The Top [Picture Disc/RSD 2024]

by The Cure

Overview

Recorded in the midst of Robert Smith's tenuous tenure with Siouxsie and the Banshees, The Top is arguably the most hedonistic record the Cure ever produced. Essentially Smith and Lol Tolhurst working with studio musicians (this being the period when the Cure's lineup was never assured), it's an album obviously recorded under stress, drink, and drugs. More wildly experimental musically than anything before it, it laid the foundations for the Cure's pattern of unpigeonholable albums that were to erase their reputation built by Pornography and eventually culminating in Kiss Me, Kiss Me, Kiss Me. That said, it's still very much a Cure record. Heavy on the percussion and quaint keyboard effects that were so big in the '80s, the melodies ("The Caterpillar," "Shake Dog Shake") are unmistakably Robert Smith. The big change this time around is his ability to fuse the paranoia and neuroses of former work (Pornography) with his newfound use of pop melody and outside influences (i.e., world travels, sounds, instruments) to moderate success ("Wailing Wall," "Piggy in the Mirror"). A more psychedelic descent than Pornography, The Top is a transition, never really feeling like a full-length release, but it does meld all former phases of Rob and company, which would fully gel on The Head on the Door. At best an imperfect record, The Top is a necessary step in the evolution of the band. ~ Chris True

Product Details

Release Date:	04/26/2024
Label:	Universal Uk
UPC:	0602458550924

Tracks

1. Shake Dog Shake
2. Bird Mad Girl
3. Wailing Wall
4. Give Me It
5. Dressing Up
6. The Caterpillar
7. Piggy In The Mirror
8. The Empty World
9. Bananafishbones
10. The Top

Album Credits

Performance Credits

The Cure   Primary Artist
Lol Tolhurst   Various Instruments,Multi Instruments,Keyboards
Robert Smith   Various Instruments,Guitar,Vocals,Guitar,Vocals,Multi Instruments
R. Hamilton Smith   Voices
Robert J. Smith   Vocals
Porl Thompson   Guitar,Keyboards,Saxophone
Phil Thornalley   Bass
Andy Anderson   Drums,Percussion

Technical Credits

Robert Smith   Audio Production,Composer,Producer,Group Member,Instrumentation,Producer,Instrumentation,Reissue Producer,Reissue Compilation
Zoe Roberts   Tape Research
Richard Bellia   Photography
Motoko Sashi   Photography
Gary Moore   Digital Remastering
Laurence Tolhurst   Composer
Steve Pyke   Photography
Shinjiro Kawashima   Art Research
Minoru Harada   Product Manager
Howard Grey   Engineer
Robert J. Smith   Producer,Instrumentation,Reissue Producer
Lol Tolhurst   Group Member,Instrumentation,Composer
Joe Black   Project Coordinator
Howard Gray   Engineer
Porl Thompson   Group Member
Simon Gallup   Composer
Michael Dempsey   Composer
P. Terrrasson   Photography
Chihiro Nozaki   Art Coordinator
Andy Anderson   Group Member
Chris Parry   Producer
Paul Cox   Photography
Dave Allen   Producer,Engineer
Johnny Black   Sleeve Notes