Name: The Top
Brand: The Cure

Bonus disc

Bonus disc: No

Catalogue number

4787554

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Colour

Black

Colour details

Discogs ID

[r9012999]

Format multiplier

Download code

Download code: No

Rough Trade Exclusive

Rough Trade Exclusive: No

Extended format

Extended format: No

Format detail

Format Music GB

Limited edition

Release date

2016-08-27

Signed copies

Signed copies: No

Supplier GB

Universal

Tax rate GB

Standard:20

UPC / Barcode

0602547875549

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Total Cap

Black LP

Artist

The Cure

Genre GB

New Wave / Post Punk

Label GB

Polydor

The Cure is an English new wave / post-punk / pop rock band that was founded in 1976 in Crawley, West Sussex. Originally known as Malice and then Easy Cure, the band settled on The Cure in 1978. Throughout their existence, Robert Smith has been the frontman, songwriter, vocalist, and guitarist. With numerous line-up changes over the years, The Cure has remained a constant force in the music industry. In recognition of their contributions to rock music, they were inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame in 2019.

Since its formation, The Cure has seen various talented musicians join and leave the band. Some notable members include Michael Dempsey on bass (1976-1979), Lol Tolhurst on drums and keyboards (1976-1989), Simon Gallup on bass (1979-1982, 1984-present), Matthieu Hartley on keyboards (1979-1980), Phil Thornalley on bass (1983-1984), Andy Anderson on drums (1983-1984), Porl Thompson on saxophone/guitar/keyboards (1983, 1985-1993, 2005-2011), Boris Williams on drums (1984-1994), Roger O'Donnell on keyboards (1987-1990, 1995-2005, 2011-present), Perry Bamonte on guitar/keyboards (1990-2005,

The Cure's fifth studio album was 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 is 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 un-pigeon-hole-able albums that were to erase their reputation built by Pornography and eventually culminated in Kiss Me, Kiss Me, Kiss Me.

That said, it is 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 with his newfound use of pop melody and outside (i.e., world travels, sounds, instruments) influences to moderate success ("Wailing Wall", "Piggy In The Mirror").

The Top

Music GB

Discover The Top by The Cure. Vinyl LP from Polydor. The Cure's most hedonistic record, recorded under stress, drink, and drugs.