The Cure

Review By Andy Argyrakis Photos by Grabowski

Fans of The Cure have been waiting ever so patiently for the band's yet to be titled thirteenth studio CD, but those gathered at the Allstate Arena on the spring 2008 tour were treated to a sneak peak, plus several hits from yesteryear. Like many key cuts from its thirty year lineage, current single "The Only One" surged with Smith's nervous vocal twitches and his backers' hypnotic rhythms, though it found definite footing in present tense. In fact, throughout the marathon evening, it was evident just how many seminal singles its amassed over the years, not to mention the vast influence upon younger acts like Interpol and Editors (to name a few).

Early evidence came from "Lullaby" and the equally entrancing "Pictures of You," both of which unveiled Smith's emotive songwriting sphere across updated arrangements. Beyond these delightfully dour reflections, the set was packed with plenty of more celebratory subjects, from the quirky frolic of "Lovesong" to the group's carefree commercial apex "Friday I'm In Love" and the scat-filled alternative jazz flourishes of "The Lovecats." And as the initial set flowed into three encore segments, the variety continued thanks to the swinging sensibilities of "Close To Me," the sputtering dance rock of "Boys Don't Cry" and the punkish spirit of "Jumping Someone Else's Train" to round out the generous, three hour affair.

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