Author: Sofi Gonstead
When I was a kid, my parents reveled in their creation of mixtapes for my brother and I. These CD mixtapes, “Kidz Mix”, as my mother would scribe upon their shiny surfaces, defined the experience of just about every car ride I had up until the age of 8. That being said, the tracks my parents chose to burn onto these discs proved to be very influential to my music taste, as they were essentially my introduction to music as a whole. Through this upbringing I was introduced to many artists that became staples of my childhood and of my life thus far– artists that will always be significant to me, and artists that everyone should have in their music library.
With that said, allow me to introduce my new column: The Beginner’s Guide. In this article and many hereafter, I’ll be taking the famous artists that defined my childhood and creating a listening guide, just for you! It can sometimes be overwhelming to dive into a “classic” artist due to the endless discographies and heavily opinionated fanbases. Therefore, I’m here to give you only what you need to know. I’m here to show you where to start.
When I think back to Kidz Mix, one very particular song comes to mind. It starts off with a tight drum track, clapping, and…is that someone breathing? Ah, yes, that’s just “Close to Me” by The Cure!
So…The Cure. You heard of ‘em? Probably not, they’re pretty underground…
Known for those distinctive, provocative, and sometimes whiny vocals, leadman Robert Smith co-founded The Cure in 1978 in Sussex, England. Although the band members have varied over the years, Smith’s presence has (luckily) remained constant. With over 13 albums, from their 1979 debut, Three Imaginary Boys, to their most recent 2008 LP, 4:13 Dream, there is plenty of gloomy, synthy pop to go around. With immense difficulty, I have managed to narrow this miraculous discography into a small selection of tracks that I recommend for anyone who isn’t properly acquainted with this wonderful band. In other words, here is your beginners guide to The Cure.
3 hits: It’s a need-to-know basis, and you need to know!
“Just like Heaven” – Kiss Me Kiss Me Kiss Me (1987) A classic among classics, “Just like Heaven” is that love song that makes you want to stick your head out of the sunroof of a moving car (in a good way!)
“In Between Days” – The Head on the Door (1985) Although not an uncommon trait of many Cure songs, “In Between Days” really makes you want to dance. I recommend throwing this track on while you cook, while you’re in the shower (if you’re into that), or anytime you’re feeling like the main character.
“Boys Don’t Cry” – Three Imaginary Boys (1979) This track is an absolute classic from The Cure’s debut album. I suggest listening to this song with your eyes closed as you imagine you’re living your best teenage life in the 1980s…or something. I definitely do NOT do this all the time…just a suggestion…nevermind.
3 underrated: You’re no longer an acquaintance.
“A Forest” – Seventeen Seconds (1980) By no means is “A Forest” an underrated song. With over 50 million streams on Spotify, the people know what’s up! I wouldn’t necessarily consider this one of the greatest hits, though, so I felt the need to include it here as it is easily one of my favorite songs by the band.
“Cold” – Pornography (1982) From one of The Cure’s darker sounding albums, and one of my personal favorites, “Cold” is beautifully dark and droning, with lyrics that make you go: You good?
“Close to Me – Closer Mix” – Mixed Up (1990) Uh oh! Wildcard! I’m including a remix. “Close to Me – Closer Mix” from the remix album Mixed Up is a seriously groovy version of a greatest hit. This song reminds me of my dad, a connoisseur of all things groovy. Hi dad!
If you can only listen to one album…
Make it Three Imaginary Boys. When The Cure released this as their first LP back in 1979, they set a very high bar for themselves. The 33-track deluxe edition of this album is available to stream everywhere, offering endless lively and upbeat tracks that the band quickly became known for. If you’re going to listen to this album, make sure not to miss “Jumping Someone Else’s Train”, “Fire in Cairo”, and of course, “Boys Don’t Cry”.
Oh, the pain that I feel knowing that there are so many more songs and albums I didn’t even have the space to address in these brief 800 words! If you’re a new listener to The Cure, I hope that this guidance may send you in the direction of true fandom. And if you’re a far more experienced listener than I, I hope that this finds you well and fills you with the blissful nostalgia to help you keep on keeping on during these slow and stressful times.
Sofi Gonstead｜Boys do cry, and that’s ok!｜KXSU Music Reporter