The Cure: Beautiful but Dark
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 30 ก.ย. 2024
- It's been sixteen years since The Cure's last album, but a 14th is on its way. "Songs of A Lost World" will be released in November and this is its opening track, "Alone". I'm sorry there's only a fraction of it here - copyright was an issue - but it's beautiful and all (nearly) seven minutes of "Alone" can be found here:
• The Cure - Alone (Offi...
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The 1 thing I love about The Cure is that Robert Smith's voice always sounds so vulnerable. It makes him sound honest & completely open, which invariably gives me a warm feeling, making me feel less alone. I am chronically ill & have been bed-bound for over a decade, meaning my life is extremely limited. I cannot let people visit due to having a very compromised immune system, so my life revolves around my wife, & no-one else, & never-ending pain, although strong opioids take away the worst of it most of the time. I'm not depressed as such, surprisingly, but there are times when it all gets to me. This is why I feel it's important that a song speaks to me, to make me feel less alone, even though it's a bitter-sweet reminder I can't hear music live anymore. (Going to gigs was 1 of my favourite things to do.) This song really speaks to me especially thanks to Robert Smith's fragility & vulnerability. He sound authentic, & that is rare in an artist, but it's something I love.
🙏❤️
Thank you for sharing your story. God bless you and your wife ❤️
@@angelaburrow8114 completely agree with you. Thank you for sharing and I hope the new Cure album brings you a lot of joy.
I understand this.
Music saves me
seen them 4 times live tours for disintigration, wish, wild mood swings and about 10 years ago or so...disintigration was really ok and great xtranumber with "why can I be you" that made the whole stadium explode...Wish concert was utterly boring and dull, sadly it wasnt much better 10 years ago...but the wild mood swing concert was amazing. They are a solid band but its not like they do extrodinary things musicly live, they seldom do something with their songs that differ from the originals.
I’m 56 years old and The Cure has been my favorite band since I was very young. Saw them last summer and was blown away by Robert Smith’s voice being so on point. It was an outdoor concert, and I stood looking up at the stars with my head and heart being pulled so strongly. 🖤
Had the same experience. They start with a long instrumental passage and in the very second he starts to sing the whole crowd is mesmerized. His voice is exactly the same as it allways was. He is an icredible singer. I did not really notice how good a singer he is untill I saw him live.
I wish more people, myself included, had as a mature outlook as you do. To accept criticism from a perceived influence, and disconnect that criticism, and judge that person's work on its own merit without any feelings of malice or jealousy, is quite inspiring. Thank you.
The Darkness should perform "Love cats". I can really see that going down a storm. X
@@alanflint7732 good shout, that.
'The Lovecats' had been my very first The Cure impression, via a mimed TV performance, and I remember thinking "Weirdo" about Bob Smith's looks and mannerism; Had someone told me back then that he'd still be around in 40 years and also very successfully, I would've laughed my butt off! 😅
Robert Smith to the music industry: "Class is back in session, lads. Be sure to take notes."
For anyone that doesn't get The Cure, please see them live. There's nobody like them. They are mesmerising. They create an atmosphere that no other band can match.
Great stuff, but saw them in Melbourne, Australia in the early 2000's and after 4 odd hours, just wanted it to end. Guitar solos forever... :(
I would have loved it@@maxpower6576
I saw them in Poland a few years ago. They added this song and another one about his brother for a preview and it was absolutely stunning. There wasn’t a dry eye around.
@@maxpower6576 I don't think you saw the Cure then. They have guitar solos... but they don't have many. Especially after Porl left.
It’s so true. I’ve seen them twice the first time over 30 years ago. With all of the changes in stage shows and lighting, both Cure shows I still remember as so beautiful and mesmerizing and nothing since has reallly topped it. I’ve been lucky to see many great shows but the Cure are a must see!
Loving your black and white presentation today Justin. Really set the mood for a beautiful song by The Cure. Haunting words and music.
We live in a world where we get to hear and see the cure. A true gift to us.
Entirely different songs, but reminds me a lot of David Bowie's Lazarus
Definitely has some Bowie influences.
He definitely doesn’t hide that fact. He was wearing a Bowie shirt on this last tour when I saw them.
Bowies guitarist is in the cure now
@@davidhoran6447 Yes go Reeves Gabrels!
Agreed! It also has a bit of a 'Heathen' vibe
Loved this experience of the song. Thankyou. I agree his voice is amazing here, and the content is jaw droppingly beautiful. Nov 1 can't come quick enough.
Robert vocals sound great
Can’t wait to hear more songs!
Maybe some will have more guitars
I’m looking forward to the new Cure record so much. It’s been such a long time.
No one does intros that set the mood like the Cure
Alone's instrumental is stunning by itself. And Robert's voice is awesome, lunar and wonderfully downlifting....❤
A really beautiful, thoughtful reaction. Thanks Justin!
The Cure is the reason why I have a Bass VI in my guitar arsenal.......(currently using it to play bass on Ziggy Stardust)
Same here. Only for The Cure though.
They opened with Alone when I saw them at their Belfast gig in December 2022. I fell in love with it then and there. I also was blown away with how EXACTLY like the recordings he sounded. He has done an awesome job of looking after his voice.
The 'Pictures of You' intro floors me.
It might be the most atmospheric, beautiful sounding intro in a song to set the mood. It really does feel like you’re looking at the happiest moments of your life while simultaneously feeling sad about it as well.
Every time and it never diminishes.
It’s so easy to be carried away transcendentally by poetic lyrics that are intensified with atmospheric symphony. The pain of long forgotten heartbreak returns. [heavy sigh] Why do we find beauty in such sadness? The Cure were always masters at this; and Robert Smith’s voice is integral.
Finally, we get a Cure album with Reeves Gabrels on guitar. It's going to be great.
Not a lot of perceptible guitar on this track though... If it's as complete an album as it should be that will be more prevalent.
It's been 27 years since his first and previous appearance on a Cure song... long time between drinks.
@@zoeherriotyep wrong number is epic
@@cainjake7940 interesting thing about that song was it was actually written as part of COGASM while recording the Orgasmo soundtrack and wasn’t going to be a Cure song.
Thanks, man. Great vid. Your magnanimity in overlooking those mean (and very disappointing to me) comments by Smith is laudable. I had to stifle a rather emotional reaction when you read those dark lyrics, which you read beautifully. Really looking forward to the album. This song reminds me a lot of "Out of this World" on Bloodflowers.
Loved it and especially poignant at my age. Sad but so uplifting in a way that some people can only listen to upbeat music. This is a sad, beautiful song but makes me feel so, so good.
It's brilliant, very Disintegration era style!
Which after 35 years is not a good sign.
@@PJPsounds Why not? Disintegration was brilliant!
Loved Disintegration.
Totally loving this
It took a lot to hold back the tears here. The song is a masterpiece.
Such an amazing voice.. one of the best in the industry
Always thought the Cure, when they truly retire, could write one last album. Entitled: " We Got Over It, We're Happy Now, So Please Go Home. "
Unsurprisingly, you’re wrong
The Cure were on good form on their last UK tour, so definitely worth checking out 'Songs of A Lost World'. Sleep Token is another British rock band that are strong at creating dark, atmospheric soundscapes, so JHRA might get into that band live too, they are touring the UK and Europe later this year. Also this week, Damiano David has just released his first solo single. An atmospheric vocal performance that might even be of Bowie-esque proportions.
Justin, I just wanted to say you seem happy and settled in yourself lately. Keep it up! Congrats. It looks great on you. I like a friendly heckle now and again, you know, give and take.
I see it too. It’s a good look.
You’re so sweet to acknowledge that Robert’s comments about you hurt you because you were a fan of his music. And you are mature enough now to realize it doesn’t matter. I wish everyone was that mature about criticism.
Beautiful review of this beautiful piece of work by The Cure. I would not have known they put new material out had I not seen your review. Chuckled at your stories re. the immature “you” back in the day (heckling R.S.).. Looking forward to hearing the entire album. This will be an actual entire album worth listening to. Seems the entire albums I still listen to are your band, The Cult, Led Zep, Eagles of Death Metal, Hanoi Rocks.. I listen to sep tracks otherwise. Thanks for another great review!
Not a fan of The Cure but no doubt they are hugely talented and have been incredibly successful, with a huge fan base for decades. I do really admire Robert Smith's socialism and republicanism. It takes something to stick to principles. Similarly, the stance of the band over ticket prices is admirable. Hats off to Paul Heaton for capping the price of tickets to his 2024 tour to £35. More artists should follow suit. The phenomenon of fans gathering outside concert venues because they cannot afford tickets is so poignant and a perfect illustration of the effects of price gouging in rubbing inequality in people's faces.
I did not know The Cure had a new single out last week. Can't believe I heard about it from someone younger than me. How f*cked up is that? 😆 Thanks for turning me on to it. I'm off to listen to it now.
New album out on1 November (Songs of a Lost World). Possibly another new album coming out next year
I love The Cure, saw them live 1992 and it was one of the best concerts ever.
Thank you for doing a video about Alone. The song is so beautiful & so devastating. Smith's voice is amazing. The first time I really paid attention to The Cure was in 1987.
I was 12 so my musical taste prior to discovering The Cure's video for Just Like Heaven on everyone's favorite alternative rock show 120 Minutes (whatever happened to Dave
Kendall???) was questionable at best. I had a cool older cousin who wore a Clash t-shirt & listened to Echo & the Bunnymen so I knew there was a whole world of music out in the
universe that was far better than anything I had on heavy rotation at the time which included The Monkees Pool It! The Cure have been a part of my life ever since. I can't
wait for Songs of a Lost World. I've got a box of tissues on standby.
The song and the mood it creates really reminds me of Blackstar
The lyrics really draw my attention to the smashing pumpkins latest album, the awareness of where they are and being able to find emotion within that is something that so many bands seem incapable of in their later years. I'd love it if SP could have done that
If this is the final Cure album, this song already makes it worth it the wait.
I'm not a huge The Cure fan, but I'll never understand why they are not mentioned amongst the top 5 best British bands of all time. They've written some of the best pop songs in history and they are one of the most influential bands (so many in the early 2000's copied their style and Robert Smith's singing). In my view, they are up there with The Beatles and Led Zeppelin.
Hard to put words to..., but you dont have to, robert did beautiful album
When I saw them in Poland in 2022 it was mind blowing. When they featured a couple of the new songs from this album, nobody could compose themselves. It was beautiful but heart wrenching and more so that Robert had to stop as he was deeply emotional.
When I saw the Cure in 2022 at the Wembley ovo Arena and they played 3 new songs from their new album and this was one of them and it sounded gloriously dark and depressing.
It's funny how their music has evolved, but his vocals have stayed mostly the same. It's hard to not appreciate it.
It's insane - it was probably The Top where he really used that wide ranging, dynamic style for the first time (and I guess the singles just prior that make up Japanese Whispers). I saw them live a number of times since 1992 - and he's still managed to maintain that clear, youthful sound. It hasn't changed in the way most peoples voices age. If you showed that vocal mixed in with a bunch of vocals randomly picked since the mid 80's I don't think a new listener could tell the difference.
He’s really taken great care of it. Amazing after all this time. I wish more people did that. Vocals are an instrument and so important. Especially when it can mean cutting off decades of your career. Roberts is just so special.
Shiny flamboyant music and depressive atmospheric music are two sides of the same coin - they've both got me through some grim times in my life. There's no need for heckling when you're on the same side.
16 years?! Clearly Robert is trying to say "Here, Tool, hold my beer" .
Love the cure. The concerts I’ve watched lately on TH-cam are awesome 😊
Robert Pattinson should do a movie and play Robert Smith. Just watch early Robert interviews. He's in there for sure, i'm calling it.
I can see this. I think he’d do an amazing job.
Used to be Ben Afleck...just check A Forest video 😂❤x
"Why Can't I Be You?" is a great tune by The Cure! ❤
its ok to dislike your work, but he was wrong, just to be fair!
No hi hat. Pornography era rythmn, disintegration era synth and that voice ❤
Saw The Cure live 2 years ago. They were so perfect, so pristine in their sound, it was almost annoying. 😂 And his voice! He sounded better live than his recordings from 30 years ago. Unbelievable!
Thank you for your thoughts on this release, Justin. I always appreciate your videos. Good luck on the current tour, Brother!!
Can't wait for this new release from the "Bipolar Boys"
Best things are worth waiting for. 22 years "hiatus" till Slowdive released "Slowdive"
Beautiful but dark, Indeed.
Can't you afford TH-cam premium, Justin?
Still lost in a forest…??😉
The Cure were excellent when I saw them last year.
I am very much looking forward to seeing your tour in the spring.
04:30 That speaks so much of you Justin, well done👏👏👏 (I'd never get mad at you or the rest of The Darkness for not liking the acrostics I wrote for you, I love your band unconditionally😜😄🫶).
05:25 Fucking awesome air drum beat!!! 🥁🥁🥁🥁 It always has me in stitches😆😆😆
08:57 The Cure definitely live up to their name with this album. They're masters of expressing all the melancholy through their songs. They're mesmerising live. This new song is heartbreakingly beautiful 🖤🖤🖤🖤, it has the unmistakable The Cure sound, great work! 🖤🖤🖤🖤
Many thanks for this episode, Justin! I loved all of it (even the Tokyo filter😉😘)
What are acrostics?
@@sharonwheeler1401 "An acrostic is a poem or other word composition in which the first letter (or syllable, or word) of each new line (or paragraph, or other recurring feature in the text) spells out a word, message or the alphabet." (From Wikipedia 😅)
Example:
J upiter,
U ranus,
S aturn,
T he Earth,
I ncluding
N eptune...
aren't as fascinating as The Darkness frontman is😁🫶
(Hope the comment won't be deleted🫣🫣🫣🫣😂😂😂😂)
I hope Robert Smith watches this and feels a bit like he's been caught scolding a sweet puppy.
I couldn't imagine the Cure taking the path of writing uplifting songs, in the wake of tragedy, that just isn't their M.O. You're either a Cure fan, or you're not. They're very polarizing. I've always loved them, even when Robert joined Siouixie & The Banshees, remember that? It only lasted six months, before Siouxie told him to go away and concentrate on the Cure. Brilliant. Are The Darkness coming to New Zealand anytime soon?
wow! The Cure - takes me back to my uni days in the early 1990s - bad relationship but he did introduce me to Robert Smith & The Cure, wow. massive trip down memory lane, so excited to hear new music from them. I can feel a binge of old songs tomorrow - The Cure, Sister of Mercy, oh who else... I understand that Love Cats is _not_ one of Robert's favourite songs, still is mine... oh & the first (& one of the few international) acts I saw live (Wellington Town Hall, Aotearoa/New Zealand) must have been 1993. thanks Justin, much appreciate this - probably wouldn't have known otherwise.
He sounds exactly how he did 20yrs ago. No aging to the voice.
Robert sounds exactly as he did 40 years ago. I have roughly 93 albums l, almost 80 of them are concerts dating from 1980 up to 2023 all a single track, in my phone for The Cure. The only his voice changed was between Three Imaginary Boys and Seventeen Seconds. Since then, based on all of those live recordings he still sings as he did back all those decades ago.
He still sounds incredible. Long awaited album to hear. Very poetic in his writing. His voice just brings everything together.
Anyone would be upset if someone they looked up to didn't appreciate their own talents. It's good you can admit that and be objective with your opinion. Personally, I was listening to The Darkness and The Cure when I was a youngster. Although not similar, it is possible to appreciate both styles.
It is a great vocal performance. Lots of singers 20 years younger than him lose their quality but he sounds ageless on this.
Justin Hawkins criiiiiieeeees again
*Plot Twist:* this is the first-ever video where Justin isn't using a colour filter
"Vintage Robert Smith". Indeed. What a timeless voice.
I'm not sure it these comments are linked, but a few producers have complained about the production (lost depth of sound, the production has compressed most of the life out out it being the gist of it). There is something of echo's of Disintegration in the instrumental flourishes.
Yeah, I suspect this was not released because it was an obvious single, it was released because of what Robert Smith said about it being the track where the album started to come together. Like saying "here is where our journey started, care to join us on the journey". Well, I'm aboard, are you?
Only producers care about production. If you can hear all the parts clearly, that's enough for the rest of us.
I was just so glad that from what I have heard so far, this new album sounds to me as if it is "Disintegration" 2.0 which at 56, is still my no.1 fav album in the world🥰
Justin's voice always reminded me of Robert Smith's voice, especially on the Darkness tune 'Friday Night'. Nice to hear Justin confirm that Smith was an influence 20 years later.
Robert Smith has a great voice, i love The Cure of course. The song sounds beautiful. And i understand that you felt hurt because he didn't like your music. None is perfect 😂
I'm not so great like Robert Smith but i love your music very much and i am so excited because i got tickets for your show in Wembley the 29th of March 🎉
It looks like classic bands of 80s and 90s are coming back.
The Cure Live in Orange is fantastic: it shows the Cure being the Cure just clear & unadulterated. I find it surprising & imagining it difficult to capture a band live & have them sound as good as they be…
Such a great, emotive band. Echoes of Pink Floyd for me. It pulls you in, massages your mind and you float off into... 👍😎
I don’t like the new single at all. The introduction is way too long and I’ve zoned out before the vocal even kicks in. To me this sounds like Bloodflowers which is better than the last two albums, but hearing the new song has put me off buying the album.
Great breakdown, my favourite so far. Very classy of you to overlook his comments about you. Keep riding!
the beginning of the song makes you think then takes you back I'm a old hippie but the cure takes me back to my 30s and 40s they are the perfect soundtrack for my life then I just went through a major hurricane here in Florida nothing is going to stop me from new cure🚬😎
Helene sounded brutal...glad that you make it through okay.
My childhood band since their early days.. Robert never lost that voice.. I hope you could also react to The The’s latest Lp release in over two decades, “Ensoulment”..
that is not counting 4-80 minuet disks of b-sides (so that could easily be 5 cds worth), Japanese whispers, or blue sunshine, a cds worth of b-sides since join the dots, 3 cd's of remixes ('mixed-up) they have 2 first cds..... this will really be like their 24th or 25th cd.
Looking forward to hearing the rest. But I wish they'd get away from the meandering atmospheric stuff. In 40 years of listening to Cure records, those have never been the tunes that I drop the needle on. And yeah, Robert sounds great!
I heard this song live on their last tour. It was incredible live. They played a couple of other new songs on that tour as well, they were also incredible too. Can’t wait to hear the album.
Nothing is forever is fantastic. Can’t wait for it to come out.
You are an expert analyst. I agree so much and I experienced incredible euphoria from this song, I am so relieved it was in the same vein as Bloodflowers and Disintegration etc.
that "nasty guitar" you talk about at 4:55 is actually simon's bass
he uses a lot of multi-channel since around the release of trilogy with the cleaner low ends on one channel and some gritty distortion on the high ends on the other
Yep
The Cure always lovely, I grew up with them. Youth sentiment and timeless at the same time 😎💪🏼🔥
I forgot to say, Justin you cover it and sing if your way but you could do it so beautifully
You are the perfect person to review this. Your review is as beautiful as the song. Thank you. ❤
Love The Cure, very excited and happy that you talk about your new song on the channel.
It’s very Cocteau Twins to me… which is the nicest thing I’ve ever said about The Cure.
I think this album was a reaction to his older brother dying in Spain and the feeling of sadness he felt from not being able to say goodbye to him.
It's a great track - I live their long intros and a thumping bass line...
Superb analysis as per normal Justin 👏
*Dark but Beautiful
I love the reaction to Bob’s voice - yes it is awesome and just what we want to hear!
Its a triumphant return to Disintegration style esque Cure. My favourite version of the band 🤟🏻
“We toast with bitter dregs, to our emptiness”
I mean, how good is that lyric
Hello, Justin, I'm ready for some content
Thank you - I'm off to listen to the song in full now.
It's 👍
Going to be great 🌟
Another masterpiece 😢
I drink in the Railway Pub since 1970, many photographers there over the last few days.
Outstanding band
Just the cure
The Cure are one of a kind.
His hair looks so good!
🤥🤡
💛👍🙂
I love Robert but I am concerned with his health - he does not look well. Not just aging, I dont expect him to look like he did in 1983 - I would like to see him get healthier. Probably will not happen