The Only One (Mix 13) [Single]

The Cure | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (May 20, 2008)
• Original Release Date: 2008
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Single
• Label: Geffen Records
• ASIN: B00193E0US
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (19 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #178,801 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Sounds like Wish, blah blah blah...Best slice of Cure-pop since the 90's, blah blah blah..., May 21, 2008

By 

Eric Edelin (Baltimore, Maryland USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Only One (Mix 13) (Audio CD)

A lot of times when a veteran group releases an album, the critics and reviews like to compare it to past achievements as if to give the new release some credibility (or if we're going to be really cynical, to help the record sell) or to help it resonate amongst the old fans. After one listen to the new single, it became immediately apparent that sometimes the voices are actually right.

'The Only One' sounds reminiscent, without being a total retread or rip-off, of that jangly 'Wish' sound, ESPECIALLY the lead-off single, 'High.' Despite being a bit less wistful, and more quirky than 'High' the sound is all there. 'NY Trip' is a bit less spunky sounding, but no less energetic, showcasing a nice wah-wah lead guitar and Smith's howl during the refrain. Honestly, 'NY Trip' is a close cousin to the b-sides from the 1995-1996 'Wild Mood Swings' sessions, particularly 'A Pink Dream' and to some of the 2004 b-sides like 'Fake'.

For better or for worse (depending on what type of Cure fan) The Cure has settled into a sound, with 'Wish' being the real starting point to that sound. Gone are the lush keyboards that textured their '85-'89 period and made for some great songs. One feels like Smith was never quite as comfortable with previous lineups of the band as he is with his current lineup (Porl Thompson and Simon Gallup both being Cure stalwarts on and off since the early days) and the sound of these new songs really shows that. Since the 90s, Smith has effectively reduced the amount of keyboards from the albums, with 'Bloodflowers' being the major exception; but wasn't that supposed to be a sequel to 'Disintegration' anyway?

Overall, there was an uncertainty about the departure of long-time keyboardist, Roger O'Donnell. Many people even blamed the bland sound of their self-titled album on the lack of keyboards (yet 'Wish' and its near-lack of keyboards remains a fan-favourite). After a successful run of festival shows and now a full-fledged tour, Smith and company are more than proving that they can function very well without all the keyboards that spoiled so many of us Cure fans. This single, as well as the new songs being debuted on this current tour, is evidence that The Cure is still a steadily-evolving rock group that can still look forward, with its feet firlmy planted in the past, and put out solid music despite rumours and expectations.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The Only One, June 18, 2008

By 

Andrew Vice (Plano, TX) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Only One (Mix 13) (Audio CD)

As the first single from the Cure's forthcoming 13th album, The Only One sets the tone for what Cure fans can expect of this latest album. The single is poppy and jangly, in the style of The Head on the Door and Wish, and though the song itself isn't as strong as some of the singles from those records, it is a nice single, and a good choice as an opener for the set of four singles. The b-side is an interesting, slightly darker affair, but both songs share a sort of sick fascination for erotica in the lyrics, which are rather X-rated depending on how you interpret them. If The Only One is the worst song on their upcoming album, Cure fans will have much to rejoice about. Though the sound may not be as groundbreaking as that of Disintegration or Bloodflowers, it is a sound that will please many fans that were disappointed their the 2004 self-titled album.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Finally a new Single, May 24, 2008

By 

Stephen Norton - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Only One (Mix 13) (Audio CD)

Good to hear the Cure back on form.
Saw them perform this live a few times earlier in the year & the almost "fair-ground" feel of the song on the single is a joy really.
The B side is typically quirky & IMO better than the A side.
In fact it wouldn't sound out of place on The Top really.
What does stick in my craw, however, is the fact that the digital download for sale is a poor quality, lossy wma file.
You'd think that a band with the standing of the Cure would at least be able to offer a lossless download.
Even NIN can do that (for free).
Now we need to brace ourselves for June 13th when Fud Show is released.
Here's hoping it's better in the studio than that poppy drivel they are playing currently.
s