Standing on a Beach - The Singles - 1986 (Cure, The in general)

Member Name: indiecater

Product:	Cure, The in general
Date:	11/12/00 (120 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: The Cure's early career on one album.

Disadvantages: Sounds dated in places.

Its Goth The Lot

Back in the mid-eighties there was the big three (and I'm not referring to their hair). U2 and The Cure still have a large following but Simple Minds have long since been consigned to the dustbin of history. U2 have prospered since those heady days while the Cure have had a somewhat chequered path. The 'Disintegration' album was a success and there have been some distinguished singles like 'Friday I'm in Love' but the era that Standing on a Beach comes from remains the Cure's most fertile period.

Standing on a Beach gathers all the singles from 1979 to 1985 (so no 'Just Like Heaven'). I only recently bought the album on CD and there are 4 extra tracks that weren't on the original vinyl version which was released in 1986. This CD version is called Staring at the Sea. Standing on the Beach is packed with priceless Cure moments. It highlights the great use they put to great bass lines on such epics as 'A Forest'.

The Cures early moments have a certain Specials feel to them like on 'Killing an Arab' which sounds incredibly dated. Other early tracks like 'Boys Don't Cry' still sound fresh and vibrant however. Despite his somewhat odd appearance Robert Smith was always capable of penning intelligent lyrics which were backed up by the clearest of melodies. 'A Primary' is a case in point where the whirlwind guitars are matched only by Smith's vocal bile. 'Charlotte Sometimes' exudes class and though it might recall a very forgettable eighties drum roll it has the aura of a classic.

The magic of the Cure was their keen ability to write memorable tunes. 'In Between Days' and 'Close to me' are still very much favourites in the 21st century. Other tracks like 'The Caterpillar' and 'Jumping Someone Else's Train' are little known but are likely to befriend all listeners. As an historical document Stand
ing on the Beach is indispensable. It sounds a bit tinny in places and hasn't aged well in other parts but that doesn't matter as these grooves mean a awful lot to a lot of people.

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