The Cure Album: “Greatest Hits [Bonus DVD]”

The Cure have already put out one of the most celebrated best-of's of the rock era, "Staring At The Sea", covering all the singles from their 1979-1985 period (definitely the fans' favorite era). They followed it up a few years back with an admirable companion, "Galore", which picked up where the previous volume left off. Those two CD's give you every single the Cure released up through 1997. I would suggest picking those two up and leaving this one (which only scrapes together a few choice selections from those albums and throws in two new songs) in the dust. If "Greatest Hits" at least contained two of their biggest breakthrough hits from "Disintegration" ("Fascination Street" and "Pictures of You"), I could recommend it for an ultra-casual fan, but without those two songs it barely merits mention. It doesn't even contain anything from "Bloodflowers", their last stuido album, the only one not covered on "Staring At The Sea" or "Galore". The completist will want it for the two new songs (what a [bad move] move by the band and the record company), but for the casual fan, get the previous two compilations and enjoy!

The Cure have already put out one of the most celebrated best-of's of the rock era, "Staring At The Sea", covering all the singles from their 1979-1985 period (definitely the fans' favorite era). They followed it up a few years back with an admirable companion, "Galore", which picked up where the previous volume left off. Those two CD's give you every single the Cure released up through 1997. I would suggest picking those two up and leaving this one (which only scrapes together a few choice selections from those albums and throws in two new songs) in the dust. If "Greatest Hits" at least contained two of their biggest breakthrough hits from "Disintegration" ("Fascination Street" and "Pictures of You"), I could recommend it for an ultra-casual fan, but without those two songs it barely merits mention. It doesn't even contain anything from "Bloodflowers", their last stuido album, the only one not covered on "Staring At The Sea" or "Galore". The completist will want it for the two new songs (what a ripoff move by the band and the record company), but for the casual fan, get the previous two compilations and enjoy!

The Greatest Hits is really pointless in the face of the perfectly perfect Staring At The Sea: The Singles 1979-1985 and it's companion Galore: The Singles 1986-1997. Get those two instead of this -- you get more Cure and less contractual filler.

...the fact all of the songs on this particular greatest hits album are remastered. Yes there have been several greatest hits albums before, but none sound like this. I have compared the CDs I have back to back with this one and as good as the originals (and other hit compilations) sound there is night and day difference. Even the album Galore is not as clean and crisp as this one, albeit just a small difference between the two. I know it sucks for those of you who already have the songs, but then again if you want the best of the best mastering you have to buy this CD.

For those of you who do not have a lot of Cure music this is the CD to get. You get (of course) all of the hits in what's currently the best reproduction possible. If you're a diehard fan and want some of those classics to stand out on your stereo you might want to go ahead and swallow that pride and get the CD. It's worth checking out.

I always have to laugh when people get huffy at greatest hits collection because their favorite B-Side song which may have been arguably the band's greatest song ever didn't get in. Indeed singles are not the best that the band has to offer, but since the public buy these albums for the songs they hear on the radio, it's only inevitable. Sure if it was up to me a Cure greatest hits CD would be 50 percent Disintegration, 50 percent Bloodlowers with maybe One Hundred Years but life isn't a rose garden.

That been said, however, I'm a little dubious about what this CD claims are the greatest hits. Weren't 'Catch' and 'Hot Hot Hot' hits in the UK? 'The Caterpiller' sure was, peaking at #14. And I'm sure 'Fascination Street' and 'Pictures Of You' (latter still gets airplay on alternative stations) were bigger hits than 'Never Enough' and 'Wrong Number' put together. And no 'The 13th??' I'm sure sure about the rest of the world but I'm positive that was a hit in Australia. I'm a little baffled. And it would have been nice to include 'Killing An Arab' which altho wasn't a hit did earn notoriety for its subject matter and its always a plus to include the first ever single.

As for accusations about the song selection here as 'pure pop' i disagree. Sure 'Boys Don't Cry' and 'A Forest' may be the only 'goth' songs, but I still find 'Lullaby' and 'Close To Me' kind of creepy and 'In Between Days' and 'Just Like Heaven' altho not exactly gloomy, still witstfully melancholy and lyrically very sad. As for the new songs, 'Cut Here' sounds just like 'High' in my opinion which isn't too bad.

For Cure fans, yes have a whinge, for the casual listener who think you might like the Cure, go ahead and buy it.