I have been a Cure fan since the 80's. Their newer work (post-Disintegration) is not my favorite, though Blood Flowers had some gems. My favorite Cure album is Pornography which is probably also a tell. But I was a goth in high school. I believe the newer term is emo. But that was more than 30 years ago
I think Wish is hugely underrated and really holds up 30 years later. Of course being the album that comes after Disintegration, it would be hard not be a letdown, but, for me, it has the songs. Wild Mood Swings on the other hand, I never could get into and I gave it another shot a couple years ago and my opinion did not change.
It's a tough record to love (or even like)! If nothing else, it gave the "I only like the early stuff" and "Kiss Me" era factions of fans some common ground. Both seem to detest it.
My first years in College were my Cure years. I absolutely hated Wild Mood Swings when I first heard it but then a few years down the line I warmed up to it quite a bit! Once you get past the veneer of 'this isn't the Cure I know' and realize it's a band taking a risk and having fun, it becomes much more of a delight.
I was "stuck" in that veneer for quite awhile. I think the best (and maybe only?) way to look at this record is how you've framed it; a band taking a risk, having some fun, and ending up far from what they're normally known for.
I have been a Cure fan since the 80's. Their newer work (post-Disintegration) is not my favorite, though Blood Flowers had some gems. My favorite Cure album is Pornography which is probably also a tell. But I was a goth in high school. I believe the newer term is emo. But that was more than 30 years ago
Pornography is a great record! One of the first CDs I ever bought was Kiss me Kiss Me Kiss me, which I suppose is also a tell.
I think Wish is hugely underrated and really holds up 30 years later. Of course being the album that comes after Disintegration, it would be hard not be a letdown, but, for me, it has the songs. Wild Mood Swings on the other hand, I never could get into and I gave it another shot a couple years ago and my opinion did not change.
It's a tough record to love (or even like)! If nothing else, it gave the "I only like the early stuff" and "Kiss Me" era factions of fans some common ground. Both seem to detest it.
My first years in College were my Cure years. I absolutely hated Wild Mood Swings when I first heard it but then a few years down the line I warmed up to it quite a bit! Once you get past the veneer of 'this isn't the Cure I know' and realize it's a band taking a risk and having fun, it becomes much more of a delight.
I was "stuck" in that veneer for quite awhile. I think the best (and maybe only?) way to look at this record is how you've framed it; a band taking a risk, having some fun, and ending up far from what they're normally known for.