Cure - Bloodflowers (9 tracks) +Album Reviews

The Cure Leaves Pop Sound to Return to its Roots

01/16/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"An album of great depth and commendable sound, Bloodflowers swirls with mid-to-slow songs (completely lacking the fast, obvious singles that Wish gave us) and is a return to the Cure's dark side. The album is cut from the same mold as Disintegration and Faith, though it is not a re-make by any means, and bears a hint of the mood of Seventeen Seconds. For WMS fans, think Treasure, Want, Numb, and Bare mixed-up with a splash of Jupiter Crash for lyric-mood, though Bloodflowers as a whole is not as diverse in mood, sound, or style as WMS was. "There is no if" is probably the album's most beautiful love song, while "39" and others express Robert's ever-present phobia of losing his touch. If you are looking for cheerful pop songs, try Japanese Whispers or The Head on the Door instead; this recording is for those who find beauty in the bleak, depth in philosophical ponderings, and appreciation in honestly-expressed emotion. As always, Robert's lyrics are among the best in the business, and the more one listens to Bloodflowers, the more one will appreciate its brilliance."

Gorgeously grey

02/15/2000

(4 out of 5 stars)

"sometimes i think to myself, "shouldn't i have outgrown the cure?" being in high school in the mid-80's, the cure and the smiths and depeche mode were everything. it was all so cool. but gosh i'm almost 30 now - you'd think the cure would be faded adolescent memories. well, with a great set of tunes like bloodflowers, i realize i could never tire of the poetry of robert smith. i've read a few reviews which tag this album as "the logical follow up to disentegration" - and i agree...it is. the mood, the dense atmosphere, is very disentegration. the two main differences that help the albums compliment each other rather than making the new one sound like rehash is that this album is even less pop - there's no "love song" (i remember feeling back then that robert had really sold out with that tune), no "pictures of you", or "lullaby". and that's not a bad thing - my favorite cure had absolutely no radio potential. the other noticable difference is that bloodflowers is very concise...very direct. disentegration was much more meandering and sometimes overly poetic. the four stars - because there will never be another faith or pornography (actually my favorite cure is from the out of print "cure in orange" concert movie). this is definitely their best music since 1989 but nothing compared to the old classic stuff."

A solid return to form

Michael H. | 02/16/2000

(4 out of 5 stars)

"While many reviewers have compared this album to the Cure's classic '89 album "Disintegration" (which is, to my mind, the Cure's seminal work), I have a hard time understanding such comparisons. "Bloodflowers" is indeed a dark album -- but so is the majority of the Cure's work, save the awful "Wild Mood Swings" and some cuts from "Wish." The Cure's latest features most prominently layers and layers of harsh, ugly and highly intense guitar riffs. Sure, the classic cure melodic style is mixed in, but at least half of the songs on this disc are brutal, cutting tunes. (Watching me Fall; 39; Bloodflowers; Maybe Someday -- though this one mixes in a certain pop element as well). These tracks, to my mind, are quite reminiscent of the louder tracks from "Wish." They are also, save track 4, *very* effective. The remainder of the songs feature a blend of softer percussion with Robert's now-classic simple, emotional guitar melodies. Each one is really quite beautiful, with somber lyrics that have really touched me (particularly "The Loudest Sound" and "There is no if..") There is not a weak song on this album, save perhaps "Maybe Someday." The other eight are thickly layered, raw, and highly emotional. Personally, I would have liked to hear more keyboards on this disc; as it is, they are merely a background element (another factor distinguishing this album from "Disintegration," where lush keyboards abound). Ultimatley, a powerful return to form, with a raw edge that really gets beneath the skin."

Is The Cure Over The Hill?

Timothy L. Jenson | SANDY, UTAH United States | 02/16/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Not since "Disintegration" has a cure album affected me in such a deep way. Just when you might doubt he still has it, Robert Smith releases "Bloodflowers;" which is a little irony in itself as the song "39" is about that very doubt. There is something ineffable about The Cure, something that touches our souls. This album is very dark, and ponderously melancholic. To answer the question that many of you have been dying to know, does this album harken back to "Disintegration?" I can answer yes and no. It's dark and very similar to "Disintegration" but different. Robert is philosophical in songs like "Where Birds Always Sing" and is expressive of his feelings, in songs like "The Loudest Sound" and "There is No If," both songs are about the tragic nature of love and life and reminiscent of "Faith" and "Disintegration," but closer to "Disintegration." There are songs that are tragic, angry and sad like "Watching Me Fall" (where we find out that Robert can still hold a note. It reminds me of "Prayers for Rain") and "39." The theme is that we get old, and that nothing lasts forever. It is neither fair nor unfair, most poignantly demonstrated in "Bloodflowers," " The Last Day Of Summer," and "39" which also happens to be Robert's age--hard to believe, yes? I never thought I would see the day when my favorite rock artist would see 40. So is The Cure over the hill? Not, if they keep this up! I know I will be spending many rainy nights with this album. Like "Disintegration" I can't say I have a favorite song. It depends on my mood; one day it might be "The Loudest Sound," another "39" or maybe "Watching Me Fall." This album is profoundly sad, but finds sanctuary in all the gloom offering some hope and solace. One thing for sure is, we can all find hope in that The Cure has recaptured what we liked best about "Disintegration," but has given us something new with "Bloodflowers.""

Beautiful bloodflowers

Ronda | Pennsylvania | 02/21/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I've been a fan of the Cure for 15 years, and I can honestly say, that this is one of the best. Thankfully, Robert's redeemed himself after the last album and has returned to his lovely genre of dark beauty. Sounds like it might be the last, I certainly hope not! The Cure is one of the most beautiful and under appreciated talents of our time. Breathtaking."

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	Cure Bloodflowers Genres: Alternative Rock, Pop, Rock Track Listings (9) - Disc #1 Out Of This World Watching Me Fall Where The Birds Always Sing Maybe Someday The Last Day Of Summer There Is No If... The Loudest Sound 39 Bloodflowers Aussie reissue of 2000 album includes one bonus track 'Coming Up'. Polydor. 2004.
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