4:13 Dream, The Cure

As The Cure's unmistakeable wash of guitars ushers in the opener Underneath The Stars, listeners could be fooled into thinking they are listening to the band's 1989 album, Disintegration. With 4:13 Dream, The Cure revisit the sound of their golden period. The return of the guitarist Porl Thompson after a 14-year hiatus is likely to be partly responsible. His input seems to have reinvigorated the band and led them to create one of their most accomplished works to date. As beautifully as works like The Only One and Sirensong touch on the band's heyday without thoughtlessly rehashing it, impressive new ground is also broken. The demented funk of Freakshow suggests Smith and co might have been listening to Arctic Monkeys. The clonking piano and fast paced drumming of Switch, coupled with one of the band's angstiest choruses for years, brings Arcade Fire to mind. After the band's forgettable 2004 self-titled album, 4:13 Dream is The Cure back on course. There are few surprises in store, but the travesties of the last decade are gone. After the release date was pushed back several times, many began to speculate that the band had hit a creative wall. But with sessions reportedly finishing with 33 songs in the can, it seems that there was just too much to choose from. Long may it continue.
ogood@thenational.ae