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Product Description
Amazon.co.uk Review
Big and moody, Staring at the Sea compiles some hits and near-misses of these excavators of the dark soul. Beginning with their earliest hits--the sparse "Killing an Arab", the aptly tedious "10:15 Saturday Night" and the charming "Boys Don't Cry"--this collection stops before the comparative giddiness of Kiss Me, Kiss Me, Kiss Me. Musicians first, brooding art types second, The Cure's unique instrumentation doesn't get the credit it rightfully deserves. The thrashy, trash-can break in "Jumping Someone Else's Train", the sprightly synthesized recorder of "Close to Me" and the techno-pop disco lines in "Let's Go to Bed" and "The Walk" are downright brilliant in their effectiveness and simplicity. --Steve Gdula
Product Description
Essential 17-track compilation of early hits from 1979 to 1985! Includes the rarely-aired "Killing An Arab".
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
11 of 11 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
"Staring at the Sea" is a collection of singles from the band's albums from "Three Imaginary Boys" (released in America as "Boys Don't Cry," with a few variations) in 1979 up through "Head on the Door" in 1985. This album provides a fine panorama of the Cure's progression from a power (punk) trio (Killing an Arab, Boys Don't Cry), through the heavily synthesized sounds of Faith (Other Voices), the gothic, drum machine of Pornography (The Hanging Garden), to the Cure's most complex (and commercially successful) arrangements in Head on the Door (Inbetween Days, Close to Me). New fans will instantly fall in love with Boys Don't Cry, Love Cats, Caterpillar, Inbetween Days and Close to Me. "Killing an Arab" was the band's first single, and despite its name, is merely an adaptation of Albert Camus' "The Stranger," not a reflection of any racial animosity. "Charlotte Sometimes" is a gem on this album. It was never released on a full-length album, yet it is a favorite of many Cure fans; the studio version is a bit sluggish, though, and fans will find that songs like "Let's Go to Bed," "The Walk," and "Charlotte" (though cleverly appealing as mid-80s antiquities) are literally transformed by the performances of these songs in the live CDs "Show" and "Paris." This compilation is outstanding, though. New fans are encouraged to check out "Galore," which is a collection of more recent singles that most people are more familiar with, but when you are ready to fall in love with the Cure, and you will, this album should immediately become part of your CD collection.
12 of 13 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
I'm an admirer of the Cure rather than a fully paid up fan, and don't own any Cure albums other than this, but among the 17 songs here are 5 bona fide masterpieces.
I hadn't heard "Killing an arab" for 20 years, and for me it's the absolute best Cure song ever - the arabian-style guitar, the brilliant guitar work, the atmosphere, the desolate lyrics. "10:15 saturday night" is another work in the same mould - wonderfully atmospheric, brilliant guitar breaks.
"A forest" must be the definitive Cure song - hypnotic bass, guitar and vocals and swooshy sound effects over a drum machine - a bit Doctor Who-ish in a way, and totally - well, yes - brilliant. Then there's "The love cats" - a song which is virtually impossible to sit still to. Double bass and piano - your grandma would love it too. Finally there's "Close to me", a song that's sounds as if it's been put together in the kitchen with string and sellotape, which is what gives it it's charm.
There's a lot of other songs on this album, but for me it's those 5 that make this compilation a must have.
5 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
I'll admit, I'm not a committed Cure fan, but BLIMEY did they write some great songs! A lot of their album stuff, for which I just never had the patience and perseverance, is thankfully given another chance on this value-for-money compilation. How could anyone resist Love Cats, Let's Go To Bed or Inbetween Days? I've always loved Smith for his unnerving juxtaposition of the upbeat melody, the suicidal lyric and the frankly comedic video, mixed in various proportions according to the individual track recipe. Crazy, loveable, sexy and highly individual - I hate to break it to you but there'll never be another Cure. If you need proof it's Staring At The Sea.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
you need nothing else
All I can say is if you want a taster of the early Cure just get this compilation no more no less. Of all the Cure albums I possess (and I have 12) this is one that has been... Read more
Published 1 month ago by K. B. Jackson
:-)
from 78 to 85.... great moments in this compilation! Not a best of this period but the more commercial songs... but are all beautiful singles!
Published 2 months ago by Barnabas
Curiosity
A better CD than the best of as it has all the singles. I hadn't heard some for many years but still as fresh etc as when they were firt released. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Billy The Kid
Unconventional yet melodic: A brilliant early years compilation
Staring At The Sea was the first Best Of ever released by The Cure and is a perfect compilation if the early years of this unique, highly talented band. Read more
Published 9 months ago by Greg Farefield-Rose
The classic Cure
As i am of the early cure era i have always liked the unique style of the band and this cd captures all their music marvels as far as i am concerned. Read more
Published 12 months ago by j a unwin
The Singles - The Cure
All the Cure's hits from their early days to more present.
Like many people of my age have started buying CD's of records I have already got on vinyl. Read more
Like many people of my age have started buying CD's of records I have already got on vinyl. Read more
Published 12 months ago by gazza
staring at the sea
the actual cd is brill just as i remember but the service by elite digital was poor - it took 6 weeks for it to be delivered as apparently it had been lost in the post and i had to... Read more
Published on 20 May 2009 by Mrs. N. M. Toon
A good introduction to The Cure....
Staring at the Sea - The Singles
I bought this album in 1986 on cassette, and still play it occasionally today. Read more
I bought this album in 1986 on cassette, and still play it occasionally today. Read more
Published on 2 Sep 2008 by P. Philips
A fantastic introduction to The Cure...
...but I do wonder why they insist on making a cd like this, with mostly singles from albums and then one or two non-album releases that you can't find anywhere else. Read more
Published on 12 April 2008 by Dakota
Most played album In Antarctica
With the exception of 'the walk' which we skipped whenever we could, this was the album that kept the Captain and I awake while steering through Icebergs at night. Read more
Published on 15 Oct 2007 by Darren Collis
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