookmark
was it really their biggest US single? maybe it's an age thing but i'd always assumed it was "friday i'm in love"
― the pains of being melissa joan hart (donna rouge), Wednesday, 1 April 2009 21:48 (fifteen years ago) link
(in terms of radio play at least)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Cure_discography#Singles
― ur an ugly hamster-abusing "girl" or whatever u are, gtfo (HI DERE), Wednesday, 1 April 2009 21:55 (fifteen years ago) link
This is true for almost every song! I like this album and love its singles, but it does drag.
― The Screaming Lobster of Challops (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Wednesday, 1 April 2009 22:00 (fifteen years ago) link
no YOU drag
― ur an ugly hamster-abusing "girl" or whatever u are, gtfo (HI DERE), Wednesday, 1 April 2009 22:05 (fifteen years ago) link
I voted for "Pictures of You", maybe it drags but it's a gorgeous drag.
― Euler, Wednesday, 1 April 2009 22:42 (fifteen years ago) link
Especially difficult, once again, but I guess... "Untitled"? Like Alfred says, it's the way it's so simple that makes it perfect, after all the enormity of the preceding record.
Second choice would be the opposite extreme, "Plainsong."
― tits akimbo (kenan), Wednesday, 1 April 2009 22:47 (fifteen years ago) link
christ, impossible, almost every song on here is absolutely classic except maybe Last Dance. My gut says "Homesick" so I'll vote for that, although I love the way the weird time changes in Plainsong as soon as the vocals come in.
― akm, Wednesday, 1 April 2009 23:07 (fifteen years ago) link
the only song on here that isn't classic is "Closedown" IMO
― ur an ugly hamster-abusing "girl" or whatever u are, gtfo (HI DERE), Wednesday, 1 April 2009 23:37 (fifteen years ago) link
title track here too.
― rentboy, Thursday, 2 April 2009 00:14 (fifteen years ago) link
ffs the poll is broke for me...would probably vote "Homesick"
― Zayatte Mondatta (country matters), Thursday, 2 April 2009 00:16 (fifteen years ago) link
Wait until tomorrow, you can vote (again).
― tits akimbo (kenan), Thursday, 2 April 2009 00:23 (fifteen years ago) link
I'd take the title track second, probably. I always think of that and Same Deep Water As You as like the real center of the album, a one-two punch of sadness and misery. It's hard to count the number of times those songs have helped me deal with shit.
― Temperamental Catstrings (Bimble), Thursday, 2 April 2009 00:26 (fifteen years ago) link
Pictures of You interrupts the flow on this so I don't like it as much - I agree that it sticks out, but it is still one of the most mindblowingly awesome singles ever and gets my vote. The rest of the album is so cohesive, as others have mentioned, that it is a painful process to isolate just one track, instead of a block of two or three.
― 2 ears + 1 ❤ (Pillbox), Thursday, 2 April 2009 00:30 (fifteen years ago) link
xp How is sadness + misery a one-two punch?
― tits akimbo (kenan), Thursday, 2 April 2009 00:31 (fifteen years ago) link
a one-one punch
― I just take my louis jag out and wave it round in the air (Curt1s Stephens), Thursday, 2 April 2009 00:32 (fifteen years ago) link
A knife with a twist
― tits akimbo (kenan), Thursday, 2 April 2009 00:33 (fifteen years ago) link
HOW DO I PICK JUST ONE?
Oh, okay. "Plainsong" it is.
Also. Hello, ILM. Been awhile.
― Matt M., Thursday, 2 April 2009 00:36 (fifteen years ago) link
"Last Dance" is so underrated. Great intro and the lyrics are just beautiful (I like his songs that mention Christmas for some reason). I always loved it and it gets my vote.
― LeRooLeRoo, Thursday, 2 April 2009 01:20 (fifteen years ago) link
By a lot of people, this is seen as their pinnacle. I am not disputing it being a good album. A lot of the songs are indeed really great.
But I guess my problem about "Disintegration" is first and foremost that, to such an extent, it has 1989 written all over it: Big gated drums, lots of reverb, harsh digital synth sounds. To me it sounds a bit too much like a timepiece to really score compared to other Cure albums.
That being said, there are exceptions, at least in the case of the reverb. On "Lullaby" and "Lovesong", the reverb was toned down considerably, letting the actual songs come better to their right. And even though I wasn't that much of a fan at the time, I really stand by those two being great pop singles today.
So, in the end, ending up voting for "Lovesong", maybe because I prefer the snare drum sound used on the single version of "Lullaby" rather than the album version. :) Oh, and yes, other great tracks (although all of them with way too much reverb) include the two other singles, plus "Plainsong", "Prayers For Rain", "The Same Deep Water As You" and "Untitled".
― Geir Hongro, Thursday, 2 April 2009 02:03 (fifteen years ago) link
Oh man this is so hard but I think that I have to vote Plainsong. It's just amazing.
― ENBB, Thursday, 2 April 2009 02:19 (fifteen years ago) link
BTW - this was the first CD I ever bought.
How is sadness + misery a one-two punch?
It's because whereas Same Deep Water As You is resigned to everything and sad, Disintegration wants to fight against it all. I love that these two songs are right next to each other.
― Temperamental Catstrings (Bimble), Thursday, 2 April 2009 02:26 (fifteen years ago) link
The Same Deep Water As YouDisintegrationPrayers For RainUntitledHomesickLullabyFascination StreetPictures of YouPlainsongLast DanceLovesongClosedown
― OH MY GOD HE'S OOGLY (DJP), Wednesday, 14 August 2013 20:41 (ten years ago) link
You crazy DJP
― Moka, Wednesday, 14 August 2013 20:56 (ten years ago) link
I'd put Lovesong last and swap Pictures with Closedown but other than that DJP OTM
― licorice oratorio (baaderonixx), Wednesday, 14 August 2013 21:18 (ten years ago) link
I had this old CD my dad bought back then and it got scratcher enough for the first two track never to work, Closedown was my official and personal opener and I enjoyed it a lot as such. Then I got proper files from the album and yeah, it is the lesser song of the album, but I still value it.
― Van Horn Street, Wednesday, 14 August 2013 22:08 (ten years ago) link
DisintegrationFascination StreetLovesong PlainsongPictures Of YouPrayers For RainUntitledClosedownLullabyLast DanceThe Same Deep Water As YouHomesick
― I wanna live like C'MOWN! people (Turrican), Thursday, 15 August 2013 18:20 (ten years ago) link
Released 25yrs ago today. Still remember breaking the seal on the cassette copy I bought that day. Remains one of my favorite albums 25 years later.
― brotherlovesdub, Friday, 2 May 2014 16:41 (ten years ago) link
"The Same Deep Water As You" really is my favorite Cure song, I've decided. "All Cats Are Grey" and "Siamese Twins" are both wonderful but I never filled an entire C-90 with either of those so I could just listen to them on repeat.
― chillin' on an "awesome pretzel" hoagie (DJP), Friday, 2 May 2014 16:46 (ten years ago) link
Posted this before I know but again
http://www.rogerodonnell.com/disintegration/
― Ned Raggett, Friday, 2 May 2014 17:26 (ten years ago) link
hard to believe this came out in the month of May. didn't know about this but i did hear "Plainsong" today.
― Bee OK, Friday, 2 May 2014 23:59 (ten years ago) link
Happy Birthday "Disintegration"! Bought the cassette on release day as well. Listened and studied and did *everything* to this thing for months. 25 years...
― Acid Hose (Capitaine Jay Vee), Saturday, 3 May 2014 00:09 (ten years ago) link
Just wore my original Prayer Tour t-shirt to the Knife concert the other day. The only Cure t-shirt I kept all these years. Didn't realise it was 25 years old until now ! Still looks great :-)
― LeRooLeRoo, Saturday, 3 May 2014 05:18 (ten years ago) link
Played my crackly second hand copy yesterday and thought this should have been released as a double album. So happy to find the 2010 reissue in the local record shop today
― willem, Saturday, 15 September 2018 10:26 (five years ago) link
happy to see plainsong win, it's one of those songs where sure, there are probably songs as good, but no song could be betterI always feel some weird, irrational guilt when my fav track on an album is the opener, as if I haven't listened properly, surely the real treasure isn't going to be that obvious
― niels, Saturday, 15 September 2018 11:18 (five years ago) link
I still remember the shock of putting it on for the first time and it just broke over me like a wave. Smith was never as assured and instinctive as in this record - the songs are seamless and unforced (with a couple of exceptions, Last Dance has never worked for me).
― an incoherent crustacean (MatthewK), Saturday, 15 September 2018 12:02 (five years ago) link
I always feel some weird, irrational guilt when my fav track on an album is the opener, as if I haven't listened properly, surely the real treasure isn't going to be that obvious
Hail to thee, neurotic soulmate
― Hideous Lump, Saturday, 15 September 2018 17:25 (five years ago) link
pollster bee okay otm. easing into it with that siren then that bass rumble is totally the way to go. love this song
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cty6qH-7mTw
― reggie (qualmsley), Saturday, 15 September 2018 18:03 (five years ago) link
I bought this in the week it came out, while caravanning with my family. Wasn't able to listen to it until we got back home almost two weeks later. It was the last Cure album I would buy.
― Duke, Saturday, 15 September 2018 19:20 (five years ago) link
(Apart from a few reissues)
so that's how it ended, this last dance together?
― reggie (qualmsley), Saturday, 15 September 2018 19:36 (five years ago) link
pictures of trickery amirite
― mookieproof, Sunday, 13 September 2020 05:19 (three years ago) link
1. Fascination Street2. Plainsong3. Homesick
― naked and sexually active alien (rip van wanko), Sunday, 13 September 2020 05:37 (three years ago) link
So, "Prayers for Rain" is one of the most badass guitar lines of all time, isn't it?
― Josh in Chicago, Friday, 8 January 2021 01:08 (three years ago) link
Bass VI, buddy https://post-punk.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/prayertourshirt.jpg
― assert (MatthewK), Friday, 8 January 2021 01:15 (three years ago) link
Yeah, many/most of his leads are Bass VI, Robert Smith's secret weapon.
― Josh in Chicago, Friday, 8 January 2021 01:19 (three years ago) link
Yeah. Also that slightly detuned string iirc
― Next Time Might Be Hammer Time (James Redd and the Blecchs), Friday, 8 January 2021 01:22 (three years ago) link
"Last Dance" – 4:42 1
robbed!
― piscesx, Friday, 8 January 2021 02:05 (three years ago) link
even the voteless song is fantastic
― cerebral halsey (rip van wanko), Friday, 8 January 2021 05:02 (three years ago) link
My Cure dreams were fulfilled when I bought a VI a few years back, even the simplest riff sounds like a grand piano
― assert (MatthewK), Friday, 8 January 2021 05:33 (three years ago) link
So it's a 6 string bass? I always thought it was a baritone guitar. You learn something new every day etc.
― Duke, Friday, 8 January 2021 12:22 (three years ago) link
Bass VI is different from a baritone or a six-string bass. I'm probably missing a few differences with this explanation, but basically:
Baritone = essentially a guitar with thicker strings in BEADF#B tuning. Bass VI = Short-scale bass (30" neck) tuned one octave lower than guitar EADGBE Six String Bass = standard- or longer-scale bass tuned BEADGC, with both an lower and a higher string
― peace, man, Friday, 8 January 2021 13:17 (three years ago) link
Bass VI pops up in some surprising places. I think it's on a few Beatles songs, when John or George are playing bass because Paul is doing something else. Neil Young's "Hey Hey My My (Into the Black)" is I think played with an octave pedal, but my guitar teacher is convinced the main riff sounds like a fuzzed out Bass VI.
― Josh in Chicago, Friday, 8 January 2021 14:17 (three years ago) link
"Last Dance" – 4:42 1robbed!
That was my vote !
― LeRooLeRoo, Friday, 8 January 2021 16:05 (three years ago) link
― Next Time Might Be Hammer Time (James Redd and the Blecchs), Friday, 8 January 2021 16:35 (three years ago) link
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OfdxB8Tv98A
― Next Time Might Be Hammer Time (James Redd and the Blecchs), Friday, 8 January 2021 16:40 (three years ago) link
I would have voted for Closedown, which sounds to me like the gentle, sweet release of death. Lullaby is just as great, though I prefer the extended version on Mixed Up--it's a groove to ride into infinity
― J. Sam, Friday, 8 January 2021 19:00 (three years ago) link
Bass VI is different from a baritone or a six-string bass. I'm probably missing a few differences with this explanation, but basically:Baritone = essentially a guitar with thicker strings in BEADF#B tuning.Bass VI = Short-scale bass (30" neck) tuned one octave lower than guitar EADGBESix String Bass = standard- or longer-scale bass tuned BEADGC, with both an lower and a higher string― peace, man, Friday, 8 January 2021 14:17 (six hours ago)
Baritone = essentially a guitar with thicker strings in BEADF#B tuning.Bass VI = Short-scale bass (30" neck) tuned one octave lower than guitar EADGBESix String Bass = standard- or longer-scale bass tuned BEADGC, with both an lower and a higher string
― peace, man, Friday, 8 January 2021 14:17 (six hours ago)
Makes perfect sense. I've played guitar for 30 years and I've never heard of these.
― Duke, Friday, 8 January 2021 20:19 (three years ago) link
https://www.talkbass.com/attachments/lennon_fender_vi_bass-jpg.204607/
― Josh in Chicago, Friday, 8 January 2021 21:20 (three years ago) link
This album is probably the world's greatest extended mope.
― immodesty blaise (jimbeaux), Saturday, 23 December 2023 21:45 (five months ago) link
The title track is up with “From the Edge of the Deep Green Sea” as the band’s finest hour. Incredible lyrics and production. It’s so beautiful and sounds incredibly urgent
― beamish13, Sunday, 24 December 2023 09:26 (five months ago) link
Happy 35th anniversary, I sez I sez.
― Ned Raggett, Wednesday, 1 May 2024 15:15 (one month ago) link