The Only One (Mix 13) [Single]

The Cure

Product Details

• Audio CD (May 20, 2008)
• Original Release Date: May 13, 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 (20 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #108,169 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

The Cure, one of the most revered British bands of the past quarter-century, have unveiled their plans to release four singles, one each month starting May 13th, leading up to the release of their thirteenth studio album, as yet untitled, which will be out on Suretone/Geffen Records September 13, 2008. It will be the band's first album of new music since 2004's self titled album The Cure. Physical and digital singles will be available for purchase in store and on all digital partners.

Why the 13th of each month? The forthcoming album is The Cure's thirteenth studio album... A lucky number indeed!

Led as always by lead singer/guitarist Robert Smith, the Cure line-up comprises longtime members bass player Simon Gallup, drummer Jason Cooper and, back in the band for a third time, guitarist Porl Thompson.

The Cure first formed in southern England in 1976 as Easy Cure. In 1978 the 'Easy' was dropped, and The Cure was signed to the Fiction label. In May 1979 their debut album Three Imaginary Boys was released to great acclaim.

Other landmark Cure albums include Pornography (1982), The Head on the Door (1985), Kiss Me Kiss Me Kiss Me (1987), Disintegration (1989), Wish (1992), Wild Mood Swings (1996), the Grammy-nominated Bloodflowers (2000) and their last full length release, the self-titled set The Cure (2004). 2006 saw the Suretone/Geffen release of Festival 2005, an award winning 5.1 DVD featuring 30 songs, shot by fans, band members and professionals during the summer of 2005's European festival run.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 19 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)

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	A. J. Vice "Zephyr" (Plano, TX) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

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)

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.
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