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23 of 24 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A "must read" for any Cure-head, 22 Aug 2002
Although I am old enough to have bought The Cure's first album on its original release, I completely lost track of the band and their music throughout the 80s and early 90s. The chance discovery of the "Friday I'm in Love" CD single in a secondhand shop led, in a matter of months, to my conversion to the ranks of die-hard Cure fans. And yet, despite having a pretty much complete collection of their music, I still didn't really know much about the band and their history......'til I read this. Although it is very brief (a mere 38 pages, easily digested in a single sitting), "Catch" is an excellent read, very informative about what was going on with the band over the years. More relevantly perhaps, there is plenty about what was going on in Robert Smith's head (and in his bloodstream). Patton writes succinctly but covers a lot of ground, particularly in relation to the early years and the band's recording history up to the release of "Head on the Door". I don't want to give too much away, but anybody who holds to the "quirky, humorous band" image of Smith & Co. is in for a rude awakening as Patton charts the events of the early 80s. In light of those events, I would have liked to know how Simon Gallup and Smith were reconciled - Patton talks about their coming to blows and not seeing each other for 18 months but doesn't explain how the feud was resolved. Patton is evidently an admirer of The Cure's music, Smith's talent and ideals, but the book is far from being hagiography. He has plenty of good to say about Smith, but also explores the darker aspects of his character, albeit rather tactfully. There is a nice touch of understatement in the style - "'Pornography' isn't an easy record to listen to" made me smile - and some insightful analysis of song lyrics and themes in Smith's work. In all, then, a great little book that has helped me to a better understanding of the music, Smith and some of the "list as long as your arm" of band members. I dare say that only Cure fans will be interested but then, speaking as one of those fans, if you aren't into The Cure that's your loss! One last thing - if somebody who knows could help me out, I'd love to know what a "flange chord" is...
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by Richard Carman
by Dave Thompson
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