The Cure is a goth/alt rock band from the UK formed in 1976. Their 1992 album, Wish, is
known as the album that projected the Cure from a band with some mainstream success to a
band with legendary status in rock music. The Cure wrote their most popular song, Friday, I’m In
Love, on this album along with fan favorites like A Letter to Elise and From the Edge of the
Deep Green Sea. Recently, Wish turned 30 so The Cure released a 30th anniversary deluxe
edition of the album, so here are my thoughts on it.
The Cure is known for frequently switching their genre between albums. They can switch
from goth to pop to rock to techno/new wave type music. This album is probably a more
mainstream and accessible version of The Cure, most likely to reach a broader audience, but
still is some of their best work. This album overall has a moody, emotional feeling to it. However,
some tracks have a cheerier edge to them like Doing the Unstuck and Friday I’m in Love.
The sadder moments on this album, such as Apart or To Wish Impossible Things can
be truly gut wrenching. Apart is a dreary, dismal track about a couple who grew apart as the
name suggests, and overtime lost their love for one another. Robert Smith’s delivery on the
vocals on this track are very low throughout, in almost a whisper. This gives the song an
atmospheric feel to it, it makes you feel like you’re floating.
My personal favorite on this album is the song Wendy Time. The guitar on this song is
incredible, with heavy use of a wah pedal. This song is very high energy, especially compared to
most other songs on this album. Towards the end of the song the instrumental and Robert
Smith’s vocals build up very slowly for a drop that will leave shivers down your spine.
Overall, this album is nearly a masterpiece. It can make you feel all sorts of ways.
Some songs have guitar riffs that make you want to dance, others are slow piano ballads that
make you want to cry. I give this album a 10/10. This album showcased The Cure’s ability to
innovate a sound unlike anything else in the world.