aaamusic | On 30, May 2010

Disintegration. Even the title of the album is epic and still powerful after 21 odd years.

Probably the peak of The Cure career, definitely the most remarkable work by Robert Smith. An album that is still capable to move people’s heart and fascinate youngster who come across this masterpiece.

21 years on, The Cure release a deluxe edition which comprises of the remastered album, rarities from 1988-89 and entreat plus.

This is something fans are going to love and treasure, especially the rarities and entreat plus of it, which introduce us to the making of the album.

The remastered version of the album is amazing (although I still play it on my vinyl player); the sound really emphasized each and every note, enhancing the complexity and purity of the sound, making Smiths voice sound even more beautiful.

The two extra CDs are incredibly interesting, especially if you are an old fan of the band who used to play the album with friends, trying to recreate the sound. The 30 something extra tracks, spacing from demos to rehearsals, instrumental and guide vocals versions are impressive. It really shows the hard work behind a perfect piece of art.

This said, I guess if you are not a huge fan or a music geek you’ll find it less interesting and a bit pointless. Perhaps you would rather have had a DVD to go with it. Well, I actually think it was a brilliant idea to include out takes rather than the usual live footage – we have plenty of sources to find live footages of the band. This is, instead, much more of a treat.

Go and get your hands on this – you’ll never regret it.

Track list:
CD1
Plainsong
Pictures Of You
Closedown
Lovesong
Last Dance
Lullaby
Fascination Street
Prayers For Rain
The Same Deep Water As You
Disintegration
Homesick
Untitled

CD2: Rarities (1988-1989)
Prayers For Rain – RS Home Demo (Instrumental)
Pictures Of You – RS Home Demo (Instrumental)
Fascination Street – RS Home Demo (Instrumental)
Homesick – Band Rehearsal (Instrumental)
Fear Of Ghosts – Band Rehearsal (Instrumental)
Noheart – Band Rehearsal (Instrumental)
Esten – Band Demo (Instrumental)
Closedown – Band Demo (Instrumental)
Lovesong – Band Demo (Instrumental)
2 Late (alternate version) – Band Demo (Instrumental)
The Same Deep Water As You – Band Demo (Instrumental)
Disintegration – Band Demo (Instrumental)
Untitled (alternate version) – Studio Rough (Instrumental)
Babble (alternate version) – Studio Rough (Instrumental)
Plainsong – Studio Rough (Guide Vocal)
Last Dance – Studio Rough (Guide Vocal)
Lullaby – Studio Rough (Guide Vocal)
Out Of Mind – Studio Rough (Guide Vocal)
Delirious Night – Rough Mix (Vocal)
Pirate Ships – RS Solo, Rough Mix (Vocal)

CD3: entreat plus
Plainsong
Pictures Of You
Closedown
Lovesong
Last Dance
Lullaby
Fascination Street
Prayers For Rain
The Same Deep Water As You
Disintegration
Homesick
Untitled