Disintegration- The Cure
Track List
Plainsong
Pictures of You
Closedown
Lovesong
Last Dance
Lullaby
Fascination Street
Prayers for Rain
The Same Deep Water as You
Disintegration
Homesick
Untitled
Notes on the music:
Full disclosure: I am not unfamiliar with The Cure. When I was in high school their greatest hits CD was released and I listened to it regularly for several years. I have revisited selections from it but my last listen of anything from this album with any intent was likely over a decade ago.
I’ve been listening and have found myself impressed with Smith’s writing specifically because of his delivery. One line that stuck out to me is in the song Last Dance “Expectant but too punctual but prettier than ever” with his near didactic delivery.
Notes on individual songs
I am assuming Smith is the narrator of each song. I did check and he is credited with all the lyrics on the album.
Plainsong
This song is so unbelievably odd to me. I want to dislike it because it’s mixed wrong. The percussion is muted, the bass is too up front, the vocals are lost in mud and are nearly unintelligible, the synths that should be setting the stage are instead throwing the stage at our ears screaming at us to listen. This is such a well done song. The lyrics recall memories of a loved one and the excitement that Smith has been with them. The song ends on an unresolved chord which I think symbolizes the longing for the loved one.
Pictures of You
This sounds like what I would consider a classic song by The Cure. The lyrics are overwhelmingly Smith’s writing style and the delivery and accompaniment remind me of what impressed me when I first heard their music years ago. The song is more upbeat than the intro song but has the same dreary dreamy scene. This song is very much of the same tone as the last with Smith crooning about his tangible and intangible memories he has of a former love. There is no anger rather just sad recollection, regret, slow acceptance that the relationship that was once had is no longer. He symbolizes his growth by ripping up the pictures. He still longs for the relationship but understands it’s no longer viable. The bridge is nice here, there is a chime that is played that gives a lift to the song and makes it sound somewhat more hopeful.
Closedown
This song starts with a highlight on percussion, a rhythmic interlude. Then the song echoes the last. The percussion really drives the song forward. Smith feels overwhelmed and lost, he feels pressure from the band’s success (complete guess here I think this is mid discog). But the accolades and the critiques build up pressure, as do the financial risks with potentially unreliable bandmates. The song ends on a very unresolved note.
Lovesong
The first song on the album I have a history with. The last time I heard this song was in a prelude to my divorce and my coming to terms with the fact that I have to grow on my own and that some folks whom I felt were reliable couldn’t be. I think this song is Smith's dedication and declaration of love for someone. It’s the first song on the song I would consider to have a happier tone.
Last Dance
Well the happy tone didn’t last long. We get dark synths, raw percussion. The lyrics seem to describe an unexpected reunion with someone you used to know and sharing past memories together. How looking back at past memories you often hide parts that distressed you at the time.
Lullaby
The lyrical delivery is much different than the album thus far. The lyrics spin the tale of an urban legend. The spiderman, in darkness, will come looking for victims. Searching for anyone who is afraid of it. It’s revealed that the narrator is going to be the next victim. We then get a pretty graphic description of the rape of the narrator.
Fascination Street
This sounds like it will be more of a pop or rock song. Overall I am a bit underwhelmed with this one.
Prayers for Rain
I like the use of the effect that echoes in reverse. Creates an eerie feel. The song details Smith’s battle with depression. And his longing for a rain to wash away the feelings of depression just wanting to feel anything else. The instrumental section after the lyrics is an amazing piece of music.
The Same Deep Water as you
The prayers for rain have been answered, we got a storm folks! Not trying to make a pun but this song sounds deep. They have foley playing of heavy rain and intermittent thunder, reverb on all the instruments set high and a chorus echo effect on Smith. I think this song is an answer to the last, but when it rains it pours, he overindulges in decadence maybe being representative of manic episodes or obsessions. The instrumental part is again quite an impressive groove.
Disintegration
It’s a song about a breakup. Smith’s almost rapping the lyrics, they are sprayed forth as if bursting from him in a fit. This song kinda seems inspired by The Wall and Pink Floyd in general.
Homesick
A country and western ballad based on the intro…Actually it’s more proggy than I had anticipated, I’ve thought that several times and now I have typed it finally. I feel like the band said “Robert look we want to jam a bit, we get it you are sad, we are sad that you are sad, and and all, and we love you. Full heart. But man, we want to play these instruments some too…”
Untitled
Finally an organ! The song is again recounting regrets and acknowledgement that they no longer matter. Appreciation of loss as it’s part of you and something you should feel. Pain from loss is cathartic and an expression of love. The song also alludes back to Pictures of you.
Wow that’s a pretty heavy listen. It’s very good but a bit monotone, which I did expect.
