As we approach the end of the 1980s, we have one more stunning and spectacular albums from one of the decade’s defining acts, Robert Smith and his band The Cure. Today’s album is “Disintegration”, which is the #116 rated album on Rolling Stone’s Top 500 Greatest Albums of All Time. Returning to their darker roots, the overall sound of this record is hauntingly beautiful. It really is that good.
The record opens with the long-building “Plainsong”. The beautiful blend of keyboards and guitars, eventually joined by Smith’s one-of-a-kind vocals, sets the stage for this entire record. I can’t wait to put this one on back home on my sound system, this music will penetrate and fill any room. The magic continues with the long but fully deserving “Pictures of You”, which is probably my favorite among all of this outstanding album. Next comes “Closedown”, which is similar in sound, style and pattern to “Plainsong” with its long and spiritual buildup.
“Lovesong” is the most recognizable single from the record, and it is more compact than most of the tracks on this record. That said, even as an up-tempo song, it is still a song of farewell and sadness, perfectly in step with the rest of the record. I really don’t know what else to say, but each song that comes after is just as beautiful, just as dark, just as haunting, and just as consuming. “Last Dance” has that same incredibly powerful buildup, and then comes “Lullaby”, which was the first single released off of “Disintegration”. It has a slightly funkier opening groove, but the keyboard melody that fills in just in front of the vocals are so rich and gorgeous. Just when you think it can’t get better, “Fascination Street” takes over, and there is no denying the intense power of this tune.
Listening to this album today is absolutely one of my favorite experiences of this entire blog, and I’m grateful to add this one into the regular rotation going forward. There is just so much good music to be found out there, you just have to know where to look.
A Lifetime-Plus of Music 