Show

by The Cure

Overview

Recorded during a performance at the Palace of Auburn Hills in Michigan shortly after the release of Wish, Show is a difficult, if occasionally compelling live album. The first strike against the album is that it leans far too heavily toward Wish. Eight of Show's 12 songs are live renditions of songs from Wish. The second strike against the album is that the songs tend to meander. It's hard to justify the inclusion of four songs that go past the seven-minute mark. It's abundantly clear on a number of the tracks that the band is running out of steam, and that brings one to the third strike, though it's more of a foul ball. It's obvious that Robert Smith is struggling to maintain his stamina. That's not to say that he garbles his vocals or that he turns in anything other than a solid performance, but he's not able to sustain the required passion during "Friday I'm in Love" and a number of other key songs. "Pictures of You" is a definite high point, as its sad and beautiful tones ring with vigor and honesty; it's arguably more powerful here than on Disintegration, as Smith paints each word with emotion and nuance. "Just Like Heaven," one of the band's most well-known songs, is wonderfully lush, though it becomes almost too brittle at its conclusion. Stripped of the light show that accompanies the band's concert, Show loses some of its luster. That it's hard to recommend Show is a sad commentary, especially since the band performs with such conviction and since Robert Smith gives his all with every concert performance. Only the band's biggest fans, and perhaps even more narrowly those who appreciate the weaker songs of Wish, will find reason to revisit Show. Those looking for the premiere document of the Cure in a live setting should seek out the concert video In Orange. ~ Tim DiGravina

Product Details

Release Date:	09/08/2023
Label:	Elektra
UPC:	0603497832880

Album Credits

Performance Credits

The Cure   Primary Artist
Simon Gallup   Guitar (Bass),Bass
Robert Smith   Guitar,Vocals,Voices
Boris Williams   Drums
Porl Thompson   Guitar,Keyboards
Perry Bamonte   Guitar,Keyboards

Technical Credits

Effanel Music, Inc.   Engineer
Dave Allen   Engineer,Producer
Francis Milano   Musician
Greig Sangster   Assistant Engineer
Iain Baker   Composer
Simon Matthews   Composer
Johannes Brahms   Composer
Peter Gabriel   Composer
Michael Dempsey   Composer
Mike Edwards   Composer
Bryan New   Mixing
Bryan "Chuck" New   Mixing
Robert Smith   Mixing,Composer,Lyricist
Simon G.   Composer
Steve Whitfield   Engineer
Boris Williams   Composer
Lol Tolhurst   Composer
The Cure   Composer,Producer
Ro   Composer
Shankar   Composer
Jason Cooper   Composer
Roger O'Donnell   Composer
Porl Thompson   Composer
Perry Bamonte   Composer
Jerry de Borg   Composer
Al Jaworski   Composer
Hartley   Composer
Chris Bandy   Assistant Engineer
Simon Gallup   Composer
Bryan Chuck   Mixing
George Reisz   Musician