Thanks for including Japanese Whispers in our rundown. It’s another important milestone in the band’s chronology (or at least the constituent singles are). As others have already said, essentially the band had imploded post Pornography and this period is really solo Bob. Lol moved off drums onto ‘instruments ’ and general sidekick (emphasis on the kick), although I doubt he had much, if any, creative input.
I do love this collection, even if I feel the actual singles have not worn the years well. Whether it was Bob’s doing or the label’s , there was an obvious intention to move into a more ‘pop’ arena. Knowing how much he kept a weather eye on Joy Division/New Order, I can’t help but feel the latter’s move to a more obvious electronic sound with Temptation and Blue Monday, and chart success, influenced the Cure next steps. LGTB wasn’t actually a hit at the time in the UK, just falling short, but opened enough doors for The Walk to pick up new fans and be their biggest hit up to that point.
Like many here, I think it’s the other tracks that have survived best . Just One Kiss is the most successful early example of the overall signature Cure ‘gothy’ bass-driven sound framed in a broad pop context. Still an all-timer for me. The Dream, Lament and especially The Upstairs Room are an inspired mash-up of 80s experimental sounds, tied down by Bob’s insistent whine. The 12” EP (as it was) was a constant on my turntable through 1983 and really mainstreamed the notion of 4 track EPs as a viable commercial statement.
I have nothing good to say about The Lovecats other than it’s success bought them more breathing space. Sadly, this song is, I fear, the band’s enduring legacy for 80s pop historians. In the same unrepresentative way that ‘It’s Oh So Quiet’ is for Bjork in the 90s. When the BBC report Bob’s passing it will be soundtracked by The Lovecats.
But putting that sad thought to one side, JW, is crucial to the development of The Cure and their ability to entice a new audience with pop sounding singles and then hook them with the range, depth and harder edge of their albums. They managed to maintain that balance for much longer than most bands and it’s there that the richest fruit is for us to gorge on in the coming weeks.
I’m a bit confused about how some committed Cure fans aren’t very familiar with this period, so look forward to seeing their assessment of this transition period.
I was four when this came out I think? I only really listened to The Cure stuff as it came out from KMx3 onwards, all their earlier stuff was borrowed and then copied tapes. JW isn’t an album, it’s hardly an essential part of their discography (imho) as all the singles are on the collection that I’d guess most people have. Think it’s perfectly understandable that this has slipped between the cracks!
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