The Cure - Pornography
Fiction 8276882 1982
By Russell Garwood
Debatably one of the greatest Cure albums, Pornography is certainly their bleakest. Through the trilogy starting with 17 Seconds and Faith the Cures material gets darker, culminating with this album - the opening lyrics It doesnt matter if we all die say it all. The songs on this album are slow, downcast, thought provoking and primarily frightening.
Produced by Phil Thornally (Duran Duran, Thompson Twins), Pornography reflects the growing instability of the band at the time, and with lyrics such as Your name, Like ice into my heart, A shallow grave, A monument to the ruined age (Cold) and I chose an eternity of this, Like falling angels, The world disappeared, Laughing into the fire, Is it always like this? (A Short Term Effect) its not surprising.
The album manages to conjure up surreal images and emotions throughout , One Hundred Years of death and loss, Short Term Effect of despair and complete hopelessness, The Hanging Garden of strange creatures and death. These are followed by Siamese Twins, one of the most devastating songs I know, the desolation of Strange Day and ending with the dark beauty of Pornography.
Musically, the un-organic, Joy Division reminiscent sounding drums pulse in every song, with layers of guitar, oppressive basslines, synths and samples above, topped by forlorn trembling vocals. The lyrics have been judged to perfection, and as ever I am In awe of Robert Smith's song writing abilities.
Pornography is a complex album that grows on you, making it less accessible than much of their later work. Possibly not the best place to start if you are new to the band, this is one of my three favourite Cure albums, and is a necessity for any fan of Dark music.
Fiction 8276882 1982
By Russell Garwood
Debatably one of the greatest Cure albums, Pornography is certainly their bleakest. Through the trilogy starting with 17 Seconds and Faith the Cures material gets darker, culminating with this album - the opening lyrics It doesnt matter if we all die say it all. The songs on this album are slow, downcast, thought provoking and primarily frightening.
Produced by Phil Thornally (Duran Duran, Thompson Twins), Pornography reflects the growing instability of the band at the time, and with lyrics such as Your name, Like ice into my heart, A shallow grave, A monument to the ruined age (Cold) and I chose an eternity of this, Like falling angels, The world disappeared, Laughing into the fire, Is it always like this? (A Short Term Effect) its not surprising.
The album manages to conjure up surreal images and emotions throughout , One Hundred Years of death and loss, Short Term Effect of despair and complete hopelessness, The Hanging Garden of strange creatures and death. These are followed by Siamese Twins, one of the most devastating songs I know, the desolation of Strange Day and ending with the dark beauty of Pornography.
Musically, the un-organic, Joy Division reminiscent sounding drums pulse in every song, with layers of guitar, oppressive basslines, synths and samples above, topped by forlorn trembling vocals. The lyrics have been judged to perfection, and as ever I am In awe of Robert Smith's song writing abilities.
Pornography is a complex album that grows on you, making it less accessible than much of their later work. Possibly not the best place to start if you are new to the band, this is one of my three favourite Cure albums, and is a necessity for any fan of Dark music.
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