The Cure Album: “A Perfect Boy (Mix 13) [Single]”

As the fourth and final single heralding the release of the Cure's 13th studio album on October 13th, The Perfect Boy had plenty to live up to considering the excellent quality of the first three singles, which until now have seemed to get better and better. Fortunately for Cure fans, The Perfect Boy meets the standards set by the first three singles, striking an interesting balance between the cotton candy pop of Just Like Heaven and the rock and roll sound of their self-titled album's better tracks. Robert Smith stated that the song was one very near and dear to his heart, and from his emotional, sincere delivery, there is no doubting that it is true.

Both the single and the b-side, Without You, are builders, gradually mounting their sonic attack as the song progresses. The additional instrumentation that appears in the songs is intelligent and restrained, improving the songs without making them sound too busy. Without You comes off sounding like an outtake from the excellent Bloodflowers with modern Cure production sound, and is a worthy companion to The Perfect Boy. Another great single from a great band. Keep an ear out for the Hypnagogic States EP in September, remixed by a questionable selection of emo-alt's finest and 65daysofstatic, the opening act for the Cure's 2008 US Tour. All artist royalties from the EP will go to support the Red Cross, so even if the remixer selection is disappointing, the EP will at least serve a good purpose.

I don't know what it is, but this is a band that is still putting out great music. I grew up listing to The Cure, The Smiths, Depeche Mode and U2. U2 is still kicking out the hits. Depeche is struggling to get 1 hit per release. Wish The Smiths were still around because Morrissey by himself is not as good. But The Cure...they continue to surprise me. I consistently find a handful of songs on each CD (if not all of them) that I like. I was a big fan before and they are still keeping me as a fan.

After being a Cure fan as long as I have, 21 years give or take a year, I have to accept that the next Cure album will be nothing like the last. The Cure builds on itself and if you could parse all the sounds on these singles and B-sides you can hear what I mean. If you love The Cure you'll enjoy this single, and trust me, it might grow on you.

I'm a big Cure fan so this review is biased. This is a great, classic Cure single. You should buy it. You'll want to listen to it over and over