The Cure Album: “Freakshow (Mix 13) [Single]”

After giving us a dose of familiar, lush Cure-pop with 'The Only One' last month, The Cure head into a more danceable and rhythmic direction with 'Freakshow'. All 2:32 long of this song are packed with energy and drive as opposed to the laconic and wistful singles of yesteryear (and yestermonth, actually). To a point one could almost say 'Freakshow' has a definite jazzy, R&B vibe to it without having to sound like either genre directly. The rhythm section (long-time bassist Simon Gallup and drummer Jason Cooper) keep a groove-heavy, stop-start beat while Porl Thompson's wah-wah treated lead guitar nimbly weaves in and out of the mix. Smith's vocals are the icing on the cake; as frenetic and herky-jerky as the rhythm. The b-side, 'All Kinds Of Stuff' is an upbeat rocker, that while not quite as frantic as say 'Shiver And Shake' is a close cousin to 'Cut' from the 'Wish' album. The b-side explores more angsty territory ("So maybe I took too much/ Maybe I lost my touch/ Maybe I'm all kinds of stuff/ Maybe...") and backs it up with a fast tempo and more fierce guitar playing.

'Freakshow' is now appearing in The Cure's current tour as an encore, usually played with older classics like 'Why Can't I Be You?' and 'Close To Me' to favorable, but still mixed reactions by the fans. Smith seems to be making the statement that this single easily stands up to his best dance hits, which it does.

How do you think fans who bought 'Pornography' felt when they heard 'Lets Go To Bed' about six months later? How did fans react to 'The 13th' after a four-year hiatus from recording new material? 'Freakshow' shows that this aging group of alternative rockers still have a few pleasant surprises and are more than willing to throw us a curveball every now and then.

First of all I am that kind of Cure fan that literally loves everything they do, although I love Disintegration, Wish, and Head on the Door more than their other albums... As soon as I put this disc on I was floored by how infectiously groovy it is, it made me instantly start shaking my hips and waving my arms. It's a crazy little wild dance frenzy hit that doesn't rely on tiresome electronic beats, blips, and samples to get your butt shakin'.

"I can't believe it

I must be dreaming

She turns

The lights up

Says she is leaving

This is a freakshow

And I am beaten

She spins

The world round

I have to stop"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I2dzAFCP4UY

NICE!! From a long time Cure fan: I'M happy with Freakshow. It isn't epic, but epic for The Cure is so much higher than most other bands. If this was a single from a random band, I would have given it an easy 5. I could have used two b-sides, but still, Freakshow is nice, light, quirky, and very very charming pop. The B-side, "All kinds of Stuff" is a more classic The Cure noise pop with roots from Disintegration (best album ever).

At last we're having a new cocky brave stylish song by The Cure. It's good to know that they still have the guts to try new sounds (like they used to do back in the days - before Disintegration) even at the risk of displeasing purist fans who just want them releasing morose gloom and doom music. Excellent.

I am thrilled that once again the Cure have some life in their songs - I'm enjoying this new single more than the first one because it's a bit of a departure from the last couple releases and that's a good thing. I found 'Bloodflowers' and 'The Cure' such a stale period of The Cure's career. Freakshow is a fine toe tapping gem with cowbell and all. Truly not disappointed and even more so looking forward to the release of the new cd in September.