(Post-Punk) The Cure - "Pornography"

[Zappa]

"Pornography" is one of the best albums of the '80s, and certainly one of the most depressing. It's dark, droning musical parts seem to put you in a trance while Robert Smith passionately sings his teenage angst poetry. To a listener familiar with The Cure's earlier work, like the "Three Imaginary Boys" album, hearing this could come as a shock. The poppier songs are completely gone, replaced by long mood pieces. What's unique about "Pornography" is that while it is no more bleak or depressing than some of the Cure's later work, it feels more angry and aggresive than any other in their entire catalog. By aggresive, I don't mean thrash metal aggressive. I mean, every song is quite slow. The way the band delivers their art is quite forceful and passionate, though. Robert Smith doesn't just sound bummed like he does on many other Cure records, he also sounds awfully pissed off. Fans of New Order, Bauhaus, or Joy Division you should definitely give this album a listen. The Cure was very much inspired by Joy Division back in the late '70s and early '80s. Song highlights, for you downloaders, include "Hanging Garden," "The Figurehead," "One Hundred Years," and "Siamese Twins"

****/*****

[behemoth]

I've been interested in listening to some Cure stuff. Is this a good starting point?

[Zappa]

Originally posted by behemoth
I've been interested in listening to some Cure stuff. Is this a good starting point?

Certainly. If you like it, get "Disintegration" next. If you like that, I think "Faith" or "Seventeen Seconds" are the next best.

[JAStewart]

Aren't they like Goth rock?

[Zappa]

Originally posted by JAStewart
Aren't they like Goth rock?

Most every goth rock band looks up to the Cure, but they existed before such a term existed. They are classified as part of the "post-punk" movement of the late 70s and the early 80s.

[Moroii]

I think you should be a little more descriptive, but I like the way you get the point of an album.

[laranra]

excellent review. Very precise doing justice to an ever-forgotten album (4/5)

[manoulos]

very well written review. Precise and concise. I think this album is often overlooked (4/5)

[brycey]

I've been listening to The Cure A LOT lately, and I've heard this is a good album. I think Robert Smith has a great voice. I think you could have went into a little bit more detail, but even without it, it was a very good review man. :thumb:

[DFelon204409]

Somebody used the proper genre when describing the band :amaze:

[ZEROthirtythree]

Mediocre review, of an anything but mediocre album.

[owlandtree]

Pornography; 4.5 stars. Faith is my favorite though.

[Zappa]

I love how this is getting a ton of replies 9 months after it was written, criticizing how it's writtne. Since then, all the reviews have basically conformed to one overly-informative format that is so overblown that no one reads any entire review.

[YDload]

*Gasp!* You're right Zappa! This had to have been one of the first reviews ever on this forum! I guess that explains why it's not listed as one of the Rolling Stone 500 (is it on the list?).