The Cure ‘Wish’ – review of certified producer

Introduction
In this article, I want to review an album which is quite old, but I think it is still ‘in time’. Even today it does not sound like some old record taken from the archive of phonography. This is the album which contains a lot of very good, timeless tunes. In my opinion this is the last really outstanding album of The Cure.


Its release was supported by unforgettable world tour. Unfortunately, it was the last time, when we were able to see three great musicians on the same stage: Porl Thompson – guitar, Perry Bamonte on keyboard and above it all incomparable Boris Williams on drums.

I will be reviewing this album track by track under the criteria of: artistic quality, emotional message, performance, but also I want to write about musical production. I got music producer qualifications, so I hope that I am allowed to do that.

‘Open’ ‘opener’.
Snare sounds too obvious and flat. Guitars layered, but overall sound is not convincing. There are many records like this one. For me rather demo, not a song for the album.
This song is about a man who when is under the influence, changes from withdrawn to too cordial. Colleagues from industry with their alcohol smelling breath complement your commercial potential. And you cannot walk away, you must socialize. Thanks to that, you can get better connections, maybe contract with more zeros. Don’t even think about going. How can you be so not thankful. People do so much for you, you egoist.

‘High’ You feel much better. This song was released on single, so you can hear here a bit extra work on mixing or mastering. This is optimistic tune, praising happy and quiet life. That is how I feel it. Sonically this is bright version of ‘Pictures Of You’. Many years it has been auto-plagiarised with song ‘The Only One’.

‘Apart’ is a monumental composition, which may fit well on ‘Disintegration’. The problem with this song is that, this is not about decay, growing old and cold. Don’t dare even think here about so extreme like death. This track is just pure tearjerker for teenagers and other young at heart and soul. Boys / girl walked away. It could be so beautiful – family, children, supporting family for the rest of your life and playing silly social role. But it’s all gone !

‘From The Edge Of The Deep Green Sea’
Knowing ‘stormy nighttime sea’ version from ‘Show’ this one here sounds very ‘roomy’. Robert has mentioned in interviews that sea is very important inspiration for him. So this composition is a tribute to this driving force.

Next song, I usually skip on the CD.
‘Wendy Time’ is simply awful. Title, melody bring me a picture of the kitchen song performed by the table with apple cake, next to the fridge and dishwasher. So I am not interested in message conveyed in lyrics when music is so unbearable. Even though, checking lyrics I see that I do not miss much if not listening to this little nightmare.

‘Doing The Unstuck’
Once more bad production, much worse sound that on the concert in Detroit. But lyrics are fine. Be happy on this day, simply without any reason. Go crazy, dance, even go mad.

‘Friday I’m In Love’
Of course, this is a hit, with messed up chords. Not that easy to cover, especially for guitarists. You can see here that it was written by the artist, not someone who went through professional music training in music school. Quite nice sounding.

‘Trust’
‘Apart’ in optimistic version. They split but after some time, eventually get together.

‘A Letter To Elise’
Very nice, even moving. Good sound. English is my second language so I will not (and do not want to) change old habits. I still perceive songs like some Latino person. First I must be touched by music and then I start to analyze lyrics. Aha, this one is about Kafka letters to his mistress. Fine.

‘Cut’
Another song which sounds better on ‘Show’. Paper card box snare and uninspiring guitars.

‘To Wish Impossible Things’
Starring into the starry sky at night. Nice sound of violin instrument, which cannot be found on live version. I have achieved everything in my life and now there is nothing I could more wish. I am too old and too degenerated for that.

‘End’
And this is the last one on the ‘card box’ sounding album. Listen to live version instead. This is a song about The Cure fans. Personally many of those people had a putting off effect on me. That is why I became fan of this great band quite late. I find annoying in them, their mindless lack of criticism, bad sense of humour and no distance to themselves and their idols. But when you belong to the herd, you must obey the rules.

Smith sings here that he is professional artist, who simply must fulfill his commitments for the publisher / record company. So he must write another album where he will moan about sea, night, dreams, burning eyes, heart on fire and of course about evanescence.
But dear fans, I am not a patch for all your problems. Buy an album, ticket for my gig and at the end of the day, we walk away separate ways.

Conclusion
It does not matter that the songs are good, if they are recorded not to the highest artistic standards. Even though the studio was expensive, even for The Cure, then who cares. Garage sound, flat, almost like Nirvana’s ‘In Utero’. Compositions from ‘Wish’ album are played in full glory on ‘Show’ and ‘Paris’. Having those two albums, ‘Wish’ can thrown away or sold for food in your next, local second hand shop. Unless, someone has fallen in love with ‘Wendy Time’ or get addicted to violin on ‘To Wish Impossible Things’.

Artistically, this album is recommended to all emo-goths who do not like dig to deep in dead bodies and psychosis. ‘Wish’ represents delicate emotions, nothing extreme, just in few moments a bit daHk, but in overall aspect very pleasant and safe. Sweet dreams.