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Product Description
Amazon.co.uk Review
No one ever managed to nail aimless suburban alienation quite like The Cure, so sensitive yet so party-hearty, and 4:13 Dream, their thirteenth studio album and first in four years, lands in a musical landscape presently infested with their descendents. Yet Robert Smith and his old blokes can still show the young shavers how it’s done even as they enter their fourth decade as a working band. The wistful yet ominous opener "Underneath the Stars" keeps seeming to slip towards Pink Floyd’s "Wish You Were Here", making for a perfect exemplar of the Cure’s highly nuanced yet undeniably commercial English art-rock. "The Only One" manages to rework their own classic "Just Like Heaven", twenty years old and still soundtracking sports highlights, while "Switch" is febrile scratchy funk, which should be unconvincing yet sounds peculiarly contemporary right now. The woozy "Sirensong" simply refuses to settle into predictablility and even the lumbering and gloomy "The Real Snow White", owing plenty to Joy Division’s back catalogue, sounds ready for arenas rather than confined spaces. Enjoyable throughout and often effortlessly commercial, 4:13 Dream should depress many young people, especially those musicians who realise just how far they have to catch up. --Steve Jelbert
Product Description
THE CURE 4:13 Dream (2008 Taiwanese issue 13-track CD album featuring a collection of songs about relationships the material world politics and religion which includes the singles The Only One Freakshow Sleep When Im Dead and The Perfect Boy sealed picture sleeve with obi-strip)
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
10 of 10 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
I approached the new Cure album with a few worries. Why was it getting such negative press? What's wrong with it? Still, I bought it and I'm not dissapointed. This is exactly what it says it is on the cover. A Cure album!! What was everyone expecting after 30 years? A compilation of well thought out Chris De Burgh covers produced by Mark Ronson and Rick Rubin?
Please Cure fans, make up your own mind on this. Yes, you can hear some trademark Cure moments as you listen but by no means is this a rehash or repeat of old material. It's not the best album they've ever done but by no means is it the worst. Enjoy.
Please Cure fans, make up your own mind on this. Yes, you can hear some trademark Cure moments as you listen but by no means is this a rehash or repeat of old material. It's not the best album they've ever done but by no means is it the worst. Enjoy.
19 of 20 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Well, I tried to stay away from the Internet until the album official release, but the curiosity got the better out of me... The only excuse is that I'm going to buy the CD anyway (all 4 singles & Hypnagogic States EP are already on my book shelf, thanks to Amazon.co.uk and German S&M) =)
What can I say? "4:13 Dream" gets better with every listen. Interesting, sometimes heart-wrenching lyrics, the music you can't get out of your head... Awesome guitar and bass parts, all kinds of sounds that make you wonder, experimental, unusual vocals (You can argue with Robert's choices on that matter as long as you want to - it wouldn't change the fact that he really thought over all the nuances...). What else can you wish for?
But I have to warn you - "4:13 Dream" is not as "accessible" as some people might think. It seems to be pretty upbeat - mostly, but the lyrics are not (with some exception, of course), Robert managed to wrap a serious, sad, honest words (he sounds like it all is heartfelt) into bright, feathery melody (The Reasons Why, The Hungry Ghost). This kind of album will not be the love at first sight - it makes you listen attentively and think hard, only then you will really HEAR it.
When I saw the track-list for the first time, I was worried it wouldn't work, making "4:13 dream" a compilation of the new material instead of a proper album. I was wrong. The track-list is just the way it should be, all the singles fitted perfectly. The record might not be smooth... still it is cohesive, not as monolithic as Bloodflowers, but very solid nevertheless. The shortest 52+ minutes of my life. And after the album ends, you want to play it again. Immediately.
I was surprised that some people who hated "the Cure 2004" liked this record, because it's like a balance between Wild Mood Swings complicated landscapes and rawness of the self-titled. The traces of Wish and HOTD are evident here, too. Still it sounds fresh.
Favourite tracks: UTS (of course! It's mind-blowing and ethereal...), The Reasons Why (Rome live version was softer but I got over it quickly enough - those who refused to listen to 4:13 Dream live before studio release were right - don't let the concert to ruin your experience, this piece is really brilliant), Sirensong (the most romantic 2 minutes 22 seconds on this record), The Hungry Ghost (I love the chorus and don't understand what the negative fuss is all about), Switch ("And I'm tired of being alone with myself/ And I'm tired of being with anyone else" - one of the best lyrics ever), This-Here-And-Now-With-You (The Rome show doesn't do any justice to this wonderful song, believe me!), Sleep When I'm Dead (clearer and dreamier than mix 13), Scream (Lost + Forever = masterpiece).
Or should I say "most favourite"? No filler for me here. Skip button goes to Hell...!
Classic? Experimental? One step forward? Back to roots? I don't know but I absolutely love it...
What can I say? "4:13 Dream" gets better with every listen. Interesting, sometimes heart-wrenching lyrics, the music you can't get out of your head... Awesome guitar and bass parts, all kinds of sounds that make you wonder, experimental, unusual vocals (You can argue with Robert's choices on that matter as long as you want to - it wouldn't change the fact that he really thought over all the nuances...). What else can you wish for?
But I have to warn you - "4:13 Dream" is not as "accessible" as some people might think. It seems to be pretty upbeat - mostly, but the lyrics are not (with some exception, of course), Robert managed to wrap a serious, sad, honest words (he sounds like it all is heartfelt) into bright, feathery melody (The Reasons Why, The Hungry Ghost). This kind of album will not be the love at first sight - it makes you listen attentively and think hard, only then you will really HEAR it.
When I saw the track-list for the first time, I was worried it wouldn't work, making "4:13 dream" a compilation of the new material instead of a proper album. I was wrong. The track-list is just the way it should be, all the singles fitted perfectly. The record might not be smooth... still it is cohesive, not as monolithic as Bloodflowers, but very solid nevertheless. The shortest 52+ minutes of my life. And after the album ends, you want to play it again. Immediately.
I was surprised that some people who hated "the Cure 2004" liked this record, because it's like a balance between Wild Mood Swings complicated landscapes and rawness of the self-titled. The traces of Wish and HOTD are evident here, too. Still it sounds fresh.
Favourite tracks: UTS (of course! It's mind-blowing and ethereal...), The Reasons Why (Rome live version was softer but I got over it quickly enough - those who refused to listen to 4:13 Dream live before studio release were right - don't let the concert to ruin your experience, this piece is really brilliant), Sirensong (the most romantic 2 minutes 22 seconds on this record), The Hungry Ghost (I love the chorus and don't understand what the negative fuss is all about), Switch ("And I'm tired of being alone with myself/ And I'm tired of being with anyone else" - one of the best lyrics ever), This-Here-And-Now-With-You (The Rome show doesn't do any justice to this wonderful song, believe me!), Sleep When I'm Dead (clearer and dreamier than mix 13), Scream (Lost + Forever = masterpiece).
Or should I say "most favourite"? No filler for me here. Skip button goes to Hell...!
Classic? Experimental? One step forward? Back to roots? I don't know but I absolutely love it...
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
If you happen to be a fan of either the poppier or more guitar-driven side of The Cure (as typified by The Head On The Door & Wish respectively), then you will find plenty on 4:13 Dream to enjoy. The four singles that preceded this release (The Only One, Freakshow, Sleep When I'm Dead & The Perfect Boy) should give you a good idea of what to expect from a pop perspective. Throw in a few rockier moments (such as Switch, The Scream & It's Over) & you have a well balanced mix of melodic, catchy tunes side by side with scratchy, distorted riffs.
If on the other hand you prefer the darker, broodier material (such as is prevalent on Pornography, Disintegration & Bloodflowers) then there will be less here to get excited about, with the exception of perhaps Underneath The Stars, the fabulous soundscape which opens proceedings. However, Robert has hinted at the possibility of releasing a companion album that contains the darker takes from these sessions before his 50th birthday (April 2009). So you may consider hanging on for that...
Personally, I have enjoyed every aspect of the band's output from Three Imaginary Boys through to The Cure & everything in between, & it's this sheer breadth & variety that keeps me coming back again & again (& again etc). I cannot honestly think of another band that has provided such a consistent level of high quality music for over 30 years whilst still remaining both relevant & inspirational in today's environment.
If on the other hand you prefer the darker, broodier material (such as is prevalent on Pornography, Disintegration & Bloodflowers) then there will be less here to get excited about, with the exception of perhaps Underneath The Stars, the fabulous soundscape which opens proceedings. However, Robert has hinted at the possibility of releasing a companion album that contains the darker takes from these sessions before his 50th birthday (April 2009). So you may consider hanging on for that...
Personally, I have enjoyed every aspect of the band's output from Three Imaginary Boys through to The Cure & everything in between, & it's this sheer breadth & variety that keeps me coming back again & again (& again etc). I cannot honestly think of another band that has provided such a consistent level of high quality music for over 30 years whilst still remaining both relevant & inspirational in today's environment.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Possibly the poorest Cure album...
I love The Cure with a passion, have done for over 15 years. I've travelled the world to see them live and spent hundreds upon thousands on their music. Read more
Published 12 months ago by Thomas A. Johnson
Deserves repeated listens!
I'm in complete agreement with the reviewer who commented that this album deserves a few listens before passing judgement. Read more
Published 19 months ago by helga_360
Good tunes, horrible audio quality
When Porl Thompson rejoined the Cure a few years ago, he rejuvenated the band by bringing a sense of new energy and enthusiasm to the live shows. Read more
Published 21 months ago by Garry Foster
A very indifferent 53 minute album of okay material
It's an okay album, and they've recorded a lot worse in my opinion, but it's certainly not a massive triumph. I don't think it contains any new Cure classics. Read more
Published 23 months ago by BS on parade
Exactly that, a dream.
I love this album.
How anyone can sustain creative ability for 30+ years in this industry where names change quicker than your socks amazes me. Read more
How anyone can sustain creative ability for 30+ years in this industry where names change quicker than your socks amazes me. Read more
Published on 11 Jan 2010 by Aaron J. Law
Cure by the numbers... yawn.
How does a band parody itself? This is how.
STOP MAKING RECORDS! Robert Smith can't be this skint. Read more
STOP MAKING RECORDS! Robert Smith can't be this skint. Read more
Published on 21 Nov 2009 by Benito
So long,Bob...
Terrible!The worst Cure album ever.Not even commercial.Even "Wild Moon Swings" was better.After the 2004's self-titled album (a masterpiece),I hoped that the "real" Cure,even if... Read more
Published on 5 Oct 2009 by D. Bithas
Opppps!
"Money for old rope" is a much less commonly used phrase than it used to be, but with the release of this album the Cure might single-handedly bring those very words flooding back... Read more
Published on 2 Sep 2009 by Taychelle
Give it a chance
As an ardent Cure fan I wasn't going to give up easily with this one. Initially I was not very impressed, but I kept playing it in my car every day during my commutes. Read more
Published on 24 Mar 2009 by MIG
A Cure Album for Cure fans
If you accept that the best Cure album ever was Disintegration then you will find this a superb work of art after a few listens, what you will miss are the sweeping keyboards. Read more
Published on 1 Mar 2009 by D. J. Smith
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