***1/2 (out of five)
Ten years ago, when bands like Poison, Ratt and Winger begangoing on reunion tours, people were announcing the return of the'80s. While that may have been true for the hair-metal genre, 2004seems to be marking the return of British mope-rock, with newreleases by former Smiths singer Morrissey and the Cure.
The latter, led by singer/guitarist Robert Smith, won a Grammyfor their last studio effort (2000's Grammy-winning"Bloodflowers"), and have yet again created a dark, sometimesvaguely atonal masterpiece in their new self-titled album, releasedon Geffen. The record was produced by Ross Robinson, best known forhis work with metal acts like Korn and Slipknot.
Smith's singing style, which sounds like he's sobbing andsuppressing a yawn simultaneously, hasn't changed a bit since the'80s.�Though the vocals aren't always on-key, the melodiesalways feel natural, as if Smith's singing to another song (orband)entirely...but one that fits perfectly with his part.
Stylistically, the record rarely attempts the hummable popperfection of '80s hits like "Boys Don't Cry" and "Just LikeHeaven." In fact, the first two songs on the album eschewtraditional verse/chorus format entirely, relying instead on arepeating theme that intensifies throughout the song.
Songs like "Taking Off" are more traditional in structure,offering a pop-rock sound that, while catchy, contain a noticeableuneasiness. This thread of instability may be the band's hallmark,a sense that permeates even their most listener-friendly work.
Robinson's background in producing modern hard rock bands makesitself apparent on the guitar-heavy "Us or Them," which rumbleslike a Led Zeppelin outtake.
The Cure may have risen to prominence as the poster children ofanguished, goth-styled insecurity, but their influence can be heardon a wide range of modern bands, from the majestic melancholia ofInterpol (with whom the Cure are touring this summer) to thetextural skate-metal of Deftones. Their latest release onlystrengthens the notion that these bummed Brits still have plenty tosay.
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