Yo.

Is this? A blog post? I believe so, my friend.

It has been eons since I last posted any glorious content. And this is my first post as a senior! I am required to write a literary review of something once a month, but I hope to upload more regularly than that. Stay tuned! I am dying to inform you all of my quarantine.

The Art of Disintegration – Album Review for The Cure

Originally, I planned on reviewing a Michael Crichton book, but guess what? It is my first blog of the year! So I decided to review an entire album, dun dun dun.

If you are curious, I still listen to Tears for Fears. In fact, I am listening to their third album right now. By the way, I wrote a blog series about them my junior year, and the posts are still trending. What the heck? I honestly love it.

But newsflash: This may surprise you, but I listen to other music!

The Cure? Huh?

(note 1: This is so informal, I know, but if you are curious about the source of an incorporated image, drag the image to a tab or simply click it, if that works.)

(note 2: I am referencing Wikipedia).

The Cure is an English band that formed in 1978—characterized by various, changing members and one constant: Robert Smith. Wikipedia classifies their music as gothic rock, post-punk, alternative rock, and new wave. I believe that they have about thirteen studio albums, all released not too far apart. In 2019, they were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. And despite The Cure producing anything but plastic, overly manufactured pop, the band has found quite a bit of success.

Disintegration: The Album in Question

Released: May 2, 1989
Alternative rock, gothic rock, post-punk, new wave, dark wave, dream pop, ethereal wave
Eighth studio album
Charting at no. 3 in the UK and no. 12 in the US, Disintegration lives as the highest selling Cure album to date.
Included on Rolling Stone magazine’s list of the “500 Greatest Albums of All Time.”

Track One: “Plainsong”

Duration: 5:12

Initial Thoughts

What a proper intro! I have fallen in love with the soft bells interrupted by the truly extravagant, soaring synth sound (the synth is so awe-inspiring that I have tried learning the notes by ear on my own synthesizer). “Plainsong” is an ethereal, simply riveting opening to Disintegration, perfectly capturing the essence of the entire album and leaving listeners feeling quite grand.

Lyrics

Characteristic of the Cure, this piece is predominantly instrumental (by that, I mean that the lyrics are not the focus by any means; the effect of the overall sound is spotlighted, a variety of instruments creating an entire universe of so much feeling). However, also characteristic of the Cure, the lyrics are definitely something to appreciate.

“Plainsong”

I think it’s dark and it looks like it’s rain, you said
And the wind is blowing like it’s the end of the world, you said

And it’s so cold, it’s like the cold if you were dead
And you smiled for a second

I think I’m old and I’m feeling pain, you said
And it’s all running out like it’s the end of the world, you said

And it’s so cold, it’s like the cold if you were dead
And you smiled for a second

Sometimes you make me feel
Like I’m living at the edge of the world
Like I’m living at the edge of the world
It’s just the way I smile, you said

Robert Smith’s lyrics are often incredibly vague and even abstract, but he is notorious for writing songs with brilliant lyrics. In fact, I admire the poetry of his words and view him as a sort of inspiration. I love abstract poetry meant to convey only feelings drawn up by interpretations. To me, it makes the piece so much more profound and meaningful to the reader.

Although I can not confidently analyze any lyric from Robert Smith, I would love to offer my personal interpretation. (:

Listening to “Plainsong”, I have to realize that the lyrics perfectly match the sound. I love the place the music transports me: I am standing at a cliff’s edge under a sky filled with immense grey clouds. The wind is berating me, and all is grey and soggy and dark. But all is not necessarily dreary. This is a moment of feeling, of memory. This is a moment worth translating into the opening track of a superb album.

This piece fills me with a certain dread. It is about growing older and fearing you never leave an impact on the world. It is about a dreary landscape, both literal and metaphorical. It is about being on the verge of so much.

I love the flow of the lyrics and how it is a conversation. And the last stanza contains such a sincere sweetness. I love it. “Sometimes you make me feel like I’m living at the edge of the world,” and in response, “It’s just the way I smile, you said.” Despite never witnessing it, I feel this moment within me; it is bittersweet and so close to something vast and a bit terrifying—yet almost indescribable.

Overall

“Plainsong” is one of my favorite tracks on this album! It is definitely captivating, and it creates such an ethereal moment in reality.

Track Two: “Pictures of You”

Duration: 7:24

Initial Thoughts

Oh my goodness. “Pictures of You” is one of the most famous Cure songs of all time…and it is nearly ten minutes long! But listening to it, the song’s appeal is evident. “Pictures of You” is truly a masterpiece, a rich blend of various instruments and guitar texture. I can not describe how perfect Smith’s vocals mix with the sound, and the overall effect is quite heavenly. There is so much subtle variety to this piece, and the end leaves listeners feeling breathless. Experiencing “Pictures of You” in an upbeat mood, this will make you dance or bob your head while feeling an upwelling of positive feeling. But when experiencing this song in a nostalgic state of longing or even mourning, “Pictures of You” will tear you apart in the most delicate way.

Lyrics

Unlike “Plainsong”, this piece contains quite a bit of lyrics, and the words are definitely deserving of attention. I contemplated only including excerpts, but the decision-making of which lines tore my heart in two.

“Pictures of You”

I’ve been looking so long at these pictures of you
That I almost believe that they’re real
I’ve been living so long with my pictures of you
That I almost believe that the pictures
Are all I can feel

Remembering you standing quiet in the rain
As I ran to your heart to be near
And we kissed as the sky fell in
Holding you close
How I always held close in your fear
Remembering you running soft through the night
You were bigger and brighter and wider than snow
And screamed at the make-believe
Screamed at the sky
And you finally found all your courage
To let it all go

Remembering you fallen into my arms
Crying for the death of your heart
You were stone white
So delicate
Lost in the cold
You were always so lost in the dark
Remembering you how you used to be
Slow drowned
You were angels
So much more than everything
Hold for the last time then slip away quietly
Open my eyes
But I never see anything

If only I’d thought of the right words
I could have held on to your heart
If only I’d thought of the right words
I wouldn’t be breaking apart
All my pictures of you

Looking so long at these pictures of you
But I never hold on to your heart
Looking so long for the words to be true
But always just breaking apart
My pictures of you

There was nothing in the world
That I ever wanted more
Than to feel you deep in my heart
There was nothing in the world
That I ever wanted more
Than to never feel the breaking apart
All my pictures of you

If I could summarize the emotions of this song into one statement, it would be, “if only.” This piece is packed full of so much feeling. It is nostalgic, but the kind of nostalgia that proves quite visceral. You can understand the love the narrator has, but loss of some sort is also apparent.

Yes, “Pictures of You” feels like a piece written about loss. Is it death? Time? Space? However, we know that only “pictures” remain.

A few of my favorite lines:

“I’ve been living so long with my pictures of you that I almost believe that the pictures are all I can feel.”

“…And screamed at the make-believe—screamed at the sky—and you finally found all your courage to let it all go.”

“Open my eyes, but I never see anything.”

“There was nothing in the world that I ever wanted more than to feel you deep in my heart.”

All in all, I adore the lyrics in this. The meaning is more straightforward than other Cure songs, but it can be interpreted in so many different ways. Whether you spend the seven minutes dancing dramatically or sobbing freely, the lyrics remain unchanged. The effect is that powerful. And when Robert Smith sings the last stanza, this extraordinary feeling washes over you, a feeling nearly unknown. Smith’s voice is full of anguish, regret, and gratitude, breathing life into the stellar poetry that will live in your heart long after the song ends.

Overall

“Pictures of You” is truly a moving piece by the Cure, characterized by a vast blend of sound to sink into. It is reflection, reminiscence. It is loss and adoration. It is regret and gratitude. And it is all of the feelings of yesterday. I can not express my level of appreciation for this song…some days I skip past it because it is, well, popular and played constantly. But if you endure the seven minutes of reflection and overwhelming feeling, then you understand. It is an unbeatable Cure classic.

Track Three: “Closedown”

Duration: 4:16

Initial Thoughts

This song, to me, is reminiscent of “Plainsong”…but in an incredibly satisfying, necessary way. It is aware; it is afraid. Time is moving at an alarming rate, traveling at the speed of the heavily percussive intro. I love the drums being layered with the bass. And I love the random synth and guitar melodies. Such as with “Plainsong”, “Closedown” contains a limited amount of lyrics—Robert Smith’s vocals complimenting the instrumental details that subsist whole-heartedly in the spotlight. This piece is meditative, grand, and a balance between grating, heavy bass and light tones produced by synthesizers and rich guitar.

Lyrics

“Closedown”

I’m running out of time
I’m out of step and closing down
And never sleep for wanting hours
The empty hours of greed
And uselessly always the need to feel again
The real belief of something more than mockery
If only I could fill my heart with love

Despite their brief simplicity, I have respect for “Closedown”‘s lyrics. The words flow so naturally, and the pace conveys the urgency of Smith’s message. And so much is packed within this one stanza.

I interpret “Closedown” as nearing the end of something monumental. The seconds are flying by, and you are left comprehending how this impacts you. It is about growing older and slipping into routine, and it is about envy. I adore the line, “If only I can fill my heart with love,” and I can clearly feel the trance-like mix of fear and awe this piece carries. The lyrics are startlingly aware yet…stuck.

Overall

“Closedown” is definitely something to listen to while hastily meeting deadlines at the last second. And, on a more serious note, it is a song worth playing when you feel too old or beyond the present, a song for days spent in worry and longing as the end is felt before it is seen. Grounded by heavy bass and drums that echo in your heart, “Closedown” effortlessly communicates the dread and awe of the change that arrives with inevitably.

Track Four: “Lovesong”

Duration: 3:29

Initial Thoughts

Layer heaven! The soft, meditative lull of an organ-like sound carries guitar cracks and lilting melodies, a lovely bass beat, and upbeat drums. Robert Smith’s voice, full of adoration, elevates the incredible mix of sound to the next level. And random trills and variations to the hypnotic beat create a never-ending intrigue. The overall effect of every musical voice is utterly astounding. Another Cure classic, “Lovesong” refines the recipe of a traditional love song to something so savory and fresh, you lose yourself in a world of sincerity.

Lyrics

“Lovesong”

Whenever I’m alone with you
You make me feel like I am home again
Whenever I’m alone with you
You make me feel like I am whole again

Whenever I’m alone with you
You make me feel like I am young again
Whenever I’m alone with you
You make me feel like I am fun again

However far away
I will always love you
However long I stay
I will always love you
Whatever words I say
I will always love you
I will always love you

Fly me to the moon

Whenever I’m alone with you
You make me feel like I am free again
Whenever I’m alone with you
You make me feel like I am clean again

However far away
I will always love you
However long I stay
I will always love you
Whatever words I say
I will always love you
I will always love you

“Lovesong” is outrageously perfect in its simplicity. There is no need for extravagant moments of jaw-dropping, literary prowess, as every little moment speaks for itself.

Robert Smith effectively uses repetition to allow the sound to carry his words and amplify his message. The lyrics are not a separate body; every voice in “Lovesong” combines to communicate the song’s overall intention. I have no choice but to admire this trusting creative process that, in turn, influences the piece in the most perfect way.

A Few of My Favorite Lines

“Whenever I’m alone with you, you make me feel like I am home again.”
- There is something so impactful about “home.”
“Whenever I’m alone with you, you make me feel like I am whole again.”
“Whenever I’m alone with you, you make me feel like I am young again.”
- This contrasts one significant element of “Plainsong” and “Closedown”! The muse of Smith’s writing, his wife, challenges his ceaseless worrying of time.
“Fly me to the moon.”
- This is spontaneous yet so organic and real.

I love Smith’s voice throughout every moment of this piece! “However far away…,” finds its way into the spotlight, and the song benefits from its repetitive, rich effect. The Cure is not a stranger to love songs—two examples of other pieces being “Halo” and “This Twilight Garden”—but “Lovesong” exists as an incredibly bare yet impressive piece that boasts nothing but sincerity.

“Lovesong” lifts listeners in preparation for what lies on the horizon of Disintegration—a bit of respite in the darkness of time and space.

Overall

Not a fan of love songs? Give this one a try. It is not delusional or for show, and it is characterized by a medley of unique tones and voices. Honestly, despite “Lovesong”‘s popularity, it is quite hypnotic. I have attempted to translate it into purely synth music, and let me tell you…playing the ba dum duh duh duh duh duuuh duuh on keyboard is so satisfying it should be unattainable.

Track Five: “Last Dance”

Duration: 4:42

Initial Thoughts

This piece sticks out to me—an unusual contrast to the swirl of similar feelings before. “Last Dance” is somber, yes, but in a way that is polished and contained; no bleeding emotions saturate the sound. This song is a step away from the contemplation of before, and the tone of the album begins to darken. Although “Last Dance” feels miles away from “Lovesong”, it still focuses on time and some associated negative feelings.

Lyrics

(note: For the sake of brevity, some lines have been omitted; they are marked with ellipses.)

“Last Dance”

I’m so glad you came
I’m so glad you remembered
To see how we’re ending our last dance together
Expectant too punctual but
Prettier than ever
I really believed that this time it’s forever

But older than me now more constant more real…

…I’m so glad you came
I’m so glad you remembered
The walking through walls in the heart of December
The blindness of happiness
Of falling down laughing
And I really believed that this time was forever

But Christmas falls late now flatter and colder
And never as bright as when we used to fall
All this in an instant before I can kiss you
A woman now standing were once there was only a girl…

…Reluctantly cautiously but
Prettier than ever I really believed
That this time it’s forever

But Christmas falls late now, flatter and colder
And never as bright as when we used to fall

And even if we drink I don’t think we would kiss
In the way that we did when the woman was only a girl

“Last Dance” is a separation from the adoring simplicity of “Lovesong”; it is more austere, and that is conveyed by eloquent wording and an overall succinct sound.

A hint of either sarcasm or absurd wonder can be detected, as Smith sings, “I’m so glad…to see how we’re ending our last dance together.” By examining the lyrics and Smith’s use of, “a woman now standing where once there was only a girl”, I can infer that the subject of the song, perhaps, was once an old muse, and a great deal of time has passed since the narrator last encountered her.

Throughout the piece, Robert Smith is processing the events unfolding before him while reflecting on the path. The month of December holds significance, and Smith realizes that the current Decembers are not quite like before.

In general, I found the lyrics fairly intriguing—especially their tone. One of my favorite lines is, “the blindness of happiness.”

Overall

I appreciate the sound of “Last Dance”; it fits the mood of the lyrics and adds a greater effect to Smith’s vocals. I love the crying electric guitar and the melodic foundational beats of drums, bass, and synth. Although “Last Dance” is not among my all-time favorite Cure songs, I respect the details which make this piece extraordinary: the blend of intense rhythms that combine into one flowing, unstoppable river, Robert’s versatility in songwriting, and the way Smith emphasizes the pronunciation of each word—this adds to the austerity! Love.

End of Part One

As my blog has surpassed three thousand words, I will need at least a part two. My apologies! Stay tuned for the remaining seven songs! Peace. (:

Author: Callie Matthews

"I have hated the words and I have loved them, and I hope I have made them right." - The Book Thief View all posts by Callie Matthews