The Cure's sophomore
release, Seventeen Seconds was released in April of 1980. It is the
first album to mark a distinct path away from the faster of edgy pop
of their debut, Three Imaginary Boys or Boys Don't Cry as
it was released in the US. The minimal, precise pop the band plays on
Seventeen Seconds had
been present on Three Imaginary Boys in
the songs “Another Day”, “Accuracy” and the classic “Three
Imaginary Boys”.
The
album is amazingly successful in creating a definite mood and is
psychedelic in a downbeat way. The drums of Laurence Tolhurst and
keyboards of Matthieu Hartly are very minimal and precise. Robert
Smith's guitar lines are bright and nicely chorused while Simon
Gallup's bass lines generally provide the melody lines. “In Your
House” is a psychedelic, new wave classic. “Play For Today”
although a promo video clip was made for the song and it's appearance
on the Staring At The Sea
Compact Disc led many to believe it was a single, it was not.
Although it does sound like a long-lost classic single.
“A
Forest” in fact was a classic new wave single - it was a UK Top 40
hit and reached number 47 on Billboard's Dance Music/Club Play
Singles chart. It's repetitive four-note bass-line, echoing vocals,
backwards snare and chorused guitar all combined with a memorable
Smith vocal performance make for a very memorable track. “Secrets”,
“M” and the title track are effectively moody, lightly gloomy
atmosphere pieces. “At Night” is a nocturnal mini-masterpiece.
While “Three”, “A Reflection” and “The Final Sound” are
basically instrumental exercises.
This is
my favorite album by The Cure and I can't say enough good things
about it.
Recommended.
Highly.
Here's the video review:
A Very Special Thanks To: Stephen Worth.
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