The Cure
by The Cure
  • Record Label: Geffen
  • Release Date: Jun 29, 2004
Metascore
75

Generally favorable reviews - based on 25 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 19 out of 25
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 25
  3. Negative: 0 out of 25
  1. The Guardian
    90
    Strikes a near-perfect balance between the various facets of the band's history.
  2. Uncut
    90
    This is a thrilling album, one that contains an extremity of sound and emotion that's unlikely to be matched by anyone else this year. [Album of the Month, Aug 2004, p.90]
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  3. Tiny Mix Tapes
    80
    This is a much better effort than anything they've done in quite some time.
  5. Dot Music
    80
    It's not a perfect record, but "The Cure" does achieve something quite remarkable and unexpected. It leaves you looking forward to their next one.
  6. Rolling Stone
    80
    The new album is their most adventurous and passionate since Disintegration.
  7. Stylus Magazine
    80
    There are entirely too many nods to the past for this album to be a fresh start, yet it refuses to slip comfortably into place in their catalogue.
  8. New Musical Express (NME)
    80
    Startling from the first listen... the band are heavier, more menacing, more rhythmic than ever. [19 Jun 2004, p.55]
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  9. Playlouder
    80
    Keep giving it a whirl though and it becomes something rather exquisite.
  10. Austin Chronicle
    78
    Brighter than Bloodflowers, denser than Wish, The Cure presents Smith as a wild-haired sorcerer's apprentice, conducting another mad symphony of infatuation and angst.
  11. Pitchfork
    77
    Invoking Disintegration is ridiculous, but The Cure is remarkably more thrilling a listen than the band's most recent guitar-heavy predecessors.
  12. Filter
    76
    Strangely timid in both its production choices and songwriting. [#11, p.92]
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  13. Los Angeles Times
    75
    The lyric invention of past Cure albums is missing, but the pop transcendence emerges in fits.
  14. E! Online
    75
    It's hard to imagine a set of songs that better reflects every phase the group has navigated through its turbulent career.
  15. Spin
    75
    If The Cure feels like a recapitulation of the band's career, it's because they've recorded songs very much like these before. [Aug 2004, p.103]
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  16. Entertainment Weekly
    75
    As with Prince on Musicology, Smith allows the Cure's current lineup to become his own tribute band. [9 Jul 2004, p.86]
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  17. Flak Magazine
    70
    If approached with a substantial amount of skepticism and wariness, The Cure is not a complete disappointment. In fact, it's often surprisingly good and sometimes even great.
  18. PopMatters
    70
    Not the fresh start the band truly needed, The Cure at least succeeds in validating the current lineup of the band, as it is a compelling reminder of what made the Cure so great for so long.
  19. Billboard
    70
    Some of its most appealing material in recent memory.
  20. Mojo
    70
    The recorded-live-by-candlelight performances documented herein aren't short on the kind of clamorous foreboding and twisted pop nous a fan of Disintegration or The Head On The Door might hope for. [Aug 2004, p.87]
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Awards & Rankings

51
#51 Most Discussed Album of 2004
5
#5 Most Shared Album of 2004

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
7.6

Generally favorable reviews- based on 63 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 50 out of 63
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 63
  3. Negative: 7 out of 63
  1. Szymi
    Mar 25, 2016
    9
    I think this is the most underrated Cure album. Maybe it is not perfect, but it is great. Songs like Us or Them, The End of the World, LostI think this is the most underrated Cure album. Maybe it is not perfect, but it is great. Songs like Us or Them, The End of the World, Lost are really fantastic.… Full Review »
  2. vinzlima
    Nov 5, 2015
    10
    Brilhante, e esse termo que uso pra dar outro nome a este álbum. The Cure conseguiu nos levar de volta a seu auge nos anos 90, um feito muitoBrilhante, e esse termo que uso pra dar outro nome a este álbum. The Cure conseguiu nos levar de volta a seu auge nos anos 90, um feito muito difícil e praticamente impossível, mas não pro The Cure.… Full Review »
  3. Bigbadtad
    Jan 30, 2014
    7
    Ok so first off, The Cure have maintained a standard on the vast majority of their albums that many other artists could only hope too achieve.Ok so first off, The Cure have maintained a standard on the vast majority of their albums that many other artists could only hope too achieve. Three Imaginary Boys has been my favourite album of all time for a while now. It's energy is just out there. I understand that many would disagree and say that Three Imaginary boys isn't even half good. But I couldn't care less. This album is a little sub-par if you ask me. It's lyrics are brilliant as I've come to expect. But the album seems a little dreary if I'm honest. All in all I'd still say the album is a success. But Robert seems to be trying to stick to the usual stuff instead of pushing himself further.… Full Review »
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