The Cure – Pornography

From the early '80s, this is a wonderful release from The Cure. The music is decidedly dark with lyrics in that depression/suicide vein that we've come to love from Robert Smith. This is a beat heavy album, with very dense drumming, somewhat ironic since such grooves typically accompany a dance or pop record. This ain't that.

Highlights are "One Hundred Years", "Siamese Twins", and "Hanging Garden". The best lyrics, however are on "Cold" and "Pornography", be sure to read them.

This reissue is wonderful, great sound and beautiful presentation/product, on a substantial hunk of 180g vinyl.

4 stars.

Very good pressing! At least my copy. Quiet and flat. The mastering is fantastic, IMO. The synth bass is distinct and unmuddied. Overall, a well balanced mix.

No surface noise on my copy, so already it's better than my previous Cure vinyl experience. The mastering properly communicates the clautrophobic nature of the album. The Hanging Garden particularly sounds incredible (Simon's bass is extra audible). Really surprised by how good this pressing is.

US release, made in Czech Republic!? That should be Europe like the other coloured editions, right?

Really great sound, dynamic and doesn't favor any instruments or vocals over the other. Super cheap too, definitely a must-buy

GREAT ALBUM!!!! Great pressing and sound quality too! A little bit of light surface noise (nothing distracting or severe like pops or big crackles) in lead-in grooves and between tracks but once the track starts- oh boy. Maybe I’m partial as this is one of my favorite albums of all time but it’s incredibly dynamic, clear, and punchy where need be. Even though it’s not pressed quietly...definitely turn it up for best results. This 2021 issue lacks the hype sticker of the previous run, but the typo on the label for “The Figurehead” has been corrected. I got this album for $20- (seen it for $30-$36 at a lot of local places- do not overpay!!!) and it’s a great bang for your buck!

EDIT: I docked one star as I learned that on closer inspection my copy has multiple scuffs and scratches, one in particular that causes very audible clicking on the intro to The Hanging Garden- just a caveat that some copies are scratched during production so make sure wherever you’re buying from has a return policy!