lambchops's Full Review: Wild Mood Swings by The Cure
Before I rip into this 1996 release from The Cure, I feel it necessary to admit that I am in no way shape or form a fan of the dark progressive band. Their sound is much too moody and much too pretentious for my tastes (although my tastes aren’t necessarily above pretentiousness).
When people think of The Cure, they get a mental picture of the band’s gloomy figurehead Robert Smith. His spiky and disheveled black hair paired with stark lipstick and smudged mascara are visual cues to what the band represents. Anyway, with that said The Cure has been around now for over two decades. Originally formed in England, the Smith-led band (with an ever-changing lineup) has released thirteen studio albums to date.
Wild Mood Swings hit the charts not long after it’s release in 1996. As modern rock darlings, The Cure went top ten despite scathing criticism. Fans bought the album…it was the band’s first in four years. But, the real problem with Wild Mood Swings is the tendency to do what’s expected. The album does little to advance The Cure, rather it feels merely like a placeholder until Smith and company can release a more technically and musically interesting album.
Despite my loathing this album, I can say a few good things. First off, The Cure at times can be an entertaining and relatively innovative band. For example albums like Wish and most recently Bloodflowers are tens of times more lucid and more creative than Wild Mood Swings. Even after I talk about a few of the songs (some of which are admittedly okay), I want to encourage listeners to bypass this album in favor of something more useful and a better representation of The Cure.
The first track Want is the most meritorious offering in my opinion. It’s a strange mix between new wave and rock and roll. I don’t particularly enjoy Smith’s forced vocals. He seems frenzied as he sings over relatively loud electric guitars, synthesizers, and drums. Honestly, the song isn’t anything special. It sounds remarkably like something you would expect from The Cure circa 1988.
The Cure chose to release the strange smoky mariachi track The 13th as a single. It’s not all bad, but I really can’t stand to listen to Smith’s voice. The horns, percussion, and strings are pleasant, but when his pouting voice is added my level of appreciation drops to near nothing.
Mint Car is the band’s attempt at pure pop. The track is easier on the ears than all of the other songs listed below. But, all I get out of the track is that The Cure is attempting to relive past successes like Friday I’m in Love. Like I said, it’s just an attempt and not a good one at that.
I could talk endlessly about the tracks I despise. They are vast. I hate the twirling synthesized instruments on Gone!. The track is nearly impossible to listen to as a result of the over abundance of fabricated noise (drums, horns, etc…). Return is also particularly repulsive. This is the kind of track you expect that Smith wannabes would record. The synthesizers are once again too much. In addition, whoever recorded the track also seems to have been lacking updated equipment. The track is hollow and tinny at best. Smith tries his hand at being thoughtful and pensive with Bare. Like the rest of the songs, he fails miserably in accomplishing his apparent goals.
At one point in time, this album may have had a place. In 1996, fans and radio listeners had moved far beyond The Cure of yore. Apparently, The Cure was unaware of the shift and decided to go retro and thus failed miserably in their attempt to record an album. Wild Mood Swings is quite possibly the worst album from The Cure to date. Stereotypical of their past music from a decade before, there is no reason to own this album. In fact, there’s no good reason as to why it has a slot in my collection. At least the CD makes a good coaster. I give this album a dismal 1/5 stars. Few albums get this rating from me…that should say something about just how bad Wild Mood Swings is. I cannot so much as recommend this album even to fans of The Cure.
Track Listing:
1. Want
2. Club America
3. This is a Lie
4. The 13th
5. Strange Attraction
6. Mint Car
7. Jupiter Crash
8. Round & Round & Round
9. Gone!
10. Numb
11. Return
12. Trap
13. Treasure
14. Bare
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*I’m not completely anti-Cure. For better albums check out 1989’s Disintegration, 1992’s Wish, or even 2000’s Bloodflowers. Hell, line up their twelve other albums, twirl around and point to one. It’s going to be better than Wild Mood Swings.
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