Name: The Top by The Cure
Brand: The Cure
SKU: 603497978397
Price: 9.9 USD
Availability: OnlineOnly
Rating: 2 (70 reviews)

ALBUM Explicit

Recorded in the midst of Robert Smith's tenuous tenure with Siouxsie and the Banshees, The Top is arguably the most hedonistic record the Cure ever produced. Essentially Smith and Lol Tolhurst working with studio musicians (this being the period when the Cure's lineup was never assured), it's an album obviously recorded under stress, drink, and drugs. More wildly experimental musically than anything before it, it laid the foundations for the Cure's pattern of unpigeonholable albums that were to erase their reputation built by Pornography and eventually culminating in Kiss Me, Kiss Me, Kiss Me. That said, it's still very much a Cure record. Heavy on the percussion and quaint keyboard effects that were so big in the '80s, the melodies ("The Caterpillar," "Shake Dog Shake") are unmistakably Robert Smith. The big change this time around is his ability to fuse the paranoia and neuroses of former work (Pornography) with his newfound use of pop melody and outside influences (i.e., world travels, sounds, instruments) to moderate success ("Wailing Wall," "Piggy in the Mirror"). A more psychedelic descent than Pornography, The Top is a transition, never really feeling like a full-length release, but it does meld all former phases of Rob and company, which would fully gel on The Head on the Door. At best an imperfect record, The Top is a necessary step in the evolution of the band. ~ Chris True

1. Shake Dog Shake (2006 Remaster)

by The Cure

Bass Guitar: Robert Smith; Performer
Primary Artist: The Cure; Main Performer
Drums: Andy Anderson; Performer
Guitar: Robert Smith; Performer
Keyboard: Lol Tolhurst; Performer
Vocals: Robert Smith; Performer
Composer: Robert Smith; Composer
Mixing Engineer: Dave Allen
Howard Grey; Production
Producer: Robert Smith
Dave Allen
Chris Parry; Production

2. Birdmad Girl (2006 Remaster)

by The Cure

Bass Guitar: Robert Smith; Performer
Primary Artist: The Cure; Main Performer
Drums: Andy Anderson; Performer
Guitar: Robert Smith; Performer
Keyboard: Lol Tolhurst; Performer
Vocals: Robert Smith; Performer
Composer: Robert Smith
Lol Tolhurst; Composer
Mixing Engineer: Dave Allen
Howard Grey; Production
Producer: Robert Smith
Dave Allen
Chris Parry; Production

3. Wailing Wall (2006 Remaster)

by The Cure

Bass Guitar: Robert Smith; Performer
Primary Artist: The Cure; Main Performer
Drums: Andy Anderson; Performer
Guitar: Robert Smith; Performer
Keyboard: Lol Tolhurst; Performer
Vocals: Robert Smith; Performer
Composer: Robert Smith; Composer
Mixing Engineer: Dave Allen
Howard Grey; Production
Producer: Robert Smith
Dave Allen
Chris Parry; Production

4. Give Me It (2006 Remaster)

by The Cure

Bass Guitar: Robert Smith; Performer
Primary Artist: The Cure; Main Performer
Drums: Andy Anderson; Performer
Guitar: Robert Smith; Performer
Keyboard: Lol Tolhurst; Performer
Vocals: Robert Smith; Performer
Composer: Robert Smith; Composer
Mixing Engineer: Dave Allen
Howard Grey; Production
Producer: Robert Smith
Dave Allen
Chris Parry; Production

5. Dressing Up (2006 Remaster)

by The Cure

Bass Guitar: Robert Smith; Performer
Primary Artist: The Cure; Main Performer
Drums: Andy Anderson; Performer
Guitar: Robert Smith; Performer
Keyboard: Lol Tolhurst; Performer
Vocals: Robert Smith; Performer
Composer: Robert Smith; Composer
Mixing Engineer: Dave Allen
Howard Grey; Production
Producer: Robert Smith
Dave Allen
Chris Parry; Production

6. The Caterpillar (2006 Remaster)

by The Cure

Primary Artist: The Cure; Main Performer
Bass Guitar: Robert Smith; Performer
Drums: Andy Anderson; Performer
Guitar: Robert Smith; Performer
Keyboard: Laurence Tolhurst; Performer
Violin: Robert Smith; Performer
Vocals: Robert Smith; Performer
Composer: Robert Smith
Lol Tolhurst; Composer
Mixing Engineer: Howard Grey
David M. Allen; Production
Producer: David M. Allen
Robert Smith
Chris Parry; Production

7. Piggy in the Mirror (2006 Remaster)

by The Cure

Bass Guitar: Robert Smith; Performer
Primary Artist: The Cure; Main Performer
Drums: Andy Anderson; Performer
Guitar: Robert Smith; Performer
Keyboard: Lol Tolhurst; Performer
Vocals: Robert Smith; Performer
Composer: Robert Smith
Lol Tolhurst; Composer
Mixing Engineer: David M. Allen
Howard Grey; Production
Producer: Robert Smith
David M. Allen
Chris Parry; Production

8. The Empty World (2006 Remaster)

by The Cure

Bass Guitar: Robert Smith; Performer
Primary Artist: The Cure; Main Performer
Drums: Andy Anderson; Performer
Guitar: Robert Smith; Performer
Keyboard: Lol Tolhurst; Performer
Vocals: Robert Smith; Performer
Composer: Robert Smith; Composer
Mixing Engineer: Dave Allen
Howard Grey; Production
Producer: Robert Smith
Dave Allen
Chris Parry; Production

9. Bananafishbones (2006 Remaster)

by The Cure

Primary Artist: The Cure; Main Performer
Bass Guitar: Robert Smith; Performer
Drums: Andy Anderson; Performer
Guitar: Robert Smith; Performer
Harmonica: Robert Smith; Performer
Keyboard: Lol Tolhurst; Performer
Vocals: Robert Smith; Performer
Composer: Robert Smith; Composer
Mixing Engineer: Dave Allen
Howard Grey; Production
Producer: Robert Smith
Dave Allen
Chris Parry; Production

10. The Top (2006 Remaster)

by The Cure

Bass Guitar: Robert Smith; Performer
Primary Artist: The Cure; Main Performer
Drums: Andy Anderson; Performer
Guitar: Robert Smith; Performer
Keyboard: Lol Tolhurst; Performer
Vocals: Robert Smith; Performer
Composer: Robert Smith; Composer
Mixing Engineer: Dave Allen
Howard Grey; Production
Producer: Robert Smith
Dave Allen
Chris Parry; Production

Technical Specifications

Volume

1 volume only

Tracks

10 tracks available

Type

ALBUM

Format

Digital Media

Duration

40 minutes and 54 seconds

Explicit

Containing curse words, language, or art that is sexually, violently, or offensively oriented.

Coverart

Available and up to 2400x2400 px

Booklet

Not available

Max Quality

CD Quality (Lossless)

16bit / 44.1 kHz

Stereo

Audio Extension

Lossless: FLAC, M4A, WAV, WV, AIFF

Lossy: AAC, MP3, M4A, MP4, OGA, OGG, OPUS, WMA

Archive Format

Available in these formats: ZIP, TAR, RAR

Lyrics

All tracks have lyrics

Synchronized Lyrics

All tracks have synced lyrics

Genres

Alternative, Rock, Goth Rock, Adult Alternative, College Rock

Label

Rhino/Elektra

Music Distribution Service

Unknown

Country

United States

Language

English (United States)

Popularity

Release Date

Apr 29, 1984

Track Preview

Available

Delivery Charge

Free

Delivery Method

Digital download link via Email or Personal Dashboard on this site

UPC

603497978397

Shopping cart

Notification

The Top

The Top

The Top

1. Shake Dog Shake (2006 Remaster)

2. Birdmad Girl (2006 Remaster)

3. Wailing Wall (2006 Remaster)

4. Give Me It (2006 Remaster)

5. Dressing Up (2006 Remaster)

6. The Caterpillar (2006 Remaster)

7. Piggy in the Mirror (2006 Remaster)

8. The Empty World (2006 Remaster)

9. Bananafishbones (2006 Remaster)

10. The Top (2006 Remaster)

Technical Specifications

The Top

Product information

Release options

The Top

The Top

1. Shake Dog Shake (2006 Remaster)

2. Birdmad Girl (2006 Remaster)

3. Wailing Wall (2006 Remaster)

4. Give Me It (2006 Remaster)

5. Dressing Up (2006 Remaster)

6. The Caterpillar (2006 Remaster)

7. Piggy in the Mirror (2006 Remaster)

8. The Empty World (2006 Remaster)

9. Bananafishbones (2006 Remaster)

10. The Top (2006 Remaster)

Technical Specifications