By Patrick Luce Aug 18, 2006, 15:27 GMT
Cure fans take note – ‘Kiss Me, Kiss Me, Kiss Me’ [Original Recording Remasterd] deluxe two-disc CD is well worth the price, and remains one of the band’s best albums.
The album’s re-release is part of Rhino Records deluxe versions of some of The Cure’s early work from the 80’s. The deluxe re-releases include ‘The Top,’ ‘The Head on the Door,’ and ‘Kiss Me, Kiss Me, Kiss Me.’ Rhino has also re-released a deluxe two-disc edition of ‘Blue Sunshine’ – from Robert Smith’s side project The Glove.
The new deluxe albums are Rhino’s way of covering the music that the band recorded from 1984 to 1987, and is also part of the label’s continued revitalization of The Cure catalog.
The label has really put out a nice edition of the album, and all of the new versions are something that the band’s fans will want to invest in getting. Each of the albums will include remastered versions of the original recordings on one disc, and a second disc that features previously unreleased music, or some rare cuts from the group. In addition to that, the CDs (which also feature very nice packaging) comes with a booklet that has a look at the history of the band and the making of the album. It is filled with the album’s lyrics, photos of the band, and tour memorabilia.
‘Kiss Me, Kiss Me, Kiss Me’ is probably my second favorite Cure album (1992’s ‘Wish’ is my favorite). It is filled with the band’s trademark guitar sound, singer Robert Smith’s haunting and sometimes baffling lyrics, and demonstrates how the band can’t be stuck into one genre.
First released in 1987 as a double album, ‘Kiss Me, Kiss Me, Kiss Me’ clearly demonstrates Smith’s songwriting ability. It also demonstrated how the group could produce radio friendly hits, but also stay on the alternative side that attracted most of their fans. The album featured the group’s first U.S. Top 40 big hit single “Just Like Heaven,” and also the singles that made their way to be hits in the U.K. - like “Why Can’t I Be You?,” “Hot Hot Hot!!!” and “Catch.” This version of the album also features the single “Hey You!” on the first disc.
The deluxe edition’s second disc fell a little flat on me, but I am sure that some Cure fans will really enjoy it. For the most part, I felt it was a bit repetitive since it is mostly made up of studio demo versions or live versions of the album’s songs on the first disc. Again, I am sure some fans will end up liking the second disc more than the first - thanks to the rarity factor.
The second disc features 18 tracks (the same count as the first disc) – which range from home and studio demos that also include instrumental version of “The Kiss” recorded at Smith’s home studio.
The bonus disc also features instrumental studio demos for album tracks such as “Hot Hot Hot!!!,” “Just Like Heaven” and “Like Cockatoos.” There are also live versions of “Catch,” “Snakepit,” and “Why Can’t I Be You?” that were recorded in 1987.
If you are a fan of The Cure, I would highly recommend ‘Kiss Me, Kiss Me, Kiss Me’ [Original Recording Remasterd]. The sound of the CD is sharp, the songs are what you want from the band. The second disc is filled with enough rarity recordings to make the new version of the album worth the price and justify buying it for possibly the second time. If you are not familiar with the band or only know them from their radio singles, I am not sure that ‘Kiss Me, Kiss Me, Kiss Me’ is the album to introduce you to The Cure, but it also won’t let you down.
‘Kiss Me, Kiss Me, Kiss Me’ [Original Recording Remasterd] is now available at Amazon. Visit the music database for more information and a complete track listing.
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