YESSS this!! I'm 22, my eldest niece is 13 and both of us are big fans of The Cure, so imagine how it felt for us to listen to this record w my 59yo dad who purchased Three Imaginary Boys as a 15yo in 1979... so cool, dude
@Porcuspine360It's without question great universally acclaimed as one of their best, and right with their best. Maybe you just need to raise your taste. Your in a tiny tiny minority. Which is fine but don't try to downplay the obvious
DM's last album can hardly be considered a comeback. Since the 90s it always took them 4 years to get a new album, it turned to 6 due to covid. Fletcher's death impacted the mood but the songs had already been written by that point. Also I wouldn't say MM is such a killer, it's decent but not amazing (and this is coming from a person in love with Violator and SOFAD)
@@Georgeirfx maybe not necessarily a comeback, but I feel like most fans and critics agreed that it was a return to form for them & possibly their best album since ultra
@@epichedgehehog The problem is that each of their records after Exciter fell into this category - "the best since Ultra" becoming a cliche. MM is definitely better than most of the records after Ultra (especially quite bland SOTU and Delta Machine) but it's not a very high bar to beat. The Cure's recent album on the other hand may be compared to their best works. I wish one day we get a DM album that people would rightfully compare to Violator but chances are slim (although they were also slim in The Cure's case)
In the UK this album is number 1 and outsold the rest of the Top 10 combined and has received critical acclaim from all the UK journalists. It’s a fantastic album.
DRONE:NODRONE is probably my favourite track from this release, when i first heard it I described it to a friend as "like if Nine Inch Nails embraced a soft aesthetic instead of a sharp one"
As someone who's mostly unfamiliar with the Cure's catalogue I really enjoyed this album, one of my favourites of the year so far. This being a 7 feels wrong but also makes me excited to delve deeper into their classic albums.
It's only in comparison to their entire discography that it scores a 7. It's a great album but you have the gift of hearing probably the last chapter first. That's kinda awesome. Read the Cure like a book. Start on the first and work your way through chronologically. It is a 7 from a band with at least one 10 and a couple 8's.
Check out Disintegration. It's their most successful album globally, but its a masterpiece from front to back. I also recommend their first three albums.
Disintegration and Wish are some of my all-time favorite albums, with Disintegration probably being THE favorite. Pornography is great too. I have more to explore as well. Incredible band.
@@Skilledspellzzz Pornography is so f'n dark. I love it. I have a friend who listened to Pornography first--loved it--and asked me where to go from there. Kind of hard to answer that. It's a dense and dark piece. Fantastic.
It's not his fault. Personally I think that he's one of the best big front men at letting the band write and the music breathe to set tone. He doesn't need to stick his voice in at every opportunity.
Although I understand your gripes with the production, I get the impression that this album was specifically mixed to sound good at a dangerously loud volume. Not really a great choice on their part imo but I can't deny that this album absolutely rips when you blast it.
This album is f**king awesome. Play loud and it needs to be listened to more than once. Robert Smith wrote a lot of this to help him deal with grief. I can so relate.
You are allowed to be wrong. Alone and Endsong are amazing bookend tracks to this album, genius and perfect tracks. This is a classic album, to me [already]. This album is a 9.
It was mainly the production quality of Alone that he struggled with. I hear him on the loudness wars qualities of the mastering of the album and how it robs it of dynamics.
Nobody gives a shit about some dodgy production in places. This album is a triumph. Fantano seems to lack any perspective on the achievement of The Cure releasing an album of this quality at this stage of their career and indeed lives. @@eboethrasher
Legendary band, "not in my top 5 Cure albums" >> "strong 7". Discographies like this are rare - albums this good across 5 different decades. Robert Smith truly one of the best to ever do it. ♥
Amazing thing about them is even their “worst” records are still decent to good. They have never put in a bad album or rested on their laurels to churn out late period slop (see Pixies for a particularly grim example). Even the Self-Titled and Wild Mood Swings are records by a band pushing themselves in new directions and creating something creative and enjoyable, if not profound and moving like their best work. That is probably the most amazing thing about them, what other classic band as old as The Cure can say that? None as far as I’m aware, even greats like Depeche Mode and New Order have stiffed a few records here and there.
@@ohnoitsdominoes5393The Self-titled has The Promise, and WMS has Bare which I consider both to be among their best songs. I also hate how people sleep on Bloodflowers which is a masterpiece
@@Georgeirfx I agree, they straight up have never made anything below a 6/10 which is remarkable, even the more iffy records have an incredible few tunes and the rest are still at the very least decent while on. What a discography to leave behind for fans to get lost in. I love DM but Christ, is there anything truly worthwhile on the likes of Exciter, Spirit, SOTM or Delta Mechine? Let’s be real, there isn’t. For New Order, everything from Republic onward is notably flawed and a step down from their prime work. Pixies and Smashing Pumpkins should be embarrassed at the gruel they are serving up long-suffering fans. Only other person I can think of with the consistently interesting and challenging at worst discography is Nine Inch Nails tbh
@@slursi2981 I don't, and I never have unless the video is over. I really enjoy Fantano's commentary, and his explanations. He has a way with words, tbh. But that's besides the point. Based on the placement, the intention is to get through the whole video before you reach the score. It keeps me on tenterhooks, haha.
2:10 Who goes into listening to an album with all these questions? Only Music Critics and Reviewers do. Your average listener or Cure fan doesn’t think about any of this, they just want to listen to them.
Ok? Why does he have to take on the lens of a casual listener? If all he did was listen casually and give his personal thoughts on whethwr he liked it or not then why not just ask your friends what they think???
@@Keezawea make fun of it all you want. I’m right still, music is subjective. If it made you cry like a baby doesn’t mean it will make someone else do that and that doesn’t mean that they’re wrong for not doing that either, but you wouldn’t know that because you’re clearly not mature.
I've had it on repeat since release and something clicked in the past couple of days where now I can't let my brain engage with the lyrics without weeping, incredible stuff
@haydenhocknell9933 first of all you don't know what fucking year it is and second put a comma between hell and yeah. And you're the reason we have trump as president. God help us all.
3:52 I really disagree with that point because this album is about (in general) Robert losing his mom and dad, so idk how you want to do a "rich" sound with that context, but still my opinion
As a MASSIVE Cure fan, I was pretty happy with this album but the production does leave a lot to be desired. I wish the bass wasn't so distorted on Every. Single. Song, it definitely kills a lot of dynamics these songs could have had and really benefited from.
@@chrilborn4138 the way it sounds is a huge disappointment. I agree. I'd like to listen to it aloud, but it's so distorted and flat that it gets annoying.
I can see the gripes with the mix for sure, it can certainly sound simultaneously overblown and undercooked with its distorted tones and loud, flat layers of sound. I do wish a bit more thought had went into whatever technical aesthetic they were going for. BUT, as someone whose favorite Cure albums are pretty much all the ones in the same vein as this one I adore the songwriting. It kind of feels like their 2000s albums, most notably Bloodflowers, got thrown into a blender with Pornography and I generally like how it turned out, even if Drone:Nodrone is maybe a bit too 4:13 Dream for my tastes. For me Warsong, I Can Never Say Goodbye and Endsong are the highlights, with the latter genuinely fast tracking its way to being one of my favorite Cure songs, period. It's not a perfect record, but I'd put it at number 5 of my top 5.
Hard to say if it will be in my top 5 Cure albums because there are so many great Cure albums, but maybe it's the 6th one. And Nothing Is Forever sounds like one of their best song ever. A Fragile Thing sounds like "we're so back" as everybody's been saying. I need more time but I can tell that I will play this album very often. I just missed this sound, I missed The Cure. It's like hugging a dad that you haven't seen in years,
I couldn’t disagree more on the quality of the production. I think the crunch and punch of it is what makes it stand out compared to their 00s work. I absolutely love the production of the bass and guitars. I will however agree to your point about the synths and strings coming across as boring and sometimes even annoying
If Robert Smith sees this review, he’ll die tonight of a broken heart. I love the album and the way it sounds, by the way, takes me to a cold and dark place
Hard to believe you didn’t like this album more- especially given the themes, soundscapes, and the timing of the release. To me it was released at the absolute perfect time. Sure the mix isn’t immaculate and is certainly muddy throughout- the songwriting, band and particularly vocal performances, and the airtight cohesiveness of the album makes it an easy top 5 album of the year! Absolutely loving this album- think you’ll enjoy it more with every listen.
Anthony just doesn't feel the same as some (I) do about them. If you're a big Cure fan it hits a lot of right notes. I can't listen to it without powerful bias, while he can. I love it. All I've been playing--and loud. It needs to be loud. There's all kinds of little chimes and shit that inflate the entire experience.
You mentioned everything but how amazing this band sounds live; I'm still in awe after watching their recent live stream. 'Songs of a Lost World' immediately made me think of 'Disintegration' after my first listen. And even more so after hearing it a second time. It's the perfect companion piece to that album. In my opinion at least. I thought this record was well worth the wait. I also think some of these songs sound even better live, oso it seems. Your insight is always appreciated. Oh, my favorite song on the album is "All I Ever Am" 👍👍🍻
For me this album is all about the sublime lyrics and the overall atmosphere that is created. It is emotionally intense and beautiful and that's why I still love The Cure.
I think this album definitely has its problems but i really can't understand your criticism of Alone at all, I really feel like I could float in that song forever, it's got such a scale and I never really felt like any of the instruments jutted out
I usually agree with you, but this is my AOTY. Their best work since Disintegration. It pushes all the right buttons, while feeling both timely and timeless.
This is a 9/10 album and will go down as one of their best and one of the best albums ever made by aging rockers. Robert's voice has barely aged and if it has it just sounds more world weary which if you follow what the album is about, is precisely what it needs. 7/10 when faced with a legacy masterpiece? That's just an awful take.
I agree with your review, but you didn't need to say that The Cure has main character syndrome and make fun of the lead singer for having cancer. Kinda harsh melon
I've been a fan of The Cure for a while, I'm so glad they made it into the Rock n' Roll Hall of Fame and I'm so glad they are still making music, especially music as good as this. I gave it a light 9, I vibed with it so hard.
I just can't get into this album, it's incredibly droney, and yes the Cure are known for that sometimes and I'm a massive fan. I was hoping for something a little more hooky like 17 seconds, Faith, kiss me, head on the door albums with a hint of Disintegration thrown in. I guess you can't please everyone.
It's crazy to think that since you created your channel you never dedicated a review to them and they had to come back after 16 years of inactivity for you to finally do it.
I have emersed myself into listening to every nuance of every song on the album. I can honestly tell you: the album opened up new sounds and textures, attaching this album to my current life, which is chaotic and abnormal at the moment. I am thoroughly depressed with feelings of joy and sadness... this album and band have accomplished their goal... thank you🙏❤️👌🙏
i think the production brings this down to a 7 or 8 sadly - but honbestly after hearing it live @troxy if the the production was fixed this literally could be a top 3 cure album (better than bloodflowers - which i love more than the average cure fan but its album production is bettwer than SOALW which brings it above slightly). i hate to be the 'production ruins it a little' guy but i think bcos the songs are so damn good the production now had a very high bar to live up to bring these songs to life - I'm not sure yet - but may just chuck on the livestream of SOALW when i want to jam this album - and i guess that's not that bad of a thing? (e.g. deep purple made in japan, forget the swan live dinosaur jr, children of the sea live dio/sabbath, iron maiden live after death, catch the rainbow by rainbow live as are all songs that are so masterful live you can almost never hear studio versions again....)
I believe that Alone and Endsong are the two masterpieces. But I won't be listening to Warsong, Drone no drone, All I ever am, And nothing is forever, A fragile thing very often. Glad to see so many people loving this new album from start to finish though. Sonically, there seems to be far too much compression and distortion going on and this makes the listening experience difficult.
Good review I would agree with a strong 7 ...apparently there are one or two more cure albums before the band call it a day in 2029 though if you watch the recent Robert Smith interview he says his plan is now to retire at 50 years of the cure and when he is 70 years old. Some new music is apparently almost ready but then I guess this album was almost ready in 2019 haha.
Alone is a track that I liked when I first heard it, but the more I play it the more I’m growing to love it! Endsong is definitely my favourite though, it’s amazing!
This is an extremely fair review, though I rate the album a little higher… With, “Alone”, I get what you mean by feeling concerned when you heard it.. I definitely liked it, but it immediately made me worry about some production/mix choices, and I worried that the drumming/percussion would be lackluster (frankly, I think the band’s sound has missed Boris from the day he left 30ish years ago). I still don’t think it’s a bad track, it just had me a little worried, and I was put off by all the people I saw proclaiming it was a masterpiece, genius, a modern day “Closedown” (though I can’t blame RS/TC for that). I completely agree that “Warsong” and “Drone:Nodrone” are a really important point in the album, a much needed “pick me up”, however dark the lyrical content, and for sure agree the album’s second half is stronger. As far as sounding dated, I think it gets by okay because of some of the production choices, where to me it *doesn’t* sound like an attempt to recapture Kiss Me or Disintegration.. It’s just for me, the sound leaves something to be desired. It’s missing a certain something, but the album gets by on the quality of the writing. Score wise, it’s a strong 8 for me. Indeed this is *not* a top 5 Cure album, as good as I think it is. It’s definitely their best album since ‘Wish’, better than ‘Bloodflowers’ by a decent margin (though I’ve never fallen in love with that album anyway). I’ve seen some people say it’s actually better than ‘Wish’, their best since ‘Disintegration’, hands down, but I can’t push back strongly enough against that.. This is a great album, but just love it for what it is. It doesn’t need to be standing shoulder to shoulder with Disintegration and THOTD to be a great album.. ♾️
What a day to review it by title alone. This was my fear. I just wasn’t turned and I have just love, loved this band for more decades than I’m comfortable computing.
IMO the album's got production quality of an 80s cure record, their stuff has always been a lil rough and dinky. I'd rather it sound a little off in this way than if it sounded overproduced like some comeback albums sound. I think a 7 is fair
The final track on this record is phenomenal. What a great release, I wasn't expecting something of calibre from them at this point. What a pleasant surprise.
I may come off as biased because I am a very very big Cure fan, but I think this album is incredible. I disagree about the instrumental leaving more to be desired, in fact I feel that this album is a 10/10 sonically. The song I am least attached to is drone:no drone, but even that one is good. The album is better than I could have asked for
Yeah... I actually dig the production... having listened to it on a Dolby Atmos system, I can say that it sounds massive, even if slightly compressed at times... still, it's lush, pounding, wailing and gloomy... one of the albums of the year for me.
Mentioning „Friday …“ as an example of a hit that shows the importance of this band shows that this guy has not a clue of what the Cure‘s significance is about.
I give it an 8.5. Really great album for this stage of the band! Disintegration is best, next is Kiss me Kiss me Kiss me, Head on the Door, Faith, 17 seconds, Pornography and Boys Don't Cry are my top Tier, The Top had a few great songs but ultimately uneven. Bloodflowers I am not as familiar with but I'd probably put it just over The Top. This one I'd say may rise to after 17 seconds. I like it a lot. (Boys don't cry I realize is technically a compilation).
I also noticed that there wasn't much compression in the production. I thought that was intentional because maybe a lot of older artists dislike the overuse of it in today's music, and that I do understand. Some people prefer that rawer sound. I don't know. I liked it more than I thought I would but I generally feel about the same as you described. I have heard way worse comeback albums. My favorite Cure album will always be Seventeen Seconds. It is so underrated. Especially the song M. Most people don't even mention that one in their top 10 and I love that song for some reason. It's just so Macabre.
This album was way better than i was expecting, it made me depressed which means it did what The Cure do best
Folks, the cracks are starting to show
@siulxq This is the reality of the situation and it is so so incredibly sad. Shut it down.
It helps you connect with being in love with the melancholy of life. Thanks Lol
Interestingly, it helped to improve my mental state, listening to it was such an emotional release. The Cure is my therapy
Their sound is also so true to what the band is known for. There are a lot if bands and artists that go away of their sound
Do a Cure tier list!
Yes!!!!!!
YESSSS
@Porcuspine360 Shut up
@Porcuspine360 Wrong. You must be deaf if you think songs like Just Like Heaven or Prayers for Rain are bland and unimaginative.
Head on the door top tier.
Living to see a new Cure album is a privilege; being able to genuinely say it’s great feels miraculous.
YESSS this!! I'm 22, my eldest niece is 13 and both of us are big fans of The Cure, so imagine how it felt for us to listen to this record w my 59yo dad who purchased Three Imaginary Boys as a 15yo in 1979... so cool, dude
Disintegration is the best album ever!
- Kyle from South Park
It's more then great. Masterpiece
@Porcuspine360It's without question great universally acclaimed as one of their best, and right with their best.
Maybe you just need to raise your taste. Your in a tiny tiny minority. Which is fine but don't try to downplay the obvious
@Porcuspine360 do you get upset when you see people enjoying things? You might want to look into that.
Endsong is absolutely incredible. A fitting finale if this is the end of their discography
They’ve said they’re working on a couple other albums, but if it was the end then yes
@ Oh nice, didn’t realise that! Thanks for the heads up
@@lemonlime8949Yeah, I heard Robert Smith say recently that The Cure had 3 albums practically done and … Lost World was the first one.
Robert Smith has said he'll stop making music at 70, which means we have 5 more years of them seemingly enthusiastic in the studio together.
One of the best closing songs ever. Beautiful
The Cure 🤝Depeche Mode
Killer comeback albums
40+ years into their
careers getting 7’s
UK's dark and long-lasting heritage.
I don't remember what were the scores for New Order and OMD comebacks.
Depeche Mode And MARDUK
Dropped an album with the
Same name on the same year!
Crazy and cool!
DM's last album can hardly be considered a comeback. Since the 90s it always took them 4 years to get a new album, it turned to 6 due to covid. Fletcher's death impacted the mood but the songs had already been written by that point. Also I wouldn't say MM is such a killer, it's decent but not amazing (and this is coming from a person in love with Violator and SOFAD)
@@Georgeirfx maybe not necessarily a comeback, but I feel like most fans and critics agreed that it was a return to form for them & possibly their best album since ultra
@@epichedgehehog The problem is that each of their records after Exciter fell into this category - "the best since Ultra" becoming a cliche. MM is definitely better than most of the records after Ultra (especially quite bland SOTU and Delta Machine) but it's not a very high bar to beat. The Cure's recent album on the other hand may be compared to their best works. I wish one day we get a DM album that people would rightfully compare to Violator but chances are slim (although they were also slim in The Cure's case)
Describing "Alone" as boring and grating was not something I was expecting from this review
Love that song !
You know that this is just his opinion, right?
@@mrzzzzz2846sooo?
This is one of the few times where I feel like I don't hear what he's hearing at all. Fantastic comeback single
When he starts singing after that long buildup, the euphoria hits like crazy
*YOURE JUST JEALOUS ROBERT STILL HAS HAIR* 🙄
You call that hair? I expect a mouse to pop up at any moment.
I wish this bloke would fuck off the albums amazing
I'm not even a die hard Cure fan and this is my AOTY, album is a masterpiece for me
It is a masterpiece
Same, I dislike most of the Cure albums, but here we got some really solid production, tone, songwriting, I mean, it really has impact!
It's not Friday, he's not in love.
💔
Perfect album for this fucked up world. A 9 too
Did 113 people just agree he gave this a 9?
In the UK this album is number 1 and outsold the rest of the Top 10 combined and has received critical acclaim from all the UK journalists. It’s a fantastic album.
Cope
Seethe
Do a Disintegration classic review
Long overdue honestly
Yes!
My favorite Cure album
I honestly don't think I could bear to hear Antipasto Fettuccine say a single bad thing about Disintegration.
@@susanegley4149 you probably won't, he already said it's a 10.
This is at least an 8. Cmon, Anthony.
The Smiths>The Cure
..what??!!? he gave it a seven, and not an eight?!?! a one point difference????? how horrible!! !!1 1
@@BigOwl51 never
@@BigOwl51You wish
shouldve been a 10
DRONE:NODRONE is probably my favourite track from this release, when i first heard it I described it to a friend as "like if Nine Inch Nails embraced a soft aesthetic instead of a sharp one"
It reminded me of The Cure of the '80s. He does things with his vocals that he hasn't in forever.
It’s my least favorite but that’s ok. It’s definitely a stand out in terms of the mood switch
Like happiness in slavery meets fascination street lmfao
it was very reminiscent of their single 'Never Enough', also a fave Cure song of mine.
It is my fave track too. The very first time I listened to it, reminded me of Pink Floyd's The Division Bell era.
As someone who's mostly unfamiliar with the Cure's catalogue I really enjoyed this album, one of my favourites of the year so far. This being a 7 feels wrong but also makes me excited to delve deeper into their classic albums.
It's only in comparison to their entire discography that it scores a 7. It's a great album but you have the gift of hearing probably the last chapter first. That's kinda awesome. Read the Cure like a book. Start on the first and work your way through chronologically. It is a 7 from a band with at least one 10 and a couple 8's.
Check out Disintegration. It's their most successful album globally, but its a masterpiece from front to back. I also recommend their first three albums.
I've only heard disintegration and it's already my top 5 of all time
Disintegration and Wish are some of my all-time favorite albums, with Disintegration probably being THE favorite. Pornography is great too. I have more to explore as well. Incredible band.
@@Skilledspellzzz Pornography is so f'n dark. I love it. I have a friend who listened to Pornography first--loved it--and asked me where to go from there. Kind of hard to answer that. It's a dense and dark piece. Fantastic.
Accusing Robert Smith of main character syndrome was bold.
Robert smith is actually scary looking now but this album is still great 💀
That doesn't exist except for the fact absolutely EVERYONE has it what other choice do you have jeezus
It's not his fault. Personally I think that he's one of the best big front men at letting the band write and the music breathe to set tone. He doesn't need to stick his voice in at every opportunity.
none of the people in the replies get the joke ☠️
Brilliant troll sir
Although I understand your gripes with the production, I get the impression that this album was specifically mixed to sound good at a dangerously loud volume. Not really a great choice on their part imo but I can't deny that this album absolutely rips when you blast it.
What I've been feeling, exactly. The nuances come out when you play it loud. Great impression.
Still don't have my copy, but I'm very excited to read that. That's how "Disintegration" was mixed!
"This album was mixed to be played loud, so turn it up!"
This album is f**king awesome. Play loud and it needs to be listened to more than once. Robert Smith wrote a lot of this to help him deal with grief. I can so relate.
THIS SHOULD BE A 9 MR MELONY MARTINEZ
nah
he said it in the video. fans will be too hyped. but that album is not that perfect sadly. maybe after some time it will ripen like a good wine.
Strong 9 easily
@@breadboi420it's outstanding
@@breadboi420 this was my first ever listen to anything from The Cure, it's a strong 9 to me
You are allowed to be wrong. Alone and Endsong are amazing bookend tracks to this album, genius and perfect tracks. This is a classic album, to me [already]. This album is a 9.
It was mainly the production quality of Alone that he struggled with. I hear him on the loudness wars qualities of the mastering of the album and how it robs it of dynamics.
Nobody gives a shit about some dodgy production in places. This album is a triumph. Fantano seems to lack any perspective on the achievement of The Cure releasing an album of this quality at this stage of their career and indeed lives. @@eboethrasher
@@mradhurleyyou only don’t give a shit because of your willful ignorance, stop projecting
Legendary band, "not in my top 5 Cure albums" >> "strong 7". Discographies like this are rare - albums this good across 5 different decades. Robert Smith truly one of the best to ever do it. ♥
Amazing thing about them is even their “worst” records are still decent to good. They have never put in a bad album or rested on their laurels to churn out late period slop (see Pixies for a particularly grim example). Even the Self-Titled and Wild Mood Swings are records by a band pushing themselves in new directions and creating something creative and enjoyable, if not profound and moving like their best work. That is probably the most amazing thing about them, what other classic band as old as The Cure can say that? None as far as I’m aware, even greats like Depeche Mode and New Order have stiffed a few records here and there.
He probably rates Pornography, Disintegration, Seventeen Seconds, Faith, Head on the Door and Kiss Me x 3 higher which would be fair honestly
@@ohnoitsdominoes5393The Self-titled has The Promise, and WMS has Bare which I consider both to be among their best songs. I also hate how people sleep on Bloodflowers which is a masterpiece
@@Georgeirfx I agree, they straight up have never made anything below a 6/10 which is remarkable, even the more iffy records have an incredible few tunes and the rest are still at the very least decent while on. What a discography to leave behind for fans to get lost in. I love DM but Christ, is there anything truly worthwhile on the likes of Exciter, Spirit, SOTM or Delta Mechine? Let’s be real, there isn’t. For New Order, everything from Republic onward is notably flawed and a step down from their prime work. Pixies and Smashing Pumpkins should be embarrassed at the gruel they are serving up long-suffering fans. Only other person I can think of with the consistently interesting and challenging at worst discography is Nine Inch Nails tbh
@@ohnoitsdominoes5393 I agree for the most part, but Exciter was a great album.
A 7!!?? This is a masterpiece
Why'd you spoil it, man?
@@syrup-i mean doesn’t everybody immediately check the description? I’ve done this for years. Unless you’re a master of discipline.
@@slursi2981 I immediately check it unless it's a review that I've been super hyped for, in which case I'd rather wait til the end
@@slursi2981 I don't, and I never have unless the video is over. I really enjoy Fantano's commentary, and his explanations. He has a way with words, tbh. But that's besides the point. Based on the placement, the intention is to get through the whole video before you reach the score. It keeps me on tenterhooks, haha.
@@SamiandIarerad I hate that I know this now
Totally agree with you on the production. I can hear digital clipping which makes it sounds harsh. I'm glad finally someone addressed the production.
I thought this was my HS8! Good to know others are experiencing that too.
A 7 for this is crazy. It’s a 8 at least
7 is a good score.
5
Pretty close then! Why get so picky about the number
Lifelong Cure fan and this album is 7, no higher. Youre just starved.
Saying you liked it is crazy. I liked it slightly more
2:10 Who goes into listening to an album with all these questions? Only Music Critics and Reviewers do. Your average listener or Cure fan doesn’t think about any of this, they just want to listen to them.
Das why he up dey and you down hea lil bro
Ok? Why does he have to take on the lens of a casual listener? If all he did was listen casually and give his personal thoughts on whethwr he liked it or not then why not just ask your friends what they think???
Dawg Alone is my favorite song, probably one of my favorites from anyone this year. his voice comes through so clear and beautiful
The most atmospheric and lush instrumental on the album in my opinion too. Probably my favorite on the album as well!
@@Zekew24 When you play it louder there's so much going on. Beautiful song.
Alone makes me well up with emotions bring me to tears. Majestic catharsis.
aoty after 16 years is nuts
7 is whack for an album that made me cry like a fucking baby
53 year old Cure fan. Suddenly sobbed (for a moment) at a red light first time listening through it. So much heart to this.
Key words “made me”
@@Prodbyjah464☝️🤓 Key Words
@@Keezawea make fun of it all you want. I’m right still, music is subjective. If it made you cry like a baby doesn’t mean it will make someone else do that and that doesn’t mean that they’re wrong for not doing that either, but you wouldn’t know that because you’re clearly not mature.
I've had it on repeat since release and something clicked in the past couple of days where now I can't let my brain engage with the lyrics without weeping, incredible stuff
This album is a sad love letter to old fans. I understand that it doesn't hit everyone as hard but I love it.
You can feel how just entirely gutted Fantano is in the first few seconds here. Post-election depression has seeped into all media
rip true
Post Election? You mean Trump winning....
Trump 2025 hell, yeah
@haydenhocknell9933 first of all you don't know what fucking year it is and second put a comma between hell and yeah. And you're the reason we have trump as president. God help us all.
@@haydenhocknell9933get outta here Trump dick rider
3:52 I really disagree with that point because this album is about (in general) Robert losing his mom and dad, so idk how you want to do a "rich" sound with that context, but still my opinion
I thought his brother?
Tracks about death & loss can't be sonically rich?
As a MASSIVE Cure fan, I was pretty happy with this album but the production does leave a lot to be desired. I wish the bass wasn't so distorted on Every. Single. Song, it definitely kills a lot of dynamics these songs could have had and really benefited from.
@@chrilborn4138 the way it sounds is a huge disappointment. I agree. I'd like to listen to it aloud, but it's so distorted and flat that it gets annoying.
You can't just praise Robert Smith for fighting Barbara Streisand for ten minutes and call it a review, Anthony.
BABURA BAAAABURA
Disintegration is the best album ever!
- Kyle from South Park
Robertu Smithu!
@@DesolateSolitudeRobert Smith is the greatest person that ever lived!
It’s not a 6
The concert they held on release was incredible. 🤘
How about that 45th Anniversary Seventeen Seconds set?! 🔥
I was there! ❤
@@postpunklover78 me too
I can see the gripes with the mix for sure, it can certainly sound simultaneously overblown and undercooked with its distorted tones and loud, flat layers of sound. I do wish a bit more thought had went into whatever technical aesthetic they were going for. BUT, as someone whose favorite Cure albums are pretty much all the ones in the same vein as this one I adore the songwriting. It kind of feels like their 2000s albums, most notably Bloodflowers, got thrown into a blender with Pornography and I generally like how it turned out, even if Drone:Nodrone is maybe a bit too 4:13 Dream for my tastes. For me Warsong, I Can Never Say Goodbye and Endsong are the highlights, with the latter genuinely fast tracking its way to being one of my favorite Cure songs, period. It's not a perfect record, but I'd put it at number 5 of my top 5.
It’s too much-you’re not even listening to the music anymore without critiquing it. Your reviews are exhausting
also, Bloodflowers is an amazing album
Hard to say if it will be in my top 5 Cure albums because there are so many great Cure albums, but maybe it's the 6th one. And Nothing Is Forever sounds like one of their best song ever. A Fragile Thing sounds like "we're so back" as everybody's been saying. I need more time but I can tell that I will play this album very often. I just missed this sound, I missed The Cure. It's like hugging a dad that you haven't seen in years,
This score is the worst thing to happen in the world today
It's true and that's saying something.
Yeah rught😂
Ha.
Very fitting score.
I have never heard a single the Cure song, before I heard this record, and I think this is at least a 9
I couldn’t disagree more on the quality of the production. I think the crunch and punch of it is what makes it stand out compared to their 00s work. I absolutely love the production of the bass and guitars. I will however agree to your point about the synths and strings coming across as boring and sometimes even annoying
@@cdtcharles8304 I love the synths and strings. And I dislike how heavily the sound is compressed and distorted. We have different opinions :)
How on earth are you listening to this album? The layering is really clear... are you listening to this on Spotify or something?
If Robert Smith sees this review, he’ll die tonight of a broken heart. I love the album and the way it sounds, by the way, takes me to a cold and dark place
In the future years this man will regrets his rewiew. I has not understood he is in front of a master piece
Hard to believe you didn’t like this album more- especially given the themes, soundscapes, and the timing of the release. To me it was released at the absolute perfect time. Sure the mix isn’t immaculate and is certainly muddy throughout- the songwriting, band and particularly vocal performances, and the airtight cohesiveness of the album makes it an easy top 5 album of the year! Absolutely loving this album- think you’ll enjoy it more with every listen.
endsong gonna be a top ten song of the year for sure
nah bottom 10
@@Grrreeeeeeeeeeeew 🤥🤥🤥🤥🤥🤥🤥
@@postpunklover78 Oh right yeah
This is better than a 7.
Anthony just doesn't feel the same as some (I) do about them. If you're a big Cure fan it hits a lot of right notes. I can't listen to it without powerful bias, while he can. I love it. All I've been playing--and loud. It needs to be loud. There's all kinds of little chimes and shit that inflate the entire experience.
Way better.
You mentioned everything but how amazing this band sounds live; I'm still in awe after watching their recent live stream. 'Songs of a Lost World' immediately made me think of 'Disintegration' after my first listen. And even more so after hearing it a second time. It's the perfect companion piece to that album. In my opinion at least. I thought this record was well worth the wait. I also think some of these songs sound even better live, oso it seems. Your insight is always appreciated. Oh, my favorite song on the album is "All I Ever Am" 👍👍🍻
Was definitely also hoping for grander production with more ambience, but agreed overall a solid effort and in the league of Bloodflowers
You're the cure to my depression, Anthony
For me this album is all about the sublime lyrics and the overall atmosphere that is created. It is emotionally intense and beautiful and that's why I still love The Cure.
Seems like Anthony is the only person not to have watched the 1hr40 Robert Smith interview. They are planning 2 more albums...
smith’s lyrics have always been the center point of the cure and he has not missed a step with this album a crushing album love it
I think this album definitely has its problems but i really can't understand your criticism of Alone at all, I really feel like I could float in that song forever, it's got such a scale and I never really felt like any of the instruments jutted out
Wearing an LCD Soundsystem sweatshirt for a Cure review? Cmon, man!
I usually agree with you, but this is my AOTY. Their best work since Disintegration. It pushes all the right buttons, while feeling both timely and timeless.
Love that LCD Soundsystem hoodie
And Sleater Kinney cover on the back
And the Joe Pera talks with you hat
Personally the album felt like a combination of "Homesick" and "39". Does that make sence?
I agree although Homesick is the greatest Cure song for me and almost nothing can match the magic that song has
This is a 9/10 album and will go down as one of their best and one of the best albums ever made by aging rockers. Robert's voice has barely aged and if it has it just sounds more world weary which if you follow what the album is about, is precisely what it needs.
7/10 when faced with a legacy masterpiece? That's just an awful take.
I agree with your review, but you didn't need to say that The Cure has main character syndrome and make fun of the lead singer for having cancer. Kinda harsh melon
You made me search it up my heart almost dropped 😂
@@lemonlime8949 they were referring to the halsey review lol
I've been a fan of The Cure for a while, I'm so glad they made it into the Rock n' Roll Hall of Fame and I'm so glad they are still making music, especially music as good as this. I gave it a light 9, I vibed with it so hard.
I just think it's amazing how good Robert Smith still sounds
Damn you really don’t understand what they were trying to do on this. Everything you described being undesirable are high points
I've never listened to a single Cure album and I'm 42. Is it time?
i just did and yes
absolutely. maybe go disintegration first?
I just can't get into this album, it's incredibly droney, and yes the Cure are known for that sometimes and I'm a massive fan. I was hoping for something a little more hooky like 17 seconds, Faith, kiss me, head on the door albums with a hint of Disintegration thrown in. I guess you can't please everyone.
STILL NO MG ULTRA REVIEW AND I AM STILL WAITING
It's crazy to think that since you created your channel you never dedicated a review to them and they had to come back after 16 years of inactivity for you to finally do it.
It feels refreshing to see The Cure review after the election. Boys don’t cry is my comfort song and seems fitting after the results.
I have emersed myself into listening to every nuance of every song on the album. I can honestly tell you: the album opened up new sounds and textures, attaching this album to my current life, which is chaotic and abnormal at the moment. I am thoroughly depressed with feelings of joy and sadness... this album and band have accomplished their goal... thank you🙏❤️👌🙏
Such a good album like wtf
i think the production brings this down to a 7 or 8 sadly - but honbestly after hearing it live @troxy if the the production was fixed this literally could be a top 3 cure album (better than bloodflowers - which i love more than the average cure fan but its album production is bettwer than SOALW which brings it above slightly). i hate to be the 'production ruins it a little' guy but i think bcos the songs are so damn good the production now had a very high bar to live up to bring these songs to life - I'm not sure yet - but may just chuck on the livestream of SOALW when i want to jam this album - and i guess that's not that bad of a thing? (e.g. deep purple made in japan, forget the swan live dinosaur jr, children of the sea live dio/sabbath, iron maiden live after death, catch the rainbow by rainbow live as are all songs that are so masterful live you can almost never hear studio versions again....)
This score is the second worst thing to happen in recent memory
What’s the first?
@ election results
I believe that Alone and Endsong are the two masterpieces. But I won't be listening to Warsong, Drone no drone, All I ever am, And nothing is forever, A fragile thing very often. Glad to see so many people loving this new album from start to finish though.
Sonically, there seems to be far too much compression and distortion going on and this makes the listening experience difficult.
It’s interesting how the cure, especially with this album simultaneously cause and cure depression at the same time.
Exactly. Cathartic. Fuckin' happy here.
Good review I would agree with a strong 7 ...apparently there are one or two more cure albums before the band call it a day in 2029 though if you watch the recent Robert Smith interview he says his plan is now to retire at 50 years of the cure and when he is 70 years old. Some new music is apparently almost ready but then I guess this album was almost ready in 2019 haha.
This album is so fucking good
Alone is a track that I liked when I first heard it, but the more I play it the more I’m growing to love it! Endsong is definitely my favourite though, it’s amazing!
Eu esperei até as 5 da manhã aqui no meu país pra esse album ser lançado, e não me arrependo nenhum pouco, amo The Cure absurdamente.
tá certo
it's okay Anthony I'm sure Robert smith wouldn't be upset that you gave him the wrong rating
If it was called To pimp a Lost World you'd give it 10.
EHHEEHHEHEHEHEHEHEE
This is an extremely fair review, though I rate the album a little higher… With, “Alone”, I get what you mean by feeling concerned when you heard it.. I definitely liked it, but it immediately made me worry about some production/mix choices, and I worried that the drumming/percussion would be lackluster (frankly, I think the band’s sound has missed Boris from the day he left 30ish years ago). I still don’t think it’s a bad track, it just had me a little worried, and I was put off by all the people I saw proclaiming it was a masterpiece, genius, a modern day “Closedown” (though I can’t blame RS/TC for that). I completely agree that “Warsong” and “Drone:Nodrone” are a really important point in the album, a much needed “pick me up”, however dark the lyrical content, and for sure agree the album’s second half is stronger.
As far as sounding dated, I think it gets by okay because of some of the production choices, where to me it *doesn’t* sound like an attempt to recapture Kiss Me or Disintegration.. It’s just for me, the sound leaves something to be desired. It’s missing a certain something, but the album gets by on the quality of the writing.
Score wise, it’s a strong 8 for me. Indeed this is *not* a top 5 Cure album, as good as I think it is. It’s definitely their best album since ‘Wish’, better than ‘Bloodflowers’ by a decent margin (though I’ve never fallen in love with that album anyway). I’ve seen some people say it’s actually better than ‘Wish’, their best since ‘Disintegration’, hands down, but I can’t push back strongly enough against that.. This is a great album, but just love it for what it is. It doesn’t need to be standing shoulder to shoulder with Disintegration and THOTD to be a great album.. ♾️
Even the worst cure album is still better than 99% of rock music out there.
Off topic but that's what I think about Muse as well 👌 perhaps better than an 70% though lol
What a day to review it by title alone. This was my fear. I just wasn’t turned and I have just love, loved this band for more decades than I’m comfortable computing.
Yep, unsubscribing was the best thing I could do and this was proof
Shocked as I loved all of it. It was magical. Especially alone and I can never say goodbye
A fragile thing was perfect melon
IMO the album's got production quality of an 80s cure record, their stuff has always been a lil rough and dinky. I'd rather it sound a little off in this way than if it sounded overproduced like some comeback albums sound. I think a 7 is fair
The final track on this record is phenomenal. What a great release, I wasn't expecting something of calibre from them at this point. What a pleasant surprise.
I may come off as biased because I am a very very big Cure fan, but I think this album is incredible. I disagree about the instrumental leaving more to be desired, in fact I feel that this album is a 10/10 sonically. The song I am least attached to is drone:no drone, but even that one is good.
The album is better than I could have asked for
Easy 10 for me, this is a masterpiece
The production is inch perfect and pisses over 99% of the other crap that's out there these days.
You give Brat a 10 and you give this a 7? I find it hard to take Melon seriously
So if brat reminds you of 2000 and 2010s music that's okay but if this sounds 80ish it's bad. Weird...
@valentnl bro since when did I bring years into this
@@Potato-yd3hv I did
this album had an XXXTENTACION sample in it (i can never say goodbye) so he had to give it a lower score than it deserved
Love the hoodie. One CD Sound systems were very affordable back in my days...
....
....
Now you cannot unsee it. (I'm sorry)
😂
Alone...anthem of the year!
Alone as the least favourite track is crazy
Did you listen to this on a fisher price cd player? Sonically on my system it was absolutely brilliant.
its definitely feeling like a lost world thats for sure
Yeah... I actually dig the production... having listened to it on a Dolby Atmos system, I can say that it sounds massive, even if slightly compressed at times... still, it's lush, pounding, wailing and gloomy... one of the albums of the year for me.
Mentioning „Friday …“ as an example of a hit that shows the importance of this band shows that this guy has not a clue of what the Cure‘s significance is about.
Ive missed them so much - it's wonderful to have them back after all these years
I give it an 8.5. Really great album for this stage of the band! Disintegration is best, next is Kiss me Kiss me Kiss me, Head on the Door, Faith, 17 seconds, Pornography and Boys Don't Cry are my top Tier, The Top had a few great songs but ultimately uneven. Bloodflowers I am not as familiar with but I'd probably put it just over The Top. This one I'd say may rise to after 17 seconds. I like it a lot. (Boys don't cry I realize is technically a compilation).
I love the song “cold”
From ‘82.
Could listen to it
10 times in a row.
Bloodflowers is amazing
@@DesolateSolitudethey played it live on the latest tour. Def a highlight of the set
The Top is such a fun record once you get into it! Birdmad Girl and Dressing Up are some of the most beautiful songs The Cure has ever put out imo
@ caterpillar and bananfishbones I quite like - I’ll have to revisit that record !
I also noticed that there wasn't much compression in the production. I thought that was intentional because maybe a lot of older artists dislike the overuse of it in today's music, and that I do understand. Some people prefer that rawer sound. I don't know. I liked it more than I thought I would but I generally feel about the same as you described. I have heard way worse comeback albums. My favorite Cure album will always be Seventeen Seconds. It is so underrated. Especially the song M. Most people don't even mention that one in their top 10 and I love that song for some reason. It's just so Macabre.