Hypnagogic States (The Cure)

Hypnagogic States is a remix EP released by The Cure as a stopgap for their delayed studio album, due near the end of October.

I wrote a review for a friend, so I'll just be appropriating that for this purpose.

Tracks:
1. The Only One (Remix 4 by 30 Seconds to Mars)
I don't like this remix at all. I think it completely changes the mood of the track for the worse. In fact, it's almost as if the new elements are working against the vocal track. I can't find anything to recommend about this track.

2. Freakshow (Wolves at the Gate remix)
I don't think this improves on the original, but it's enjoyable. It adds some club-friendly elements. Worth a listen. It's not likely to wow.

3. Sleep When I'm Dead (Remix 4 by Gerard Way and Julien-K)
This is probably my favorite of the remixes. For whatever reason, I find that this mix does a better job of bringing out the lyrics than the single mix did. Perhaps that's partially because I know them better now, but I don't think that's entirely why I found that to be the case. Anyway, I think this one works very nicely.

4. The Perfect Boy (Remix 4 by Patrick Stump / Pete Wentz)
This is another where the mood seems changed a bit, but unlike the remix of "The Only One," it's not completely killed. As with the "Freakshow" remix, it doesn't really improve on the single version, but it's still pretty good in its own right.

5. Exploding Head Syndrome (4 Single Remix by 65 Days of Static)
This is an interesting beast. It tries to be an epic composition that takes elements from all four songs. It's best appreciated if you can let your mind turn off a bit and just listen and drift along as it goes through its moods and phases. In parts, it succeeds, but "Exploding Head Syndrome"'s ultimate downfall is its transitions. There are a few that just aren't convincing and could just as easily have been breaks between tracks. However, if a little more care had been put in the transitions, then this would have been a must-have track that would have made the EP essential. Despite not being the great track it could have been, I do think this is pretty cool and would rank it my second favorite offering from this EP behind the "Sleep When I'm Dead" remix.

So there you go. It's an interesting, but ultimately inessential, release.

"The Perfect Boy (Mix 13)" single (The Cure)

Well, The Cure's marketing technique has worked well on me, as I've picked up the single for "The Perfect Boy (Mix 13)," the fourth single leading up to the release of the group's thirteen studio album. The title track, which is quite good, is backed with "Without You," which isn't quite as good as the a-side, but still a decent track. I think, of the four released, my favorite is "Freakshow (Mix 13)," as both tracks are quite strong, but all four a-sides are good, and I'm pleased with the results so far. Hopefully the album will be a good one.

Tracks:
1. The Perfect Boy (Mix 13)
2. Without You

"Sleep When I'm Dead" single (The Cure)

The Cure's latest single, "Sleep When I'm Dead," is the July edition of their single release program leading up to their new album. At first listen, I wasn't too sure what I thought about it, but after a few more listens, I've decided that the a-side is actually quite good. The b-side, "Down Under," didn't draw me in quite as much, but it isn't a bad track. While the b-sides have been of variable quality, I'm personally finding the Cure a-sides from this year to be quite good, and this continues that trend.

Tracks:
1. Sleep When I'm Dead (mix 13)
2. Down Under

"Freakshow" single (The Cure)

"Freakshow" was June's Cure single offering on the road to their album release. Overall, I would probably rank these two tracks higher than those on the single for "The Only One," as "NY Trip" was a good but not great b-side for me. Both "Freakshow (Mix 13)" and "All Kinds of Stuff" are excellent tracks, however. A fine offering from The Cure.

Tracks:
1. Freakshow (Mix 13)
2. All Kinds of Stuff

Greatest Hits & "The Only One" single (The Cure)

My time for music listening was recently cut severely as I spent a month being productive. I am officially backed up in my listening and will be having some fun catching up in the coming days. I did, however, manage to listen to a couple of Cure acquisitions while I was away: Greatest Hits and the single for "The Only One."

Greatest Hits is an 18-track compilation that includes many great Cure selections. For someone like me, with very little Cure, it's a great start in getting their major singles. It includes some of their most well-known songs, and there's not a track on there that isn't worth hearing. Of course, not every great Cure single is included, with the brilliant "Pictures of You" one of the most glaring omissions. Still, as an intro disc for the Cure, Greatest Hits works.

Tracks:
1. Boys Don't Cry
2. A Forest
3. Let's Go to Bed
4. The Walk
5. The Lovecats
6. In Between Days
7. Close to Me
8. Why Can't I Be You?
9. Just Like Heaven
10. Lullaby
11. Lovesong
12. Never Enough
13. High
14. Friday I'm in Love
15. Mint Car
16. Wrong Number
17. Cut Here
18. Just Say Yes

"The Only One" was released 13 June. Many people have compared the a-side to "High," and it's a valid comparison. It's a good track. The b-side, "NY Trip," is also pretty cool.

Tracks:
1. The Only One (Mix 13)
2. NY Trip

The 13th (The Cure), Ingram Hill Unplugged, Don't Let Me Down / You and I (CD1) (Will Young)

I celebrated National Record Store Day yesterday with a trip to The Groove. It was pretty cool. I really just love record stores, and I spent hours browsing and could have spent more time had I not needed to get back to my room. I actually spent most of my time wading through boxes of 45s that they have. Fun stuff.

Anyway, to consolidate space, this post will knock out 2 singles and an EP that I picked up as part of my NRSD celebration:

The Cure: "The 13th" single
It's a two-track single. The a-side is "The 13th (Swing Radio Mix)" and, if you're a Cure fan, you've probably already heard this 1996 release. It was sent out in support of Wild Mood Swings, which many consider to be one of the weaker Cure albums. I can't judge the album, but I do like the song. The flip side is a cool track titled "Adonais."

Ingram Hill Unplugged
I've been lazy and cheap and therefore have still failed to pick up Ingram Hill's latest album, Cold in California. However, I still recommend their previous one, June's Picture Show, which contains some quality tracks. This EP includes 4 acoustic versions of songs from that release.

Tracks:
1. Almost Perfect (acoustic)
2. Will I Ever Make It Home (acoustic)
3. On My Way (acoustic)
4. Chicago (acoustic)

Will Young: "Don't Let Me Down" / "You and I" (CD1)
This single was released in 2002 as the official BBC Children in Need charity single. I prefer "Don't Let Me Down" to "You and I." They're both decent tracks. B-side "If That's What You Want" is also pretty cool. I'm pleased. Hearing these tracks reminded me that I still really want Gareth Gates's third album, which in turn made me feel pathetic.

"alt.end" single (The Cure)

I really like everything I've heard by The Cure, but I've never actually purchased any of their music. Shame on me. I need to fix that. I guess I just have trouble knowing where to start with artists who already have such extensive catalogues.

I purchased the "alt.end" single while I was browsing discs at Borders. I had a coupon and didn't see much I really wanted to buy, and I remember hearing "alt.end" and enjoying it when it was a current a few years ago, so I figured I might as well grab it.

I really enjoy the a-side. I believe I remember a lot of Cure fans not being crazy about some of their more recent works, but I think this tune is quite good. I don't think I was as big a fan of "End of the World," but I haven't heard it since it was first out, so I might be remembering that incorrectly.

"Why Can't I Be Me?" is a cool, angsty tune. Definitely worth a listen. "Your God Is Fear" is a heavy track and also pretty cool.

I can't say I would put any of these three songs amongst by top Cure tunes even based on my limited knowledge of their catalogue, but they're still three solid tracks.

Tracks:
1. alt.end
2. Why Can't I Be Me?
3. Your God Is Fear