Sunday, October 19, 2008

4:13 Dream is...wow!

I've moved my thoughts on 4:13 Dream to the reviews page.

217 comments:

  1. ahem.. so... when can we expect to hear this also...? ....eh? ;)

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  2. Cool, Craig.

    Thanks. I guess you like that other song, whose recording you weren't initially too happy about, huh?

    Thanks for the mini-review.

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  3. im just afraid... my hopes and expectations are so high. and i always end up dissapointing myself everytime i do that to myself.

    im going to sleep with great anticipations whirling around.. i think im most anxious to hear TRSW in studio, i want to see how different it is from the live.

    this is great to hear craig! cant wait to see the cure world implode on itself from sheer excitement!

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  4. Awesome Craig! Thanks for the review :)

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  5. Excellent, Craig. I'm really glad to hear you like it so much. And I had a feeling The Scream as performed in Rome might be lacking something the studio version had.... I'm glad to hear I'm right!

    I can't wait for this thing to drop.

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  6. Thanks much mister. Very excited that Robert is singing again - if you recall my review of "The Cure" as a tad negative because I felt that every song was just inappropriate yelling. Now not that Robert could ever sound that bad, I'm just saying happy to hear of the vocal mixing.

    Since "The Reasons Why" is my favorite so far live - will you give a little feedback on it? Thanks again Craig. You're great.

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  7. optimistic.

    havent done the full sit down with the album yet. just headphone listening while working. Waiting for the vinyl. but so far I really like five of the songs. and only dislike a couple. thats inverse from the last album.

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  8. how do you have the album too? everybody has got this thing but me.

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  10. Hi Craig!
    The Hungry Ghost was my favorite too!
    Is a GREAT SONG!

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  11. hey craig can you tell us if UTS is the same version played on bernard lenoir? i know there was a rumor floating aroundthat it was just a demo.

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  12. Alex: From my comparison, yes, they are the same. Lenoir is in mono and the quality isn't as good, but it's the same version.

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  14. excellent. even though that version is just a low quality mono copy, it sounds pretty fantastic.

    thanks for the review. i always look forward to what you think about new cure albums, as you're always very level headed and honest with your critiques. good to read some positive stuff about it. i think this is an even more positive review than your bloodflowers one, if i remember right! i'm sure even RS is heaving a sigh of relief right now. :)

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  15. Thanks for the write-up, Craig!

    Let us know when you've got some ideas for that revised tracklisting! Think you'll add/substitute any of the b-sides?

    How about putting Down Under before Sirensong?

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  16. Craig, did the album version of SWID sound more ethereal (not sure if that was the word mentioned by the Phantom in his post ATM)?

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  17. Craig,

    I read somewhere the mixes from the singles we're different than these on the album, is this correct?

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  18. I'm glad you liked it, Craig. Your review is making me even more excited to hear the final product! I will definitely listen to it full blast on a stereo...Instead of putting it right away into my computer.

    I CAN'T WAIT! THANKS AGAINNN! HOW THE HELL DID YOU GET TO LISTEN TO IT FIRST???

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  19. Great, thanks Craig. I've been listening to the Rome show endlessly and I really, really love it. Porl seems to have brought back a sense of melody that has been lacking for a while, and this to me sounds like a classic - glad you confirmed it. Can't wait til the end of the month.

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  20. Good work Craig! =)

    I've still only heard the singles and B-sides from the album; I've kept away from the live versions and that French radio show to make sure I get the whole "new album experience" and I'm sure I'm not gonna be disappointed!

    Only 8 days to go! =D

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  21. Awesome, Craig! It makes me glad that I never listened to one second of the Rome show. I want to listen to the new album proper =)

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  22. Craig, You're a fucking legend. What instrument do you play? You should be in the band!

    I've decided I can't even wait til the 25th...I'm gonna get my grubby little mits on this album on the 24th....YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    24 24 24 24 24 24 24 24 24 24 24 24 24 24 24 24 24 24 24 24 24 24

    I'll find a way.
    Thankyou.

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  23. Swifty - JB HiFi have been good for all the singles. I managed to get every one before the actual release date.

    My fingers are crossed for the 24th too.

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  24. JB, HMV, or Rocking Horse? I don't give a rats who, but someone is going to sell me this record on the 24th!
    Sooooo......5 days to go!!!!
    5.5.5.5.5.5.5.5.5.5.5.5.5.5.5.5.5.5.5.5.5.5.5.5.5.5.5.5.5.5.5.5.5.5.5.5

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  25. Thank you for this first approach

    Is what the 4 EP have a different version on the CD??

    I also read somewhere else that THE SCREAM was great!!!!!!!!amazing

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  26. *Still locked in my tower*

    So you guys who have heard 4:13 Dream, which previous Cure album would you say this one is most like?

    Originally Robert said it would be more like KM,KM,KM.

    The singles sounded more Wish era.

    And I have a feeling the diversity of sounds will resemble Head on the Door.

    Or is it something new entirely?

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  27. *covers eyes*

    I don't wanna know what album it is like - i'll make up my own mind in 5 days.

    *uncovers eyes* I think we all know I can't turn away from COF

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  28. I agree. I haven't listened to any of the new songs(except those already released) with the exception of about 15 seconds of The Reasons Why on Youtube. Like many of you have stated, I too have high expectations and have been somewhat 'let down' in the past. I lovedthe 15 seconds I heard and can't wait to blast the entire new album in my livingroom with a nice glass of wine. Thank you Simon for bringing back that sinking bass!

    Cheers to You Robert and the boys!

    And, thanks Craig for all the wonderful updates on this site.

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  29. Great review! Thanks a lot for this, Craig :) Didn't think it'd be possible for me to be more excited for the album, but now....

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  30. Thats the spirit Elise!
    Only 5 more days......not a second more!

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  31. I woke up today nervous. I realized that Craig must have the album to have posted the lyrics but he had said nothing about it here. And I got scared. What if that meant that it totally sucked? Thanks Craig for the review. I'm relieved. Can't wait for next week :)

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  32. Anybody that has ever felt 'let down' by The Cure, needs to pull their head in, because it just isn't true. All that The Cure touches turns to gold, and anybody that believes otherwise is living in goo-goo la la land!

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  33. Nice one Craig! Really looking forward to this.

    Did you receive your copy as a promo from the record company?

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  34. Craig - I am not afraid of it at all. I already know I'm going to love it.

    Your excitement for the album is making me soooo anxious! I'm so happy you are loving it.

    Cure fans, we are in for a HUGE treat!

    FWIW - I'm sitting here with principles, and have not listened to the studio version of THG yet. But I can't stand it!!! I want to hear it so bad. *sigh*

    I said this the other day........there is nothing more fantastic than The Cure live in concert, so remember if you are disappointed it's because you've already heard it LIVE. AND you've had a week to get used to it in that LIVE version of an awesome performance.

    Give it a chance. Get your album, rip off the shrink wrap, turn down the lights, light some candles.....and let it play from start to finish.

    I can't fucking wait. Now, I must go and paint my toenails black and grab my pom poms. Muahahahaha!

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  35. Thank you for your great review!
    It's so hard to wait for more than 2 weeks to receive my copy of 4:13 Dream (Japanese editon), but I've decided not to listen to the Rome show mp3 anymore so that I will get sheer excitement from this brilliant album.

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  36. Junko - What is a Kimono coral floral print and where can I find one. I REALLY WANT it 8>}

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  37. I am very heartened that you like 4:13 Dream so much, Craig.

    Swifty, I agree. Much of what the Cure does turns to gold... or at least shimmering silver, my preferred metal anyway. :-)

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  38. Swifty - Hummm, I imagine it's a kimono with corlal-colored flowers printed or drawn on it. Floral print is popular for ladies' kimono. If your wife is still in Kyoto, she might be able to get one for you.;-)

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  40. Elise - That's right! We've waited this long, I think we can hold on for another week or so....it makes it that much better!

    *covers eyes with elise*

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  41. Yes, that would be a great souvenir. I think it might cost more than a few yen though. I might ask Risako to keep an eye out for a Betty Boop tie as well.

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  42. Thanks, Craig. So....better or worse than "Bloodflowers" or do you need a few months to decide, as I probably would, though I wouldn't know it at the time. I often think new Cure songs rank among the best and just need time to grow, but it hasn't turned out that way in well over a decade.

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  43. everything that the cure touches s certainly NOT gold. or hasn't been in the past 12 years (i'm not arguiiiing today!).
    however this new album sounds like it's going to be genius! and not a minute too soon!

    thanks, craig and cure!

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  44. Ahh, I'm so excited for the new album!! I have high quality mp3s from the Rome show that I have been listening too, and I've been getting the songs stuck in my head all week! Great review, glad to hear it is sounding so great!

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  45. *Waves at Cat*

    Thanks for the review Craig. Your excitement is infectious!
    That and my European 30 second of THG have made the prospect of waiting for another 8 days even more unbearable!
    Interested in your comments about THANWY. I wondered if it would be better on the album than the live versions, which seemed to me like a brilliant song that was a bit under rehearsed.

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  46. Craig)
    1. how come you've got the album?
    2. thanks for sharing your thoughts - can't wait for my amazon package to arrive IN 8 DAYS TIME (barring any TMU/Amazon cock ups!)

    Everyone:
    We are all raving over the album, "best since wish" "almost as good as Disintegration" etc.... The reason the new material is up there can only be.....Porl

    And I don't recall reading this anywhere? Am I alone in the view that Porl's creativity is a huge factor. This is his first input since Wish afterall and you can hear echoes of THOTD, KISSMEX3, Dis' & Wish in all the new stuff. I am sure it will be even more evident on the album - Do you agree Craig?

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  47. "Robert, but not Robert", I have been hoping that Porl was the missing factor because I have no other way to explain the huge and consistent drop in quality since Wish; I'm assuming the change in drummers had some impact, but I can't imagine it have as much of one as a guitarist change. I'm wondering if the dynamic just used to be better or if Porl also supplied amazing demos or something.

    Not a single song since the Wish era has been as good as even a b-side, however worthy of a-side status it was, like "The Big Hand". I'm hoping things will improve now that he's back.

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  48. and yet some of us DONT think wish was great and that the last three records have been much better ..

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  49. Haven't looked at the lyrics, not going to read or listen to anything else until I get my CD...

    Craig, you lucky S.O.B!! 8p

    Robert, I agree, Porl has A LOT to do with it... I think his presence always makes them more instrumentally audacious. For me, there was a lack of musical/instrumental diversity on the last album. I like it, I just felt like something was missing. Given their current sound, I think they’ve found the ideal, perfect line-up here.

    Switch, The Scream, and It's Over, have some of the heaviest vibes/lyrics I've ever heard... Makes me feel more excited and terrified over what they have in store for the upcoming dark album...

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  50. deadboy,

    Your opinion is as good as mine or anyone elses, but for me, Porl gives the band something extra (especially live) that Perry on guitar never offered. The debate will rage over whether keys are/are not required but I imagine Porl bringing more options to the studio. Roger is very creative (listen to the solo stuff) but obviously clashed with Robert. I think Robert likes having Porl in the band and hence the process is more collaborative and hence the product more complete.

    WMShas brilliant elements but is disjointed
    Bloodflowers feels to me like it is missing a Porl's playing on it.
    The Cure was the first attempt at doing 4:13 but Porl was needed to make it happen......

    Just my opinion and I do not knock yours. I also refuse to compare Boris and Jason.

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  51. Helsa:

    Audacious is a great word for Porl's playing!
    Another is swashbuckling!

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  52. robert but not... i agree with you in all you say actually .. i much prefer the lack of keys and agree about porl .. but i also think that with the exception of a handfull of tracks the quality has been top notch throughout the cures carrer upto and including wms tc etc

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  53. for once and for all, craig has the album because he's been a great ambassador for the cure for many MANY years and i'm sure he got the album early as a token for all his hard work. if anyone deserves it- it's him.
    i cant see anyone disagreeing with this. we are literally one week away. lets all calm down.

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  54. Well, it seems to me that Porl compliments Robert in a pretty important way.

    Robert seems to be an organizer, creatively. He puts things into schemes. He relies on symmetry. He writes songs where one verse is from "his" perspective, the other from "her" perspective, where one is at night, one is in the day. He melodies are simple and regular. And over the past decade or so, he's been repeating himself more obviously.

    What Porl adds is irregularity. Unpredictability. Just listen to Freakshow: the chord structure is really really simple, just two chords for most of the verse. But Porl's guitar is writhing all over the place. And in SWID, their two guitars couldn't be more different. Robert plays this stark, eighth-note melody, while Porl wah wahs various textures.

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  55. what???????????????? how the hell do you have the album already???????????????????????????

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  56. A friend wanted me to have it, so he/she sent me a copy.
    I wish I still had a working scanner, but I don't. So you will have to settle for some bad photos I just took. : ) Should be up in the next 20-30 minutes.

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  57. Sofia:

    I will second that! Of course Craig deserves it early and yes it is almost with the rest of us but you'll not stop my jealousy!

    deadboy..

    And I agree that compared to other bands ALL The Cure's releases are works of genius. But as Cure geeks we have this need to rate/rank/pontificate over which parts are better than others and why! I too love WMS, BF & TC but if Porl had played on them.....

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  58. not the robert,

    if porl had played on wms, bf and tc they would certainly NOT be the albums they are today. unfortunately they are!

    (but once again i love wms. mostly i'm just condemning bf and tc. but with porl i think wms might've been even better)

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  59. lol.

    I agree with you Sofia. I'm not "angry" or anything... My nerves are jumbled because it IS just 1 week away. My "S.O.B" comment was used with affection really. :p

    Robert- Porl always plays like a madman on stage! He looked fucking awesome for the Rome show. Total crazy, well dressed, punked out-mutherfucking badass!!!!
    I think I prefer this look over the glitzy, glammy, high-heeled one!

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  60. Here Here on the Porl welcome back.

    *raises drink* (it's really only Diet Dr. Pepper at this hour, but you still get the cheers effect)

    He does make a difference. I'm so excited he's returned, and he's going back down in history with this last tour and upcoming album.

    I love you Porl!

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  61. deadboy: i actually like the last three albums better than wish as well. that said, i don't disagree that all three could have been more dynamic with porl. he really adds a lot of chaotic tension to the band. and i like what helsa said - that he adds an audacious element.

    trace: beautifully said about robert's and porl's roles.

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  62. cat; certainly on stage he does ... these last shows were def the best ive ever seen them

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  63. Porl is also a part of the "modern Cure sound" so to speak. I think sometimes it's a bit over, all these noises and feedbacks and wahs, but... still much better than Perry. It's not just a case of different playing styles. Robert is also playing the guitar much better now (much more too) because he has to do it to fill the keyboard gaps, which improves the sound. Of course in studio it's a different thing, but the real test is when things are played live. If the songs were already well received live and now that a studio version shows that they are even better, great news.

    Keyboards are an important part to the sound too, whomever plays them, even if it's a backing tape. Porl still can't do some of the keyboards live as he used to do because Robert needs to get back to shape again first, and play more guitar live than he was used to in the past (10?) years. Some songs are now well adapted (as far as they can be I suppose) to the lack of keyboards, but some can't live without them and are better left out of the setlist.

    From what I heard of the album, it's a million times better than TC (first Cure album from days of crisis that sucks), better than WMS (that was a patchwork and too confusing) and maybe as good as BF although in a different path.

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  64. helsa, you have mail! and thank you...

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  66. Robert et al.

    I am heartened to see that so many other Cure fans believe Porl is an integral part of what The Cure is and what made The Cure great .... of course, Robert is THE MAN, and there is no The Cure without Robert, but every great band needs great support talent ( and Robert is lucky to have Porl/Simon).

    The Cure live without Porl (IMO the lost years 1995-2004), were really very ordinary IMO. Robert can trust Porl to pull anything off on the guitar, or any other instrument ... let's face it Perry was a minor leaguer, and could not pull off the Porl parts to classic Cure songs from the 1987-1992 era. And I think Robert knew it, as he sure seemed to play pretty much all the lead guitar bits as well as sing, which IMO was way too much for him to do VERY well live.

    All this said, I actually liked the 2004 record .... But the previous 2 ... ugh ....

    I'll finish by re-iterating that the Robert and Porl "guitar team" has an unmatchable chemistry on stage. I love watching these 2 guys play together, the subtle alternating lead/rhythm roles, the little glances, the nods. What can I say I focus pretty much 100% on the guitar playing on stage ... no offense Simon and Jason LOL!

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  67. Simon's bass sounds wicked on Hungry Ghost, especially near the beginning. It reminds me of the bass line in an older track but I can't quite put my finger on. Maybe something from THOTD...maybe New Day or something like that.

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  68. thanks craig for your review! can't wait!

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  69. I really hope it's better than Bloodflowers. I liked it for the first year, but there's a lot of predictable stuff like the last 2 minutes of Bloodflowers and some lame lyrics (39) and lots of stuff that either lacks texture, despite a decent basic melody (The Loudest Sound) or that has texture but not a great melody (Watching Me Fall). "Maybe Someday" was ruined by the keyboard solo. The whole album just felt a bit cliche to me. Lots of decent songs, but nothing that amazing that would convert a non-fan to a hardcore fan the way "Wish" or "Disintegration" did for me. Same thing with WMS and TC.

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  70. hey muldfeld, how are you? :-)

    actually, seeing bf on trilogy reinvigorated my love for the cure and made me into a more hardcore fan than i had ever been

    that said, i do think the inclusion of porl would have given the album more dynamic texture... still for me it's a masterpiece and i do know non-cure fans who embrace it over other cure albums. my boyfriend, for ex, likes it okay, and he does not like the cure

    anyway

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  71. C-I love you for sharing that. I can't wait.

    I knew this new album will/would be groundbreaking. I just know it will signify something huge for The Cure. It's not necessarily fame though-something more meaningful for them-and us.

    I digress as usual, but you know what I mean. XD

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  72. Hi, cat,

    I don't doubt The Cure continued to perform well. Actually, based on a bootleg tape my brother got in England in 1988, I think the band is better nowadays because they slow songs down; much more beautiful and Robert doesn't cheat long notes by singing really fast.

    I thought Trilogy was amazing, though I did miss the extra electric guitar bit in "Last Day of Summer". I didn't think Bloodflowers was bad, just not transcendent like the best of the albums from its earliest days through "Wish". All the slow songs on that album are so incredibly beautiful to me! I don't get that feeling from the melodies of the albums since. That's just my feeling, though. I'm not trying to bring anyone down.

    Take care.

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  73. I can confirm that it has leaked.

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  74. I'm going to have a great Monday tonight...but it's going to make the work day take FOREVER until I get home...

    I also can't wait to hold in my hands the big huge vinyl version and look at that lovely artwork up close. Still is one of the reason why I love vinyl. It allows me to appreciate the artwork so much more than paper behind cheap plastic.

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  75. Craig your review has gotten me so excited. I can hardly wait. And what you said about This Here And Now With You has got me intrigued because the live version didn't really do anything for me.

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  76. question..... what the hell is up with the cymbal crash on every beat in live rome versions of Just Like Heaven and Boys Don't Cry???? and it's not just on the chorus, it is on every beat through out the entire two songs. What a way to ruin it, might as well take a crap on top of these classic songs.

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  77. My opinion is that the drums were mixed HORRIBLY during the Rome show. His drum work has never disappointed me except for that performance, and i really think that it was the mixing. I haven't really seen anyone bring that up. Drums that aren't mixed well on the soundboard can completely ruin everything and I've gone to many a shows were that has happened (not Cure shows though)

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  78. hmmmmmm .. im hoping the first impressions dont last , horribly dissapointed with the studio mix so far (except the scream which is genius)

    :( how i was wanting to gush

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  80. deadboycraved >> what are your issues so far with the studio mix?

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  81. thanks Mike, i really hope you are right about the drums being mixed wrong. Otherwise it's a tragedy.

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  82. Lol, have none of you heard of a promo copy? Is it really a surprise to any of you that Craig would get one after all his efforts? Geez, calm down.

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  83. Todd,

    I agree! Sometimes I wonder what people are on about...

    Make that MOST times...

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  84. ..this "drum" legend starts becoming annoying isnt?

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  85. I don't know what you guys are hearing but the album sounds great to me. I'll reserve 100% judgment until I get my CD in my hand, though. MP3's are very lossy.

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  86. marc >> so what is your opinion of the album so far? does if flow as nicely as i think it will?

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  87. mike; just the mix seenms really fussy to me and his voice forced weird - barr uts and scream ... hmm ive listened a few more times and its growing on me tho

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  88. Ok after listening to the real deal (from a terrible source I suppose, the sound quality is awful and much probably far from the real CD) I must say that I wasn't expecting all this. It's not a masterpiece or anything, but it definitely surprised me. Better by far than TC, BF and even Wish.

    It seems that what Porl did the most was to put things in order and clean up the mess. It's not fair to judge individual performances in a studio recording because nowadays anyone can build an instrument track from scratch using just single notes. Let's judge the performances from the live stuff instead.

    It does have some unnecessary poppy sounding here and there (planning for radio?) but there are way less Cure cliches this time.

    And WTF was that scream? Holy crap. If the "dark album" is close to that mood instead of just being songs with accoustic guitars about birds, it will be great.

    And yes, Freakshow is my fav sound along with Scream. A video and some more promotion... a new Close to Me.

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  89. but as others point out mp3s are shit quality so , hopefully the record itself will sound less chintzy

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  90. ugh now i'm even wondering if i should listen tonight based on the quality of the sound... is it really that bad? it's VBR correct?

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  91. its not awfull... just not the WOW i was expecting ..
    maybe you should wait

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  92. hey muld. you could never bring anybody down. you're too sweet for that.

    for me bf is transcendent, but i understand that it's not that way for everyone.

    i enjoy reading your thoughts. :-)

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  93. Mike: The album grows on me more with every listen.

    The leaked files are VBR - probably not the greatest sound but I can't see that the CD will sound too much different - probably crisper. So far I've only listened on PC speakers and Bluetooth headphones so not the greatest environment! Will give it a proper listen this aft. Having said that I didn't find the mix to be an issue.

    I love the album because it sounds new. It is not cliched like BF and others. It is not The Cure acting like a Cure cover band. There are layers of sound here that you will only hear upon multiple listens.

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  94. wicked. now i'm excited again.

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  95. OK. 'Sirensong' almost brought me to tears. This thing is GREAT so far and I'm only 5 songs in!!!

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  96. Marco-

    "I love the album because it sounds new. It is not cliched like BF and others. It is not The Cure acting like a Cure cover band. There are layers of sound here that you will only hear upon multiple listens."

    now THAT is what i want to hear :)

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  97. mike stay excited :)

    its growin on me , except sirensong and its over which i'll ignore from now on till i hear the real thing

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  98. THANWY... OMG!!! Sounds completely different than the live version. Good stuff!

    I don't know if I'm digging the track order though.

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  99. I agree with Marc. The Cure are moving forward, especially with tracks like The Reasons Why, The Real Snow White, and It's Over.

    Just listened during my commute. As far as the mix goes, the last two songs, which are really loud, sound pretty flat and impenetrable through ipod headphones, but I'm going to blame that on the headphones and possibly the 192 kbps mp3s. That's my only hesitation, wondering how compressed the album is. I'm not the most sensitive or knowledgeable about that, so I'd be interested in others' reactions.

    Anyway, it's a really good album. I'm trying to stay away from the whole "how good IS IT"/"is it a new Cure Classic?"/"Rank it compared to Disintegration" fan thing.

    It sounds like the record the last album would have been if they'd had Porl, more songwriting inspiration and no Ross Robinson.

    It's interesting that Robert is putting really raw, Pornography-sounding tracks (Lost, The Scream) on albums with poppy hits. Seems like his retrospection during writing Bloodflowers and the Dream Tour made him want to make music like that again.

    Can't wait to pick up the CD next week!

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  100. I wanna hear from more people if the album versions of the singles are mixed differently than the "mix 13" versions we all already have as the "phantom" COF friend suggested in his/her review...

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  101. they definately are i reckon ... to my ears they all sound a bit more chilled out ,, the sleep version is better than the mix13 , but i couldny say why excatly

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  102. About the singles, I noticed The Perfect Boy has a new "zizzy zizzy zizzy zizzy" effect during the "and I don't want to be innocent" part.

    Sleep When I'm Dead has more swishy, ghostly reverb during the "sleep when I'm dead you angels" part, thus making it more awesome. It also has another keyboard thing during the chorus that kind of counterpoints the vocal melody, that you can hear in the Rome backing track.

    I can't make a more subtle comparison right now because I haven't listened to both versions in a quiet setting.

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  103. I think they are different as well, although its hard to put your finger on. I hear things I didn't hear in the singles.

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  104. Oh, one more thing. I think Jason's drumming is awesome at times on this. Its as if he's suddenly developed his own distinct style. Anyone else sense that?

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  105. Marc,

    Oh man...you just potentially opened up a can of worms with that drumming comment...but I'll fight the good fight with you should it come to that... ;)

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  106. Er, you know what, that zizzy zizzy thing I mentioned (just some kind of guitar effect) is only in the second version of that verse ("i don't want to be obvious, but i have to be gone by three") ... and it was there in the single too, but less noticeable. I think it's just that, yes, the vocals in that part are chilled out in the album version. I didn't notice it at first listen, but comparing the two, the vocals seem less boosted. I guess that's typical for radio, right?

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  107. The other thing is this: The Cure are at their best when Simon's bass is distinct and melodic and up front.

    The bass in the The Reasons Why does my fucking head in just like it did on many of the tracks on The Head on The Door. That's a good thing, btw ;)

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  108. Mike: I know :) I called for Boris' return as much as the next guy! I'm not imagining it am I?

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  109. he just needs to drop the cymbols on the floor n forget to pick em up ..

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  110. Meh...Boris had a place in The Cure...just as Jason does. I really feel like Jason is used as a scapegoat to cover up sub par/bloated songwriting due to him being the 'fresh face' at the start of an underwhelming phase in their career.

    Wild Mood Swings... would have been great if it was a bit more streamlined...

    Bloodflowers...while a solid album...was missing something...I think I'm still trying to figure out what that "sometime" is...

    The Cure ...spotty production and a few songs that sounded too much like a retread of previous (and better) Cure songs...couple gems on that one though.

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  111. I think that Robert's accepted the fact that you can't keep trying to put the genie back in the bottle. Meaning that you can't recapture past glories by impersonating them.

    I won't say that the band is reborn but I will say that they are sounding much fresher and more energetic.

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  112. marc - i think the only songs that suffer from that are the poppier ones , taking off , before three , mint car , jupiter crash etc etc ,, the rest of those albums are considerably different in sound to pre wms days .. i dont hear any of this repeating rehashing old ideas stuff

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  113. if anything 413 is the most guilty .. rehashing what the cure have been since wish ,, ie more guitar driven etc ..

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  114. If I had to pick an album that 4:13 sounds most like then it might be Wish. That's probably a lot to do with Porl's return.

    For me the post-Wish era lacked fresh ideas. I think that Robert was guilty of treading the same ground lyrically. There's no denying, though, that these albums produced breathtaking moments in and of themselves.

    Fuck, that we're still discussing a band that's been around for 30 years like this says a lot!!!

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  115. god what a weird album! but BRILLIANT. it's got the most transcendent moments and 'the scream' is one of my favorites. it's so so top. just psychedelic and deranged.
    i really dig it and i'm certain g will have his 2 cents in a bit...

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  116. I guess I'm one of the few that's with clockwise in saying that Bloodflowers is missing NOTHING. It is an outstanding record and it'll take A LOT for Dream 4:13 to surpass it in my eyes (er, ears).

    Everything about it is pretty much perfect to me. I mean, if you've watched the Trilogy version of it and still aren't astounded by it, well then all hope is lost and you may as well just cut off your ears now...

    A little too harsh?

    Nah. :)

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  117. todd, if i cut off my ears i wouldn't be able to hear the genius and innovation (of which bloodflowers had none) that is 4:13 dream.
    kthx bye.

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  118. Todd,

    I will say that watching Bloodflowers performed on Trilogy gave it a longer lease on life for me. I think it's just one of those albums that for me is heard better in a live setting.

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  119. Sofia: I was worried about what you'd think. So glad you liked it! Yes. it's weird, but in such a wonderful way. I wasn't expecting this.
    : )

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  120. So Craig, are you really happy and satisfied with 4:13 Dream ?

    Is there anything else you can add now with more listenings to what you´re wrote yesterday ?

    Thanks in advance.


    I need to have this cd now.

    Just few days but seems like ages to me.

    :)

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  121. craig, it is absolutely bizarre! :D in the most delightful way!
    it has the feeling of former songs and albums, but it's without precedence, i think. it's just the album i've been waiting for. i wasn't expecting this either!
    *sigh of relief here*

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  122. in every cure album there are 1 or 2 weak moments and for me those songs are switch (which kind of bores me) and sleep when i'm dead (although this mix is far less nebulous and much better than the original).

    well within my tolerance level. i am SO HAPPY!

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  123. also, i wish 'the scream' and 'it's over' were switched, but i guess if you're going to title a song 'it's over' instead of 'baby rag dog book' you don't have much of a choice.
    and craig, your friend who said the last two were barn burners was just so right.

    okay. i'll shut up for now!
    happeeeee!

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  124. sofia, I guess this is a point where I and a lot of others, including you, differ. I think Bloodflowers was a very different album for The Cure to make. I don't know if you necessarily think this, but I don't get it at ALL when people say Bloodflowers was just a poor rehash of a style The Cure has done before more successfully.

    I think Bloodflowers has a tone and aesthetic that can't be shared with any other Cure album, but that's just me.

    One other thing about it, is that more than ANY other Cure album, I tend to think of it as a totally complete work, where the sum equals more than the sum of its parts. Probably even moreso than, dare I say, Disintegration - and that's my favorite album of all time by anyone. The only other Cure album that rivals Bloodflowers in terms of flow and cohesiveness is SS - another album where I like the whole better than any of its individual parts.

    Ok, I've waxed philosophical long enough.

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  125. Just listening to the album now for the first time, and The Only One mix is totally different! The six-string bass is much more prominent, and all the instruments sound much more 'separate' rather than blended together as they are in Mix 13. I like the single version, but this one is MUCH better! It even sounds like Robert may have re-sung it...

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  126. marc pointed it out perfectly: "It is not The Cure acting like a Cure cover band.".

    In TC it seems that Ross Robinson was a bit too excited to have his favourite band under his command...

    Yes I think that the VBR is what made it sound so bad - it has no treble and it sound confusing at times, mostly in UTS. There's no dynamics whatsoever in the MP3.

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  127. Matt,

    What did you think of the album as a whole?

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  128. I'm not finished yet! But I'm loving it so far, seriously.

    Every new album since (and including) WMS has always left me feeling very slightly disappointed and let down, however much I've loved them (especially Bloodflowers). But not this one so far. I feel the same way as when I first listened to Wish, which is totally satisfied.

    I just finished The Hungry Ghost and I like it more than the live version (but didn't find it as different as I was expecting, except the different vocal melodies of course).

    Wow... Switch is great... electronic feedback...

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  129. Just on Sleep When I'm Dead now. The mixes on all the singles have sounded really different to me. I don't know much about mixing, but they all seem a more 'spacious' and less frantic and in-your-face. They all sound a lot better too, in my opinion. The Perfect Boy was more 'fragile' to me.

    Also, This. Here And now. With You is MUCH better than the live version.

    The Scream has just started... really quiet at first... very cool... wow... when the guitar and drums kick in it's great...

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  130. Matt >> I still expect an It's Over comment as well as postgame wrapup :P

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  131. Almost done with my first listen - Hungry Ghost and Real Snow White blew me awaaay.

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  132. You'll get one! It just started...

    If anyone ever need to prove to anyone why Robert Smith is the best singer in the world just play them The Scream. It might even be able to silence the old-school fans who think they haven't written a good song since Pornography...

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  133. I love hearing these positive reactions! So glad everyone is enjoying it. But get it alone in a darkened room, and turn it up loud. Then you'll really love it.

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  134. The Scream is incredible. I love it. That scream, followed by the distortion, are fantastic.

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  135. the album mixes are better than the singles.

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  136. Wow! I love the way it ends. He really seems to have given up on the "I can't do this anymore" line... and it's repeated as a barely audible whisper right at the end. There's no album-closer like this, which is cool, and it made me desperate to start the album over again, which is a weird feeling! It also has the best bassline since A Foolish Arrangement, but we knew that already.

    I tend to shy away from hyperbole, but this really is a fantastic album. In my opinion not a single sub-par track, which hasn't happened since Disintegration (in fact it's ONLY happened on Disintegration, in my opinion). I love the mix as a whole - it's not too loud like people were worried about, and the bass and six-string bass stand out, which I always enjoy in a Cure mix.

    I've been listening to the Rome show on a constant loop since it was available, so I'm aware that I'm really hyped-up right now, but I may like this one even more than Wish...

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  137. and what the hell....THANWY? :@ SO GOOD!

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  138. THANWY is inexplicable! Lovely! YUM! The Scream is almost here...

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  139. I've gone for sitting in front of my PC listening through itunes via a decent pair of headphones. it's pretty dark, although there is a lamp on...

    I also had the album artwork up on my PC to help with the immersion. You can download a great high(ish)-res version by right-clicking the background on that imeem page...

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  140. awesome. i'm about to leave work to go home and listen...

    (ha...looking at this message board it appears i haven't been working at all...)

    I'll post my thoughts late tonight after a listen with my girlfriend and best friend and then a seperate Grado headphones listen on my lonesome...

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  141. One thing that is weak but it's not present in all songs: the choruses of the more pop songs. They are all the same, a trillion Roberts and that heavily compressed radio sound.

    Weakest song to me? Reasons Why.

    Switch is the new "End", a bit confusing and noisy but not that bad. Snow White is much better in studio, same as THANWY. Perfect Boy is even better.

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  142. UTS is absolutely mind-blowing. The Scream is full of dynamics that it lacked in the live version, i think... it's really well put together on the album. THANWY is also well done on the album, and I didn't get the live version... i liked what i heard but it was kind of sketchy to me. Sirensong i loved right away, and even more so on the album. the slide guitar is perfect. Reasons Why and Hungry Ghost are perfect. Robert comes off even more sleazy on the album version of TRSW. I can do without Switch, SWID, And BRDB. The Scream SHOULD have been the album closer.

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  143. a trillion Roberts? perfect! :P

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  144. Matt: I was scared of maybe going overboard with my love of this album, but I honestly think it's fantastic.

    Sofia: I wasn't a fan of THANWY from Rome, but I love the album version. The Rome version sounds so flat, but it soars on the album.

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  145. Mr. Mandelbrot: I think TRW is one of the best on the album - certainly would have been a decent single I think.

    Great that we're all over the place on this one.

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  146. Craig: I know what you mean - I really don't want anyone to get their expectations too high! Having said that, my expectations were pretty high (as they always are for a new Cure album) and I now consider them to have been firmly met!

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  147. I wonder which song(s), if any, radio will pick up on?

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  148. I wonder if Robert has ever used Autotune on his vocal. He seems like the type that would be totally against such a thing overused in so many radio songs these days.

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  149. me (to sofia during the end of The Scream): "go POT!"

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  150. I can imagine BBC 6music playing The Reasons Why and maybe The Hungry Ghost. That's if they play anything - they got really excited over the first two singles, played them loads, then totally ignored Sleep When I'm Dead and The Perfect Boy! They did play songs of The Cure quite a lot for a couple of weeks when it came out though... alt.end and (I Don't Know What's Going) On mainly, I think...

    Oh man... just thinking about (I Don't Know What's Going) On makes me realise how great this album is!

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  151. Sorry, Off Topic:

    Official site says "Ask Robert" email is closed, because they recieve 10.000 questions.

    Also they say "stay tuned for RSx answers"

    When ?

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  152. g, the POT is ON POINT! for once! haha!

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  153. What I didn't like in TRW is that it's the most predictable of them all, plus that New Order's feel to it is a bit annoying... not my cup of tea.

    The big scream is exactly 15 seconds long.

    The decision on what songs would be the singles are a bit odd - (like the b-sides) some could have been singles mostly Hungry Ghost instead of SWID. Freakshow would give a very nice video, if MTV really cared...

    Scream would work great as a closing song indeed.

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  154. The Reasons Why: don't think it would have been a single because of the talk of suicide... but i guess it hasn't stopped some songs from being radio hits.

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  155. I'm glad the "leak" quality isn't nice.

    A phenomenal...substantial..enormous amount of time and such was vested in 4:13 Dream. It's beautiful. I've already paid for my copy.

    Aren't you all going to be livid if leachers grab this then don't follow through and purchase the real deal? Just curious.

    I'm not pointing fingers or judging (petty pathetic low-life scum) but do the right thing. At a minimum a donation to one of RSX's favorite charities I guess? HA! I don't know.

    Don't fuck The Cure, please? :^)

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  156. I will buy the album the day it arrives in my city.

    I just have poor self control when it comes to the cure.

    I assume that as fans, everyone here a) wants to support the band, and b) wants that hard copy.

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  157. the cure is lucky in the sense that they are one of the few bands whose fans feel beholden to them and buy every last dang blasted thing they put out. cd, vinyl, versions from different countries, mp3s. everything.

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  158. Now that Mr. Chaos is back, this album has enough layers to discover something new with each listen.

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  159. I'm waiting for the actual cd, I've spoiled myself enough with Rome, now just to wait a bit more...
    hmm.

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  160. When an album is this good, I happily spend money on it. Even though I LOATHE S/T, they still got my money for it just like every other album. I wish I could say no to this band.

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  161. HaHa! Sofia isn't that the truth! As a younger fan ages ago without transport..I used to make my Grandma drive me miles and miles around cities! I had to have every NME, MelodyMaker, Alternative Press. Then Integration years came. Oh wow, and then trying to get all the cd singles for high and then re buying them when the limited edition collector's box to hold them came out! Good times. And I'm the very same way now! Ciao

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  162. figureheadme, yes. the next time you do go out- drink to your family's patience with you as a teenager. god knows they deserve some sort of award.
    i know my family does!

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  163. I bought them all, including that major POS called The Cure even after listening to a "leak". Why wouldn't I do the same now? Occasional Cure listeners might not buy it, whatever.

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  164. figurehead ... i bet half the people on here have spend thousnads on the cure ,, its a bit late in the day fr you to start tellin us to support them

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  165. Hey Craig, what's this version of 4:13 up at Amazon US?

    "Japanese only SHM-CD (Super High Material CD - playable on all CD players) pressing includes six unreleased tracks. Universal. 2008."

    Hmmm. Most likely done in error again? $57.78

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  166. That's old info. Robert corrected it a while back. No bonus tracks in Japan, or anywhere else. Everybody gets the same thing.

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  167. 4:13 Dream should just be given to fans as sort of a refund for the last 12 years of drivel. Of course, if for some reason you loved the last two albums, you would not have to accept the offer.

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  168. and THAT, g, is why i love you so.




    (hah! but you LIKE bloodflowers!)

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  169. sofia, i "like" lots of things to varying degrees... i didn't really "like" bloodflowers, aside from a few select tracks. And forget S/T, i'm still trying to block it from my mind. 4:13 Dream is like an apology, that I'll be paying them to give me.

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  170. It's only 2:15 PST for me deadboy. Dummy.

    I was inquiring with my fellow Cure fans; here - on this Cure fan site, regarding their thoughts on the topic of leeching. For your review - the scope of my post was aimed at our Cure fan based mindset. "Aren't you all going to be livid if leachers grab this then don't follow through and purchase the real deal?"

    And my support The Cure verbiage is to leechers that don't commit. Hence, not fans. God, that's my biggest pet peeve! Why do people have to take something in one ear and be so fucked to get combative? And then make me do the same thing. Time to try 413 out in my vehicle! Enjoy everyone! :^)

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  171. not being combative - just pointing out that i doubt that theres many "not commiting" to the cure on this site , so its kinda pointless

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  172. ok, i had to, couldn't wait, will be hitting amoeba next week of course.

    have only listened to underneath the stars so far. it's easily the best cure song since 89. the guitar brought tears to my eyes.

    can't wait til the darkened room test...

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  173. Man oh man I wish I didn't live in a condo with three other units in the same building as us. I wanna blast this thing when I get it and just let it take me over.

    The neighbors can live with ~50 minutes of The Cure blasting through their walls, right?

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  174. sirensong is just as good as i was hoping it would be. this hear and now with you is pretty great too. going to listen to the scream now...

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  175. I'm just listening now. Love the switch on first listen through, and the hungry ghost is perfect, and the reason why is a lot better. And i can tolerate freakshow, the perfect boy sounds pretty amazing now, frailer guitar different sounds, delicate vocal effects, this. here and now. with you is amazingggg, and the scream to come. Well done robert, finally an album worthy of the legacy that presedes it, i knew you had it in you and i await the dark album with bated breath.

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  176. deadboycraved: Yeah, most of us have already paid for it a couple of times over :)

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  177. And god i had to comment the scream is stunning. Sleep when i'm dead has some really nice layers too now. I love the way its mixed, intense but almost dubby in space. AND THE SCREAM IN THE SCREAM! ahem.

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  178. God. first listen over this is amazing, straight back to underneath the stars, and i love how the album ebbs and flows. noticed it after the intenseness of it's over finishing and starting up underneath the stars again.

    Awesome, best cure album in a long fucking time.

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  179. this thread makes me horny for the album.

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  180. this thread makes me horny in general. actually, i already was...

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  181. Do not post links or info on how to find links!!! How fucking hard is that to understand?

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  182. i still carry my crack feelings of THG.. but i suppose it will grown on me.

    THANWY .. dont really like, but i think it will grow.

    everything.. is gorgeous. lve love it.

    but i highly recommend saving for that plastic. its much more fun.

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  183. Listening to 4:13 right now ... yes I am going to buy it too!!!

    Previous comments are bang on:

    1. UTS studio version is even more AWESOME than live one. A Cure classic is born.

    2. THNWY is the big surprise. I would rank it 2nd to UTS ... and I was a HG voter in the poll.

    3. HG ... well I'll just say I agree with the thread. What was The Man thinking when he laid down the chorus vocals??????

    4. Scream, much better than I imagined.

    Congrats to Robert, Porl, Simon and Jason ... you guys created a winner!

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  184. "Do not post links or info on how to find links!!! How fucking hard is that to understand?"

    can i joke and tell people it is on the internet? somewhere out there. floating around in web spaces. in this land created by al gore.

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  185. craig - i'm thinking about going to Tijuana, Mexico on the 27th just so i can brag to all my friends that i got the physical copy a day early...

    who am i kidding...what friends?

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  186. correction - the leak isn't on the internet. TMU scanned the ENTIRE internet and disabled all links. Now if you want to find it, i hear you have to go to the alley in New Orleans and give this "craig" fellow a "good time" or something. Sounds difficult to do since 4:13 Dream has been giving him a good time for a couple days now.

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  187. "all the things we never know would leak, we seem to download them in the end." ;)

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  188. LOL.

    i keep going back to UTS..

    this is a very rockin album. it makes me wish for something dreamy and ethereal (got that from UTS though), but just a bit more.
    i still prefer baby rag dog book, its over is such a bland name, but it works out because its the last song and all. it feels very short, but im not going to listen anymore until im holding it.

    they really took time on this one, it clearly shows. but it hasnt shot me in the heart yet.. i need the dark room experience.

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  189. It feels like the follow up to Wish, only 16 years later!

    It really is WOW!!!

    I even like SWID now!

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  190. as if anybody cares about my opinion (doubtful)...

    *can't-get-out-of-my-head favorites thus far:

    -underneath the stars (amazing!)
    -sirensong
    -the reasons why

    *growing quickly:

    -this. hear and now. with you.
    -the scream
    -it's over
    -the hungry ghost
    -the perfect boy

    *will always like:

    -the only one

    *meh:

    -sleep when i'm dead
    -switch
    -freakshow
    -the real snow white

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  191. msp, oddly enough, SWID grew on me AFTER i listened to the remixes, which i thought were excellent. they gave me a new perspective on the song... and apparently the mix of SWID on the album is better than the single, although i don't have a prob with the single mix.

    i am zenfully abstaining from anymore rome listens or downloading the album... wish me luck!

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