Greatest Hits [Extra tracks, Limited Edition]

The Cure | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (November 13, 2001)
• Number of Discs: 2
• Format: Extra tracks, Limited Edition
• Label: Elektra / Wea
• ASIN: B00005R09Y
• Also Available in: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (86 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #86,100 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

As Greatest Hits--and particularly the busking pavement jazz of "Lovecats"--reminds us, the best Cure singles were very often tangential exercises; they offered a goth-free playtime divergence from some of the weightier studiousness of those early albums. Or, as smudged frontman Robert Smith says of this 18-track collection, "Songs that are sung with a smile." This wasn't always true--witness the refrigerated fogginess of the classic "A Forest," the Blair Witch Project of its day. What this compilation does is focus attention on the Cure's perennial unpredictability--the breathless claustrophobia of "Close to Me," the New Order-lite of "The Walk," the brass- section embellished thrust of "Why Can't I Be You." Oddly, chart-wise, the Cure's lost weekend began immediately after "Friday I'm in Love," their most ebullient melodic moment and the ultimate "clocking-off to kick those heels" anthem. But at least the inclusion of two new songs, "Cut Here" and "Just Say Yes" (with Saffron from Republica), indicate that the Cure remain a healthy, ongoing concern. --Kevin Maidment

Product Description

18 tracks on disc 1 plus a bonus CD with acoustic versions.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Reverse the discs and you'll like it a LOT more., May 15, 2004

By 

Tim Brough "author and music buff" (Springfield, PA United States) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Greatest Hits (Audio CD)

Yes, as posted here by many others, this is not a really strong representation of The Cure. It completely zaps a few important songs that WERE hits, like "Pictures of You" and "Hot Hot Hot," and hardly scratches the surface of the pre-MTV era Cure. If you need those songs, get "Staring At The Sea" and "Galore" as a twofer.

On the other hand, if you're a Cure buff, the bonus disc is a treat. All 18 songs from the "Hits" disc, played out acoustically and live in studio. The band sounds loose and chipper, obviously having a jolly good time with songs they've done to death. I'd have bought THAT as a single disc without any complaints! So just consider the live CD the main attraction and the studio "A" disc as the bonus. You'll like "Greatest Hits" a lot more that way.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars bonus disc...Whoopeee!, March 3, 2003

By 

charles bowman (jackson, ky) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Greatest Hits (Audio CD)

Some of the above mentioned comments might be said to apply to this album--its not the greatest of compilations,but as said before, how can you chronicle the career of a band as diverse and prolific as the Cure on just one disc?

But for the bonus disc, this album is worth its price for new and old Cure fans alike...and I totally disagree that the acoustic disc is not interesting...its great and it pushes the beautiful lyrics up to the front just a bit...plus BOTH of the new songs are awesome and "Say Yes" has some great lyrics which someone in the position I have recently been in could instantly identify with.

The beauty of the Cure, of Robert's voice, his lyrics, and their amazing guitar work is all here, and if its missing such tracks as pictures of you, fascination street, etc, I would add that I already own three cd's, all of which have the above-mentioned, so its not like its hard to find those songs on other discs.

And sadly, this is not a perfect world, so you can't expect to find your favorite b-sides on a greatest hits package. I would like to see songs like "Burn" (one of the most haunting Cure songs ever!) collected on one disc, too, but in the meantime I'll pop the acoustic disc in and wallow in bliss somewhere south of heaven. Just steer clear of the version of this cd that does not have the acoustic disc--do yourself a favor and get the limited edition version!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This CD rules, November 14, 2001

By 

Christopher James LoGrande (Newbury, Ohio United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Greatest Hits (Audio CD)

Robert Smith all the way to back in the day! This CD really takes me back to the good ole Cure days. And on top of that, a bonus CD with the same stuff live and unplugged! The new songs are absolutely fabulous. It's good to know that Fat Bob is still singing those tunes and hitting those high notes. Bottom line: if you are a die hard Cure fan, this album is a must must MUST for your collection. Solid Gold!